Division 8.3 — SPECIAL ZONES

A. Intent

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City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

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In order to achieve specific planning objectives in designated areas having unique characteristics,

Special Zones may replace the zoning districts and Supplemental Districts as established in

Sec. 1.5.2.A.4. (Special Zones) . Special Zones respond to unique conditions and set land use

and development requirements and incentives tailored to distinctive qualities that may not lend

themselves to the regulations established elsewhere in this Zoning Code (Chapter 1A), except as

outlined within each Special Zone.

B. Applicability

1. Establishing Special Zones

New Special Zones are established, and the enabling provisions are amended by the City

Council in accordance with Sec. 13B.1.3. (Zoning Code Amendment) . Special Zones are applied

to lots as outlined in each district, and are the zone of a lot, as outlined in Sec. 1.5.2.A.4.

(Special Zones), with the acronym established for each district. Special Zones may utilize the

provisions of this Zoning Code (Chapter 1A) or a Specifc Plani as the vehicle for regulatory

measures necessary to achieve the planning objectives that necessitate their creation.

2. Limitations on Special Zones

The Special Zones established in this Division (Special Zones) supersede all conflicting

provisions in this Zoning Code (Chapter 1A), and shall only be limited by state, local, and

federal law.

3. Reconciling Provisions

Special Zones shall contain self-contained zoning regulations, within this Division (Special

Zones) or through a Specifc Plani, which may include references to apply other provisions of this Zoning Code (Chapter 1A). Special Zones shall utilize the defined terms and regulations

within this Zoning Code (Chapter 1A), but may replace them as needed. In the event that the provisions of a Special Zone or its corresponding Specifc Plani conflict with any other provision

of this Zoning Code (Chapter 1A), the provisions of the Special Zone or its corresponding

Specifc Plani shall prevail.

4. Issuance of Building Permits

Unless otherwise stated in this Division (Special Zones), for any project within a Special Zone,

the Department of Building and Safety shall not issue a building permit unless the project

complies with the provisions of the Special Zone or its corresponding Specifc Plani .

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Sec. 8.3.1. (General) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

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Supplemental & Special Zoning | ARTICLE 8 Div. 8.3. (Special Zones)

5. Violations

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

The violation of any provision of a Special Zone or condition imposed by a decision-making

body in approving the site requirements, methods of operation, development plans or other

actions taken in accordance with the authority contained in this Division shall constitute a

violation of this Zoning Code (Chapter 1A).

Sec. 8.3.1. (General) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

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Supplemental & Special Zoning | ARTICLE 8 Div. 8.3. (Special Zones)

A. Intent

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City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

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The Freeway Special Zone (FWY) is intended to regulate property owned by the California

Department of Transportation (Caltrans). To the extent that Caltrans is using or building on State owned property for highway purposes, it will be immune from the regulations established in this

Zoning Code (Chapter 1A). However, when Caltrans property is being used wholly or in part for

other purposes, the following limitations on development and use shall apply.

B. Development of Caltrans Land

1. Floor Area

Development of land is limited to a maximum foor areal of 50 percent of the lot area.

2. Use

The use of Caltrans land for non-highway purposes shall be limited to those uses listed below, defined in Article 5. (Use), and only permitted by approval of a conditional use permit as

outlined below.

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Sec. 8.3.2. (Freeway (FWY)) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

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Supplemental & Special Zoning | ARTICLE 8 Div. 8.3. (Special Zones)

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

a. C2 Permission Level

A permission level of C2 indicates that the use may be permitted only after approval by the

Zoning Administrator, in accordance with Sec. 13B.2.2. (Class 2 Conditional Use Permit) .

b. C3 Permission Level

A permission level of C3 indicates that the use may be permitted only after approval by

the City Planning Commission, in accordance with Sec. 13B.2.3. (Class 3 Conditional Use Permit) . In addition to the findings outlined in Sec. 13B.2.3. (Class 3 Conditional Use

Permit), the City Planning Commission shall also determine that in approving the proposed

use, the project shall not expose the general public to prolonged or sustained health and

safety impacts.

3. Freeway Screening

Projects approved for one of the permissible non-highway uses must provide a Type T-3

transition screen as established in Sec. 4C.8.2.C.3.c. (T-Screen 3) for the entire length of any

lot line abutting a highway. On lots where tree planting is infeasible, such as lots located

beneath above-grade highways, or on lots with no highway adjacency, such as lots on capped

highways, applicants may apply for relief as outlined in Sec. 4C.8.2.E. (Relief) .

C. Sale of Caltrans Land

In the event Caltrans property is sold to another party, the limitations established in Subsection B.

(Development of Caltrans Land) above shall continue to apply unless the Freeway Special Zone designation has been changed to a different zone in accordance with Sec. 13.B.1.4. (Zone Change) .

