Housing Policy

In California, the general plan has served as a foundational guide for long-range planning and other zoning considerations. The Housing Element is the component of the General Plan that analyzes local housing conditions, directs policy recommendations for the City, and informs programs to then implement housing strategies through various local ordinances.

Following the certification of the 2021-2029 Housing Element, Los Angeles City Planning has been working on The Housing Element Rezoning Program which aims to respond to Los Angeles' current housing challenges and proactively plan for more housing in the future. In order to satisfy State mandated housing requirements, the City has and is developing a wide array of policies and programs that will provide more access to housing and affordable housing.

Los Angeles has led the State in encouraging the construction of a wider array of housing types across the City and ensuring for a healthier distribution of homes of all shapes and sizes. Many of these housing types are the direct result of local policies that were spearheaded by City Planning in recent years, and that continue to drive production, most notably of affordable units.

For additional information, contact planning.housingpolicy@lacity.org

Policy Initiatives

Effective Date
Housing Incentive Programs

Density Bonus is a State-mandated incentive program that allows qualifying residential projects to construct additional housing, in exchange for setting aside a percentage of those units as restricted affordable. It serves as a local incentive program, and was established to encourage the production of on-site affordable housing in neighborhoods where multi-family zoning is allowed. The City has issued a number of implementation memos on Density Bonus law over recent years (below), and the local ordinance is currently undergoing an update as part of the Citywide Rezoning Program.

State Density Bonus Law: AB 1287 (2024)
State Density Bonus Law: AB 2334, AB 1551, and AB 682 (2023)
AB 2345 and AB 1763 Revised Memorandum (2022)
On-Menu Density Bonus Ministerial Review Process (2021)
State Density Bonus Law (2021): SB 290, SB 728, AB 634
AB 2345 (2020) and AB 1763 (2019)
Implementation of State Density Bonus Law (2017)
State Density Bonus Law: AB 2501, AB 2556, AB 2442, AB 1934 (2017)
State Density Bonus Law (2015): AB 744

Revised Affordable Housing Incentive Guidelines (2024)
Affordable Housing Incentive Guidelines (2005)
To assist understanding, a set of Affordable Housing Incentive Guidelines was developed alongside the Density Bonus Ordinance in 2005, and has been subsequently updated. These guidelines describe the density bonus provisions and qualifying criteria, the incentives available to qualifying projects, and the procedures whereby projects may apply for a bonus and incentives.

Measure JJJ added provisions to the City’s Municipal Code to require developers requesting a General Plan Amendment, Zone Change, or Height District Change to comply with certain affordable housing and job provisions or be subject to the City’s in-lieu fee.

2022 Measure JJJ In Lieu Fee Schedule
2022 Measure JJJ Affordability Gap Study

2019 Measure JJJ In Lieu Fee Schedule
2019 Measure JJJ Affordability Gap Study

2017 Measure JJJ In Lieu Fee Schedule
2017 Measure JJJ Affordability Gap Study

Ordinance No. 184,745

The Transit Oriented Communities Incentive Program (TOC Incentive Program) was created in accordance with Measure JJJ—a voter initiative approved by the residents of Los Angeles to encourage affordable housing production near transit. Along with Density Bonus, the TOC Incentive Program serves as a local housing incentive program, providing applicants with additional development incentives, in exchange for specific set aside of affordable units.

Department Guidelines
Frequently Asked Questions

Methodology for Determining Bus Transit Service Levels; Implementation of Rapid-Bus Provisions of the Transit Oriented Communities Program
Implementation Memo: CRA/LA Redevelopment Plan Areas
Advisory Memo on Metro NextGen and Rapid Bus Designations
Updated Transit Service Determinations After the End of COVID-19 Pandemic

TOC Referral Form
Verification Form

The Value Capture Ordinance instituted affordable housing requirements on certain planning applications seeking additional density or floor area for mixed-use and commercial projects.

Ordinance No. 185373

Executive Directive 1 (ED1) expedites the processing of shelters and 100% affordable housing projects in the City of Los Angeles. Eligible projects receive expedited processing, clearances, and approvals through the ED1 Ministerial Approval Process.

ED1 Webpage

Mayor Bass Executive Directive No. 1 (3rd Revised)

Guidelines for Executive Directive 1 (2024)

The Ordinance exempts deed-restricted affordable housing units from being counted towards the residential unit thresholds, and exempts mixed-use developments with up to 150,000 sq. ft. of nonresidential Floor Area that dedicate 50 percent or more of the total project Floor Area to restricted affordable units from the nonresidential square footage thresholds.

Ordinance No. 187938

State Law Implementation

The purpose of SB 35 is to provide eligible developments a Streamlined Ministerial Approval Process that is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Applicants may request that their entitlement for an eligible development be approved through a streamlined, administrative process (SB 35 Streamlining).

Memorandum: SB 35 and AB 2162 Streamlined Procedures Memo (2020)
Memorandum: SB 35 Maximum Density Permitted by Land Use Designation or Zone (2021)

SB 35 Fact Sheet (2022)
SB 35 Streamlined Infill Projects - Application Instructions

Senate Bill (SB) 9 provides for a ministerial process, without discretionary review or a public hearing, to approve Two Unit Developments and Urban Lot Split Parcel Maps meeting certain eligibility criteria on lots zoned for single-family residential uses.

SB9 Department Webpage

Memorandum: Updated Implementation of Senate Bill 9 - Two-Unit Development and Urban Lot Splits (2023)
FAQ Related to Implementation of SB 9 (2023)

Senate Bill (SB) 478, also known as the Housing Opportunity Act adds Government Code Sections (§) 4747 and 65913.11 and amends Housing Element Law at Government Code §65585 to include a number of changes and clarifications. SB 478 will enable the construction of multi-family units in zones where restrictions on Floor Area Ratio (FAR) and minimum lot size restrict their development.

