Division 10.4 — PARKS FEES & DEDICATIONS

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

New dwelling units increase demand on existing park and recreational facilities and create the need for

additional facilities. The intent of this Division (Parks Fees & Dedications) is to enable the acquisition of

land and the collection of fees to be used for the purpose of developing new or rehabilitating existing

recreational facilities in order to create a healthy and sustainable City.

Sec. 10.4.1. (Intent) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

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Streets & Parks | ARTICLE 10 Div. 10.4. (Parks Fees & Dedications)

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

The type and amount of park and recreation impact fees associated with a project depends on the

type of project being developed. Subdivision projects consisting of more than 50 dwelling units are

subject to a Quimby in-lieu fee. All other residential projects are subject to a park mitigation fee.

Collectively, these fees are referred to in this Zoning Code (Chapter 1A) as park fees.

Sec. 10.4.2. (Types of Fees) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

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Streets & Parks | ARTICLE 10 Div. 10.4. (Parks Fees & Dedications)

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

All new dwelling units and joint living and work quarters shall be required to dedicate land, pay a fee or

provide a combination of dedication of land and fee payment for the purpose of acquiring, expanding,

and improving park and recreational facilities for new residents. For the purposes of this Division (Parks

Fees & Dedications), dwelling units, accessory dwelling units, junior accessory dwelling units, and

household business: joint living & work quarters shall be referred to as dwelling units.

A. Residential Subdivision Projects That Contain More Than 50 Dwelling Units

A subdivision containing more than 50 dwelling units shall be required to participate in early

consultation with the Department of Recreation and Parks and Department of City Planning

pursuant to Sec. 10.4.4. (Residential Subdivision Projects with More than 50 Dwelling Units),

and may be required to dedicate land, make park improvements, pay park fees, or provide a

combination of dedication of land and park fee payment.

B. All Other Residential Projects

For residential subdivision projects containing 50 or fewer dwelling units or for non-subdivision

residential projects that are seeking a building permit for a project application that contains any

number of net new dwelling units, the project shall pay a park fee pursuant to Sec. 10.4.5. (All

Other Residential Projects) . Applicants may choose to dedicate land or new park and recreational

facilities, or improve existing park and recreational facilities in lieu of payment of a park fee.

C. Exemptions

The following types of development shall not be required to pay a park fee:

1. Modifications, renovations, or additions to an existing residential building or structure where

no additional dwelling units are created.

2. Replacement of existing dwelling units on the same lot resulting in no net increase of dwelling

units.

3. The replacement of a destroyed or partially destroyed or damaged building or structure where

no additional dwelling units are created.

4. Affordable housing pursuant to Sec. 10.4.7. (Affordable Housing Exemption) .

5. Accessory dwelling units and junior accessory dwelling units.

6. Non-residential development.

Sec. 10.4.3. (Applicability) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

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City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

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DWELLING UNITS

A. Early Consultation

Applicants shall meet with the Department of Recreation and Parks and Department of City Planning staff in advance of submitting a subdivision application for a project of more than

50 dwelling units. The intent of this early consultation is to discuss the potential dedication of

land requirements of the project and to discuss credits available to the applicant, if any. The Department of Recreation and Parks shall provide written verification of the consultation to the project applicant within 10 business days of the meeting. Written verification of this consultation

shall be required before the Department of City Planning accepts a subdivision application.

B. Formula for Park Land Dedication

1. The Department of Recreation and Parks shall calculate the amount of land to be dedicated

by determining the number of net new, non-exempt, pursuant to Sec. 10.4.3.C. (Exemptions),

dwelling units in the proposed project and multiply that number by the average number of

people per occupied dwelling unit and multiplying that by the park service factor:

LD = (HU x P) x F

LD: Land to be dedicated in acres.

HU: Total number of new market-rate dwelling units.

P: Average number of people per occupied dwelling unit as determined by the most recent

version of the U.S. Census for the City of Los Angeles.

F: Park service factor, as indicated by the Department of Recreation and Parks rate and fee

schedule.

2. Any land dedication for park and recreation purposes shall not be deducted from a site's lot

area when calculating project density.

3. If after recording the fnal tract mapi there is an increase in the number of dwelling units to

be built or a change in the number or type of dwelling units designated, which increases

the number of persons served by the subdivision, the project applicant shall be required to

dedicate additional land or pay additional fees, as determined by the Department of Recreation

and Parks and the Department of City Planning.

