Section B: Design Review Criteria
Chapter 6
Environmental Context
“Development should preserve and, where possible, enhance the City’s scenic
natural setting. Natural features, such as existing heritage trees, rock outcropping,
ridgelines and significant watercourses should be protected. Existing terrain should
be utilized in the design and grading should be minimized.” -LBMC §25.05.040(H)
Designing with nature in mind is a local design tradition. Consideration of climatic and
topographical characteristics and preservation of the natural environment are important
factors in the design process. Ocean and atmospheric health, public safety, and natural habitat
protection are concerns at both the local and the regional level.
Preservation of the Natural Setting
The existing terrain and its ridgelines, natural slopes, rock outcrops, and mature trees establish
a natural context for neighborhoods. These natural elements need to be preserved and integrated
into building and landscaping projects. Site conditions vary widely and must be addressed on a
case-by-case basis. A preliminary site assessment should guide the basic building form.
Design Objective: Designs should respect the natural contours of the land and protect trees
and natural landscapes.
6.1 Minimize alteration to the site’s significant environmental features.
∙∙ Assess and preserve unique environmental features such as prominent rock outcrops,
mature trees, significant watercourses, ridgelines, and other distinctive features of the
site.
6.2 Maintain natural slopes to the extent feasible.
∙∙ Avoid excessive exposed cuts or fills.
∙∙ Design building to conform to the sites’s natural contours.
6.3 Avoid building on the crest of knolls, ridgelines, and prominent locations.
6.4 Consider the location of trees and their root systems on and near the site when determining the
building footprint.
∙∙ Provide adequate buffers between
natural features and structures, site
development and utilities.
∙∙ Avoid grading near significant natural
features.
∙∙ Protect existing significant trees, with
particular attention to their root zones
and the root zones of trees on adjacent
sites.
Buildings have been set back to preserve the
ridgeline.
A Guide to Residential Development
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Section B: Design Review Criteria
Environmental Context
Grading
Working with the natural landscape is a fundamental consideration in site design. Alteration
of the natural contours should be minimized. Steeply sloping lots will impose limitations on
the size and placement of a proposed home. A balance must be achieved between perching a
structure on top of a site and grading the site excessively. Geological issues and the protection
of natural features need to be considered at the concept design stage.
Design Objective: Grading should be the minimum necessary to achieve an appropriate
building mass while retaining natural features and significant vegetation. Site design should
minimize modification of the natural landscape and slope.
6.5 Minimize grading.
∙∙ Design in a manner that follows the natural contours of the site.
∙∙ Step the foundation to follow the property’s natural contours.
∙∙ Minimize grading outside the building footprint.
∙∙ Conduct a site-specific geotechnical investigation as an initial step in the design
process.
6.6 Create smooth transitions in grade between buildings and between adjacent properties and
natural grades.
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City of Laguna Beach, California