Los Angeles Zoning Code — LAMC Chapter 1A Div. 2C.6 Upper-St

Sec. 2C.6.1. STREET STEP-BACK¶

Street step-back is a step-like recess in the massing of a building that requires upper stories to be pushed back from the lower stories from the street.

A. Intent

the intent of the standards of this Section (Street Step-Back) is to reduce the perceived bulk and mass of a building along facades facing public ways, ensuring a height along the street that is appropriate to its neighboring context, while allowing for additional building height.

B. Applicability

Street step-back standards apply to new construction, a major remodel, or a facade modification of buildings or structures on a lot that face a frontage lot line.

c. Standards

the following standards shall be met for a minimum of 85 percent of the building width:

When the applied Form District (Part 2B.) specifies a maximum number of stories without a step-back, all stories above that maximum shall be stepped back from the street-facing facade by at least the minimum street step-back depth, as specified by the applied Form District (Part 2B.) .
No building or structure shall extend into a minimum street step-back depth, except where allowed in Subsection E. (Exceptions) below.
Buildings having a height less than the maximum stories without street step-back are not required to provide a street step-back.

[Figure]

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Sec. 2C.6.1. (Street Step-Back) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

[ FORM - FrONtAGe - StANDArDS ] [ USe - DeNSitY ] Div. 2C.6. (Upper-Story Bulk)

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

D. Measurement

1. Stories Without Street Step-back

When the applied Form District (Part 2B.) specifies a maximum number of stories without a step-back, that maximum is measured according to Sec. 2C.4.3. (Height in Stories) .

2. Street Step-back Depth

Minimum street step-back depth is measured as the horizontal distance from the outermost edge of the building facade with the topmost story without street step-back to the outermost edge of the facade of the stepped back stories. Street step-back depth is required regardless of the provided or required building setback.

[Figure]

e. Exceptions

the following are allowed to encroach beyond the street step-back as listed below:

ALLOWED HORIZONTAL ENCROACHMENT	S
Architectural Details (Sec. 14.2.5.A.1.a.)
encroachment (max)	2’
Roof Projections (Sec. 14.2.5.A.1.b.)
encroachment (max)	2.5’
Unenclosed Structures (Sec. 14.2.5.A.1.c.-Sec. 14.2.5.A.1.d.)
encroachment (max)	5’
Enclosed Structures: Projecting(Sec. 14.2.5.A.1.e.)
encroachment (max)	2.5’
Mechanical/Electrical Equipment (Sec. 14.2.5.A.1.f.-Sec. 14.2.5.A.1.g.)
encroachment (max)	1.5’
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Sec. 2C.6.1. (Street Step-Back) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

[ FORM - FrONtAGe - StANDArDS ] [ USe - DeNSitY ] Div. 2C.6. (Upper-Story Bulk)

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

ALLOWED VERTICAL ENCROACHMENT	S
Mechanical/Electrical Equipment: Roof Mounted (Sec. 14.2.5.B.1.b.)
encroachment (max)	5'
Setback from roof edge (min)	3'
Architectural Elements (Sec. 14.2.5.B.1.c.)
encroachment (max)	5'
Setback from roof edge (min)	2'
SafetyBarriers (Sec. 14.2.5.B.1.e.)
encroachment (max)	4'
Setback from roof edge (min)	0'
Unenclosed Structures (Sec. 14.2.5.B.1.f.)
encroachment (max)	8
Setback from roof edge (min)	2'
Flatwork (Sec. 14.2.5.B.1.g.)
encroachment (max)	2.5'
Setback from roof edge (min)	1'
Vegetation (Sec. 14.2.5.B.1.h.)
encroachment (max)	unlimited
Setback from roof edge (min)	1'

F. Relief

A reduced street step-back depth of 20 percent or less may be granted in accordance with Sec. 13B.5.2. (Adjustment) .
A reduced street step-back greater than 20 percent may be granted as a variance in accordance with Sec. 13B.5.3. (Variance) .
increased stories without street step-back may be granted as a variance in accordance with Sec. 13B.5.3. (Variance) .

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Sec. 2C.6.1. (Street Step-Back) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

[ FORM - FrONtAGe - StANDArDS ] [ USe - DeNSitY ] Div. 2C.6. (Upper-Story Bulk)

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

Exceptions & meaning →

Sec. 2C.6.2. HEIGHT TRANSITION¶

Height transition is defined as a reduction in the maximum height of a building for a limited depth where abutting districts have substantially lower height allowances.

A. Intent

the intent of this Section (Height Transition) is to prevent looming impacts and reduce the perceived bulk and mass of any building along a zoning district boundary where the maximum height standard changes significantly.