C. Park Land Dedication Radius

Any dedication of land for park and recreation purposes shall be located within a certain radius from the project site, as specified below:

1. Neighborhood Park: within a two-mile distance

2. Community Park: within a five-mile distance

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Sec. 10.4.4. (Residential Subdivision Projects With More Than 50 Dwelling Units) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

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Streets & Parks | ARTICLE 10 Div. 10.4. (Parks Fees & Dedications)

3. Regional Park: within a 10-mile distance

D. Review of Land Dedication

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

1. Upon receiving the project application for a subdivision, the Department of City Planning shall

transmit the project application that involves a proposed dedication of land to the Department

of Recreation and Parks.

2. After receipt of the project application, the Department of Recreation and Parks shall

determine whether the dedication of land proposal complies with the Department of

Recreation and Park's existing park and recreation standards and requirements.

3. If the Department of Recreation and Parks determines that the dedication of land proposal

meets the standards and requirements of the department, the General Manager of the

Department of Recreation and Parks shall prepare a report to the Board of Recreation and

Parks Commissioners regarding the proposed dedication. The Board of Recreation and Parks

Commissioners may accept or decline the dedication of land.

E. Payment of Park Fee

If the project is not required to dedicate land for park and recreational purposes, the project

applicant shall pay a park fee pursuant to Sec. 10.4.5. (All Other Residential Projects) .

Sec. 10.4.4. (Residential Subdivision Projects With More Than 50 Dwelling Units) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

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Streets & Parks | ARTICLE 10 Div. 10.4. (Parks Fees & Dedications)

A. Fees & Fee Schedule

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

The park fee amount depends on the type of project. The Department of Recreation and Parks

shall collect these fees pursuant to Sec. 15.9.3. (Park Fees) and the Department of Recreation and

Parks rate and fee schedule.

B. Fee Calculation

The Department of Recreation and Parks shall calculate the amount of the park fee due for each

residential project by determining the number of new non-exempt dwelling units, pursuant to Sec.

10.4.3.C. (Exemptions), in the proposed project and multiplying the number of dwelling units by the

park fee amount per dwelling unit according to the following formula:

Project Park Fee = HU x PRF

HU: Total number of new, non-exempt dwelling units, pursuant to Sec. 10.4.3.C. (Exemptions)

PRF: Park Fee per dwelling unit

C. Fee Expenditure Radius

Recreational sites and facilities shall be located within a certain radius from the project site, as specified below:

1. Neighborhood park: within a two-mile distance.

2. Community park: within a five-mile distance.

3. Regional park: within a 10-mile distance.

D. Indexing

Any fee imposed by this Division (Parks Fees & Dedications) shall be adjusted on July 1st of each

year by a percentage equal to a weighted average of:

1. The percentage change in the Construction Cost Index for Los Angeles, as published by

Engineering News Record, or its successor publication, for the 12-month period between

March in the year in which the adjustment is made and the month of March in the immediately

preceding year; and

2. The percentage change in the Federal Reserve Economic Data All-Transactions House Price

Index for Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale, CA (MASD) as published quarterly by the Federal

Reserve Bank of St. Louis, or its successor publication, from the fourth calendar quarter most

recent to the year in which the adjustment is made to the fourth calendar quarter immediately

preceding it.

Sec. 10.4.5. (All Other Residential Projects) Last amended by Ord. 188,613, Eff. 07/04/2025

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E. Fee Payment Timing

1. Residential Subdivision Projects

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City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

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The park fee for residential subdivisions shall be calculated and collected prior to final

subdivision map approval. Subdivision maps that are phased or unitized may be calculated

and paid in phases permitting that the phased map and the number of dwelling units on each phased map has been confirmed by the Advisory Agency.

2. Residential Non-Subdivision Projects

For other residential projects, the park fee shall be calculated and collected prior to the

issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy.

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Sec. 10.4.5. (All Other Residential Projects) Last amended by Ord. 188,613, Eff. 07/04/2025

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Streets & Parks | ARTICLE 10 Div. 10.4. (Parks Fees & Dedications)

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City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

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The park fee enacted by this Division (Park Fees & Dedications) is a fee imposed on residential projects reflecting each project's proportionate share of the cost of providing park land and improvements

necessary to meet the needs created by each respective development. As such, the park fee is

additional and supplemental to, and not in substitution of, lot amenity space or residential amenity

space required by this Zoning Code (Chapter 1A), a Specifc Plani, or any other planning document.

