Division 3B.9 — CHARACTER FRONTAGE DISTRICTS
Los Angeles Zoning Code — LAMC Chapter 1A · edición 2025 · actualizado 2026-07-08 · Los Angeles
Esta sección aún no está traducida y se muestra en inglés.
City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A
Character Frontages provide standards for facade articulation, entry features, window design, siding materials, and
roof form, in order to reinforce the prevailing architectural characteristics of the city’s historically and culturally significant neighborhoods and districts.
Sec. 3B.9.1. HISTORIC CORE (CHC1) ¶
Esta sección aún no está traducida y se muestra en inglés.
A. Intent
The Historic Core Character Frontage ("Historic Core")
ensures new development contributes to and reinforces
the established architectural character of an urban
historic core established in the late 19th and early
20th centuries, while supporting creative design and
contemporary construction practices. Key architectural
characteristics of the Historic Core include grand
entrances adorned with pillars and archways, highly
decorative facades that clearly articulate the base, middle
and top layers of a building, deeply recessed windows,
and roofs with prominent cornices. Buildings in the Historic Core adhere to a well-defined street wall with
high ground story activation.
Sec. 3B.9.1. (Historic Core (CHC1)) Last amended by Ord. 188,418 (Resolution), Eff. 06/18/2025
B. Lot
| 1. BUILD-TO Applicable stories (min) |
Primary Side Div. 3D.1. 12 12 |
Col3 |
|---|---|---|
| A Build-to depth (max) | 5' | 10' |
| B Build-to width (min) | 90% | 70% |
| Pedestrian amenity allowance (max) 2.PARKING C Parking setback (min) 3.LANDSCAPING Frontage planting area (min) |
15% 10% Div. 3D.2. 20' 5' Div. 3D.3. 0% 0% |
15% 10% Div. 3D.2. 20' 5' Div. 3D.3. 0% 0% |
| Frontage yard fence & wall type allowed: |
A2 | A2 |
| 3-29 |
[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] Div. 3B.9. (Character Frontage Districts)
C. Stories
City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A
| D. Facade | Col2 |
|---|---|
| Street A A A B B B B B B B B B B B C C C C C C |
Street A A A B B B B B B B B B B B C C C C C C |
Sec. 3B.9.1. (Historic Core (CHC1)) Last amended by Ord. 188,418 (Resolution), Eff. 06/18/2025
| 1. ARTICULATION Applicable stories (min) |
Primary Side Div. 3D.6. First 12 First 12 |
Col3 |
|---|---|---|
| A Base, middle & top articulation |
Required | Required |
| b Horizontal band articulati | on Required |
Required |
| c Vertical band articulation | Required | Required |
| Spacing (min/max) 2.FEATURES Applicable stories (min) |
15'/30' 15'/30' Div. 3D.7. 12 12 |
15'/30' 15'/30' Div. 3D.7. 12 12 |
| Restricted features | ||
| Projecting balcony | Prohibite | d Prohibited |
| 3-30 | ||
| 1. ENTRANCES A Street-facing entrance |
Primary Side Div. 3D.8. Required Required |
Col3 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| b Entrance spacing (max) |
50' | 50' |
| Entry feature | Required | Required |
| Options • Recessed entry • Storefront bay |
Options • Recessed entry • Storefront bay |
Options • Recessed entry • Storefront bay |
| c Focal entry feature | 1 | 0 |
Sec. 3B.9.1. (Historic Core (CHC1)) Last amended by Ord. 188,418 (Resolution), Eff. 06/18/2025
| 1. TRANSPARENCY Applicable stories (min) |
Primary Side Div. 3D.9. First 12 First 12 |
Col3 |
|---|---|---|
| A Ground story(min/max) | 50%/80% | 50%/80% |
| Active wall spacing (max) | 15' | 15' |
| Window recession (min) | 12" | 12" |
| Bulkhead | Required | Required |
| Horizontal sliding windows |
Prohibited | Prohibited |
| Vinyl windows | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| B Upper stories(min/max) | 30%/80% | 30%/80% |
| Window recession (min) | 6" | 6" |
| Sill | Required | Required |
| Horizontal sliding windows |
Prohibited | Prohibited |
| 3-31 |
[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] Div. 3B.9. (Character Frontage Districts)
| G. Cladding | Col2 |
|---|---|
| Street A B B |
Street A B B |
City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A
| 3-32
| 1. EXTERIOR MATERIALS Applicable stories (min) |
Div. 3D.10. First 12 |
|---|---|
| A Principal material coverag | e (min) 70% |
| Options | • Brick • Solid stone • Concrete • Metal • Glazed tile |
| B Accessory material covera | ge (max) 30% |
| Options | • Brick • Solid stone • Concrete • Metal • Wood • Glazed tile |
| Number of accessory ma (max) |
terials 2 |
Sec. 3B.9.1. (Historic Core (CHC1)) Last amended by Ord. 188,418 (Resolution), Eff. 06/18/2025
[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] Div. 3B.9. (Character Frontage Districts)
Sec. 3B.9.2. DAYLIGHT FACTORY (CDF1) ¶
Esta sección aún no está traducida y se muestra en inglés.
