City of Rocklin
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City of Rocklin3970 Rocklin Road
Rocklin, CA 95677
Phone 916.625.5000 | Fax 916.625.5095 | TTY 916.632.4013
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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.
These guidelines apply to four distinct areas, or districts. Each area is unique in terms of existing architectural style and development pattern, but more importantly represent emerging trends or opportunities for transformation. These guidelines will ensure that each District ultimately embodies a definable yet unique quality of place and experience in the built environment. Each district is defined geographically based on land use, transportation, and natural features, which results in irregularly shaped boundaries.
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).
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.
Vision
The district is an architecturally eclectic thoroughfare and continues to serve as Rocklin’s modern “Mainstreet” along with supporting other new neighborhood and destination type uses. An infusion of new and exciting housing types compliments and supports walkability to commercial uses.
Each district is defined geographically based on land use, transportation, and natural features which results in irregularly shaped boundaries. In most cases a “core” area near the center of the district and a “transition” area near the edge of the district are shown on each district map to express the intent that proposed structures located close to the center should pay special attention to the archetype(s), while those at the edge in areas of transition should also attempt to blend with existing architectural patterns adjacent but outside of the district.
Structures adjacent to and visible from highways, located within transition areas along collector or arterial roadways, at project entries, vistas, plazas, common areas, or prominent corners should include feature elements consistent with the district guidelines.
The district features several neighborhood and destination retail, restaurant, and entertainment uses linked by a central corridor including a variety of luxury vehicle dealerships, shopping plazas, and the school district headquarters. There are not one but many existing buildings which serve as archetypal references for future design consideration.
The following architectural features or elements commonly characterize the architecture sought after for the district. Designers should pay special attention to these features and incorporate a minimum of three of the following:
The following architectural styles and related examples offer a complimentary approach for designer consideration and basis for research:
The incorporation of art and signage compatible with the proposed architectural design is essential. Designers are encouraged to be creative and propose ideas even if inconsistent with City code. The following examples demonstrate art and signage with an emphasis on murals and neon or back lighting are meant only for designer consideration and basis for research:
Use the building examples below for inspiration on creating your building in the Granite District. Photos of some existing structures may not be indicative of the desired architecture, but may include features that should be reviewed.
Vision
The district’s architecture is contemporary and expands on the modern archetype to elevate learning, creativity, and industry. Progressive thinkers and companies desire to locate within this urban district because it’s a walkable destination for innovation and mixed use development.
Each district is defined geographically based on land use, transportation, and natural features which results in irregularly shaped boundaries. In most cases a “core” area near the center of the district and a “transition” area near the edge of the district are shown on each district map to express the intent that proposed structures located close to the center should pay special attention to the archetype(s), while those at the edge in areas of transition should also attempt to blend with existing architectural patterns adjacent but outside of the district.
Structures adjacent to and visible from highways, located within transition areas along collector or arterial roadways, at project entries, vistas, plazas, common areas, or prominent corners should include feature elements consistent with the district guidelines.
Designed in 1985 by world-renown architect Frank Gehry, the former Herman Miller furniture factory (current home of William Jessup University) serves as the primary exemplar for this district’s architectural style and approach. The campus contains fragmented building alignments supporting interesting and diverse internal spaces. There is a strong horizontal emphasis to exterior facades including long metallic paneled wall surfaces broken by voids, patterned openings and projecting planes. Primary colors are used to accent feature elements and surfaces.
The following architectural features or elements commonly characterize the architecture sought after for the district. Designers should pay special attention to these features and incorporate a minimum of three of the following:
The following architectural styles and related examples offer a complimentary approach for designer consideration and basis for research:
In addition, contemporary interpretations of the following historic architectural styles and related examples should be considered:
The incorporation of art and signage compatible with the proposed architectural design is essential. Designers are encouraged to be creative and propose ideas even if inconsistent with City code. The following examples demonstrate contemporary art and signage as interactive with an emphasis on color and meant only for designer consideration and basis for research.
Use the building examples below for inspiration on creating your building in the University District. Photos of some existing structures may not be indicative of the desired architecture, but may include features that should be reviewed.
Vision
The district is a safe, walkable, and inviting village; a gathering place anchored by Quarry Park. The architecture is rustic and vernacular featuring granite, exposed wood elements and reminiscent of its mining heritage. The village is charming and respectful to the community’s historic roots yet also vibrant and bold meeting citizen’s expectations for housing, retail shopping and entertainment.
Each district is defined geographically based on land use, transportation, and natural features which results in irregularly shaped boundaries. In most cases a “core” area near the center of the district and a “transition” area near the edge of the district are shown on each district map to express the intent that proposed structures located close to the center should pay special attention to the archetype(s), while those at the edge in areas of transition should also attempt to blend with existing architectural patterns adjacent but outside of the district.
Structures adjacent to and visible from highways, located within transition areas along collector or arterial roadways, at project entries, vistas, plazas, common areas, or prominent corners should include feature elements consistent with the district guidelines.
This is a historic and architecturally diverse district featuring human-scaled native granite and wood frame structures. There are not one but many existing buildings which serve as archetypal references for future design consideration.
The following architectural features or elements commonly characterize the architecture sought after for the district. Designers should pay special attention to these features and incorporate a minimum of three of the following:
Contemporary interpretations of the following historic architectural styles and related examples should be considered:
The incorporation of art and signage compatible with the proposed architectural design is essential. Designers are encouraged to be creative and propose ideas even if inconsistent with City code. The following examples demonstrate art and signage with an emphasis on weathered and reused materials and are meant only for designer consideration and basis for research.
Use the building examples below for inspiration on creating your building in the Quarry District. Photos of some existing structures may not be indicative of the desired architecture, but may include features that should be reviewed.
Vision
The district is interconnected with Sierra College featuring contemporary interpretations of traditional forms of collegiate architecture. The district offers something to do for all age groups with a focus on continuing and higher education. There are a variety of housing types for students and educators alike.
Each district is defined geographically based on land use, transportation, and natural features which results in irregularly shaped boundaries. In most cases a “core” area near the center of the district and a “transition” area near the edge of the district are shown on each district map to express the intent that proposed structures located close to the center should pay special attention to the archetype(s), while those at the edge in areas of transition should also attempt to blend with existing architectural patterns adjacent but outside of the district.
Structures adjacent to and visible from highways, located within transition areas along collector or arterial roadways, at project entries, vistas, plazas, common areas, or prominent corners should include feature elements consistent with the district guidelines.
Currently, there are no buildings embodying all aspects of the traditional collegiate style of architecture desired for the district. The following images are meant to serve as archetypal references for future design consideration.
The following architectural features or elements commonly characterize the architecture sought after for the district. Designers should pay special attention to these features and incorporate brick into the building(s) plus a minimum of three of the following:
Contemporary interpretations of the following historic architectural styles and related examples should be considered:
The incorporation of art and signage compatible with the proposed architectural design is essential. Designers are encouraged to be creative and propose ideas even if inconsistent with City code. The following examples demonstrate art and signage with an emphasis on metalwork and the incorporation of brick and are meant only for designer consideration and basis for research.
Use the building examples below for inspiration on creating your building in the College District. Photos of some existing structures may not be indicative of the desired architecture, but may include features that should be reviewed.
