Marin County Residential Design Guidelines

Dyett & Bhatia (D&B) prepared Marin County’s Multi-family Residential Design Guidelines to assist project applicants during the project design phase and County staff and decision makers in the review and approval process. The Guidelines emphasize pedestrian-friendly building-street relationships and how to fit with established neighborhoods. They also address architectural elements, outdoor living space, and sustainable development practices. The Guidelines establish “place-based” provisions to respect and enhance essential design characteristics for mixed-use centers, residential neighborhoods, hillsides, and rural towns. D&B worked closely with a citizens’ working group to review draft language, as well as representatives from multiple County departments. The Guidelines were adopted in 2013.