Article 2 — FORM›Part 2C — FORM RULES
Los Angeles Zoning Code — LAMC Chapter 1A Div. 2C.3 Amenity
Los Angeles Zoning Code — LAMC Chapter 1A · 2026-08 edition · updated 2026-10-04 · Los Angeles
Cite as: Los Angeles Zoning Code — LAMC Chapter 1A § 2C.3 · Text as of 2026-10-04
Sec. 2C.3.1. LOT AMENITY SPACE¶
Lot amenity space is defined as an area on a lot designated to be used for active or passive recreation, including common outdoor amenity space, pedestrian amenity space, and public amenity space.
A. Intent
the intent of the standards of this Section (Lot Amenity Space) is to provide adequate recreation and open space areas for all tenants of a project, regardless of the use of a building, and to ensure such spaces are accessible, usable, and safe.
B. Applicability
lot amenity space standards apply to new construction that results in an increase of 20 percent or more floor area, or to any lot modifications.
c. Standards
the cumulative area of lot amenity space provided on a lot shall not be less than that specified by the applied Form District (Part 2B.) .
each area provided to meet a lot amenity space requirement shall comply with the standards for one or more of the following eligible amenity space types.
| ELIGIBLE AMENITY SPACE TYPES |
|
|---|---|
| AmenitySpace Type | Eligible |
| Common Outdoor AmenitySpace (Sec. 2C.3.3.C.1.) | Yes |
| Pedestrian AmenitySpace (Sec. 2C.3.3.C.2.) | Yes |
| Public AmenitySpace (Sec. 2C.3.3.C.3.) | Yes |
| Private Outdoor AmenitySpace (Sec. 2C.3.3.C.4.) | No |
| Common Indoor AmenitySpace (Sec. 2C.3.3.C.5.) | No |
A maximum of 25 percent of the total required lot amenity space may be privately accessible to individual tenant spaces, provided it meets the design standards in Sec. 2C.3.3.C.2. (Pedestrian Amenity Space) .
lot amenity space which is privately accessible pursuant to Paragraph 3. above shall abut and provide direct access to the assigned tenant space.
All required lot amenity space that is not private shall be made available to all tenants of the building, at no cost, from sunrise to sunset daily or during the hours of operation of the building, whichever results in a longer period of time.
lot amenity space provided in accordance with Sec. 2C.3.3.C.3. (Public Amenity Space) may be eligible for credit toward the fee and dedication requirements in Div. 10.4. (Park Fees & Dedications) , according to Sec. 10.4.8.B. (Privately Owned Park & Recreational Facilities) .
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Sec. 2C.3.1. (Lot Amenity Space) Last amended by Ord. 189,007, Eff. 08/20/2026
[ FORM - FrONtAGe - StANDArDS ] [ USe - DeNSitY ] Div. 2C.3. (Amenity)
City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A
lot amenity space located above the ground story may be required to set back from the roof edge, see Chapter V. (Public Safety and Protection), Sec. 57.317. (Rooftop Gardens and Landscaped Roofs) of this code.
Mechanical equipment and utility equipment shall not be located within a lot amenity space, or between a lot amenity space and the adjacent building facade.
All mechanical exhaust outlets shall be located a minimum horizontal distance of 10 feet and a minimum vertical distance of 15 feet from a lot amenity space.
At least 20 percent of any outdoor lot amenity space shall be shaded by using shade trees or shade structures. Any area that is covered by a shade structure or a shade tree canopy spread at maturity shall be considered as being shaded.
lot amenity may be provided across a lot line when it is provided or required as part of a unified development, but shall be subject to all relevant standards in Sec. 2C.3.3. (Amenity Space Types) and Sec. 2C.3.4. (Amenity Design Standards) .
D. Measurement
lot amenity space is a percentage calculated by dividing the cumulative area of all lot amenity spaces by the lot area.
the minimum required lot amenity space is calculated by multiplying the minimum lot amenity percentage specified by the applied Form District (Part 2B.) by the lot area.
