Article 12
Los Angeles Zoning Code — LAMC Chapter 1A · 2025 edition · ingested 2026-07-08 · Los Angeles
NONCONFORMITIES
Article Publication Update | July 23, 2025
Nonconformities | ARTICLE 12 Contents
CONTENTS
City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A
Div. 12.1. General Rules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-3
Sec. 12.1.1. Intent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-3
Sec. 12.1.2. General Nonconforming Rules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-4
Sec. 12.1.3. Applicability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-5
Sec. 12.1.4. Discontinuance of Nonconforming Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-6
Sec. 12.1.5. Calculation of Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12-7
Sec. 12.1.6. Relief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-8
Sec. 12.1.7. Orders to Comply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-9
Sec. 12.1.8. Compliance With Other Laws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-10
Div. 12.2. Form Exceptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-11
Sec. 12.2.1. Coverage Exceptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-11
Sec. 12.2.2. Floor Area Ratio & Height Exceptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-12
Div. 12.3. Frontage Exceptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-13
Sec. 12.3.1. Build-To Exceptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-13
Sec. 12.3.2. Character Frontage Exceptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-18
Div. 12.4. Development Standards Exceptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-19
Sec. 12.4.1. Retaining Walls Exceptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-19
Sec. 12.4.2. Signs Exceptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-20
Div. 12.5. Use Exceptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-21
Sec. 12.5.1. Use Permission Exceptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-21
Sec. 12.5.2. Use Standards Exceptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-23
Sec. 12.5.3. Equine Keeping Exceptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-24
Sec. 12.5.4. Nonconforming Oil, Gas, or Hydrocarbon Well Use Exceptions . . . . . 12-26
Div. 12.6. Density Exceptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-27
Div. 12.7. Damaged or Earthquake Hazardous Buildings . . . . . . . . . . . 12-28
Sec. 12.7.1. Restoration of Damaged Nonconforming Buildings . . . . . . . . . . . 12-28
Sec. 12.7.2. Replacement of Earthquake Hazardous Buildings . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-29
Div. 12.8. Lots Affected by Acquisition for Public Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-31
Sec. 12.8.1. Maintenance & Repair of Existing Buildings Acquired for Public Use . . 12-31
Sec. 12.8.2. Lot Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-32
Article 12. Nonconformities Article Publication Update | July 23, 2025
| 12-2
Nonconformities | ARTICLE 12 Div. 12.1. (General Rules)