SEC. 12.04. ZONES – DISTRICTS – SYMBOLS.

(Amended by Ord. No. 173,268, Eff. 7/1/00, Oper. 7/1/00.)

A. In order to regulate the use of property, as provided for in this article, the City is divided into the following Zones: (Amended by Ord. No. 182,343, Eff. 1/23/13.)

1. OS Open Space Zone;

2. A1 Agricultural Zone;

3. A2 Agricultural Zone;

4. RA Suburban Zone;

5. RE Residential Zone;

6. RS Suburban Zone;

7. R1 One-Family Zone;

8. RU Residential Urban Zone;

9. RZ Residential Zero Side Yard Zone;

10. RW1 One-Family Residential Waterways Zone;

11. R2 Two-Family Zone;

12. RD Restricted Density Multiple Dwelling Zone;

13. RMP Mobile Home Park Zone;

14. RW2 Two-Family Residential Waterways Zone;

15. R3 Multiple Dwelling Zone;

16. RAS3 Residential/Accessory Services Zone;

17. R4 Multiple Dwelling Zone;

18. RAS4 Residential/Accessory Services Zone;

19. R5 Multiple Dwelling Zone;

20. P Automobile Parking Zone;

21. PB Parking Building Zone;

22. CR Limited Commercial Zone;

23. C1 Limited Commercial Zone;

24. C1.5 Limited Commercial Zone;

25. C2 Commercial Zone;

26. C4 Commercial Zone;

27. C5 Commercial Zone;

28. CM Commercial Manufacturing Zone;

29. MR1 Restricted Industrial Zone;

30. M1 Limited Industrial Zone;

31. MR2 Restricted Light Industrial Zone;

32. M2 Light Industrial Zone;

33. M3 Heavy Industrial Zone;

34. PF Public Facilities Zone; and

35. SL Ocean-Submerged Land Zone.

The order of restrictiveness of these zones, the first being the most restrictive and last being the least restrictive, is as follows:

OS, A1, A2, RA, RE, RS, R1, RU, RZ, RW1, R2, RD, RMP, RW2, R3, RAS3, R4, RAS4, R5, CR, C1, C1.5, C4, C2, C5, CM, MR1, M1, MR2, M2, M3 and PF.

In addition, there shall be the following Specific Plan Zones:

1. CCS Century City South Studio Zone;

2. CM (GM) Commercial Manufacturing (Glencoe/Maxella) Zone;

3. CW Central City West Specific Plan Zone;

4. WC Warner Center Specific Plan Zone;

5. ADP Alameda District Specific Plan Zone;

6. LASED Los Angeles Sports and Entertainment District Specific Plan Zone;

7. LAX Los Angeles International Airport Specific Plan Zone;

8. USC-1A University of Southern California University Park Campus Specific Plan Subarea 1A Zone;

9. USC-1B University of Southern California University Park Campus Specific Plan Subarea 1B Zone;

10. USC-2 University of Southern California University Park Campus Specific Plan Subarea 2 Zone; and

11. USC-3 University of Southern California University Park Campus Specific Plan Subarea 3 Zone.

12. Ponte Vista at San Pedro Specific Plan Zone. (Added by Ord. No. 182,937, Eff. 4/21/14.)

13. EC Exposition Corridor Transit Neighborhood Plan (Specific Plan) Zone. (Added by Ord. No. 185,672, Eff. 12/26/19.)

14. DNSP District NoHo Specific Plan Zone. (Added by Ord. No. 188,143, Eff. 4/22/24.)

B. The Zone symbols and the boundaries of these Zones are shown on the “Zoning Map” made up of separate map sheets and made a part of Article 2, Chapter 1 of the Los Angeles Municipal Code. The “Zoning Map” and all of the notations, references, and other information, shown on the map are as much a part of this article as if fully set forth here. (Amended by Ord. No. 176,343, Eff. 1/20/05.)

