A. 
Intent.
1. 
Visible and Welcoming Entrances. To make major building entrances obvious and welcoming.
B. 
Standards – Required.
1. 
Visual Prominence. The primary building entrance shall be made visibly prominent utilizing a minimum of five of the architectural treatments listed below. At least one element shall be selected from each of the categories listed below (i.e., at least one element from subsections (B)(1)(a), (b) and (c) of this section).
a. 
Facade Features.
(1) 
Recess;
(2) 
Canopies;
(3) 
Trellis;
(4) 
Porticos;
(5) 
Porches.
b. 
Doorway Features.
(1) 
Clerestory;
(2) 
Transom windows;
(3) 
Glass windows flanking door;
(4) 
Large entry doors;
(5) 
Ornamental lighting;
(6) 
Lit displays.
c. 
Detail Features.
(1) 
Special entry paving;
(2) 
Ornamental building name or address;
(3) 
Planters or pots of flowers;
(4) 
Seating.
2. 
Weather Protection. Provide some form of weather protection at building entrances such as a canopy, marquee, or awning. This feature may be combined with the methods used above to achieve visual building entry prominence.
(Ord. 11-0329 § 3 (Exh. 1))
A. 
Intent.
1. 
Visual Interest in Ground Level Activities. To visually and architecturally express ground level activities which promote the pedestrian environment.
B. 
Standards – Required.
1. 
Architectural Treatments and Details. Commercial building facades facing streets shall incorporate at least two elements from each of the following categories, with a minimum of five total treatments required:
a. 
Palette of Window Treatments.
(1) 
Large storefront windows above kickplates;
(2) 
Clerestory windows;
(3) 
Recessed windows;
(4) 
Mullions.
b. 
Palette of Facade Treatments.
(1) 
Lighting or baskets supported by ornamental brackets;
(2) 
Medallions;
(3) 
Belt courses;
(4) 
Plinths for columns;
(5) 
Piers or pilasters;
(6) 
Projecting sills;
(7) 
Tilework;
(8) 
Stone or concrete masonry;
(9) 
Pedestrian-scaled signs;
(10) 
Planter boxes; or
(11) 
Other architectural treatments which meet the intent of this standard.
(Ord. 11-0329 § 3 (Exh. 1))
A. 
Intent.
1. 
Visual Interest in Ground Level Activities. To visually and architecturally express ground level activities which contribute to the pedestrian environment.
2. 
Visibility into Buildings. To provide visibility into buildings and from buildings out to the sidewalks.
B. 
Standards – Required.
1. 
Clear Glass Windows. A minimum of 50 percent of the ground floor facade of commercial buildings fronting public streets shall be comprised of windows. The facade shall be measured from the ground to the projected interior ceiling height.
2. 
Film. Film may be applied to windows to provide shade and for energy efficiency, provided full transparency and visibility are maintained into the building from the sidewalk.
3. 
Visible Light Transmittance. Windows shall have a minimum 50 percent visible light transmittance.
C. 
Not Allowed.
1. 
Reflective Glass or Film. Reflective glass and/or reflective film which diminish transparency are not allowed.
(Ord. 11-0329 § 3 (Exh. 1))
A. 
Intent.
1. 
Weather Protection. To provide weather protection for pedestrians.
B. 
Standards – Required.
1. 
Canopies, Arcades, or Awnings. Canopies, arcades, or awnings shall be provided on commercial building facades facing streets. Dimensions shall provide a:
a. 
Minimum canopy depth of five feet;
b. 
Vertical height above the sidewalk and underside of canopy between eight and 10 feet;
c. 
Minimum protection along 80 percent of the building facade facing a public right-of-way;
d. 
If an arcade is proposed, the specific dimensions and length of the arcade will be negotiated on a case-by-case basis to ensure adequate light, air, and visibility through to ground floor windows and building entries from the street.
C. 
Not Allowed.
1. 
Internal or Backlit Canopies. Internal, backlit, or uplit canopies are prohibited. Down-lighting is allowed to light sidewalk for pedestrians.
2. 
Awnings as Signage. Awnings shall not be used as primary signage, including use of print and backlighting. If awnings are used for signage, the drop edge of the awning/canopy shall not exceed 12 inches in height. In addition, the City’s sign code requirements shall apply.
