Objective Design Standards for Multi-Unit Housing, File No. ORD24-0007

The ordinance includes amendments to Chapter 26 (Zoning Code) of the Sonoma County Code to establish Objective Design Standards (ODS) for multi-unit housing development projects. These standards will apply to all housing development projects as defined under the Housing Accountability Act, such as multifamily developments, certain mixed-use housing projects, condominiums, townhomes, and subdivisions, except for projects consisting solely of a single-family dwelling proposed with an accessory dwelling unit. Objective design standards will replace the subjective design standards historically applied during the design review process and build on existing objective design standards specific to individual use types and project sites. The standards address site design, structure design, and exterior lighting.