As a bonus for providing public space, outdoor amenity space area meeting Sec. 2C.3.3.C.3. (Public Amenity Space) counts as 1.25 square feet of lot amenity space for every one square foot of provided outdoor amenity space area.
Shade is calculated as the shadow cast on the publicly accessible open space measured at noon (12:00 p.m.) on the summer solstice.
For calculation of lot amenity space on a lot affected by a public access easement, see Sec. 14.2.17.B.2. (Lot Amenity Space) .
in a unified development, the lot amenity requirement can be fulfilled for every individual lot by the above measurement, or the total area of all lots may be taken as the lot area to be multiplied by the lot amenity percentage requirement. Private outdoor amenity space cannot be used to fulfill the lot amenity requirement when the cumulative lot area is used for the calculation.
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Sec. 2C.3.1. (Lot Amenity Space) Last amended by Ord. 189,007, Eff. 08/20/2026
[ FORM - FrONtAGe - StANDArDS ] [ USe - DeNSitY ] Div. 2C.3. (Amenity)
City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A
e. Exceptions
Where the calculation of lot amenity space requires less than 400 square feet, no lot amenity space is required.
When a lot modification involves an air space lot subdivision, the air space lot area is not used in the calculation for required lot amenity space.
Where the applied Form District (Part 2B.) identifies an eligible lot amenity alternative, in lieu of the otherwise required lot amenity space in this Section (Lot Amenity Space) , a project may provide a lot amenity space meeting the requirements established for that listed lot amenity alternative type, as provided in Sec. 2C.3.5. (Lot Amenity Alternatives) .
Where the applied Form District (Part 2B.) identifies an eligible lot amenity alternative, in lieu of the otherwise required lot amenity space in this Section (Lot Amenity Space) , a project may provide a lot amenity space meeting the requirements established for that listed lot amenity alternative type, as provided in Sec. 2C.3.5. (Lot Amenity Alternatives) .
F. Relief
Up to a 10 percent reduction to the total required area of lot amenity space may be granted in accordance with Sec. 13B.5.2. (Adjustment) .
A reduction in required lot amenity space may be granted as a variance in accordance with Sec. 13B.5.3. (Variance) .
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Sec. 2C.3.1. (Lot Amenity Space) Last amended by Ord. 189,007, Eff. 08/20/2026
[ FORM - FrONtAGe - StANDArDS ] [ USe - DeNSitY ] Div. 2C.3. (Amenity)
City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A
Sec. 2C.3.2. RESIDENTIAL AMENITY SPACE¶
Residential amenity space is defined as an area which is designed and intended to be used by occupants of dwelling units for recreational, domestic, or vocational purposes.
A. Intent
the intent of the standards of this Section (Residential Amenity Space) is to ensure projects that include housing provide residential tenants of a project with adequate access to open space, recreation, and shared amenities where the lot amenity space is insufficient, and to ensure such spaces are accessible, usable, and safe.
B. Applicability
residential amenity space standards apply to any project that includes five or more dwelling units on a lot and involves any of the following project activities: new construction, a major remodel, a lot modification, or a use modification.
c. Standards
the cumulative area of residential amenity space provided on a lot shall not be less than that specified by the applied Form District (Part 2B.) .
each area provided to meet a residential amenity space requirement shall comply with the standards for one or more of the following eligible amenity space types.
| ELIGIBLE AMENITY SPACE TYPES |
|
|---|---|
| AmenitySpace Type | Eligible |
| Common Outdoor AmenitySpace (Sec. 2C.3.3.C.1.) | Yes |
| Pedestrian AmenitySpace (Sec. 2C.3.3.C.2.) | Yes |
| Public AmenitySpace (Sec. 2C.3.3.C.3.) | Yes |
| Private Outdoor AmenitySpace (Sec. 2C.3.3.C.4.) | Yes |
| Common Indoor AmenitySpace (Sec. 2C.3.3.C.5.) | Yes |
At least 75 percent of the required residential amenity space shall be outdoors and meet the design standards of either Sec. 2C.3.3.C.1. (Common Outdoor Amenity Space) or Sec. 2C.3.3.C.4. (Private Outdoor Amenity Space) .
