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Division IV — GENERAL PROVISIONS

Chapter 21.120 — ZONING ORDINANCE TEXT/MAP AMENDMENT

La Mirada Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · updated 2026-07-06 · La Mirada

21.120.010 Purpose .

Government Code Section 65853 allows amendments to any provisions of this title, including the adoption of new regulations or deletion of existing regulations, and for changes to the zoning designation on any parcel(s) within the city. Amendments are considered appropriate in response to changes in city policies.

(Ord. 612 Exhibit A (part), 2008).

21.120.020 Initiation of amendment .

Amendments to the provisions of this title may be initiated in any one of the following manners:

  • (1) Upon resolution of the city council.

  • (2) Upon resolution of the planning commission.

  • (3) Upon application by a property owner or owners of any parcel subject to requirements of this title.

  • (Ord. 612 Exhibit A (part), 2008).

21.120.030 Proceedings .

(a) General. Except as provided below, applications for zoning code amendment shall be processed in accordance with the standard processing provisions of this article.

(b) Planning Commission Recommendation. The planning commission shall make a recommendation to the city council, in the form of an adopted resolution for approval, approval with modifications, or denial, on all zoning code text and/or map amendments that achieve any of the following:

  1. Regulate the use of buildings, structures, and land as between industry, business, residences, open space, including agriculture, recreation, enjoyment of scenic beauty, use of natural resources, and other purposes.

  2. Regulate signs and billboards.

  3. Regulate the location, height, bulk, number of stories, and size of buildings and structures.

  4. Regulate the size and use of lots, yards, courts, and other open spaces.

  5. Regulate the percentage of a lot which may be occupied by a building or structure.

  6. Regulate the intensity of land use.

  7. Establish requirements for off-street parking and loading.

  8. Establish and maintain building setback lines.

  9. Create civic districts around civic centers, public parks, public buildings, or public grounds, and establish regulations for those civic districts.

When a proposed zoning code text and/or map amendment does not achieve any of the above ((b)1 to (b)-9) the action shall not require planning commission review.

All resolutions recommending denial of a zoning code text and/or map amendment shall be placed on the city

council agenda as a receive-and-file item. The commission’s decision shall be considered and no further action by the city council will be required unless an appeal is filed in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 21.88, or unless at least one council member chooses to set the matter for hearing.

(c) Modifications. If the city council proposes any substantial modification to the zoning code amendment not previously considered by the planning commission, the council shall refer the matter back to the commission for

consideration. No public hearing shall be required. Failure of the commission to act within forty days of receiving the council's request shall provide the council with the authority to act without the recommendation.

(d) Adoption. Zoning code map/text amendments shall be adopted by ordinance of the city council, which constitutes final action.

(Ord. 624 § 12, 2008; Ord. 612 Exhibit A (part), 2008).

21.120.040 Required findings for zoning code amendment .

In acting to approve an amendment to the zoning ordinance text or map, the city council shall be required to make the following findings:

(1) That the proposed zoning ordinance text or map amendment is consistent with the goals, policies, and objectives of the general plan;

(2) That the proposed zoning ordinance text or map amendment will not adversely affect surrounding properties; and

(3) That the proposed zoning ordinance text or map amendment promotes public health, safety, and general welfare and serves the goals and purposes of this title. Figure 21.120.040 requires Adobe Acrobat Reader. Figure 21.120.040

