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 Council adopted three ordinances related to The Housing Element Rezoning Program in February 2025. The Rezoning program 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
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. The Citywide Housing Incentive Program Ordinance amends the Project Review process to exempt any project that provides restricted affordable units on-site consistent with the set asides required to be exempt from the Affordable Housing Linkage Fee.
Ordinance No. 187938
Ordinance No. 188477 - Ch 1 (see Section 24)
The Value Capture Ordinance instituted affordable housing requirements on certain planning applications seeking additional density or floor area for mixed-use and commercial projects. The Citywide Housing Incentive Program Ordinance amended the Value Capture Ordinance to align the provisions with State Density Bonus Law.
Ordinance No. 185373
Ordinance No. 188477 - Ch 1 (see Section 11)
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)
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)
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
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. The Citywide Housing Incentive Program Ordinance amended the Affordable Housing Linkage Fee section by allowing any project approved under the Mixed Income Incentive Program to be exempt from paying the Affordable Housing Linkage Fee.
Implementation Memo March XX, 2025
Fee Schedule - As of March XX, 2025
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)
Ordinance No. 188477 - Ch 1 (see Section 27)
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.
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.
