Division 12.3 — FRONTAGE EXCEPTIONS

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

A. On a lot with an existing building where the lot is nonconforming as to the maximum build-to

depth or minimum build-to width requirements, any new construction shall meet the minimum

build-to width between the minimum and maximum build-to depth in one or more of the ways

described below.

1. New Construction on an Interior Lot

All new construction shall occupy the build-to zone until the build-to width has been met,

except that buildings may be developed in phases - each new building is not required to meet

the entire required build-to width for the lot. Until all build-to width standards have been met,

new buildings shall occupy the build-to width for 100 percent of their building width and may

not be deeper than they are wide.

Existing Building

New Building

Sec. 12.3.1. (Build-To Exceptions) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

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Nonconformities | ARTICLE 12 Div. 12.3. (Frontage Exceptions)

2. New Construction on a Corner Lot

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

All new construction shall occupy the build-to depth until the build-to width for both streets

has been met, except that buildings may be developed in phases - each new building is not

required to meet the entire required build-to width for the lot. The initial new building shall

begin at the corner and be located within the build-to depth on both streets. Additional new

buildings may be placed anywhere within the build-to zone.

Existing Building

New Building

Sec. 12.3.1. (Build-To Exceptions) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

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Nonconformities | ARTICLE 12 Div. 12.3. (Frontage Exceptions)

3. Additions on an Interior Lot

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City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

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a. Any addition to the street-facing facade of a building that is nonconforming as to build-to

depth or build-to width shall occupy the build-to depth, except that the addition does not

have to meet the entire required build-to width for the lot.

b. Additions of any size that extend a building that is nonconforming as to build-to depth or

build-to width between the existing building and the rear lot line are allowed.

c. Additions that extend a building that is nonconforming as to build-to depth or build-to

width between the existing building and the side lot line are allowed, except that they shall

have a foor areal less than 20 percent of the existing ground story.

d. Additions on top of a building that is nonconforming as to build-to depth or build-to width

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are allowed, except that they shall not increase the existing building footprint by more than

50 square feet and shall not exceed the height limit for the applied zone.

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Existing Building

New Addition

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Sec. 12.3.1. (Build-To Exceptions) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

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Nonconformities | ARTICLE 12 Div. 12.3. (Frontage Exceptions)

4. Additions on a Corner Lot

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City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

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a. Any addition to the primary street-facing facade of a building that is nonconforming as to

build-to depth or build-to width shall be located within the build-to depth on the primary

street, except that the addition does not have to meet the minimum build-to width for the

entire lot.

b. Additions of any size that extend a building that is nonconforming as to build-to depth or

build-to width between the existing building and the rear lot line (but not any wider than

the existing building) and are located behind the build-to depth, are allowed, except that:

i. A planting area shall be provided as required in Sec. 4C.6.4.C.2. (Planting Areas), at least

six feet wide, abutting the side street lot line, and installed across the entire length

of the side street frontage where no building occupies the build-to zone. Breaks for

pedestrian, bicycle and vehicular access are allowed.

ii. The planting area with large species trees, shall be provided as required in Sec.

4C.6.4.C.3.a. (Trees), planted at a rate of one tree per 30 feet along the entire length of the planting area. Trees should be planted offset from street trees to maximize space

for canopy growth.

Existing Building

New Addition

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c. Additions that extend a building that is nonconforming as to build-to depth or build-to

width between the existing building and the side lot line are allowed, except that the foor l

area shall be no greater than 20 percent of the existing ground story.

Existing Building

New Addition

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Sec. 12.3.1. (Build-To Exceptions) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

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Nonconformities | ARTICLE 12 Div. 12.3. (Frontage Exceptions)

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

d. Additions on top of a building that is nonconforming as to build-to depth or build-to width

are allowed, except that they shall not increase the existing building footprint by more than

50 square feet.

B. Additions to any street-facing facade of a building that is nonconforming as to build-to depth or

build-to width are allowed behind the build-to depth, except that they shall not exceed 10 percent

of the ground story area of the existing building.

C. On lots with an existing building that is nonconforming as to build-to depth or build-to width,

except where the existing building is a residential building where new construction of additional

dwelling units that are detached from the existing building are located in a rear yard, the build-to

depth and build-to width requirements do not apply.

Sec. 12.3.1. (Build-To Exceptions) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

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Nonconformities | ARTICLE 12 Div. 12.3. (Frontage Exceptions)

[Reserved]

Sec. 12.3.2. (Character Frontage Exceptions) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

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Nonconformities | ARTICLE 12 Div. 12.4. (Development Standards Exceptions)

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A