Memorandum: Implementation of SB 478 (2021)

Assembly Bill 2097 prohibits municipalities from imposing or enforcing minimum automobile parking requirements on most development projects within a half-mile of a major transit stop.

AB 2097 Department Webpage

Memorandum: Implementation of AB 2097 (2022)
Memorandum: Implementation of AB 2097 (2023)

Rescission of the Advisory Agency Guest Parking Policy

Assembly Bill (AB) 2011, also known as the “Affordable Housing and High Road Jobs Act of 2022,” and Senate Bill (SB) 6, also known as the “Middle Class Housing Act of 2022” are intended to permit residential development on sites currently zoned for commercial, retail, or parking uses.

AB 2011 Department Webpage

Memorandum: Implementation of AB 2011 and SB 6 (2022)

Senate Bill 684 went into effect on July 1, 2024. It allows a streamlined ministerial approval process for a subdivision resulting in 10 or fewer parcels and corresponding housing development projects of 10 or fewer units, excluding Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). No public hearings will be required for projects eligible for SB 684 streamlining and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) will also not apply.

SB 684 Department Webpage
Memorandum: Implementation of SB 684 (2024)

Housing Preservation Initiatives

The Unpermitted Dwelling Unit Ordinance allows for qualifying unpermitted housing units in multi-family zones to be brought into compliance, provided that certain life safety and affordability requirements are met. The program aims to keep tenants in their homes. To participate, applicants must agree to set aside at least one onsite unit as affordable.

Application Processes and Procedures

Frequently Asked Questions

UDU Inter-Agency Form
Public Benefit Agency Form
Land Use Covenant Application

Ordinance No. 184,907

The Home-Sharing Ordinance established a regulatory framework to allow short-term rentals within one’s primary residence. This ordinance prevents the wholesale conversion of homes into rental properties, while still allowing responsible home-sharing to continue to operate.

Home-Sharing Ordinance Webpage
Administrative Guidelines

Home-Sharing Ordinance FAQs - February 2019

Ordinance No. 185931

Infill Housing Development

An Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) is a self-contained housing unit with a full kitchen and bathroom that is located on the same property as a single-family home. The City’s ADU further regulates the size and form of ADUs in relation to the main home, beyond what is stipulated under State law, in addition to imposing additional standards for ADU construction in certain hillside neighborhoods. Lastly, it allows Movable Tiny Houses to be used as ADUs.

Interdepartmental ADU Memo
Implementation of State Law SB897 & AB 2221
Implementation of Senate Bill 9 (2021)
FAQs Related to Implementation of SB 9
Ordinance No. 186481

The Small Lot Ordinance allows for the construction of free-standing, single-family homes, as well as attached townhouses, in multi-family and commercial parts of the City. It aims to incentivize homeownership opportunities by maximizing existing space and, in doing so, offer a smart-growth alternative to the traditional single-family home.

Design Standards
Lot Map Standards

Ordinance No. 185462

Supportive Housing Development

The Interim Motel Conversion Ordinance provides a streamlined process for the retrofit and temporary reuse of underutilized motels and hotels for supportive and transitional housing—creating a cost-effective strategy for housing people experiencing homelessness.

Application Guidelines and Requirements
Department Clarification Memo

Staff Recommendation Report to City Planning Commission

Local Public Agency List

Ordinance No. 185489

City Planning’s Permanent Supportive Ordinance facilitates the production of permanent supportive housing (PSH) by establishing an administrative clearance application process, in addition to new requirements, to streamline the production of PSH units across Los Angeles.

Qualified PSH Application Form - INTERIM
Local Public Agency List
Department Clarification Memo
Revised Memo on Implementation of AB 1197
Ordinance No. 185492

Other Housing Programs

The Affordable Housing Linkage Fee provides a permanent, dedicated source of local funding for affordable housing. It applies to certain commercial and market-rate residential projects, and was designed to help the City meet its affordable housing production goals.

Implementation Memo
Fee Schedule - As of July 1, 2024
Fee Schedule - As of July 1, 2023
Fee Schedule - As of July 1, 2022
Fee Schedule - As of July 1, 2021
Fee Schedule - As of July 1, 2020
Fee Schedule - As of July 1, 2019

Fee Nexus Study
Affordable Housing Linkage Fee Nexus Study - Supplemental Report

Ordinance No. 185342 (Affordable Housing Linkage Fee)
Ordinance No. 185341 (Housing Impact Trust Fund)

Related Department Memorandums

Funding Form Procedures (2021): Affordable Housing Projects
Priority Housing Projects (2020): Affordable Housing Projects

Proposed Policy Initiatives

In addition to the adopted regulations listed above, there are a number of housing related policies and programs currently underway at LA City Planning. To learn more about policy initiatives that are currently proposed, please navigate to the Proposed Land Uses Regulations webpage here.

The centerpiece of the City’s current policy efforts is the Citywide Rezoning Program. Learn more about the proposed Citywide Housing Incentive Program, Housing Element Sites and Minimum Density, Resident Protections, and Adaptive Reuse Ordinances at the program webpage.

Additional Housing Resources

To make an appointment with the Planning Department’s Development Services Center, click here.

To learn more about the Planning Department’s Priority Housing Program supporting affordable housing projects during the planning entitlement process, click here.

For Planning Department Housing Crisis Act Implementation information, click here.

For the Los Angeles Housing Department, click here.

For the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety, click here.