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Contents — La Mirada Zoning Code
La Mirada Zoning Code
  1. Chapter 21.02 — ZONING ENACTMENT
  2. Chapter 21.04 — PURPOSE AND SCOPE
  3. Chapter 21.06 — RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER PROVISIONS
  4. Chapter 21.08 — ZONING CODE APPLICABILITY
  5. Chapter 21.10 — ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITY
  6. Chapter 21.12 — INTERPRETATION OF CODE
  7. Chapter 21.14 — ENFORCEMENT
  8. Chapter 21.15 — ABATEMENT OF NUISANCES
  9. Chapter 21.16 — ESTABLISHMENT OF ZONING DISTRICTS, ADOPTION OF…
  10. Chapter 21.18 — RESIDENTIAL ZONING DISTRICTS
  11. Chapter 21.20 — COMMERCIAL ZONING DISTRICTS
  12. Chapter 21.22 — INDUSTRIAL ZONING DISTRICT
  13. Chapter 21.24 — OPEN SPACE ZONING DISTRICT
  14. Chapter 21.26 — PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT ZONING DISTRICT
  15. Chapter 21.30 — FARM ANIMAL OVERLAY ZONING DISTRICT
  16. Chapter 21.32 — FLOOD HAZARD OVERLAY ZONING DISTRICT
  17. Chapter 21.34 — MOBILE HOME PARK OVERLAY ZONING DISTRICT
  18. Chapter 21.36 — OIL DRILLING OVERLAY ZONING DISTRICT
  19. Chapter 21.37 — MIXED USE OVERLAY (MUO) ZONING DISTRICT
  20. Chapter 21.38 — SPECIAL HOUSING OVERLAY (SHO) ZONING DISTRICT
  21. Chapter 21.39 — EMERGENCY SHELTER OVERLAY (ESO) ZONING DISTRICT
  22. Chapter 21.41 — SMALL LOT OWNERSHIP UNITS
  23. Chapter 21.42 — ACCESSORY USES
  24. Chapter 21.43 — SINGLE ROOM OCCUPANCY
  25. Chapter 21.44 — ADULT ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESSES
  26. Chapter 21.45 — CHECK CASHING ESTABLISHMENTS
  27. Chapter 21.46 — RADIO AND TELEVISION ANTENNAS AND WIRELESS TEL…
  28. Division I — REGULATION OF ANTENNA AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACI…
  29. Division II — REGULATION OF WIRELESS ANTENNA FACILITIES
  30. Division III — REGULATION OF AMATEUR RADIO STATION ANTENNAS
  31. Division IV — GENERAL PROVISIONS
    Overview
    1. Chapter 21.48 — COMMERCIAL CANNABIS USES AND CULTIVATION
    2. Chapter 21.49 — DENSITY BONUS
    3. Chapter 21.50 — RECYCLING FACILITIES
    4. Chapter 21.52 — TRANSITIONAL AND SUPPORTIVE HOUSING
    5. Chapter 21.53 — RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT ON HIGHER EDUCATION- O…
    6. Chapter 21.54 — ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS
    7. Chapter 21.56 — SHORT-TERM RENTALS
    8. Chapter 21.57 — RESIDENTIAL CARE FACILITIES
    9. Chapter 21.58 — LOW-BARRIER NAVIGATION CENTERS
    10. Chapter 21.60 — ACCESSORY STRUCTURES
    11. Chapter 21.62 — FENCES AND WALLS
    12. Chapter 21.64 — HEIGHT MEASUREMENT AND EXCEPTIONS
    13. Chapter 21.66 — LANDSCAPING
    14. Chapter 21.68 — PARKING AND LOADING
    15. Chapter 21.70 — PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
    16. Chapter 21.72 — PROPERTY MAINTENANCE
    17. Chapter 21.76 — SIGNS
    18. Chapter 21.78 — YARD REQUIREMENTS AND EXCEPTIONS
    19. Chapter 21.80 — GENERAL PERMIT PROVISIONS
    20. Chapter 21.82 — APPROVING AUTHORITY
    21. Chapter 21.84 — GENERAL APPLICATION PROCESSING PROCEDURES
    22. Chapter 21.86 — NOTICES AND HEARINGS
    23. Chapter 21.88 — APPEALS
    24. Chapter 21.90 — PERMIT IMPLEMENTATION, TIME LIMITS, AND EXTENS…
    25. Chapter 21.92 — PERMIT MODIFICATION AND REVOCATION
    26. Chapter 21.94 — ZONING ORDINANCE INTERPRETATION (EXCLUDES USE …
    27. Chapter 21.96 — ZONING CLEARANCE/PLAN CHECK
    28. Chapter 21.98 — HOME OCCUPATION PERMIT
    29. Chapter 21.100 — TEMPORARY USE PERMIT
    30. Chapter 21.102 — ADMINISTRATIVE ADJUSTMENT
    31. Chapter 21.103 — LARGE FAMILY DAY CARE PERMIT (LDC)
    32. Chapter 21.104 — TEMPORARY SIGN PERMIT
    33. Chapter 21.106 — ZONING ORDINANCE USE INTERPRETATION
    34. Chapter 21.108 — VARIANCE
    35. Chapter 21.110 — CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT
    36. Chapter 21.112 — CERTIFICATE OF COMPATIBILITY
    37. Chapter 21.114 — SITE PLAN REVIEW
    38. Chapter 21.116 — PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT
    39. Chapter 21.117 — PRELIMINARY REVIEW OF HOUSING DEVELOPMENT
    40. Chapter 21.118 — SPECIFIC PLAN
    41. Chapter 21.120 — ZONING ORDINANCE TEXT/MAP AMENDMENT
    42. Chapter 21.122 — GENERAL PLAN TEXT/MAP AMENDMENT
    43. Chapter 21.124 — DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT
    44. Chapter 21.126 — REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
    45. Chapter 21.128 — AFFORDABLE HOUSING IMPLEMENTATION PLAN
    46. Chapter 21.130 — GENERAL NONCONFORMING PROVISIONS
  32. Division V — Abatement/Extension of Nonconforming Uses/Structu…
  33. Division VI — Miscellaneous Nonconforming Provisions
  34. Division I — GENERAL NONCONFORMING PROVISIONS
  35. Division II — NONCONFORMING LOTS
  36. Division III — NONCONFORMING STRUCTURES
  37. Division IV — NONCONFORMING USE
  38. Division V — ABATEMENT/EXTENSION OF NONCONFORMING USES/STRUCTU…
  39. Division VI — MISCELLANEOUS NONCONFORMING PROVISIONS

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