C. In order to more adequately regulate and restrict the height and floor area of buildings and structures, each lot shall include a height district designation, except for lots in the HI Hybrid Industrial Live/Work Zone, where the height and floor area of buildings and structures shall be regulated by Section 12.04.06*, and except for lots in the R1V, R1F, R1R One-Family Variation Zones, where the height and Residential Floor Area of buildings and structures shall be regulated by Sections 12.08 C.5.(b) - (d). Height district designations shall be numbered from 1 to 4, CRA 1 to 4, EZ 1 to 4 and CSA 1 to 4, and shall regulate the height or floor area of buildings and structures as provided in Sections 12.21.1, 12.21.2, 12.21.3, 12.21.4 and 12.21.5. The height districts and their boundaries are shown on the Zoning Map by a combination of zone symbols and height district number markings, e.g., R2- 1, C2-2, M1-3, C1-CRA1, MS-EZ2, C2-CSA3, etc. Where a lot is located in more than one height district, the applicable zone symbol designations shall be separated by a slash mark, e.g., R2-CRA/CSA, C2-EZI/CRA2, etc. The symbol “HD” preceding height district number markings, when shown on the Zoning Map or used in a zoning ordinance, is an abbreviation for the words “height district” and refers to height districts. The height districts for the “CW” Zone are the height districts shown in Section 6 of the Central City West Specific Plan. The height districts for the “ADP” Zone are the height districts shown in Section 7 of the Alameda District Specific Plan. The height districts for the “LASED” Zone are the height districts shown in Section 10 of the Los Angeles Sports and Entertainment District Specific Plan. The height districts for the “USC-1A”, “USC-1B”, “USC-2" and “USC-3" Zones are the height districts shown in Section 7 of the University of Southern California University Park Campus Specific Plan. The height districts for the “PVSP” Zone are the Subareas shown in Section 5 of the Ponte Vista at San Pedro Specific Plan. The height districts for the “EC” Zone are the Subareas shown in Section 2 of the Exposition Corridor Transit Neighborhood Plan (Specific Plan). (Amended by Ord. No. 185,672, Eff. 12/26/ 19.)

*Editor’s note: The ordinance that added Sec. 12.04.06, Ord. No. 184.099, was rescinded by Ord. No. 185,423.

D. Certain portions of the City are also designated as being in one or more of the following districts, by the provision of Article 3 of this chapter: (Amended by Ord. No. 184,827, Eff. 3/24/17.)

“O” Oil Drilling District “S” Animal Slaughtering “G” Surface Mining District “RPD” Residential Planned Development District “K” Equinekeeping District “CA” Commercial and Artcraft District “POD” Pedestrian Oriented District “CDO” Community Design Overlay District “MU” Mixed Use District “FH” Fence Height District “SN” Sign District “RFA” Residential Floor Area District “NSO” Neighborhood Stabilization Overlay District “CPIO” Community Plan Implementation Overlay District “HS” Hillside Standards Overlay District “MPR” Modified Parking Requirement District “RIO” River Improvement Overlay District “CUGU” Clean Up Green Up Overlay District “RG” Rear Detached Garage District “HCR” Hillside Construction Regulation District

The “Zoning Map” is amended to indicate these districts and the boundaries of each district.

Land classified in an “O” Oil Drilling District, “S” Animal Slaughtering District, “G” Surface Mining District, “RPD” Residential Planned Development District, “K” Equinekeeping District, “CA” Commercial and Artcraft District, “POD” Pedestrian Oriented District, “CDO” Community Design Overlay District, “MU” Mixed Use District, “FH” Fence Height District, “SN” Sign District, “RFA” Residential Floor Area District, “NSO” Neighborhood Stabilization Overlay District, “CPIO” Community Plan Implementation Overlay District, “RIO” River Improvement Overlay District, “CUGU” Clean Up Green Up Overlay District, “RG” Rear Detached Garage District” or “HCR” Hillside Construction Regulation District is also classified in one or more zones, and land classified in the “P” Automobile Parking Zone may also be classified in an “A” or “R” Zone.

