12.48.310 About the transparency regulations.
Some block frontage designations contain distinct minimum façade transparency regulations. The purpose of these regulations is to maintain “eyes on the street” for safety and create welcoming pedestrian environments. Table 12.48.310 below includes details in how they are measured.
Transparency Area | ||
Storefront The transparency area is on the ground floor between 30" and 10' above sidewalk grade |
Ground-floor nonresidential and nonstorefront The transparency area is between 30" and 8' above grade | Residential buildings and residential portions of mixed-use buildings All vertical surfaces of the façade are used in the calculations |
Other Transparency Provisions | ||
Windows must be transparent Ground-level window area for storefronts and other nonresidential uses that is covered, frosted, or perforated in any manner that obscures visibility into the building must not count as transparent window area. Perforated signs are allowed provided they meet applicable window sign regulations in Chapter 12.22 BMC. Also, mirrored glass and highly reflective or darkly tinted windows must not be counted as transparent windows. |
Covered windows |
Perforated sign |
Display windows and parking garages Display windows may be used for up to 25% of nonresidential transparency requirements (except for ground-level storefront-designated block frontages) provided they are at least 30" deep to allow changeable displays and the interior wall is nonstructural so it can be removed if the windows are not used for display. Tack-on display cases as shown in the far right example do not qualify as transparent window area. For parking garages (where allowed by block frontage regulations), the left image illustrates how such a structure can meet (and not meet) the applicable transparency regulations. |
Integrated display windows |
Tack-on display cases |
Parking garage with window openings |
Parking garage without window openings |
(Ord. 2341 § 5 (Exh. A), 2020).