City of Rocklin

Architectural
Guidelines

Overview

It is a goal of City Council to create several unique destination locations with a sense of place that each build upon existing man-made and natural features. These guidelines – coupled with the citywide Design Review Guidelines – serve as the policy documents, which will assist the private development community in working with the City to achieve the goal.

Our Mission

The City of Rocklin's mission is to become a city that provides its citizens with exceptional quality of life while maintaining its small town sense of community.

Purpose of Guidelines

These guidelines are meant to inspire and provide designers with basic direction in preparing review documents that focus on high quality design and use of materials but also allow for flexibility of design in response to market forces while allowing for a more predictable review process. These guidelines are supplemental to, but equally enforceable under the City's Design Review Ordinance (RMC 17-72).

How to use the guidelines

Each district is defined by an existing structure or set of structures referenced as the archetype. The archetype embodies the architectural style(s) or elements that should be considered and expanded upon by the designer. Each district includes a statement regarding the vision for that particular district that is meant to be achieved followed by a table showing photographs of existing structures and proposed examples at various sizes and locations within the district.

The tables on each district page divide structures into small, medium, and large sizes. In general:

  • Small structures include; houses, chapels, pavilions, and single-tenant commercial, etc.
  • Medium structures include; multi-family, multi-tenant commercial, places of worship, and manufacturing, etc.
  • Large structures include; corporate headquarters, campuses, wholesale distribution, big box retail, and institutions, etc.

Designers should consider all of the information provided in the guidelines, including existing structures, proposed examples, other similar architectural styles, and appendix related images before preparing initial design submitals.

Review Process

Projects located within a district are required to meet the City’s Design Review Criteria and Architectural Guidelines. Architecture as well as building related art and signage is subject to review by the Architectural Review Committee (ARC). The Committee includes two City Council Members, two Planning Commissioners and staff.

In general, new structures and major additions or remodels require Committee consideration prior to Planning Commission approval. Small additions and maintenance projects may be approved at the staff level unless the Director elects to forward to the Committee for approval or the applicant appeals staff’s determination to the Committee.

Applications are to be submitted to the Economic and Community Development Department using the Universal Application form below.

Granite District

University District

Quarry District

College District

Proceed To Universal Application

Applications are to be submitted to the Economic and Community Development Department using the Universal Application Form. Click to proceed.

Download Design Review Guidelines

Projects located within a district are required to meet the City's Design Review Guidelines. Click to download.