Division 6C.1 — MAXIMUM DENSITY

The maximum number of dwelling units allowed on a lot.

A. Intent

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

The intent of regulating the number of dwelling units based on a fixed number per lot is to provide a method to establish a specific maximum number of dwelling units, regardless of lot area.

B. Applicability

Dwelling units per lot applies to any project that includes dwelling units and is constructed in a

Lot-Limited Density District .

C. Standards

1. Regardless of lot area, the number of dwelling units is limited to the maximum dwelling units

per lot outlined in Div. 6B.1 (Lot-Limited Density Districts) above .

2. Where a lot is large enough to be subdivided following the applied Form District (Part 2B.) lot

area standards and the subdivision requirements in Article 11. (Division of Land), each new lot is

entitled to the dwelling units per lot established by the applied Density District.

D. Measurement

1. Dwelling units per lot is measured as the cumulative number of dwelling units on a lot.

E. Exceptions

Accessory dwelling units and junior accessory dwelling units, compliant with Div. 9.5. (Accessory

Dwelling Unit Incentive Programs), are exempt from the density limit for lots having one or more

dwelling units.

F. Relief

1. An increase in the dwelling units per lot may be granted as a variance in accordance with Sec.

13B.5.3. (Variance) .

Sec. 6C.1.1. (Dwelling Units Per Lot) | 6-13 Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] Div. 6C.1. (Maximum Density)

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City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

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The maximum number of household dwelling units allowed on a lot based on lot area.

A. Intent

The intent of regulating the lot area per household dwelling unit is to provide a method that ensures there is a specified maximum ratio of household dwelling units in relation to the size of a

lot.

B. Applicability

Lot area per household dwelling unit applies to any project that includes household dwelling units

in a Lot Area-Based Density District (Div. 6B.2.) .

C. Standards

The number of household dwelling units on a lot shall not exceed the maximum established by the

applied Density District in Div. 6B.2. (Lot Area-Based Density Districts) .

D. Measurement

1. The maximum number of household dwelling units is calculated by dividing the lot area by

the lot area per household dwelling unit value outlined in Div. 6B.2. (Lot Area-Based Density

Districts), and can be provided in combination with efficiency dwelling units where permitted, as calculated in Sec. 6C.1.3. (Lot Area Per Efficiency Dwelling Unit) .

a. Lot area that has been committed to the minimum lot area required per household

dwelling unit cannot be counted toward the minimum lot area required for an efficiency

dwelling unit.

b. Example:

i. A 5,000 square-foot lot with a 10 Density District could have five household dwelling

units, or three household dwelling units plus four efficiency dwelling units, or any

combination that does not exceed the maximum number of dwelling units permitted

by the ratios.

ii. If this same lot had five household dwelling units, it would not be able to add any

efficiency dwelling units, as the 5,000 square feet of the lot would have been committed to the minimum lot area required for the allowance of the five household

dwelling units.

2. For lots that are adjacent to one or more alley, the maximum number of household dwelling

units may be calculated using the lot area plus the area between the exterior lot lines and the

centerline of the alley.

3. Fractions of units do not count towards an additional household dwelling unit, except as

permitted in Article 9. (Public Benefit Systems) .

Sec. 6C.1.2. (Lot Area Per Household Dwelling Unit) | 6-14 Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] Div. 6C.1. (Maximum Density)

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City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

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4. When density is designated as "Limited by floor area", there is no maximum density. Household

dwelling units are limited only by the physical constraints of the applied Form District (Part

2B.) .

5. When density is designated as "Not Permitted", household dwelling units are not permitted.

E. Exceptions

Accessory dwelling units and junior accessory dwelling units, that comply with Div. 9.5. (Accessory

Dwelling Unit Incentive Programs) are exempt from the density limit for lots having one or more

dwelling units.

F. Relief

1. A decrease in the minimum lot area per household dwelling unit may be granted as a variance

pursuant to Sec. 13B.5.3. (Variance) .

2. For projects that include multiple parcels with different applied Density Districts (Part 6B.),

the transfer of density across the development site may be granted, in accordance with Sec.

13B.2.2. (Class 2 Conditional Use Permit) .

a. Supplemental Findings

In addition to the findings in Sec. 13B.2.2. (Class 2 Conditional Use Permit), the Zoning Administrator shall also find that the project meets the following conditions:

i. The project meets the definition of unifed developmenti .

ii. All lots included in the project have Commercial-Mixed Use Districts (Div. 5B.5.),

Industrial-Mixed Use Districts (Div. 5B.6.), or Industrial Use Districts (Div. 5B.7.) applied,

or the project is located entirely in the Downtown Community Plan Area and all lots

included in the project have Residential-Mixed Use Districts (Div. 5B.4.), Commercial-

Mixed Use Districts (Div. 5B.5.), Industrial-Mixed Use Districts (Div. 5B.6.), or Industrial

Use Districts (Div. 5B.7.) applied.

iii. Where any individual lot exceeds the maximum density specified by the applied

Density District (Part 6B.), the total number of dwelling units across all lots included

in the unifed developmenti shall not exceed the sum of the maximum number of

dwelling units allowed across all lots as calculated based on the maximum density specified by each applied Density District (Part 6B.) .

b. Supplemental Procedures

If the Zoning Administrator approves the density transfer, then prior to the issuance of any building permit, the property owner shall file with the Department of Building and Safety a covenant running with the land that specifies the following obligations:

i. The operation and maintenance of the development as a unifed developmenti is

continued in perpetuity;

Sec. 6C.1.2. (Lot Area Per Household Dwelling Unit) | 6-15 Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] Div. 6C.1. (Maximum Density)

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

ii. The density used and the remaining unbuilt density, if any, is allocated to each lot;

iii. The unifying design elements are maintained and continued in perpetuity; and

iv. The individual or entity responsible and accountable for compliance and the fee

for the annual inspection of compliance by the Department of Building and Safety,

as required pursuant to Sec. 15.3.12. (Annual Inspection of FAR Averaging & Density

Transfer Covenants) .

