Division 3C.4 — TRANSPARENCY

Transparent area is defined as the amount of transparent area on a building facade.

A. Intent

i

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

i

The intent of the standards of this Section (Transparent Area) is to provide visual interest along the

public realm by encouraging visual connections between the public realm and the interior of a

building.

B. Applicability

Transparent area standards apply to the following project activities when "transparent area" is

required by the applied Frontage District (Part 3B.) : new construction, a major remodel, and an

exterior modifcationi . When the transparent area standards apply, the standards apply pursuant to

Sec. 3A.2.2.B.3. (Frontage Applicable Facades) and Sec. 3A.2.2.B.4. (Frontage Applicable Building

Depth) .

C. Standards

1. Each applicable facade shall provide at least the minimum transparency specified by the

applied Frontage District (Part 3B.) .

2. Window and door openings meeting the following requirements count toward transparent

area:

a. No walls, shelving, facade screens, or other interior or exterior visual obstructions shall be

located within five feet of any ground story transparent area with the exception of visual

obstructions allowed in subparagraph d below.

b. Exterior visual obstructions shall not be located within five feet of any upper story

transparent area with the exception of visual obstructions allowed in subparagraph d

below.

c. Visual obstructions may be located five feet or greater from a facade area counting toward

transparent area.

i

i

i

i

Section A

i

i

<5’** **>5’

i

Section B

i

i

Sec. 3C.4.1. (Transparent Area) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

i

| 3-62

[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] Div. 3C.4. (Transparency)

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

d. The following visual obstructions may be located less than five feet from facade area

counting toward transparent area:

i. Windows obscured by interior security gates and window displays may count toward

transparent area, provided no more than 25 percent of the transparent area of any

individual window is visually obstructed for any individual window counting toward

transparent area. For measuring visual obstruction, see Sec. 14.2.13. (Opacity (%)) .

Window Display Interior Security Gate

Window Display Interior Security Gate

ii. Windows obscured by fixed exterior facade screens may count toward transparent

area, provided no more than 25 percent of the total transparent area is visually

obstructed for any individual window opening counting toward transparent area.

Percentage of visual obstruction is measured as opacity.

iii. Transparent area covered by window signs may count toward transparent area

provided the window signs are permitted by the applied Development Standards

District (Part 4B.) .

iv. Areas of transparency may be made temporarily opaque by operable window

treatments, such as curtains or blinds.

e. Distance from transparent area is measured perpendicular to the exterior face of the

transparent area.

f. To be considered transparent, window and door glazing shall meet the following

requirements:

Sec. 3C.4.1. (Transparent Area) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

| 3-63

[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] Div. 3C.4. (Transparency)

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

g. Muntins, mullions, window sashes, window frames, and door frames, no more than

three inches wide may be considered transparent area when contained within a window

opening or door opening occupied by a window or glazed door assembly where all

included glazing meets the transparent area requirements above.

< 3” > 3”

Window Sash

Glazing

Rail

Window Frame

Trim

Sill

D. Measurement

1. Ground Story

a. Ground story transparency is a percentage, calculated as the sum of all ground story

facade area meeting the standards for transparent area divided by the total ground story

facade area.

b. In calculating ground story transparency, ground story facade area is measured in the

following ways:

i. Ground story facade area is measured as the above-grade facade area between zero and 12 feet above the top of the finished floor of the ground story.

FORMULA

Sum of All Ground Story Facade Transparent Area

Total Ground Story Facade Area

= [Ground Story] Transparency (%)

| 3-64

Finished Ground Floor

Sec. 3C.4.1. (Transparent Area) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] Div. 3C.4. (Transparency)

i

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

i

ii. If the ground story height is less than 12 feet, the ground story facade area is measured

as the total above-grade portion of a facade between the top of the finished floor of the ground story and the top of the finished floor above. When there is no story above,

ground story height is measured to the top of the uppermost surface of the ceiling

structure above.

iii. No portion of a ground story located below finished grade is included in ground story

facade area.

i

Finished Ground Floor

2. Upper Stories

i

i

a. The facade area along each upper story shall meet the required transparency standard. .

b. Upper story transparency is a percentage, calculated as the sum of all upper story facade

area meeting the standards for transparent area divided by the total upper story facade

area for each story.

c. In calculating upper story transparency, the upper story facade area is measured as the

portion of a facade area between the top of the finished floor for that story to the top of the finished floor above, regardless of story height. When there is no story above, it is

measured to the top of the uppermost surface of the ceiling structure above.

FORMULA

i

= [Upper Story] Transparency (%)

| 3-65

i

Sum of All Upper Story Facade Transparent Area

Total Upper Story Facade Area

i

Sec. 3C.4.1. (Transparent Area) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

i

Finished Floor

Finished Floor

[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] Div. 3C.4. (Transparency)

E. Exceptions

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

Transparent area standards do not apply to portions of building facades that enclose a parking

structure except where parking structures are required to be wrapped by the applied Development

Standards District (Part 4B.) .

F. Relief

1. Up to a 10 percent reduction from the total required transparent area may be granted in

accordance with Sec. 13B.5.2. (Adjustment) .

2. A deviation from required transparent area standards may be granted as a variance in

accordance with Sec. 13B.5.3. (Variance) .