A maximum of 65 square feet of required residential amenity space per dwelling unit may be private, provided that not more than 50 percent of the total required residential amenity space is private, and the private residential amenity space meets the design standards in Sec. 2C.3.3.C.4. (Private Outdoor Amenity Space) .
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Sec. 2C.3.2. (Residential Amenity Space) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025
[ FORM - FrONtAGe - StANDArDS ] [ USe - DeNSitY ] Div. 2C.3. (Amenity)
City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A
- Private residential amenity space shall abut and provide direct access to the assigned tenant space.
[Figure]
All required residential amenity space that is not private shall be made available to all tenants of the building, at no cost, from sunrise to sunset daily or during the hours of operation of the building, whichever results in a longer period of time.
residential amenity space provided in accordance with Sec. 2C.3.3.C.3. (Public Amenity Space) may be eligible for credit towards the fee and dedication requirements outlined in Div. 10.4. (Park Fees & Dedications) , according to Sec. 10.4.8.B. (Privately Owned Park & Recreational Facilities) .
residential amenity space located above the ground story may be required to set back from the roof edge, see Chapter V. (Public Safety and Protection), Sec. 57.317. (Rooftop Gardens and Landscaped Roofs) of this code.
Mechanical equipment and utility equipment shall not be located within a residential amenity space, or between a residential amenity space and the adjacent building facade.
All mechanical exhaust outlets shall be located a minimum horizontal distance of 10 feet and a minimum vertical distance of 15 feet from a residential amenity space.
At least 20 percent of any outdoor residential amenity space shall be shaded by shade trees or shade structures.
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Sec. 2C.3.2. (Residential Amenity Space) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025
[ FORM - FrONtAGe - StANDArDS ] [ USe - DeNSitY ] Div. 2C.3. (Amenity)
City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A
D. Measurement
residential amenity space is a percentage calculated by dividing the cumulative area of all residential amenity spaces by the total floor area allocated to dwelling units.
the minimum required residential amenity space is calculated by multiplying the total floor area allocated to dwelling units by the minimum percentage specified by the applied Form District (Part 2B.) .
All lot amenity space provided may be credited toward the residential amenity space requirement.
As a bonus for providing public space, residential amenity space meeting Sec. 2C.3.3.C.3. (Public Amenity Space) counts at a rate of 1.25 square feet for every one square foot of public amenity space provided.
Any area that is covered by a shade structure or a shade tree canopy (as measured by spread at maturity) shall be considered as being shaded.
e. Relief
Up to a 10 percent reduction to the total required area of residential amenity space may be granted in accordance with Sec. 13B.5.2. (Adjustment) .
A reduction in required residential amenity space may be granted as a variance in accordance with Sec. 13B.5.3. (Variance) .
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Sec. 2C.3.2. (Residential Amenity Space) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025
[ FORM - FrONtAGe - StANDArDS ] [ USe - DeNSitY ] Div. 2C.3. (Amenity)
City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A
Sec. 2C.3.3. AMENITY SPACE TYPES¶
A. Intent
the intent of the standards of this Section (Amenity Space Types) is to ensure that amenity spaces provided by projects are sufficient enough to provide spaces which are accessible, usable, and safe, and provide adequate access to open space, recreation, and shared amenities.
B. Applicability
Amenity space types are established in Sec. 2C.3.1. (Lot Amenity Space) and Sec. 2C.3.2. (Residential Amenity Space) .
c. Standards
the following standards apply by type of amenity space.