Sec. 6C.1.2. (Lot Area Per Household Dwelling Unit) | 6-16 Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] Div. 6C.1. (Maximum Density)

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City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

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The maximum number of efficiency dwelling units allowed on a lot based on lot area.

A. Intent

The intent of regulating the number of efficiency dwelling units based on lot area is to provide a method that ensures there is a specified maximum ratio of efficiency dwelling units in relation to

the size of a lot.

B. Applicability

Lot area per efficiency dwelling unit applies to any project that includes efficiency dwelling units in

a Lot Area-Based Density District.

C. Standards

The number of efficiency dwelling units on a lot shall not exceed the maximum established by the

applied Density District in Div. 6B.2. (Lot Area-Based Density Districts) .

D. Measurement

1. The maximum number of efficiency dwelling units is calculated by dividing the lot area by

the lot area per efficiency dwelling unit value outlined in Div. 6B.2. (Lot Area-Based Density

Districts), and can be provided in conjunction with household dwelling units where permitted,

as calculated in Sec. 6C.1.2. (Lot Area per Household Dwelling Unit) .

a. Lot area that has been committed to the minimum lot area required per efficiency dwelling

unit cannot be counted toward the minimum lot area required for a household dwelling

unit.

b. Example:

i. A 5,000 square-foot lot with a 10 Density District could have five household dwelling

units, or three household dwelling units plus four efficiency dwelling units, or any

combination that does not exceed the maximum number of dwelling units permitted

by the ratios.

ii. If this same lot had five household dwelling units, it would not be able to add any

efficiency dwelling units, as the 5,000 square feet of the lot would have been committed to the minimum lot area required for the allowance of the five household

dwelling units.

2. For lots that are adjacent to one or more alley, the maximum number of efficiency dwelling

units may be calculated using the lot area plus the area between the exterior lot lines and the

centerline of the alley.

3. Fractions of units do not count towards an additional household dwelling unit or efficiency

dwelling unit, except as permitted in Article 9. (Public Benefit Programs) .

Sec. 6C.1.3. (Lot Area Per Efficiency Dwelling Unit) | 6-17 Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] Div. 6C.1. (Maximum Density)

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City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

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4. When density is designated as "Limited by floor area", there is no maximum density. Efficiency

dwelling units are limited only by the physical constraints of the applied Form District (Part

2B.) .

5. When density is designated as "Not Permitted", efficiency dwelling units are not permitted.

E. Exceptions

Accessory dwelling units and junior accessory dwelling units, compliant with Div. 9.5. (Accessory

Dwelling Unit Incentive Program), are exempt from the density limit for lots having one or more

dwelling units.

F. Relief

1. A decrease in the minimum lot area per efficiency dwelling unit may be granted as a variance

in accordance with Sec. 13B.5.3. (Variance) .

2. For projects that include multiple parcels having different applied Density Districts (Part 6B.),

the transfer of density across the development site may be granted, in accordance with Sec.

13B.2.2. (Class 2 Conditional Use Permit) .

a. Supplemental Findings

In addition to the findings in Sec. 13B.2.2. (Class 2 Conditional Use Permit), the Zoning Administrator shall also find that the project meets the following conditions:

i. The project meets the definition of unifed developmenti .

ii. All lots included in the project have Commercial-Mixed Use Districts (Div. 5B.5.),

Industrial-Mixed Use Districts (Div. 5B.6.), or Industrial Use Districts (Div. 5B.7.) applied,

or the project is located entirely in the Downtown Community Plan Area and all lots

included in the project have Residential-Mixed Use Districts (Div. 5B.4.), Commercial-

Mixed Use Districts (Div. 5B.5.), Industrial-Mixed Use Districts (Div. 5B.6.), or Industrial

Use Districts (Div. 5B.7.) applied.

iii. Where any individual lot exceeds the maximum density specified by the applied

Density District (Part 6B.), the total number of dwelling units across all lots included

in the unifed developmenti shall not exceed the sum of the maximum number of

dwelling units allowed across all lots as calculated based on the maximum density specified by each applied Density District (Part 6B.) .

b. Supplemental Procedures

If the Zoning Administrator approves a density transfer then, prior to the issuance of any building permit, the property owner shall file with the Department of Building and Safety a covenant running with the land that specifies the following obligations:

i. The operation and maintenance of the development as a unified development is

continued in perpetuity;

Sec. 6C.1.3. (Lot Area Per Efficiency Dwelling Unit) | 6-18 Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] Div. 6C.1. (Maximum Density)

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

ii. The density used and the remaining unbuilt density, if any, is allocated to each lot;

iii. The unifying design elements are maintained and continued in perpetuity; and

iv. The individual or entity responsible and accountable for compliance and the fee

for the annual inspection of compliance by the Department of Building and Safety,

as required pursuant to Sec. 15.3.12. (Annual Inspection of FAR Averaging & Density

Transfer Covenants) .

Sec. 6C.1.3. (Lot Area Per Efficiency Dwelling Unit) | 6-19 Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] Div. 6C.2. (Minimum Density)