The City of Los Angeles adopted a new Zoning Code (Chapter 1A of the LAMC) in October 2024. The New Zoning Code is easy to navigate and is equipped with a modern and efficient set of zoning tools to respond to the needs of Los Angeles’s neighborhoods. See below for explanatory graphics. The New Zoning Code is applied in the Downtown Community Plan Area, and will roll out to the rest of the City through the Community Plan Update process.
New Interactive Web-Based Zoning Code
As City Planning updates its 34 Community Plans, the New Zoning Code will implement the policies and goals for the different neighborhoods across Los Angeles. Check below to see if your property is within a Community Plan Area that has transitioned to the New Zoning Code, Chapter 1A,
Feedback
If you have feedback on the Online Code Portal for the New Zoning Code, let us know here!
Where Does the New Zoning Code Apply?
As City Planning updates its 34 Community Plans, the New Zoning Code will implement the policies and goals for the different neighborhoods across Los Angeles. Check below to see if your property is within a Community Plan Area that has transitioned to the New Zoning Code, Chapter 1A.
New Zoning Work Status
Adopted (x% of City)-Downtown
- Downtown
New Zoning Under Council Review (x% of City)
- Boyle Heights
- Harbor Gateway
- Wilmington
New Zoning Under Development (29% of City)
- Canoga Park-Winnetka-Woodland Hills-West Hills
- Reseda-West Van Nuys
- Encino-Tarzana
- Van Nuys-North Sherman Oaks
- North Hollywood-Valley Village
- Sherman Oaks-Studio City-Toluca Lake-Cahuenga Pass
- West Los Angeles
- Palms-Mar Vista-Del Rey
- Venice
- Westchester-Playa del Rey
- San Pedro
Future Community Plan Update Program (65% of City)
Existing Zoning Code will continue to apply in areas where an update has not occurred
Proposed Zoning Under Development
More than 1/3 of City has proposed zoning under development or at City Council
The zoning structure focuses on the physical design of a building as well as its use and consists of five key parts or "districts": Form, Frontage, Development Standards, Use, and Density. Form, Frontage, and Development Standards regulate the built environment, while Use and Density refer to the activities allowed on a site.
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Form Districts
Form Districts determine how large buildings can be.
Frontage Districts
Frontage Districts influence how buildings appear from the street level, from their proximity to the street to their ground floor height requirements.
Development Standards Districts
Development Standards Districts regulate certain design elements around the building, including those relating to access, parking, and signs.
Use Districts
Use Districts determine what kinds of activities are allowed on a property―ranging from residential to commercial and, in some instances, a mix of uses.
Density Districts
Density Districts determine the number of housing units permitted on any site zoned for residential units.
Overlay
Plan Overlays provide additional development controls. They function as tailored zoning districts, each with their own specialized set of regulations.
The New Zoning Code also establishes some documents to enable City Planning to be able to regulate particular uses and activities more effectively. These New Zoning Code-Enabled Documents act as an extension of the Code’s authority and are implemented along with the regulations contained in it.
Environmental Protection Measures
Targeted Planting List
Amenity Feature Menu
Wireless Handbook
Public Amenity Space Sign Standards
Project Update
December 2024 Webinar Video: {LINK TBD}
RESOURCES
Associated Slides: {LINK TBD}
Office Hours Signup: {LINK TBD}
The Los Angeles City Council (City Council) at its meeting on December 4, 2024, voted unanimously to adopt the final ordinances for the new Zoning Code and the Downtown Community Plan. This action allows the new Zoning Code and the Downtown Community Plan to go into effect on January 27, 2025. See Council File 22-0617 for more detail.
View the City Council-approved draft of the new Zoning Code by clicking on the individual Articles below.
1 - Introductory Provisions
2 - Form
3 - Frontage
4 - Development Standards
5 - Use
6 - Density
7 - Alternate Typologies
8 - Supplemental & Special Zoning
2 - Form
3 - Frontage
4 - Development Standards
5 - Use
6 - Density
7 - Alternate Typologies
8 - Supplemental & Special Zoning
9 - Public Benefit Systems
10 - Streets & Parks
11 - Division of Land
12 - Nonconformities
13 - Administration
14 - General Rules
15 - Fees
10 - Streets & Parks
11 - Division of Land
12 - Nonconformities
13 - Administration
14 - General Rules
15 - Fees
The new Zoning Code is equipped with a modern and efficient set of zoning tools to respond to the needs of Los Angeles’s neighborhoods. The new Zoning Code will be first applied in the Downtown Community Plan Area, followed by the Boyle Heights Community Plan and the Harbor LA Community Plans at a later date.
On September 25, 2024, the Boyle Heights Community Plan was approved by the City Council, and its implementing ordinances are now undergoing final review by the City Attorney to ensure clarity of regulations and consistency with state law, a process which can take approximately six months to a year. On February 8, 2024, the Harbor LA Community Plans were recommended for approval by the City Planning Commission and will be considered by the City Council later in 2025.
After Boyle Heights and the Harbor, select neighborhoods in the Southeast and Southwest San Fernando Valley and the Westside will apply the new zoning framework. The new Zoning Code will eventually roll out to the rest of the City through the Community Plan Update process.
To stay up to date on additional amendments, please review the Code Amendment and Proposed Land Use Regulations pages for updates.
© 2024 Los Angeles City Planning
