The Four Strategies of CPTED

Guidelines For Multi-Family Dwellings

Multiple buildings pose the same problems as single buildings, but 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.

• 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

• Exterior doors should be visible from the street or by neighbors
  
  
• All doors that open to the outside should be well lit
  
  
• All four facades 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

• 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

• 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