These classifications are indicated on the “Zoning Map” with a combination of symbols, e.g., R2-2-O, C2-4-S, M1-3-G, M1-1-P and R2-O, C2-G, etc., where height districts have not been established.

E. The boundaries of Redevelopment Project Areas, as geographically defined in Section 12.21.3 and 11.5.14 and as specifically designated on Map A; Enterprise Zones, as defined in Section 12.21.4 and as specifically designated on Maps numbered 48 through 50; and Centers Study Areas, as defined in Section 12.21.5, shall be shown on the “Zoning Map”. (Amended by Ord. No. 186,325, Eff. 11/11/19.)

F. In order to provide a practicable method for the development of land, the topography of which creates problems in development, to permit the efficient design and use of building sites and local streets, and to secure compliance with the General Plan in certain hillside or mountainous areas of the City of Los Angeles, certain portions of the city classified in the RA and RE Zones are also designated as being in an “H” Hillside or Mountainous Area. The boundaries of said Hillside or Mountainous Areas are shown by the use of the symbol “H” in conjunction with the applicable Zone symbols on portions of the “Zoning Map.” (Amended by Ord. No. 141,821, Eff. 5/24/71.)

(Amended by Ord. No. 187,712, Eff. 1/23/23, Oper. 1/22/24; Ord. No. 187,930, Eff. 7/7/23.)

See Sec. 13B.4.1.E. (General Provisions; Violations of Specific Plans) of Chapter 1A of this Code.

(Added by Ord. No. 166,168, Eff. 10/3/90.)

The following regulations shall apply in the “OS” Open Space Zone:

A. Purpose. It is the purpose of the “OS” Open Space Zone to provide regulations for publicly owned land in order to implement the City’s adopted General Plan, including the recreation, parks and open space designations in the City’s adopted district and community plans, and other relevant elements, including the Open Space, Conservation and Public Recreation Elements. Implementation of the General Plan will serve to protect and preserve natural resources and natural features of the environment; to provide outdoor recreation opportunities and advance the public health and welfare; to enhance environmental quality; to encourage the management of public lands in a manner which protects environmental characteristics; and to encourage the maintenance of open pace uses on all publicly owned park and recreation land, and open space public land which is essentially unimproved.

B. Use. The following regulations hall apply to publicly owned land classified in the “OS” Open Space Zone: no building, structure or land shall be used and no building or structure shall be erected, moved onto the site, structurally altered, enlarged or maintained, except for the following uses:

1. The following uses and activities when conducted in accordance with the limitations hereafter specified.

(a) Types of Uses.

(i) Parks and recreation facilities, including: bicycle trails, equestrian trails, walking trails, nature trails, park land/lawn areas, childrens’ play areas, child care facilities, picnic facilities, and athletic fields (not to exceed 200 seats in park) used for park and recreation purposes. (Amended by Ord. No. 176,545, Eff. 5/2/05.)

(ii) Natural resource preserves for the managed production of resources, including, but not limited to, forest lands, waterways and watersheds used for commercial fisheries; agricultural lands used for food and plant production; areas containing major mineral deposits (“G” Surface Mining Districts) and other similar uses.

(iii) Marine and ecological preserves, sanctuaries and habitat protection sites.

(iv) Sanitary landfill sites which have received certificates of closure in compliance with federal and state regulations.

(v) Public water supply reservoirs (uncovered) and accessory uses which are incidental to the operation and continued maintenance of such reservoirs.

(vi) Water conservation areas, including percolation basins and flood plain areas.

(b) Limitations: (Amended by Ord. No. 187,712, Eff. 1/23/23, Oper. 1/22/ 24; Ord. No. 187,930, Eff. 7/7/23.)

