§ 22.04

The purpose of this Chapter is to provide clear and consistent direction for the interpretation of this Title 22. The rules and use of words and phrases explained in this Chapter shall apply throughout this Title 22.

(Ord. 2019-0004 § 1, 2019.)

No part of Title 22 shall be deemed or construed to repeal, amend, modify, alter, or change any other ordinance or any part thereof not specifically repealed, amended, modified, altered, or changed herein, except in such particulars or matters as this title is more restrictive than such other ordinances or part thereof; and that in all particulars wherein this Title 22 is not more restrictive, each such other ordinance shall continue and shall be in full force and effect.

(Ord. 2019-0004 § 1, 2019.)

22.04.030 - Yards, Highway Lines, and Highways.

A.

Establishment—Purpose. To provide for adequate open spaces and the admission thereto of light and air, and to provide adequate visibility to the operators of motor and other vehicles along streets, highways, and parkways, and at the intersection thereof, the yards provided in Division 3 (Zones) and any Combining Zone identified in Section 22.06.030 (Combining Zones) and the yards and highway lines provided for in Chapter 22.110 (General Site Regulations) and Chapter 22.116 (Highway Lines, Road Dedication, and Access) are

created and established as part of a comprehensive system of yard and highway lines covering the unincorporated area of the County.

B.

Use Restrictions. A person shall not use any building, structure, equipment, or obstruction within any yard or highway line except as hereinafter specifically permitted in this Title 22, and subject to all regulations and conditions enumerated in this Title 22.

C.

Supplemental Districts and General Site Regulations Provisions Applicable When. Where a different yard requirement is established by any Supplemental District identified in Section 22.06.040 (Supplemental Districts) or Chapter 22.110 (General Site Regulations), it shall supersede the yard requirements contained elsewhere in this Title 22.

(Ord. 2019-0004 § 1, 2019.)

22.04.040 - Rules for Language.

The following rules for language shall apply:

A.

The following conjunctions shall be interpreted as follows:

1.

"And" indicates that all connected words or provisions shall apply.

2.

"Or" indicates that the connected words or provisions may apply individually or in any combination.

3.

"Either . . . or" indicates that the connected words or provisions shall apply individually but not in combination.

B.

All references to departments, committees, commissions, boards, or other public agencies, and public officials are to those of the County, unless stated otherwise.

C.

All references to Department and Director are to those of the County Department of Regional Planning, unless stated otherwise, and all references to the Commission are to the County Regional Planning Commission unless stated otherwise.

D.

All references to the Board are to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, unless stated otherwise.

E.

All references to the General Plan are to the Los Angeles County General Plan.

F.

All references to days are to calendar days, unless stated otherwise.

G.

All references to lists of items or examples that use terms such as "including," "such as," or similar language are intended to provide examples and are not exhaustive lists of all possibilities.

H.

The words "shall," "will," "must," and "is to" shall mean mandatory requirements.

I.

The words "should" or "may" shall mean that the provisions are optional, subject to the Department's discretion.

J.

The present tense includes the past and future tenses, and the future tense includes the present.

K.

The singular number includes the plural and the plural includes the singular.

L.

Section and subsection headings contained herein shall not be deemed to govern, limit, modify, or in any manner affect the scope, meaning, or intent of any section.

(Ord. 2019-0004 § 1, 2019.)

The following rules for measurement shall apply:

A.

Fractions.

1.

Parking Spaces.

a.

Calculations for parking spaces shall comply with Section 22.112.070.C (Fractions).

b.

Exception. Calculations for parking spaces for projects subject to Chapter 22.120 (Density Bonus) shall comply with Subsection A (Fractional Numbers) of Section 22.120.100.

2.

Density. Where a density calculation results in a fractional number, the result shall be rounded up to the nearest whole number.

3.

Other Fractions. Notwithstanding Subsections A.1 and A.2, above, when a measurement is expressed in terms of maximum or minimum limits or requirements, any other fractional measurement shall not be rounded. For example, if a maximum height for a building is 35 feet and the proposed building actually measures 35 feet and 6 inches, then the height is not in compliance with the requirement.

B.

Distance.

1.

Measurements are Shortest Distance.

a.

Measurement of a required distance shall be made from the closest or shortest distance between the two objects. For example, see Figure 22.04.050-A, below.

b.

The following shall be excluded when measuring required distances:

i.

Projections, as permitted in Section 22.110.090 (Projections into Yards) and Section 22.140.585.F.17 (Projections into Yards).

ii.

The below-ground portion of a basement.

FIGURE 22.04.050-A: MEASUREMENTS ARE SHORTEST DISTANCE

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2.

Distances are Measured Horizontally. When determining distances for setbacks and structure dimensions, all distances are measured along a level horizontal plane from the appropriate line, edge of building, structure, storage area, parking area, or other object. Distances shall not be measured by following the topography or slope of the land. For example, see Figure 22.04.050-B, below.

FIGURE 22.04.050-B: DISTANCES ARE MEASURED HORIZONTALLY

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C.

Height.

1.

Measuring Height. Measurement of the height of building or structure shall be the plumb line distance from the point being measured to the grade. For example, see Figure 22.04.050-C, below.