A. Intent
The Daylight Factory Character Frontage ensures new
development reinforces the prevailing architectural
characteristics of industrial districts established in the
early 20th century, while supporting creative design
and contemporary construction practices. Warehouse
and factory buildings in these industrial districts are
characterized by large, symmetrical windows that extend
nearly a full story in height, high ceilings on each story,
and brick and masonry facade materials. Facades are
articulated to establish uniformity through horizontal
repetition.
Sec. 3B.9.2. (Daylight Factory (CDF1)) Last amended by Ord. 188,418 (Resolution), Eff. 06/18/2025
City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A
B. Lot
| 1. BUILD-TO Applicable stories (min) |
Primary Side Div. 3D.1. 3 3 |
Col3 |
|---|---|---|
| A Build-to depth (max) | 5' | 10' |
| B Build-to width (min) | 90% | 70% |
| Pedestrian amenity allowance (max) 2.PARKING C Parking setback (min) 3.LANDSCAPING Frontage planting area (min) |
30% 30% Div. 3D.2. 20' 5' Div. 3D.3. 30% 30% |
30% 30% Div. 3D.2. 20' 5' Div. 3D.3. 30% 30% |
| Frontage yard fence & wall type allowed: |
A2 | A2 |
| 3-33 |
[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] Div. 3B.9. (Character Frontage Districts)
C. Stories
Sec. 3B.9.2. (Daylight Factory (CDF1)) Last amended by Ord. 188,418 (Resolution), Eff. 06/18/2025
City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A
D. Facade
| 1. ARTICULATION Applicable stories (min) |
Primary Side Div. 3D.6. First 3 First 3 |
|---|---|
| A Vertical band articulatio | n Required Required |
| Spacing (min/max) 2.FEATURES |
20'/30' 20'/30' Div. 3D.7. |
Not applicable
| 3-34
[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] Div. 3B.9. (Character Frontage Districts)
E. Doors
| 1. ENTRANCES A Street-facing entrance |
Primary Side Div. 3D.8. Required Required |
Col3 |
|---|---|---|
| b Entrance spacing (max) |
100' | 100' |
| Entry feature | Requir | ed Required |
| Options | • Recessed entry • Storefront bay |
• Recessed entry • Storefront bay |
| c Focal entry feature | 1 | 1 |
Sec. 3B.9.2. (Daylight Factory (CDF1)) Last amended by Ord. 188,418 (Resolution), Eff. 06/18/2025
City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A
F. Windows
| 1. TRANSPARENCY Applicable stories (min) |
Primary Side Div. 3D.9. First 3 First 3 |
Col3 |
|---|---|---|
| A Ground story(min/max) | 50%/8 | 0% 50%/80% |
| Active wall spacing (max) | 15' | 25' |
| Window recession (min) | 9" | 9" |
| Horizontal sliding windows Prohibited Prohibited |
Horizontal sliding windows Prohibited Prohibited |
Horizontal sliding windows Prohibited Prohibited |
| B Upper stories(min/max) | 40%/7 | 0% 30%/70% |
| Window recession (min) | 6" | 6" |
| Sill | Requir | ed Required |
| Horizontal sliding windows |
Prohibi | ted Prohibited |
| 3-35 |
[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] Div. 3B.9. (Character Frontage Districts)
G. Cladding
City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A
H. Roof
| 3-36
| 1. EXTERIOR MATERIALS Applicable stories (min) |
Div. 3D.10. First 3 |
|---|---|
| A Principal material coverage (min) | 70% |
| Options | • Brick • Solid stone • Concrete • Metal • Wood |
| B Accessory material coverage (max) | 30% |
| Options | • Brick • Solid stone • Concrete • Metal • Wood |
| Number of accessory materials (max) |
3 |
Sec. 3B.9.2. (Daylight Factory (CDF1)) Last amended by Ord. 188,418 (Resolution), Eff. 06/18/2025
[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] Div. 3B.9. (Character Frontage Districts)
Sec. 3B.9.3. DAYLIGHT FACTORY / RIVER (CDR1) ¶
Esta sección aún no está traducida y se muestra en inglés.
City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A
A. Intent
The Daylight Factory / River Character Frontage provides
standards intended to support the activation of the
Los Angeles River as a public amenity while reinforcing
the prevailing architectural characteristics of industrial
districts established in the early 20th century along the
River, and supporting creative design and contemporary
construction practices. Warehouse and factory buildings
in these riverside industrial districts are characterized
by large, symmetrical windows that extend nearly a full
story in height, high ceilings on each story, and brick
and masonry facade materials. Facades are articulated to
establish uniformity through horizontal repetition.