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Sec. 10.4.6. (Park Fee as Additional Requirement) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

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City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

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A. Notwithstanding any other provision contained in this Division (Park Fees & Dedications), new

dwelling units which are rented or sold to very low income households, low income households, or moderate income households shall receive an affordable housing exemption from the park fee

and land dedication requirement, subject to the following:

1. A restricted afordable unitf shall receive an exemption from the requirement for dedication of

land for park and recreational purposes or payment of the park fee if the restricted afordable f unit is affordable to a household at or below 120 percent of AMI.

2. In projects with a mix of market-rate and restricted afordable unitf s, only the restricted

afordable unitf s shall receive this exemption.

B. For any restricted afordable unitf qualifying for an exemption, a covenant acceptable to the

Los Angeles Housing Department shall be recorded with the Los Angeles County Recorder, guaranteeing that the affordability criteria will be observed for at least 55 years from the

issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy, or a longer period of time if required by any applicable construction or mortgage financing assistance program, mortgage assistance program, or rental

subsidy program.

C. The Los Angeles Housing Department shall evaluate the project to ensure it meets the above

requirements and shall advise the Department of Recreation and Parks and the Department of City

Planning about whether the project meets those requirements.

D. Should any qualifying restricted afordable unitf cease to operate as a qualifying restricted

afordable unitf before the 55-year period has expired, LAHD shall notify the Department of

Recreation and Parks, and the parks fee for each said dwelling unit shall be paid to the City at the

then-current rate.

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Sec. 10.4.7. (Affordable Housing Exemption) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

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Streets & Parks | ARTICLE 10 Div. 10.4. (Parks Fees & Dedications)

A. Public Land Dedication or Improvement to Dedicated Land

1. Public Land Dedication

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

In lieu of paying the park fee or any portion of the park fee, land may be dedicated to the City

of Los Angeles for public park and recreational purposes, at the City's option. This may be with

or without recreational facility improvements. The amount of land to be dedicated shall be

determined pursuant to one of the following formulas, and credit shall be granted, square foot

for square foot, for any land dedicated to the City:

a. Subdivision Projects:

LD = (HU x P) x F1

LD: Land to be dedicated in acres.

HU: Total number of net new, non-exempt, pursuant to Sec. 10.4.3.C. (Exemptions),

dwelling units.

P: Average number of people per occupied dwelling unit as determined by the most recent

version of the U.S. Census for the City of Los Angeles.

F1: Park service factor for subdivision projects, as indicated by the Department of

Recreation and Parks rate and fee schedule.

b. Non-Subdivision Projects:

LD = (HU x P) x F2

LD: Land to be dedicated in acres.

HU: Total number of net new, non-exempt, pursuant to Sec. 10.4.3.C. (Exemptions),

dwelling units.

P: Average number of people per occupied dwelling unit as determined by the most recent

version of the U.S. Census for the City of Los Angeles.

F2: Park service factor for non-subdivision projects, as indicated by the Department of

Recreation and Parks rate and fee schedule.

2. Improvement to Dedicated Land

In lieu of paying the park fee or dedication of land, or any portion thereof, the City may permit

improvements to be made to dedicated City parkland, or land being dedicated as a City park or

recreational facility.

Sec. 10.4.8. (Credits) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

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Streets & Parks | ARTICLE 10 Div. 10.4. (Parks Fees & Dedications)

3. General

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

a. The total amount of credits shall not exceed 100 percent of the calculated requirement for

the park fee or land dedication.

b. Credit shall be granted for the property dedicated pursuant to this Division (Park Fees

& Dedications), dollar for dollar, in satisfaction of any park fee required to be paid. The

cost and subsequent credit should bear a reasonable relationship to an independent

assessment of the construction cost for the facility, such as the estimates provided by

RSMeans Building Construction Cost Data or similar measure. Credits may be awarded for on-site or off-site land dedication or park improvements.

c. The Department of Recreation and Parks shall determine whether the proposal

complies with the Department's park and recreational standards and requirements. If the