Sec. 8.3.2. (Freeway (FWY)) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

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Supplemental & Special Zoning | ARTICLE 8 Div. 8.3. (Special Zones)

A. Intent

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

1. The Ocean — Submerged Land (SL) Special Zone is intended to regulate the City of Los Angeles

seacoast and off-shore water and underwater areas. These areas constitute a unique and

important geographical and scenic resource, utilized for shipping, industry, commerce, residence,

and recreation.

2. Off-shore zoning is a related and appropriate extension of planning and zoning principles and

practices on land. Its basic intent is to protect all users of affected land from the recognized

problems and depreciation brought about by unregulated development. Particular intent in the

City of Los Angeles includes:

a. Protection of the recreational, residential, and scenic uses of coast areas, now much in

demand for these uses and with greater demand forecast for the future;

b. Preservation of the near seaward prospect of residential zones along the coast, where this

outlook constitutes part of the environment and value of overlooking on-shore properties;

and

c. Provision for such other uses as benefit the public and City without significant impairment of

these recreational and residential uses.

3. This Section (Ocean — Submerged Land (SL)) also intends to regulate new coastline or off-shore

developments with proper consideration of existing recreational and residential uses, public

necessity and interest, convenience, general welfare, and good zoning practice.

B. General Provisions

To realize the purposes enumerated in Subsection A. (Intent) above, in accordance with established

planning principles, practice, and supportive zoning, the following requirements shall be met for the constructive control of off-shore activities, regardless of whether a project involves a zone change,

variance, Supplemental District, or otherwise:

1. There shall be no chemical and biological contamination, visual clouding or soiling of urban

coastline, beaches or off-shore waters by industrial or commercial uses.

2. Installations on-shore, temporary or relatively permanent, shall be of such size, nature, location,

and spacing that they do not significantly interfere with or adversely affect the residential and recreational use, operation, environment or enjoyment of coastline and off-shore areas.

3. The preservation of urban coastline and off-shore areas, above and below water level, in the

natural state or for recreation and residence, should take precedence if their function and enjoyment are threatened by additional potentially conflicting off-shore uses which are not

clearly of greater public necessity and interest.

4. Any shoreline industrial or commercial uses should be of limited and designated duration, with

provision for complete removal of installations and restoration of the prior or natural state after

Sec. 8.3.3. (Ocean — Submerged Land (SL)) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

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Supplemental & Special Zoning | ARTICLE 8 Div. 8.3. (Special Zones)

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

expiration of the permissible time period, unless such removal and restoration are unnecessary

to maintain desirable recreational and residential environment.

5. No industrial or commercial operations should be undertaken where or when they may

significantly alter the underlying geologic stability of other areas, off-shore and on-shore, or

otherwise bring about undesirable changes of basic topographical condition.

6. Piers, jetties, causeways, human-made islands, bridges or other connective structures should

be prohibited, except when they enhance the recreational and residential environment.

7. Emission of smoke, steam, chemical, odor, sound, artificial light or other form of atmospheric

pollutant or environmental impairment from any seaside industrial or commercial installation or facility should be controlled to fulfill the purposes of this zoning.

8. No provision of off-shore urban zoning in this Section (Ocean — Submerged Land (SL)) is

intended, or should be interpreted to, conflict with state, federal or international rights or control established by law within the same geographical areas. To the extent there is a conflict, the conflicting provision in this Section (Ocean — Submerged Land (SL)) shall be found by the City to have no force or effect.

C. Development of Ocean — Submerged Land (SL)

For all projects within an Ocean — Submerged Land (SL) Special Zone, the Department of Building

and Safety shall not issue any permit unless approved as established below:

1. Any development on property of any kind within an Ocean — Submerged Land (SL) Special

Zone shall be permitted only by approval of the City Planning Commission, in accordance with

Sec. 13B.2.3. (Class 3 Conditional Use Permit) .

2. No piers, jetties, man-made islands, floating installations or the like are permitted in

connection with any permitted uses unless authorized under the provisions of Sec. 13B.2.3.

(Class 3 Conditional Use Permit) .

D. Use of Ocean — Submerged Land (SL)

No property of any kind within the Ocean — Submerged Land (SL) Special Zone shall be used

except for the following uses, or when a Supplemental District is created in accordance with the

provisions of this Article (Supplemental & Special Zoning), provided, however, that in no event shall

any property be used for surface-type operations (either above or below water level) relating to oil

drilling and production of oil, gas, or hydrocarbons.

1. Navigation.

2. Commercial Shipping.

3. Fishing.

4. Recreation.

5. Any use required by any trust or legislative grant to the City of Los Angeles.

Sec. 8.3.3. (Ocean — Submerged Land (SL)) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

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