Division 2C.2 — COVERAGE
Los Angeles Zoning Code — LAMC Chapter 1A · edición 2025 · actualizado 2026-07-08 · Los Angeles
Sec. 2C.2.1. BUILDING COVERAGE ¶
Esta sección aún no está traducida y se muestra en inglés.
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City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A
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Building coverage is defined as the percentage of lot area covered by buildings or structures.
A. Intent
The intent of the standards of this Section (Building Coverage) is to preserve open area on a lot by
limiting the amount of buildings or structures that may cover a lot.
B. Applicability
Building coverage standards apply to new construction or a major remodel. When building
coverage standards apply, the standards apply to all buildings and structures on a lot.
C. Standards
Covered structures on a lot shall not have a cumulative area in excess of the maximum building coverage specified by the applied Form District (Part 2B.).
D. Measurement
- Building coverage is measured by dividing the cumulative area of the structure footprints of all
covered structures on the lot by the lot area.
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Cumulative Structure Footprint
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(Cumulative Structure Footprint)
÷
(Total Site Area)
Building Coverage
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Area A
Area B
Area C
Area D
Area E
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| Porte Accessory Cochѐre Structure D A Primary Structure Porch E C B Covered Structure Footprint Patio |
Col2 | Col3 | Col4 | Col5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A D E B C Structure Footprint Ac Structure P Co Patio Primary Str |
B C |
E |
||
| A D E B C Structure Footprint Ac Structure P Co Patio Primary Str |
B C |
E |
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| A D E B C Structure Footprint Ac Structure P Co Patio Primary Str |
B |
B |
B |
B |
- Structure footprints include all building footprints and structure footprints but do not include
fatworkl .
| Accessory Structure Primary Structure Building Footprint |
Col2 | Col3 | Col4 | Col5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Building Footprint Ac Structure Primary Str |
||||
| Building Footprint Ac Structure Primary Str |
||||
| Building Footprint Ac Structure Primary Str |
Sec. 2C.2.1. (Building Coverage) | 2-50 Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025
[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] Div. 2C.2. (Coverage)
City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A
| Porte Cochѐre Porch Covered Patio Non-building Structure Footprint |
Col2 | Col3 | Col4 | Col5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Non-building Structure Footprint P Covered Patio |
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| Non-building Structure Footprint P Covered Patio |
||||
| Non-building Structure Footprint P Covered Patio |
||||
| Driveway Wal Swimming & S Pool Uncovered Flatwork Patio |
Col2 | Col3 | Col4 | Col5 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Uncovered Patio Wal & S Driveway Swimming Pool Flatwork |
kwa tep |
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| Uncovered Patio Wal & S Driveway Swimming Pool Flatwork |
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| Uncovered Patio Wal & S Driveway Swimming Pool Flatwork |
For covered structures, see Sec. 14.2.2.A.1. (Covered) .
For structure footprint and building footprint determination, see Sec. 14.2.1. (Building
Footprint) .
E. Exceptions
| Col1 | Primary Street Lot |
|---|---|
[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] Div. 2C.2. (Coverage)
F. Relief
City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A
- Up to a 20 percent increase to the total allowed area of covered structures on a lot may be
granted in accordance with Sec. 13B.5.2. (Adjustment) .
- Increased building coverage may be granted as a variance in accordance with Sec. 13B.5.3.
(Variance) .
Sec. 2C.2.1. (Building Coverage) | 2-52 Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025
[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] Div. 2C.2. (Coverage)
Sec. 2C.2.2. BUILDING SETBACKS ¶
Esta sección aún no está traducida y se muestra en inglés.
City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A
Building setback is defined as the area on a lot not intended for buildings and structures. Building
setbacks include primary street setbacks, side street setbacks, side setbacks, rear setbacks, alley
setbacks, and special lot line setbacks.
A. Intent
The intent of the standards of this Section (Building Setbacks) is to provide open areas on the
lot and help reduce the impact of buildings or structures on abutting sidewalks and neighboring
development.
B. Applicability
Building setback standards apply to new construction or a major remodel. When the building
setback standards apply, the standards apply to all buildings and structures on a lot.
C. Standards
All buildings and structures on the lot shall be located on or behind a minimum building setback,
except where allowed in Subsection E. (Exceptions) below.
D. Measurement
| Col1 | Col2 |
|---|---|
| Col1 | Col2 |
| --- | --- |
A side street setback is measured from the side street lot line.
A side setback is measured from the side lot line.
A rear setback is measured from the rear lot line.
An alley setback is measured from the alley lot line.
A special setback is measured from the special lot line.
