Article 2 — FORM›Part 2C — FORM RULES
Los Angeles Zoning Code — LAMC Chapter 1A Div. 2C.5 Building Mass
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.5 · Text as of 2026-10-04
Sec. 2C.5.1. BUILDING WIDTH¶
Building width is defined as the horizontal dimension of any building or collection of abutting buildings on a lot.
A. Intent
the intent of the standards of this Section (Building Width) is to promote fine-grained patterns of development and prevent long buildings that are significantly out of context with traditional patterns by breaking wide buildings into multiple, clearly distinguished building widths, and to encourage larger projects to provide open space for pedestrians and recreation.
B. Applicability
Building width standards apply to new construction or an exterior modification of any frontage lot line-facing buildings or structures. When the building width standards apply, the standards only apply to those portions of a building or structure located above the ground floor elevation.
c. Standards
1. General
a. No applicable building or collection of abutting buildings located on the same lot shall be wider than the maximum building width specified by the applied Form District (Part 2B.) .
b. in order to establish buildings on the same lot as separate buildings for the purpose of measuring maximum building width, a building break shall be provided between the buildings.
c. Buildings that are located on separate lots, share no interior circulation, and are structurally independent, are considered separate buildings for the purpose of measuring building width.
d. A building on a corner lot within the build-to zone area of overlap is allowed to exceed the maximum building width by up to 40 feet along both primary street lot lines and side street lot lines.
e. All applicable buildings and collections of abutting buildings located on the same lot shall be separated by at least the minimum building break dimension for the full depth of the building in order to establish them as separate buildings for the purpose of measuring building width.
f. No building or structure shall encroach into the building break, except where allowed in Subsection E. (Exceptions) below.
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Sec. 2C.5.1. (Building Width) Last amended by Ord. 188,478 (Resolution), Eff. 06/18/2025
[ FORM - FrONtAGe - StANDArDS ] [ USe - DeNSitY ] Div. 2C.5. (Building Mass)
City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A
2. Bonus Building Width
a. Notwithstanding Paragraph 1. (General), above, buildings and structures may exceed the maximum building width up to the bonus building width in feet of the applied Form District (Part 2B.) as allowed by Div. 9.3. (Community Benefits Program) , if the participating project provides the required restricted affordable units or other public benefits.
b. Projects participating in incentive programs intended to implement State law, including the State Density Bonus Program (Sec. 9.2.1.) , the Opportunity Corridors Housing Incentive Program (Sec. 9.2.2.) , the Corridor Transitions Incentive Program (Sec. 9.2.3.) , Transit Oriented Incentive Program (Sec. 9.2.4.) , the Permanent Supportive Housing Incentive Program (Sec. 9.4.1.) , or the Accessory Dwelling Unit Incentive Program (Div. 9.5.) , may exceed the maximum bonus building width of the applied Form District (Part 2B.) .
D. Measurement
- Building width is measured horizontally and parallel to each primary street lot line and side street lot line from one end of an applicable building or collection of abutting buildings to the opposite end.
[Figure]
For lot line-facing, see Sec. 14.2.6. (Facing) .
For measuring building width on irregular lot lines, see Sec. 14.2.14. (Irregular Lot lines) .
A building break is measured perpendicular to the outermost surface of each applicable portion of a building both vertically and horizontally.
[Figure]
[Figure]
| 2-101
Sec. 2C.5.1. (Building Width) Last amended by Ord. 188,478 (Resolution), Eff. 06/18/2025
[ FORM - FrONtAGe - StANDArDS ] [ USe - DeNSitY ] Div. 2C.5. (Building Mass)
City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A
e. Exceptions
1. Encroachments
the following are allowed to encroach into the building break, as listed below:
| ALLOWED HORIZONTAL ENCROACHMENT | S |
|---|---|
| Architectural Details (Sec. 14.2.5.A.1.a.) | |
| encroachment (max) | 2’ |
| clear width (min) | 3’ |
| Roof Projections (Sec. 14.2.5.A.1.b.) | |
| encroachment (max) | 2.5’ |
| clear width (min) | 3’ |
| Unenclosed Structures: Above Ground Story (Sec. 14.2.5.A.1.d.-Sec. 14.2.5.A.1.d.) |
|
| encroachment (max) | 5’ |
| clear width (min) | 3’ |
| Mechanical/ |
|
| encroachment (max) | 1.5’ |
| clear width (min) | 3’ |
2. Building Break Amenity Space Alternative
As an alternative to a building break, a street-facing amenity space that meets the following standards may be used to establish buildings or collections of abutting buildings as separate buildings for the purpose of measuring maximum building width:
a. the amenity space shall meet the design standards of an amenity space type pursuant to Sec. 2C.3.3. (Amenity Space Types) and for outdoor space pursuant to Sec. 2C.3.4.C.1. (Outdoor Space) .
b. the amenity space width shall be at least two times the minimum building break dimension specified in the applied Form District (Part 2B.) , measured parallel to the applicable street lot line.
c. the amenity space width shall not be greater than the maximum building width, measured parallel to the applicable street lot line.
d. the amenity space depth shall be at least five times the minimum building break dimension specified in the applied Form District (Part 2B.) , measured perpendicular to the street lot line.
e. A minimum of 75 percent of the amenity space area shall meet the design standards in Sec. 2C.3.3.C.2. (Pedestrian Amenity Space) .
| 2-102
Sec. 2C.5.1. (Building Width) Last amended by Ord. 188,478 (Resolution), Eff. 06/18/2025
[ FORM - FrONtAGe - StANDArDS ] [ USe - DeNSitY ] Div. 2C.5. (Building Mass)
City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A
f. the amenity space may count toward the required minimum build-to width required by the applied Frontage District (Part 3B.) , provided it meets the requirements of Sec. 3C.1.3.E. (Exceptions) .
g. Any portion of the amenity space may count toward lot amenity space and residential amenity space, provided it meets all applicable standards.
[Figure]
F. Relief
increased building width of 20 percent or less or reduced building break of 20 percent or less may be granted in accordance with Sec. 13B.5.2. (Adjustment) .
increased building width or reduced building break may be granted as a variance in accordance with Sec. 13B.5.3. (Variance) .
| 2-103
Sec. 2C.5.1. (Building Width) Last amended by Ord. 188,478 (Resolution), Eff. 06/18/2025
[ FORM - FrONtAGe - StANDArDS ] [ USe - DeNSitY ] Div. 2C.6. (Upper-Story Bulk)
City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A
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