FIGURE 22.04.050-C: MEASURING HEIGHT

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D.

Flag Lot Width and Depth. With the exception of flag lots that are created within a compact lot subdivision, measurement for the average width and depth of a flag lot shall comply with Section 22.110.170.A (Measurement).

E.

Gross Floor Area and Floor Area Ratio.

1.

Gross Floor Area. Gross floor area shall be the total gross area of all floors of a building expressed in square feet.

a.

Included in Gross Floor Area. Gross floor area shall be the total building area, measured from the exterior of the building walls, of all floors of a building expressed in square feet.

b.

Excluded from Gross Floor Area. Gross floor area shall exclude:

i.

Parking structures, garages, carports, or other areas designated for parking and loading, or vehicular access to parking and loading spaces, because these structures shall be counted separately.

ii.

Unenclosed exterior balconies, decks, porches, courts, and stairs.

iii.

Buildings or structures for housing building operating equipment or machinery.

iv.

Cellars.

v.

Attics, if not a habitable room as defined by Title 26 (Building Code) of the County Code.

2.

Floor Area Ratio. Floor area ratio shall be the numerical value obtained through dividing the above ground gross floor area of a building or buildings located on a lot by the total area of such lot. Floor area ratio is expressed as a decimal number and shall be rounded to the tenths place.

F.

Lot Coverage.

1.

General.

a.

Lot coverage shall be the ratio of the total footprint area of all buildings and structures on a lot to the net lot area, expressed as a percentage with a decimal number to the hundredths place.

b.

For examples of this Subsection F, see Figure 22.04.050-D, below.

2.

Included in Lot Coverage. Lot coverage shall include:

a.

The footprints of all principal and accessory building and structures, including garages, carports, covered patios, and roofed porches. The footprint shall be measured from the exterior walls or the exterior supports, and include all habitable and non-habitable rooms, and interior walls and partitions.

b.

Unenclosed and unroofed decks, uncovered patio slabs, porches, landings, balconies, and stairways.

c.

Eaves and roof overhangs that project more than two and one-half feet from the building wall.

d.

The first floor of atrium and all lobby areas.

3.

Excluded from Lot Coverage. Lot coverage shall exclude:

a.

Uncovered walkways, driveways, and landscaping.

b.

Eaves and roof overhangs when projecting less than two and one-half feet from the building wall.

c.

Swimming pools and hot tubs that are not enclosed in roofed buildings, structures, or decks.

FIGURE 22.04.050-D: LOT COVERAGE

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G.

Compact Lot Width.

1.

The average width of a compact lot that fronts a private common driveway perpendicular to a public rightof-way, including any flag lot whose access strip serves in whole or in part as the private common driveway, shall be measured as follows (see Figures 22.04.050-E and 22.04.050-F):

FIGURE 22.04.050-E: COMPACT LOT WIDTH WHEN FRONTING SIDE PRIVATE COMMON DRIVEWAY

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FIGURE 22.04.050-F: COMPACT LOT WIDTH WHEN FRONTING CENTRAL PRIVATE COMMON DRIVEWAY

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Where a compact lot is bounded by a T-shaped or an L-shaped private common driveway, the average width of the compact lot shall be measured as follows (see Figures 22.04.050-G and 22.04.050-H):

FIGURE 22.04.050-G: COMPACT LOT WIDTH WHEN FRONTING T-SHAPED PRIVATE COMMON DRIVEWAY

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FIGURE 22.04.050-H: COMPACT LOT WIDTH WHEN FRONTING L-SHAPED PRIVATE COMMON DRIVEWAY

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Where a compact lot subdivision contains a parking-only lot pursuant to Section 22.140.585.F.8.b (ParkingOnly Lot), the average width of a compact lot shall be measured as follows (see Figure 22.04.050-I):

FIGURE 22.04.050-I: COMPACT LOT WIDTH WHEN COMPACT LOT SUBDIVISION CONTAINS PARKING-ONLY LOT

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(Ord. 2021-0010 § 4, 2021; Ord. 2020-0032 § 12, 2020; Ord. 2019-0053 § 4, 2019; Ord. 2019-0004 § 1, 2019.)

22.04.060 - Interpretation of Rules.

The Director may make interpretations for any provision or measurements not expressly identified in this Chapter and provide clarification of these rules and their application, in compliance with Chapter 22.234 (Interpretations).

(Ord. 2019-0004 § 1, 2019.)

Chapter 22.06 - ZONES, ZONED DISTRICTS, AND ZONING MAP

22.06.010 - Zones Established.

A.

To classify regularly and restrict the location of trades and industries and the location of buildings for special uses, and the use and area of premises for the general welfare of the County as regulations for the

execution of the General Plan pursuant to Chapters 3 and 4 of Division 1 of Title 7 (Planning and Land Use) of the California Government Code, or any statute superseding those chapters, the unincorporated area of the County is divided into classes of zones, according to Table 22.06.010-A, below.

B.

Zones designated in Subsection A, above, shall be deemed the basic zone.

(Ord. 2022-0008 § 1, 2022; Ord. 2019-0004 § 1, 2019.)