Placentia, CA Zoning Overlays & Bonuses: Downtown Design Guide (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Placentia Municipal Code § 23.112.050, Shopfronts and Architectural Styles
- Shopfront height
- 12′ to 16′ tall from the adjacent sidewalk
- Storefront openings
- 65% of first-floor wall area facing the street
- Main Street style
- Main Street Commercial required
- Frontage rule
- Minimum 75% of site frontage as building frontage
- Blank wall limit
- 20 linear feet before a window, entry or facade treatment
- Ground floor height
- 15 ft. minimum in Main Street, Village, Mixed-Use
Summary
In the City of Placentia, California, new development in Old Town must meet the design standards in § 23.112.050. Shopfronts run 12 to 16 feet tall with storefront openings covering 65% of the first-floor street wall, and Main Street subarea buildings must follow the Main Street Commercial style.
Shopfronts The following are specific guidelines for shopfronts in the Old Town area: 1. 12′ to 16′ tall, as measured from the adjacent sidewalk. 2. The corresponding storefront(s) opening(s) along the primary frontage shall comprise 65% of the 1st floor wall area facing the street and not have opaque, stucco or reflective glazing. 3. Storefronts may be recessed from the frontage line by up to 10′. ... Architectural Styles 1. Main Street Commercial ... Style of architecture required in Main Street subareas 2. Mission Revival ... Choices of architecture for the following: • Village subarea • Mixed use subarea • High density residential subarea 3. Spanish Colonial ... This style of architecture permitted only in high density residential subarea
Full Breakdown
Chapter 23.112 of the Placentia Municipal Code is the Old Town Placentia Revitalization Plan Development Standards, the city's design guide for its historic core. Section 23.112.010 states the purpose: preserve the village look and feel, keep the original grid of short walkable blocks, and require high quality architecture with 360 degree design. Under § 23.112.020 the standards apply to lands shown on the official zoning map and do not apply to development approved before adoption whose entitlements are still valid, or to development with current, valid building permits. Section 23.112.030 divides Old Town into five subareas (Main Street, Village, Mixed-Use, High-Density Residential, Public Facilities) and an R-2 Overlay Zone.
The design rules sit in § 23.112.050. Shopfronts must be 12 feet to 16 feet tall measured from the adjacent sidewalk. Storefront openings along the primary frontage must make up 65% of the first-floor wall area facing the street and cannot use opaque, stucco or reflective glazing. Storefronts can be recessed up to 10 feet. Bulkheads are encouraged and run between 24 inches and 36 inches tall, and an aluminum storefront or spandrel panel cannot substitute for one.
The architectural style depends on the subarea. The Main Street Commercial style is required in the Main Street subarea. The Village, Mixed-Use and High-Density Residential subareas choose Mission Revival, and Spanish Colonial is permitted only in the High-Density Residential subarea.
The same section sets form standards. A minimum of 75% of the site frontage must be occupied as building frontage, no visible parking is permitted along frontages, and a blank wall cannot exceed 20 linear feet without a window, entry or other facade treatment. Minimum ground floor height is 15 feet in the Main Street, Village and Mixed-Use subareas. In the Main Street subarea the table sets a 0 ft. front yard setback and building heights of 30 feet in the 2-story area, 40 feet in the 3-story area and 55 feet in the 4-story area. The building at 102 S. Bradford Avenue must keep its facade, including the tower and the stained glass windows along Chapman Avenue, integrated into any new design.
Violations & Fines
Chapter 23.112 sits in Title 23, so violations can be charged as misdemeanors or infractions at the city's option under § 1.08.020. An infraction fine cannot exceed $100 for a first violation, $200 for a second within one year, and $500 for each additional violation. A misdemeanor falls under § 1.08.010, with a fine not exceeding $1,000 or imprisonment up to one year, and each day a violation continues is a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
What shopfront rules apply in Old Town Placentia?
Which architectural style is required in Old Town Placentia?
Do the Old Town standards apply to projects already approved?
How long can a blank wall be on an Old Town Placentia building?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Placentia
California rules heatmap·Compare Placentia to another location·View the California zoning overlays & bonuses overview
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