Multifamily

Single and Multiple Building

Multiple buildings pose the same problems as single buildings, although these problems can easily be compounded by the number of dwellings and residents. Here we have a much greater number of public areas to consider: shared interior hallways, elevators, laundry rooms and parking areas.

But multiple dwelling buildings don’t necessarily mean multiple problems. There's a certain amount of truth to the old saying; "There's safety in numbers" and with neighbors who take responsibility for each other there's no reason why a multiple dwelling building cannot be a safe place to live.

CPTED Guidelines

1. Natural Access Control

• balcony railings should never be a solid opaque material or more, than 42 inches high
• entrances into parking lots should be defined by landscaping, architectural design, or monitored by a guard
• dead end spaces should be blocked by a fence or gate
• common building entrances should have locks that automatically lock when the door closes
• hallways should be well lit
• no move than four apartments should share the same entrance
• elevators and stairwells should be centrally located
• access to the building should be limited to no more than two points

2. Natural Surveillance

• exterior doors should be visible from the street or by neighbors
• all doors that open to the outside should be well lit
• all four facade should have windows
• parking spaces should be assigned to each unit located adjacent to that unit, and not marked by unit numbers
• visitor parking should be designated
• parking areas should be visible from windows and doors
• parking areas and pedestrian walkways should be well lit
• recreation areas should be visible from a multitude of windows and doors
• dumpsters should not create blind spots or hiding areas
• elevators and stairwells should be clearly visible from windows and doors
• shrubbery should be no more than three feet high for clear visibility
• buildings should be sited so that the windows and doors of one unit are visible from another
• stairwells should be well lit and open to view; not behind solid walls

3. Territorial Reinforcement

• property lines should be defined by landscaping or post and pillar fencing
• low shrubbery and fencing should allow visibility from the street
• building entrances should be accentuated by architectural elements, lighting and /or landscaping
• door knobs should be 40 inches from window panes
• all buildings and residential units should be clearly identified by street address numbers that are a minimum of five inches high, and well lit at night
• common doorways should have windows and be key controlled by residents
• mailboxes should be located next to the appropriate residences

4. Target Hardening

• since cylinder dead bolt locks should be installed on all exterior doors
• door hinges should be located on the interior side of the door
• sliding glass doors should have one permanent door on the outside and on the inside moving door should have a lock device and a pin

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