B. Applicability

Height transition standards apply to any building on a lot (“subject lot”) where the applied Form District (Part 2B.) specifies a height transition is “required” and the subject lot abuts, is across an alley from, or adjoins another lot (collectively referred to in this Section as an, “adjoining lot”) meeting at least one of the following criteria:
- a. the subject lot abuts a lot zoned with a different applied Form District (Part 2B.) , which specifies a maximum height in feet of less than or equal to 45 feet or a maximum height in stories of less than or equal to four stories.
- b. the subject lot is located across an alley from a lot zoned with a different applied Form District (Part 2B.) , which specifies a maximum height in feet of less than or equal to 45 feet or a maximum height in stories of less than or equal to four stories.
- c. the subject lot is a through lot adjoining a lot with a different applied Form District (Part 2B.) , which specifies a maximum height in feet of less than or equal to 45 feet or a maximum height in stories of less than or equal to four stories, located across a collector street or local street.
Height transition standards shall not apply when the applied Form District (Part 2B.) of the adjoining lot specifies a bonus height that exceeds 45 feet or four stories.
in addition to height transition standards applying to any building pursuant to Paragraph 1 . and Paragraph 2 ., above, when height transition is “required” in the applied Form District (Part 2B.) and is further specified to apply to an “Applicable lot line” that is “Special”, the height transition standards apply to and are taken from any special lot line on the subject lot, regardless of adjoining zoning districts.

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Sec. 2C.6.2. (Height Transition) Last amended by Ord. 189,007, Eff. 08/20/2026

[ FORM - FrONtAGe - StANDArDS ] [ USe - DeNSitY ] Div. 2C.6. (Upper-Story Bulk)

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

c. Standards

All portions of a building or structure shall comply with height transition standards unless listed as an exception in Subsection E. (Exceptions) below.
No portion of a building or structure on the subject lot shall be located within a distance of 10 feet of the applicable abutting lot line of the adjoining lot or the special lot line. A building on a subject lot separated from the adjoining lot by an alley is not required to adhere to this standard.
if the adjoining lot is subject to a maximum height of less than or equal to 36 feet or three stories, no portion of a building on the subject lot shall exceed three stories within a distance of 30 feet and five stories within a distance of 50 feet of the applicable lot line of the adjoining lot.
if the adjoining lot is subject to a maximum height of less than or equal to 45 feet or four stories, no portion of a building shall exceed four stories within a distance of 30 feet and six stories within a distance of 50 feet of the applicable lot line of the adjoining lot.
Where a height transition is specified to apply to an “Applicable lot line” that is “Special”, no portion of a building or structure shall exceed three stories within a distance of 30 feet and five stories within a distance of 50 feet of the applicable special lot line.

D. Measurement

the distance from an abutting lot line shall be measured as the horizontal distance from any applicable lot line having a common boundary with the subject property, to the edge of any at-grade portion of a building to which a height transition limitation applies.
the distance from an alley adjacent lot line shall be measured as the horizontal distance from any applicable lot line located across an alley that separates the subject lot from a different applied zone, to the edge of any at-grade portion of a building to which a height transition limitation applies.
the distance from any lot line on a through lot that adjoins a lot with a different applied zone shall be measured as the horizontal distance from the applicable lot line adjoining a lot with a different applied zone, to the edge of any at-grade portion of a building to which a height transition limitation applies.
Story height is measured pursuant to Sec. 2C.4.3. (Height in Stories) .

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Sec. 2C.6.2. (Height Transition) Last amended by Ord. 189,007, Eff. 08/20/2026

[ FORM - FrONtAGe - StANDArDS ] [ USe - DeNSitY ] Div. 2C.6. (Upper-Story Bulk)

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

e. Exceptions

the following are allowed to encroach into the height transition subject to the maximum encroachment as listed below:

ALLOWED HORIZONTAL ENCROACHMENT	S
Architectural Details (Sec. 14.2.5.A.1.a.)
encroachment (max)	2’
Roof Projections (Sec. 14.2.5.A.1.b.)
encroachment (max)	2.5’
Unenclosed Structures: Ground Story(Sec. 14.2.5.A.1.c.)
encroachment (max)	5’
Unenclosed Structures: Above Ground Story(Sec. 14.2.5.A.1.d.)
encroachment (max)	5'
Enclosed Structures: Projecting(Sec. 14.2.5.A.1.e.)
encroachment (max)	2.5’
Mechanical/Electrical Equipment: Ground Mounted (Sec. 14.2.5.A.1.f.)
encroachment (max)	1.5’
Mechanical/Electrical Equipment: Wall Mounted (Sec. 14.2.5.A.1.g.)
encroachment (max)	1.5'