Sec. 3B.9.3. (Daylight Factory / River (CDR1)) Last amended by Ord. 188,418 (Resolution), Eff. 06/18/2025
B. Lot
| 1. BUILD-TO Applicable stories (min) |
Primary Side Special Div. 3D.1. 3 3 3 |
Col3 | Col4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| A Build-to depth (max) | 5' | 10' | 20' |
| B Build-to width (min) | 90% | 70% | 70% |
| Pedestrian amenity allowance (max) 2.PARKING C Parking setback (min) 3.LANDSCAPING Frontage planting area (min) |
30% 30% 40% Div. 3D.2. 20' 5' 20' Div. 3D.3. 5% 5% 75% |
30% 30% 40% Div. 3D.2. 20' 5' 20' Div. 3D.3. 5% 5% 75% |
30% 30% 40% Div. 3D.2. 20' 5' 20' Div. 3D.3. 5% 5% 75% |
| Frontage yard fence & wall type allowed: |
A2 | A2 | A3 |
| 3-37 |
[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] Div. 3B.9. (Character Frontage Districts)
C. Stories
City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A
D. Facade
Sec. 3B.9.3. (Daylight Factory / River (CDR1)) Last amended by Ord. 188,418 (Resolution), Eff. 06/18/2025
| Prim 1. ARTICULATION |
ary Side Special Div. 3D.6. |
|---|---|
| Applicable stories (min) Firs |
t 3 First 3 First 3 |
| A Vertical band articulation Requ |
ired Required Required |
| Spacing (min/max) 20'/ 2.FEATURES |
30' 20'/30' 20'/30' Div. 3D.7. |
Not applicable
| 3-38
[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] Div. 3B.9. (Character Frontage Districts)
E. Doors
| 1. ENTRANCES Street-facing A entrance |
Primary Side Special Div. 3D.8. Required Required Required |
Col3 | Col4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| b Entrance spacing (max) |
100' | 100' | 100' |
| Entry feature | Require | d Required |
n/a |
| Options | • Recessed entry • Storefront bay |
• Recessed entry • Storefront bay |
• Recessed entry • Storefront bay |
| c Focal entry feature | 1 | 1 | n/a |
Sec. 3B.9.3. (Daylight Factory / River (CDR1)) Last amended by Ord. 188,418 (Resolution), Eff. 06/18/2025
City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A
F. Windows
| 1. TRANSPARENCY Applicable stories (min) |
Primary Side Special Div. 3D.9. First 3 First 3 First 3 |
Col3 | Col4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| A Ground story (min/max) |
50%/80% | 50%/80% | 30%/80% |
| Active wall spacing (max) |
15' | 25' | 25' |
| Window recession (min) |
9" | 9" | 9" |
| Horizontal sliding windowsP |
rohibite | d Prohibited | Prohibited |
| B Upper stories (min/max) |
40%/70% | 30%/70% | 30%/70% |
| Window recession (min) |
6" | 6" | 6" |
| Sill |
Required | Required | Required |
| Horizontal sliding windowsP |
rohibite | d Prohibited | Prohibited |
| 3-39 |
[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] Div. 3B.9. (Character Frontage Districts)
G. Cladding
City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A
H. Roof
| 3-40
| 1. EXTERIOR MATERIALS Applicable stories (min) |
Div. 3D.10. First 3 |
|---|---|
| A Principal material coverage (min) | 70% |
| Options | • Brick • Solid stone • Concrete • Metal • Wood |
| B Accessory material coverage (max) | 30% |
| Options | • Brick • Solid stone • Concrete • Metal • Wood |
| Number of accessory materials (max) |
3 |
Sec. 3B.9.3. (Daylight Factory / River (CDR1)) Last amended by Ord. 188,418 (Resolution), Eff. 06/18/2025
[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ]
Contents
City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A
Part 3C. GENERAL FRONTAGE
RULES
Div. 3C.1. Build-To . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-42
Sec. 3C.1.1. Applicable Stories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-42
Sec. 3C.1.2. Build-To Depth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-43
Sec. 3C.1.3. Build-To Width . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-46
Sec. 3C.1.4. Pedestrian Amenity Allowance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-50
Div. 3C.2. Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-53
Sec. 3C.2.1. Parking Setback . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-53
Div. 3C.3. Landscaping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-55
Sec. 3C.3.1. Frontage Planting Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-55
Sec. 3C.3.2. Frontage Yard Fence & Wall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-56
Div. 3C.4. Transparency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-62
Sec. 3C.4.1. Transparent Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-62
Sec. 3C.4.2. Active Wall Spacing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-67
Div. 3C.5. Entrances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-77
Sec. 3C.5.1. Street-Facing Entrance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-77
Sec. 3C.5.2. Entry Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-80
Div. 3C.6. Ground Story . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-88
Sec. 3C.6.1. Ground Story Height . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-88
Sec. 3C.6.2. Ground Floor Elevation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-89
Article 3. Frontage Article Publication Update | July 23, 2025
| 3-41
[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ]
Div. 3C.1. (Build-To)