Department determines the proposal meets the Department's standards and requirements,

the General Manager of the Department of Recreation and Parks shall prepare a report to

the Board of Recreation and Parks Commissioners regarding the proposed dedication or

improvement. The Board of Recreation and Parks Commissioners may accept or decline

the dedication of land, new park and recreational facility, or improvement to existing park

and facilities.

d. If the dedication or improvement is accepted by the Board of Recreation and Parks

Commissioners in lieu of the park fee or dedication of land, or any portion thereof, the

City shall reduce or waive the fee, or dedication of land, or any portion thereof, upon

dedication of the property or guarantee of the improvement. The guarantee of the

improvement shall be to the satisfaction of the Department of Recreation and Parks

and shall be by a deposit with the Department of Recreation and Parks of an irrevocable

deposit instrument issued by a bank, savings and loan association or other depository

whose deposits are insured by an instrumentality of the federal government. The deposit

shall be fully insured by such instrumentality. The deposit instrument shall be in a form that

permits collection by the City of Los Angeles at maturity without further consent of any

other party.

B. Privately Owned Park & Recreational Facilities

1. Where facilities for park and recreational purposes are provided in a proposed residential

development and such facilities will be privately owned and maintained by the future owners

of the development, the areas occupied by such facilities shall be partially credited against

the requirement of dedication of land for park and recreational purposes or the payment of

a park fee thereof, provided that all the following standards are met to the satisfaction of the

Department of Recreation and Parks:

a. That each facility is available for use by all the residents of the residential development;

Sec. 10.4.8. (Credits) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

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Streets & Parks | ARTICLE 10 Div. 10.4. (Parks Fees & Dedications)

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City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

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b. That the area and the facilities satisfy the recreation and park needs of the residential

development so as to reduce the need for public recreation and park facilities to serve the

project residents.

2. The amount of credits for non-publicly accessible park and recreational facilities shall not

exceed 35 percent of the calculated requirement for the park and recreation impact fee or dedication of land. Credits may be awarded for on-site or off-site private facilities.

3. The amount of credits for publicly accessible, privately owned and maintained park and

recreational facilities shall not exceed 100 percent of the calculated requirement for the park and recreation impact fee or dedication of land. Credits may be awarded for on-site or off-site

private facilities.

4. Private park and recreational facilities shall include a variety of active and passive amenities, as

determined by the Department of Recreation and Parks.

5. Credit shall be granted, dollar for dollar, for any recreational and park impact fees required

to be paid for the property pursuant to this Division (Park Fees & Dedications), as determined

by the Department of Recreation and Parks. The cost and subsequent credit should bear a

reasonable relationship to an independent assessment of the construction cost for the facility,

such as the estimates provided by RSMeans Building Construction Cost Data or similar.

6. Credits shall not be given for any lot amenity space or residential amenity space required to be

maintained by this Zoning Code (Chapter 1A), Specifc Plani, or any other planning document,

with the exception of public amenity spaces provided in accordance with Sec. 2C.3.3.C.3.

(Public Amenity Space) .

7. The granting of credits shall also be subject to all the following:

a. The private ownership and maintenance of the facilities shall be adequately provided for by

written agreements;

b. The use of the private facilities, whether publicly accessible or non-publicly accessible,

is restricted for park and recreational purposes by recorded covenants acceptable to the

Department of Recreation and Parks that run with the land and that cannot be defeated or

eliminated without the consent of the City Council;

c. The proposed facilities are reasonably adaptable for use for park and recreational

purposes, taking into consideration such factors as size, shape, topography, geology,

access, and location of the private open space land;

d. The proposed non-public facilities are available for use by all the residents of the proposed

residential development;

e. Any proposed publicly accessible, privately owned and maintained park and recreational

facilities are accessible for use by the general public with no discrimination between

residents and non-residents, are open at hours comparable to those of City parks and

facilities, and have appropriate signage indicating that the space is public; and

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Sec. 10.4.8. (Credits) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

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City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

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f. The facilities are in substantial accordance with, and meet the policies and standards for,

the development of park and recreational facilities.