ALLOWED VERTICAL ENCROACHMENT	S
Mechanical/Electrical Equipment: Roof Mounted (Sec. 14.2.5.B.1.b.)
encroachment (max)	5'
Setback from roof edge (min)	3'
Architectural Elements (Sec. 14.2.5.B.1.c.)
encroachment (max)	5'
Setback from roof edge (min)	2'
SafetyBarriers (Sec. 14.2.5.B.1.e.)
encroachment (max)	4'
Setback from roof edge (min)	0'
Unenclosed Structures (Sec. 14.2.5.B.1.f.)
encroachment (max)	8'
Setback from roof edge (min)	2'
Flatwork (Sec. 14.2.5.B.1.g.)
encroachment (max)	2.5'
Setback from roof edge (min)	1'
Vegetation (Sec. 14.2.5.B.1.h.)
encroachment (max)	unlimited
Setback from roof edge (min)	1'
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Sec. 2C.6.2. (Height Transition) Last amended by Ord. 189,007, Eff. 08/20/2026

[ FORM - FrONtAGe - StANDArDS ] [ USe - DeNSitY ] Div. 2C.6. (Upper-Story Bulk)

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

F. Relief

A reduced height transition distance of 20 percent or less may be granted in accordance with Sec. 13B.5.2. (Adjustments) .
A reduced height transition in distance of more than 20 percent or an increase in the number of stories before height transition begins may be granted a variance in accordance with Sec. 13B.5.3. (Variance) .

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Sec. 2C.6.2. (Height Transition) Last amended by Ord. 189,007, Eff. 08/20/2026

[ FORM - FrONtAGe - StANDArDS ] [ USe - DeNSitY ] Div. 2C.6. (Upper-Story Bulk)

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

Exceptions & meaning →

Sec. 2C.6.3. WALL PLATE HEIGHT¶

Wall plate height is defined as the vertical dimension of the wall of a building that supports the roof structure.

A. Intent

the intent of the standards of this Section (Wall Plate Height) is to help reduce the impact of taller building walls along the public realm and from abutting properties, in addition to maintaining the upper-story profile of a district.

B. Applicability

the wall plate height standards apply to any building on a lot where the applied Form District (Part 2B.) specifies a maximum wall plate height standard.

c. Standards

the height of any exterior wall of a building shall not exceed the maximum wall plate height specified by the applied Form District (Part 2B.) .
A building may continue in height up to the maximum height in feet specified by the applied Form District (Part 2B.) when set within a pitched roof having a pitch between a minimum of 3:12 (three inches of vertical rise for every 12 inches of horizontal span) and a maximum of 16:12 (16 inches of vertical rise for every 12 inches of horizontal span).

D. Measurement

Wall plate height is measured vertically along each exterior wall of a building from the finished grade to the top of the uppermost wall plate of the building. this measurement shall be taken from every elevation of the proposed building.

[Figure]

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Sec. 2C.6.3. (Wall Plate Height) Established by Ord. 189,007, Eff. 08/20/2026

[ FORM - FrONtAGe - StANDArDS ] [ USe - DeNSitY ] Div. 2C.6. (Upper-Story Bulk)

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

roof pitch shall be measured from the top of the uppermost wall plate to the uppermost ridge along the same sloping roof plane, and is measured by calculating a roof's vertical rise in inches divided by a foot of its horizontal span and is represented as a ratio.

[Figure]

e. Exceptions

the following are allowed to encroach into the maximum wall plate height subject to the maximum encroachment and the minimum setbacks from the roof edge as listed below:

ALLOWED VERTICAL ENCROACHMENT	S
Mechanical/Electrical Equipment: Roof Mounted (Sec. 14.2.5.B.1.b.)
encroachment (max)	3'
Setback from roof edge (min)	3'
Architectural Elements (Sec. 14.2.5.B.1.c.)
encroachment (max)	5'
Setback from roof edge (min)	3'
SafetyBarriers (Sec. 14.2.5.B.1.e.)
encroachment (max)	6'
Setback from roof edge (min)	0'
Unenclosed Structures (Sec. 14.2.5.B.1.f.)
encroachment (max)	8'
Setback from roof edge (min)	5'
Flatwork (Sec. 14.2.5.B.1.g.)
encroachment (max)	2.5'
Setback from roof edge (min)	1'
Vegetation (Sec. 14.2.5.B.1.h.)
encroachment (max)	unlimited
Setback from roof edge (min)	1'

F. Relief

An increase in the maximum wall plate height of 20 percent or less may be granted in accordance with Sec. 13B.5.2. (Adjustments) .
An increase in the maximum wall plate height of more than 20 percent may be granted as a variance in accordance with Sec. 13B.5.3. (Variance) .

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Sec. 2C.6.3. (Wall Plate Height) Established by Ord. 189,007, Eff. 08/20/2026

Exceptions & meaning →