1. Common Outdoor Amenity Space
Common outdoor amenity space is defined as a type of amenity space that is outdoors, open to all tenants of a building, and meets the following standards:
| COMMON OUTDO |
OR AMENITY SP |
ACE |
|---|---|---|
| AmenitySpace Standards | Specification | Reference |
| Outdoor Space | required | (Sec. 2C.3.4.C.1.) |
| AmenityArea (min) | 400 sf | (Sec. 2C.3.4.C.2.) |
| Horizontal Dimension (min) | 15' | (Sec. 2C.3.4.C.3.) |
| Adjacent BuildingTransparency(min) | 15% | (Sec. 2C.3.4.C.4.) |
| PlantingArea | (Sec. 2C.3.4.C.5.) | |
| At Grade Plane elevation (min) | 25% | |
| Above Grade Plane elevation (min) | 15% | |
| Seating(min) | 2per 400 sf | (Sec. 2C.3.4.C.6.) |
| Ground Floor Elevation | Not required | (Sec. 2C.3.4.C.7.) |
| Public Sidewalk/ |
Not required | (Sec. 2C.3.4.C.8.) |
| Pedestrian-Oriented Lighting | Not required | (Sec. 2C.3.4.C.9.) |
| PubliclyAccessible | Not required | (Sec. 2C.3.4.C.10.) |
| AmenityFeatures (min) | 3 | (Sec. 2C.3.4.C.11.) |
2. Pedestrian Amenity Space
Pedestrian amenity space is defined as a type of amenity space that is outdoors, located at ground-level, and is accessible to pedestrians and all tenants of a building by meeting the standards in the following table. See Div. 3C.1. (Build-To) for additional provisions related to pedestrian amenity spaces.
| 2-74
Sec. 2C.3.3. (Amenity Space Types) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025
[ FORM - FrONtAGe - StANDArDS ] [ USe - DeNSitY ] Div. 2C.3. (Amenity)
City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A
| PEDESTRIAN |
AMENITY SPACE |
|
|---|---|---|
| AmenitySpace Standards | Specification | Reference |
| Outdoor Space | required | (Sec. 2C.3.4.C.1.) |
| AmenityArea (min) | 200 sf | (Sec. 2C.3.4.C.2.) |
| Horizontal Dimension (min) | (Sec. 2C.3.4.C.3.) | |
| enclosed (min) | 15' | |
| Unenclosed (min) | 6' | |
| Adjacent BuildingTransparency(min) | 15% | (Sec. 2C.3.4.C.4.) |
| PlantingArea | (Sec. 2C.3.4.C.5.) | |
| At Grade Plane elevation (min) | 25% | |
| Above Grade Plane elevation (min) | n/a | |
| Seating(min) | 2per 400 sf | (Sec. 2C.3.4.C.6.) |
| Ground Floor Elevation | required | (Sec. 2C.3.4.C.7.) |
| Public Sidewalk/ |
required | (Sec. 2C.3.4.C.8.) |
| Pedestrian-Oriented Lighting | required | (Sec. 2C.3.4.C.9.) |
| PubliclyAccessible | Not required | (Sec. 2C.3.4.C.10.) |
| AmenityFeatures (min) | 3 | (Sec. 2C.3.4.C.11.) |
3. Public Amenity Space
Public amenity space is defined as a type of amenity space that is outdoors and, although privately owned, is open to the public, and meets the following standards:
| PUBLIC AM |
ENITY SPACE |
|
|---|---|---|
| AmenitySpace Standards | Specification | Reference |
| Outdoor Space | required | (Sec. 2C.3.4.C.1.) |
| AmenityArea (min) | 400 sf | (Sec. 2C.3.4.C.2.) |
| Horizontal Dimension (min) | 15' | (Sec. 2C.3.4.C.3.) |
| Adjacent BuildingTransparency(min) | 15% | (Sec. 2C.3.4.C.4.) |
| PlantingArea | (Sec. 2C.3.4.C.5.) | |
| At Grade Plane elevation (min) | 25% | |
| Above Grade Plane elevation (min) | n/a | |
| Seating(min) | 2per 400 sf | (Sec. 2C.3.4.C.6.) |
| Ground Floor Elevation | required | (Sec. 2C.3.4.C.7.) |
| Public Sidewalk/ |
required | (Sec. 2C.3.4.C.8.) |
| Pedestrian-Oriented Lighting | required | (Sec. 2C.3.4.C.9.) |
| PubliclyAccessible | required | (Sec. 2C.3.4.C.10.) |
| AmenityFeatures (min) | 3 | (Sec. 2C.3.4.C.11.) |
4. Private Outdoor Amenity Space