C. Dwelling Unit Construction Tax Credit

A credit shall be allowed whenever a dwelling unit construction tax previously has been paid

pursuant to Chapter II. (Licenses, Permits, Business Regulations), Sec. 21.10.3. (Dwelling Unit

Construction Tax) of this Code for dwelling units constructed on land for which a fee is required

to be paid in accordance with the provisions of this Division (Park Fees & Dedications) . Said credit

shall be equal to the amount of the tax previously paid, but shall not exceed the amount of any fee

required to be paid under the provisions of this Division (Park Fees & Dedications) .

D. Credit Request Timing

The project applicant shall submit any requests for credit, and the Department of Recreation and

Parks may only approve such requests, prior to the approval of the fnal tract mapi or prior to the date of final inspection, or the date of the Certificate of Occupancy, whichever is earliest and

applicable, and prior to any dedication of land or payment of any park fee.

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Sec. 10.4.8. (Credits) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

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A. Park Fee Account

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

The City of Los Angeles establishes a separate park and recreation fee trust fund account

("account") to which any park fee collected by the City shall be posted. The funds of the account

shall not be commingled with any other funds or revenues of the City. Any interest accrued by the

account shall be used solely for the purposes of park and recreational facility acquisition, addition,

and improvement.

B. Park Fee Accounting

Within 180 days after the last day of each fiscal year, the Department of Recreation and Parks shall

report to the Board of Commissioners of Recreation and Parks on the amount of the fee income

(including interest income), expenditures, status of the trust fund account, and interfund transfers.

The Department of Recreation and Parks shall also report on each of the park and recreational facilities on which fees were committed in the last fiscal year and the approximate date by which

the construction of the park and recreational facilities will commence. The City shall maintain

accounts and prepare reports in accordance with California Government Code, Title 7. (Planning

and Land Use), Sec. 66001 .

C. Refund of Fees Under the California Government Code

1. Park fees collected pursuant to this Division (Park Fees & Dedications) shall be committed

by the City within five years of receipt of payment for a residential project to serve or benefit

residents of the project for which the fees were collected.

2. If the fees are not committed as specified in this Division (Park Fees & Dedications), Quimby

fees shall be refunded in accordance with California Government Code, Title 7. (Planning and

Land Use), Sec. 66477 . All other park fees shall be refunded in accordance with California

Government Code, Title 7. (Planning and Land Use), Sec. 66001 .

D. Other Refunds

In the event that an applicant requests a refund for reasons not set forth in California Government

Code, Title 7. (Planning and Land Use), Sec. 66001. or California Government Code, Title 7.

(Planning and Land Use), Sec. 66477., the applicant shall submit a claim for a refund with

the Department of Recreation and Parks. Upon the Department of Recreation and Park's

determination, the fee payer may receive a refund, without interest, of the fees paid pursuant to

this Division (Park Fees & Dedications) ; however, the portion of any fee revenue received by the

City as reimbursement of its costs in administering the provisions of this Division (Park Fees &

Dedications) shall not be refunded. The fee payer shall submit an application for a refund to the

City within one year of payment. Failure to timely submit the required application for refund shall

constitute an absolute waiver of any right to the refund.

Sec. 10.4.9. (Park Fee Account & Accounting) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

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Streets & Parks | ARTICLE 10 Div. 10.4. (Parks Fees & Dedications)

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

A. The dedicated lands or park fees collected pursuant to this Division (Park Fees & Dedications)

shall be used for the acquisition, improvement, and expansion of public parks and recreational

facilities. The fees shall be committed and expended in accordance with the provisions and

procedures established in this Division (Park Fees & Dedications) . The park fee may be used to pay the principal sum and interest and other finance costs on bonds, notes or other obligations issued by, or on behalf of, the City to finance such park and recreational facility improvements; and any

administrative costs incurred by the City in accordance with this Division (Park Fees & Dedications) .

B. Interest accrued on Quimby in-lieu fees collected pursuant to this Division (Park Fees &

Dedications) may be applied outside the project development for which the original fees

were collected, provided that the Department of Recreation and Parks holds a public hearing

prior to committing the interest, and uses the interest to develop new or rehabilitate existing

neighborhood or community parks or recreational facilities within the City. All such public parks

and recreational facilities shall comply with the principles and standards set forth in the General

Plan.

C. The park or recreational facilities acquired, improved or expanded shall be publicly accessible and

serve or benefit the project that dedicated the land or paid the fees.

Sec. 10.4.10. (Use of Park Fees or Lands Dedicated) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

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