(Ord. 11-0329 § 3 (Exh. 1); Ord. 23-0574 § 2 (Exh. A))
A. 
Intent.
1. 
To develop a visual downtown identity and to ensure that development in Kenmore’s commercial and higher-density residential areas forms a cohesive visual whole over time. This shall be accomplished through the use of a primarily masonry materials palette.
2. 
To provide a materials palette which allows for individual and creative architectural expression in individual development.
B. 
Standards – Required.
1. 
Primary Materials Palette. Commercial and mixed use buildings shall be built with materials which will form a visually cohesive identity over time. Facades of commercial and commercial levels of mixed use buildings shall be primarily of the following masonry materials:
a. 
Brick;
b. 
Stone;
c. 
Ceramic Tile. Alternate coursing with changes in color and/or texture is required with use of tile. Alternate coursing can be vertical, horizontal, or both;
d. 
Split Face Alternate Course Concrete Masonry Units. Alternate coursing with changes in color and/or texture is required with use of split face masonry units. Alternate coursing can be vertical, horizontal, or both;
e. 
Stucco, if limited to a maximum 50 percent of total building surface area.
2. 
On any facade adjoining a public sidewalk, at the first two stories above the public sidewalk level, and at exposed stories below the public sidewalk level, primary materials must cover 85 percent of the opaque surfaces on any elevation. On other facades in the public view (from adjacent public streets, pedestrian walkways, or public spaces), primary materials must cover more than 50 percent of the opaque surfaces.
Exceptions:
a. 
Transparent glass may cover 75 percent of the first story of any one facade. Transparent glass may cover 40 percent of the second story of any one facade.
b. 
Where there are two front property lines, transparent glass may cover 75 percent of a second facade if the facade is within 15 feet of the property line.
3. 
Residential Floors, Mixed Use Buildings. Nonmasonry materials may be used as a primary material in the residential portions of mixed use buildings subject to any applicable restrictions in this section.
4. 
Vinyl Siding. Vinyl siding is only permitted on floors three and above, and shall not exceed 15 percent of the total building surface area of those floors.
C. 
Not Allowed.
1. 
Plain Faced and/or Uncolored Concrete Masonry Units. Plain faced and/or uncolored concrete masonry units shall not cover an area greater than five percent of any facade.
2. 
Siding Materials Not Allowed. The following siding materials are not allowed on any building facade:
a. 
Asphalt siding;
b. 
Aluminum lap siding;
c. 
Siding grade plywood.
(Ord. 11-0329 § 3 (Exh. 1); Ord. 23-0574 § 2 (Exh. A))
A. 
Intent.
1. 
Develop Pedestrian Scale. To ensure that multiple-storied building facades do not over-whelm pedestrian orientation and scale.
B. 
Standards – Required. A minimum of two of the following techniques shall be applied to facades visible from public rights-of-way and public spaces to minimize the apparent bulk and mass of a building:
1. 
Step Back Buildings Over Two Stories. Buildings above two stories in height shall step back the upper stories as follows:
a. 
Stepbacks above two stories shall be a minimum of six feet from the first two floors;
b. 
A second, minimum six-foot stepback shall be made above four stories;
c. 
Evident Decrease in Bulk. Stepbacks need not be continuous and uniform across the entire facade as long as bulk is visually decreased.
2. 
Horizontal Building Modulation. Use bays, recesses, and building projections to provide variations in large facades.
a. 
The maximum horizontal length without building modulation shall be 100 feet.
b. 
Modulation Depth. The minimum modulation depth shall be six feet.
3. 
Modulated Roofline. Provide breaks in the roofline by alternating stepped roofs, gables, dormers, etc. (see roof form standards, KMC § 18.52.220).
4. 
Articulation. Building articulation with at least one of the following architectural elements:
a. 
Change in materials or color with a change in building plane;
b. 
Decks and Balconies. Decks, terraces, and balconies are encouraged but not required, and may be roofed or open;
c. 
Bay windows;
d. 
Repeat distinctive window patterns at horizontal modulation intervals.
5. 
Other Treatments. Other architectural treatments which meet the intent of this standard.
C. 
Exceptions.
1. 
Stairs, Corner Features, and Other Architectural Features. Stairs, corners, and other vertical architectural features are not required to step back.
(Ord. 11-0329 § 3 (Exh. 1); Ord. 23-0574 § 2 (Exh. A))