Private outdoor amenity space a type of amenity space that is uncovered or unenclosed and is available to an assigned unit or tenant space, and meets the following standards:
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Sec. 2C.3.3. (Amenity Space Types) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025
[ FORM - FrONtAGe - StANDArDS ] [ USe - DeNSitY ] Div. 2C.3. (Amenity)
City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A
PRIVATE OUTDOOR AMENITY SPACE
| AmenitySpace Standards | Specification | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Outdoor Space | required | (Sec. 2C.3.4.C.1.) |
| AmenityArea (min) | 50 sf | (Sec. 2C.3.4.C.2.) |
| Horizontal Dimension (min) | (Sec. 2C.3.4.C.3.) | |
| enclosed (min) | 8' | |
| Unenclosed (min) | 5' | |
| Adjacent BuildingTransparency(min) | 15% | (Sec. 2C.3.4.C.4.) |
| PlantingArea | n/a | (Sec. 2C.3.4.C.5.) |
| Seating(min) | 2per 400 sf | (Sec. 2C.3.4.C.6.) |
| Ground Floor Elevation | Not required | (Sec. 2C.3.4.C.7.) |
| Public Sidewalk/ |
Not required | (Sec. 2C.3.4.C.8.) |
| Pedestrian-Oriented Lighting | Not required | (Sec. 2C.3.4.C.9.) |
| PubliclyAccessible | Not required | (Sec. 2C.3.4.C.10.) |
| AmenityFeatures (min) | Not required | (Sec. 2C.3.4.C.11.) |
5. Common Indoor Amenity Space
Common indoor amenity space is defined as a type of amenity space that is covered or enclosed, is legally required to be open to all tenants of a building, is intended to create opportunities for social and recreational activity for tenants, and meets the following standards:
| COMMON INDO |
OR AMENITY SPA |
CE |
|---|---|---|
| AmenitySpace Standards | Specification | Reference |
| Outdoor Space | Not required | (Sec. 2C.3.4.C.1.) |
| AmenityArea (min) | 400 sf | (Sec. 2C.3.4.C.2.) |
| Horizontal Dimension (min) | 10' | (Sec. 2C.3.4.C.3.) |
| Adjacent BuildingTransparency(min) | n/a | (Sec. 2C.3.4.C.4.) |
| PlantingArea | n/a | (Sec. 2C.3.4.C.5.) |
| Seating(min) | n/a | (Sec. 2C.3.4.C.6.) |
| Ground Floor Elevation | Not required | (Sec. 2C.3.4.C.7.) |
| Public Sidewalk/ |
Not required | (Sec. 2C.3.4.C.8.) |
| Pedestrian-Oriented Lighting | Not required | (Sec. 2C.3.4.C.9.) |
| PubliclyAccessible | Not required | (Sec. 2C.3.4.C.10.) |
| AmenityFeatures (min) | 1 | (Sec. 2C.3.4.C.11.) |
| 2-76 |
Sec. 2C.3.3. (Amenity Space Types) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025
[ FORM - FrONtAGe - StANDArDS ] [ USe - DeNSitY ] Div. 2C.3. (Amenity)
City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A
D. Measurement
the enclosure of the horizontal dimension of an amenity space type shall be measured pursuant to Sec. 14.2.4. (Enclosure) .
the grade plane elevation shall be determined per the standards written in Sec. 14.2.9. (Grade Plane Elevation) .
a. For an amenity space type to be considered located at grade plane elevation, its elevation shall not be located at any elevation higher than the grade plane elevation calculation, but may be located lower.
b. For an amenity space type to be considered above grade plane elevation, it shall be located on a story that is above the first story of a structure.
e. Relief
A deviation from amenity space standards may be granted in accordance with Sec. 13B.5.1. (Alternative Compliance) .
A deviation from any amenity space dimensional standard of 20 percent or less may be granted in accordance with Sec. 13B.5.2. (Adjustment) .