(1) The use may not be located on land which includes a lake, river, or stream or which is designated by the City as an historic or cultural landmark, unless approved as a Class 3 Conditional Use Permit pursuant to Section 12.24 U.19. of this Chapter and Sec. 13B.2.3 (Class 3 Conditional Use Permit) of Chapter 1A of this Code.

(2) Any change of use from a conditional use or deemed to be approved conditional use described in Section 12.24 U.19. of this Chapter to any of the above uses shall require conditional use approval pursuant to Sec. 13B.2.3 (Class 3 Conditional Use Permit) of Chapter 1A of this Code.

2. Conditional uses as allowed pursuant to Section 12.24 U.19. and Section 12.24 W.49. of this Chapter when the location is approved pursuant to Div. 13B.2. (Quasi-Judicial Review) of Chapter 1A of this Code. (Amended by Ord. No. 187,712, Eff. 1/23/23, Oper. 1/ 22/24; Ord. No. 187,930, Eff. 7/7/23.)

(Added by Ord. No. 166,972, Eff. 6/30/91.)

The following regulations shall apply in the “PF” Public Facilities Zone:

A. Purpose. It is the purpose of the “PF” Public Facilities Zone to provide regulations for the use and development of publicly owned land in order to implement the City’s adopted General Plan, including, the circulation and service systems designations in the City’s adopted district and community plans, and other relevant General Plan elements, including the circulation, public recreation and service systems elements.

B. Use. The following regulations shall apply to publicly owned land classified in the “PF” Public Facilities Zone. No building, structure or land shall be used and no building or structure shall be erected, moved onto a site, structurally altered, enlarged or maintained, except for the following uses:

1. Farming and nurseries, under power transmission rights-of-way. (Amended by Ord. No. 181,188, Eff. 7/18/10.)

2. Public parking facilities located under freeway rights-of-way.

3. Fire stations and police stations.

4. Government buildings, structures, offices and service facilities including maintenance yards, provided, however, that those uses identified in 12.24 U.21. shall require approval of a Class 3 Conditional Use Permit pursuant to Sec. 13B.2.3 (Class 3 Conditional Use Permit) of Chapter 1A of this Code. (Amended by Ord. No. 187,712, Eff. 1/23/23, Oper. 1/ 22/24; Ord. No. 187,930, Eff. 7/7/23.)

5. Public libraries not located inside public parks.

6. Post offices and related facilities.

7. Public health facilities, including clinics and hospitals.

8. Public elementary and secondary schools.

9. Any joint public and private development uses permitted in the most restrictive adjoining zones if approved by the Director utilizing the procedures described in Sec. 13B.2.4. (Project Review) of Chapter 1A of this Code. The phrase “adjoining zones” refers to the zones on properties abutting, across the street or alley from or having a common corner with the subject property. If there are two or more different adjoining zones, then only the uses permitted by the most restrictive zone shall be permitted. (Amended by Ord. No. 187,712, Eff. 1/23/23, Oper. 1/22/24; Ord. No. 187,930, Eff. 7/7/23.)

10. Conditional uses as allowed pursuant to Section 12.24 U.21. and Section 12.24 W.49. of this Chapter when the location is approved pursuant to Div. 13B.2. (Quasi-Judicial Review) of Chapter 1A of this Code. (Amended by Ord. No. 187,712, Eff. 1/23/23, Oper. 1/ 22/24; Ord. No. 187,930, Eff. 7/7/23.)

11. Any joint public and private development that is a Qualified Permanent Supportive Housing Project developed pursuant to Section 14.00 A.13. of this Code, utilizing the uses and standards permitted by the least restrictive adjoining zone. The phrase “adjoining zone” refers to the zone on properties abutting, across the street or alley from, or having a common corner with, the subject property. (Amended by Ord. No. 187,712, Eff. 1/ 23/23, Oper. 1/22/24; Ord. No. 187,930, Eff. 7/7/23.)