Sec. 2C.2.2. (Building Setbacks) | 2-53 Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025
[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] Div. 2C.2. (Coverage)
City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A
a. Where a special setback is specified by the applied Form District (Part 2B.) as "Special: All",
the setback is measured from all special lot lines.
b. Where a special setback is specified by the applied Form District (Part 2B.) as "Special:
River" or "Special: Alley", the setback is measured from the special lot line as designated
according to Sec. 14.2.12.C.3. (Special Lot Line) .
c. Where a special setback is specified by the applied Form District (Part 2B.) as "Special:
Other", the setback is measured from all special lot lines that are not otherwise specified.
For measurement on portions of a lot required for dedication of land, see Sec. 14.2.11. (Lot) .
For measurement on a lot affected by a public access easement, see Sec. 14.2.17.B.1. (Building
Setback) .
E. Exceptions
- The following are allowed to encroach beyond the building setback up to the minimum
distance from the lot line specified below:
HORIZONTAL ENCROACHMENTS ALLOWED INTO SETBACKS
| Col1 | Lot Lines | Col3 | Col4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary/Side Street, Special |
Side/Rear | Alley | |
| Architectural Details (Sec. 14.2.5.A.1.a.) | |||
| Encroachment (max) | 2' | 2' | 2' |
| Distance from lot line (min) | 0' | 2.5' | 0' |
| Roof Projections (Sec. 14.2.5.A.1.b.) | |||
| Encroachment (max) | 2.5' | 2.5' | 2.5' |
| Distance from lot line (min) | 0' | 2.5' | 0' |
| Unenclosed Structures: Ground story (Sec. 14.2.5.A.1.c.) |
|||
| Encroachment (max) | 7' | 5' | 7' |
| Distance from lot line (min) | 0' | 2.5' | 2.5' |
| Unenclosed Structures: Above ground story (Sec. 14.2.5.A.1.d.) |
|||
| Encroachment (max) | 5' | 3' | 3' |
| Distance from lot line (min) | 0' | 5' | 2.5' |
| Enclosed Structures: Projecting (Sec. 14.2.5.A.1.e.) |
|||
| Encroachment (max) | 2.5' | 1.5' | 2.5' |
| Distance from lot line (min) | 0' | 2.5' | 2.5' |
| Mechanical/Electrical Equipment: Ground mounted (Sec. 14.2.5.A.1.f.) |
|||
| Encroachment (max) | 1.5' | 2.5' | 2.5' |
| Distance from lot line (min) | 15' | 2.5' | 0' |
Sec. 2C.2.2. (Building Setbacks) | 2-54 Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025
[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] Div. 2C.2. (Coverage)
City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A
HORIZONTAL ENCROACHMENTS ALLOWED INTO SETBACKS
| Col1 | Lot Lines | Col3 | Col4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary/Side Street, Special |
Side/Rear | Alley | |
| Mechanical/Electrical Equipment: Wall mounted (Sec. 14.2.5.A.1.g.) |
|||
| Encroachment (max) | 1.5' | 1.5' | 1.5' |
| Distance from lot line (min) | 15' | 2.5' | 0' |
| Waste Enclosures (Sec. 14.2.5.A.1.h.) | |||
| Encroachment (max) | 0' | unlimited | unlimited |
| Distance from lot line (min) | 15' | 2.5' | 0' |
| Utility Equipment, Underground Structures, Flatwork, Fences and Walls, Vegetation, Outdoor Furniture (Sec. 14.2.5.A.1.i. -Sec. 14.2.5.A.1.n.) |
|||
| Encroachment (max) | unlimited | unlimited | unlimited |
| Distance from lot line (min) | 0' | 0' | 0' |
For existing nonconforming building exceptions, see Sec. 12.2.1. (Coverage Exceptions) .
Modifications to existing structures may encroach beyond the limitations specified in the
Horizontal Encroachments Allowed Into Setbacks table, pursuant to Paragraph 1. above, only where such limitations conflict with California State Accessibility Standards or Fire Code. When
greater encroachments are necessary, the horizontal encroachment shall extend the minimum
amount necessary to achieve compliance.
F. Relief
- A deviation from a required setback along a special lot line that abuts a public right-of-way or
public open space may be granted in accordance with Sec. 13B.5.1. (Alternative Compliance) . In addition to the finding otherwise required by Sec. 13B.5.1. (Alternative Compliance), the
Director shall also consider:
a. That the granting of the application will improve a site's connection with the public right
of-way or public open space.
b. Where a deviation from a required setback from a special river lot line is granted, the
application will improve a site’s connection with the river or will improve river access.
- A reduction in required setback of 20 percent or less may be granted in accordance with Sec.
13B.5.2. (Adjustment), provided the resulting setback is at least three feet.
- A setback reduction may be granted as a variance in accordance with Sec. 13B.5.3. (Variance) .
Sec. 2C.2.2. (Building Setbacks) | 2-55 Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025
[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] Div. 2C.3. (Amenity)