A deviation from any amenity space standard may be granted as a variance in accordance with Sec. 13B.5.3. (Variance) .
| 2-77
Sec. 2C.3.3. (Amenity Space Types) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025
[ FORM - FrONtAGe - StANDArDS ] [ USe - DeNSitY ] Div. 2C.3. (Amenity)
City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A
Sec. 2C.3.4. AMENITY DESIGN STANDARDS¶
A. Intent
the intent of the standards of this Section (Amenity Design Standards) is to ensure that amenity spaces provide sufficient recreational area in a manner that is visually interesting, connects the development to its users or the public right-of-way, promotes environmental sensitivity, and creates opportunities for the congregation of individuals at the ground story or upper-stories of a development.
B. Applicability
Amenity space design standards are determined by the amenity space types in Sec. 2C.3.1. (Lot Amenity Space) and Sec. 2C.3.2. (Residential Amenity Space) , and as established by Sec. 2C.3.3. (Amenity Space Types) .
c. Standards
1. Outdoor Space
a. Where the amenity space is enclosed, it shall not be covered. Where the amenity space is covered, it shall not be enclosed.
b. No portion of an outdoor space may have a clear height of less than seven feet.
c. Portions of an outdoor space that are covered shall have a minimum clear height of 1.5 times the depth of the covered area.
[Figure]
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Sec. 2C.3.4. (Amenity Design Standards) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025
[Figure]
[Figure]
[ FORM - FrONtAGe - StANDArDS ] [ USe - DeNSitY ] Div. 2C.3. (Amenity)
City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A
5. Planting Area
a. When an amenity space type satisfies its minimum planting area requirement at the grade plane elevation, the amenity space shall meet all other standards of the amenity space type within the minimum and maximum ground floor elevation as specified by the applied Frontage District (Part 3B.) . For other applicable standards, see Sec. 4C.6.4.C.2. (Planting Areas) .
b. An amenity space shall provide at least the required minimum percentage of the total area of the amenity space as planting area.
6. Seating
a. Permanent or movable seats shall be provided at the specified ratio based on the area in square feet of amenity space.
b. each permanent or movable seat provided within the amenity space shall count as one.
c. two linear feet of bench or seat wall provided within the amenity space shall be counted as one seat.
7. Ground Floor Elevation
a. the finished floor or ground surface of the amenity space shall be located within the minimum and maximum ground floor elevations specified by the applied Frontage District (Part 3B.) .
b. For measurement of ground floor elevation, see Sec. 3C.6.2. (Ground Floor Elevation) .
8. Public Sidewalk/Way Adjacent
a. the amenity space shall abut a public sidewalk or public way for a minimum width of 15 feet.
b. A pedestrian accessway having a minimum width of four feet shall connect the amenity space to the abutting public sidewalk or public way. No fixed wall or fence shall separate the amenity space from the abutting public sidewalk or public way for the minimum pedestrian accessway width.
c. the space shall not be separated from the public sidewalk or public way by any structure or landscaping, with the exception of a type A1 or type A2 frontage yard fence & wall type as specified in Sec. 3C.3.2. (Frontage Yard Fence & Wall) .
9. Pedestrian-Oriented Lighting
the amenity space shall comply with the requirements of Sec. 4C.10.1.C.3. (PedestrianOriented Lighting) .
| 2-80
Sec. 2C.3.4. (Amenity Design Standards) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025
[ FORM - FrONtAGe - StANDArDS ] [ USe - DeNSitY ] Div. 2C.3. (Amenity)
City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A
10. Publicly Accessible
a. the amenity space shall be made permanently available to the general public, at no cost, at minimum between sunrise and sunset daily.
b. Signs shall be posted at every public entrance to the amenity space in accordance with the Public Amenity Space Sign Standards as established by the Director, and in accordance with Div. 4C.11. (Signs) . Standards include, but are not limited to, the following:
i. Minimum sign dimension, no less than 16 inches by 20 inches;
ii. Sign location requirements;
iii. required posting of the hours of operation; and
iv. Mandatory language regarding public access.
11. Amenity Features
a. the amenity space shall provide at least the minimum number of amenity features required by the amenity space type by providing from the list of options in the Amenity Features Menu as established by the Director, and shall be made permanently available to the tenants of the building.
b. the location and number of amenity features shall be identified on the proposed plans submitted to the Department of Building and Safety, with the accompanying dimensions called out as required by the selected options.
D. Measurement
Minimum amenity area is measured as an area in square feet calculated for each contiguous amenity space located on a lot. the area of the abutting parkway is not included in the total minimum amenity area.
the horizontal dimension shall be measured as the shortest horizontal distance along the boundaries of the amenity space, perpendicular to any boundary of the amenity space.
For measurement of transparency, see Div. 3C.4. (Transparency) .
For measurement of ground floor elevation, see Sec. 3C.6.2. (Ground Floor Elevation) .
the minimum width an amenity space is required to abut a public sidewalk or public way shall be measured following the geometry of the frontage lot line abutting the applicable public sidewalk or public way.
the minimum pedestrian accessway width shall be measured along the frontage lot line abutting the applicable public sidewalk or public way from one edge of the accessway perpendicularly to the opposite edge.
For measurement of pedestrian-oriented lighting, see Sec. 4C.10.1.D. (Measurement) .
| 2-81
Sec. 2C.3.4. (Amenity Design Standards) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025
[ FORM - FrONtAGe - StANDArDS ] [ USe - DeNSitY ] Div. 2C.3. (Amenity)
City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A
e. Relief
A deviation from any amenity design dimensional standard of 20 percent or less may be granted in accordance with Sec. 13B.5.2. (Adjustment) .
A deviation from any amenity design standard may be granted as a variance in accordance with Sec. 13B.5.3. (Variance) .
| 2-82
Sec. 2C.3.4. (Amenity Design Standards) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025
[ FORM - FrONtAGe - StANDArDS ] [ USe - DeNSitY ] Div. 2C.3. (Amenity)
City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A
Sec. 2C.3.5. LOT AMENITY ALTERNATIVES¶
Lot amenity alternatives are defined as space types with a predetermined set of design standards that may be used as an allowable alternative to the standard lot amenity space requirements of a Form District (Part 2B.).
A. Intent
the intent of the standards of this Section (Lot Amenity Alternatives) is to provide alternative options for the design of spaces for recreation and open space for the tenants of a project. lot amenity alternatives establish design criteria for common and desirable open space typologies that both incentivize certain kinds of open spaces and potentially improve the feasibility of achieving required lot amenity space on constrained lots, while maintaining high-quality and contextually appropriate design.
B. Applicability
lot amenity alternatives apply to projects with a lot amenity space requirement, as established in Sec. 2C.3.1. (Lot Amenity Space) on a lot with an applied Form District (Part 2B.) that lists one or more eligible lot amenity alternative types.
lot amenity alternatives are optional alternatives to the lot amenity space requirements in Sec. 2C.3.1. (Lot Amenity Space) , except projects utilizing the corridor transitions incentive Program in Sec. 9.2.4. (Corridor Transitions Incentive Program) shall utilize a lot Amenity Alternative type.
c. Standards
1. General
a. Where the applied Form District (Part 2B.) lists one or more lot amenity alternative types, a project may provide a lot amenity space that meets the standards established in Paragraph 2. (Lot Amenity Alternative Types) , below for any one of the lot amenity alternative types listed in the Form District (Part 2B.) .
b. the provided lot amenity alternative shall be considered to meet the lot amenity space requirement for the lot, even if providing an eligible lot amenity alternative type results in providing less total lot amenity space on the lot than would otherwise be required pursuant to Sec. 2C.3.1. (Lot Amenity Space) .
c. Projects providing a lot amenity alternative are still subject to any required Residential Amenity Space (Sec. 2C.3.2.) .
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Sec. 2C.3.5. (Lot Amenity Alternatives) Last amended by Ord. 188,478 (Resolution), Eff. 06/18/2025
[ FORM - FrONtAGe - StANDArDS ] [ USe - DeNSitY ] Div. 2C.3. (Amenity)
City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A
2. Lot Amenity Alternative Types
a. courtyard
- i. Width
the width of the courtyard shall be a minimum of 30 percent of the lot width, or a minimum of 15 feet, whichever is greater, measured parallel to the applicable primary street lot line.
ii. Depth
the depth of the courtyard shall be a minimum of 40 percent of the lot depth,
measured perpendicular to the applicable primary street lot line.
- iii. Outdoor Space
the entirety of the courtyard space shall meet the requirements of Sec. 2C.3.4.C.1. (Outdoor Space) .
- iv. location
the courtyard shall be placed in one of the following locations on the lot:
a) Abutting the front yard on a lot, so as to create a courtyard that extends backward into the lot starting from the front yard or a courtyard that connects the front yard to another outdoor space meeting the standards of Sec. 4C.3.4.C.1. (Outdoor Space) on the lot.
b) An internal courtyard, surrounded on all sides by buildings or structures and contained entirely within a single lot.
c) Abutting an at-grade lot amenity space on an abutting lot, so as to create the effect of one large open space across multiple lots.
b. Paseo
- i. Width
the width of the paseo shall be a minimum of 10 percent of the lot width, or a minimum of 10 feet, whichever is greater, measured parallel to the applicable primary street lot line.
- ii. Depth
the depth shall be a minimum of 60 percent of the lot depth, measured perpendicular to the applicable primary street lot line.
iii. covered Area
the entirety of the paseo space shall meet the requirements of Sec. 2C.3.4.C.1. (Outdoor Space) .
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Sec. 2C.3.5. (Lot Amenity Alternatives) Last amended by Ord. 188,478 (Resolution), Eff. 06/18/2025
[ FORM - FrONtAGe - StANDArDS ] [ USe - DeNSitY ] Div. 2C.3. (Amenity)
City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A
- iv. Pedestrian Pathway
An unobstructed pathway with direct access to the primary street lot line shall be provided with a minimum width of four feet along the entire depth of the paseo space.
- v. location
the paseo space shall be located between one or more buildings on the lot.
c. rear Yard
- i. Width
the width of the rear yard shall be a minimum of 50 percent of the lot width, measured parallel to the applicable primary street lot line.
- ii. Depth
the depth shall be a minimum of 10 percent of the lot depth, or a minimum of 15 feet, whichever is greater, measured perpendicular to the applicable primary street lot line.
- iii. covered Area
the entirety of the rear yard space shall meet the requirements of Sec. 2C.3.4.C.1. (Outdoor Space) , with the exception of portions of the rear yard space located within the required rear setback, which shall be open to the sky except for the encroachments allowed pursuant to Subsection E. (Exceptions) of Sec. 2C.2.2. (Building Setbacks) .
- iv. location
the rear yard shall be located abutting the rear lot line.
D. Measurement
- General
A lot amenity alternative is measured as provided or not provided based on whether the design of a lot amenity space meets the standards of an eligible lot amenity alternative type specified by the applied Form District (Part 2B.) .
- Width
the width of a lot amenity alternative type shall be measured parallel to the primary street lot line and the minimum width shall be maintained along the entire required depth of the space.
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Sec. 2C.3.5. (Lot Amenity Alternatives) Last amended by Ord. 188,478 (Resolution), Eff. 06/18/2025
[ FORM - FrONtAGe - StANDArDS ] [ USe - DeNSitY ] Div. 2C.3. (Amenity)
City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A
- Depth
the depth of a lot amenity alternative type shall be measured perpendicular to the primary street lot line and the minimum depth shall be maintained along the entire required width of the space.
- covered Area
For the measurement of an uncovered space, see Sec. 14.2.2. (Covered Area (%)) .
e. Relief
No relief from the design standards established in Paragraph 2. (Lot Amenity Alternative Types) of Subsection C. (Standards) , above, shall be permitted. Projects may instead defer to the standard lot amenity space requirements, pursuant to Sec. 2C.3.1. (Lot Amenity Space) , including any relief allowed pursuant to that Section.
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Sec. 2C.3.5. (Lot Amenity Alternatives) Last amended by Ord. 188,478 (Resolution), Eff. 06/18/2025
[ FORM - FrONtAGe - StANDArDS ] [ USe - DeNSitY ] Div. 2C.4. (Floor Area Ratio & Height)
City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A
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