Sec. 3C.4.1. (Transparent Area) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

| 3-66

[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] Div. 3C.4. (Transparency)

i

l

i

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

i

l

i

Active wall spacing is defined as the horizontal distance between widths of ground story facade and

foundation wall with window or door openings.

A. Intent

The intent of the standards of this Section (Active Wall Spacing) is to provide visual interest and

activation along the public realm by limiting areas without visual or physical connections between

the public realm and the interior of a building.

B. Applicability

1. Active wall spacing standards apply to new construction, a major remodel, or an exterior

modifcationi .

2. Active wall spacing standards apply to the following facades:

a. All portions of ground story frontage applicable facades pursuant to Sec. 3A.2.2.B.3.

(Frontage Applicable Facades) located between three feet and eight feet from the ground

foor elevationl measured vertically.

i

i

l

i

i

l

i

i

l

i

i

l

i

i

l

i

i

l

b. All portions of foundation walls on frontage applicable facades pursuant to Sec. 3A.2.2.B.3.

(Frontage Applicable Facades) that are exposed four feet in height or greater above

sidewalk grade. If foundation walls are set back more than 10 feet from a sidewalk, exposed height is measured from the lowest elevation of finished grade within five feet,

measured from and perpendicular to the foundation wall.

i

l

i

Ground Floor

4’

Sidewalk

i

l

i

i

l

i

i

l

i

Sec. 3C.4.2. (Active Wall Spacing) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

i

l

i

| 3-67

[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] Div. 3C.4. (Transparency)

C. Standards

1. Active Wall Spacing on Ground Story Facade

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

Window and door openings meeting Sec. 3C.4.1. (Transparent Area) on ground story facades

shall be separated by a distance no greater than the maximum active wall spacing. For

exceptions to this standard, see Subsection E. (Exceptions) below.

2. Active Wall Spacing on Foundation Wall

Applicable portions of foundation walls shall be no wider than the maximum active wall spacing specified by the applied Frontage District (Part 3B) . For exceptions to this standard, see

Subsection E. (Exceptions) below.

D. Measurement

1. Active Wall Spacing on Ground Story Facade

Active wall spacing is measured horizontally and parallel to the frontage lot line from edge of

transparent area to edge of transparent area, and edge of transparent area to edge of ground

story facade.

2. Active Wall Spacing on Foundation Wall

Active wall spacing is measured horizontally for any individual width of applicable foundation

wall that does not include transparent area.

Sec. 3C.4.2. (Active Wall Spacing) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

| 3-68

[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] Div. 3C.4. (Transparency)

E. Exceptions

1. Inapplicable Facades

a. Active wall spacing standards do not apply to upper story facades.

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

b. Active wall spacing standards do not apply to portions of building facades enclosing

a parking structure except where parking structures are required to be wrapped or

fenestrated by the applied Development Standards District (Part 4B).

2. Inactive Wall Treatment Alternatives

a. Ground story facades that exceed the maximum allowed active wall spacing may apply

one or more ground story inactive wall treatment alternatives to the applicable facade area

between door or window openings and increase the active wall spacing by 50 percent per

Paragraph 3. (Ground Story Inactive Wall Treatment Alternatives) below.

b. Facades designed with foundation walls that exceed the maximum allowed active wall

spacing may apply one or more foundation inactive wall treatment alternatives to the

facade area between active foundation walls and double the allowed active wall spacing

per Paragraph 4. (Foundation Inactive Wall Treatment Alternatives) below.

c. Plants provided to meet the requirements of Paragraph 3. (Ground Story Inactive Wall

Treatment Alternatives) and Paragraph 4. (Foundation Inactive Wall Treatment Alternatives)

below shall also comply with Div. 4C.6. (Plants) .

Sec. 3C.4.2. (Active Wall Spacing) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

| 3-69

[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] Div. 3C.4. (Transparency)

3. Ground Story Inactive Wall Treatment Alternatives

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

Permanent design improvements located between segments of ground story active wall and the public realm,

designed to improve visual interest and the pedestrian experience.

a. Small Trees

Small trees planted between a ground story facade with no window or door openings and the public realm.

See Div. 4C.6. (Plants) for additional standards.

Sec. 3C.4.2. (Active Wall Spacing) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

b. Large Trees

Large trees planted between a ground story facade with no window or door openings and the public realm.

See Div. 4C.6. (Plants) for additional standards.

| 3-70

[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] Div. 3C.4. (Transparency)

c. Living Wall

A permanently fixed assembly located between a ground story facade with no window or door openings and the public realm that supports plants, their growing medium, and irrigation.

See Div. 4C.6. (Plants) for additional standards.

Sec. 3C.4.2. (Active Wall Spacing) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

d. Colonnade

A sequence of columns located between a ground story facade with no window or door openings and the public realm, providing an exterior occupiable space along the inactive wall.

B C

[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] Div. 3C.4. (Transparency)

4. Foundation Inactive Wall Treatment Alternatives

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

Permanent design improvements located between exposed foundation walls and the public realm, designed to

improve visual interest and the pedestrian experience.

a. Foundation Planting

Screening plants located between a foundation wall with no window or door openings and the public realm.

See Div. 4C.6. (Plants) for additional standards.

Sec. 3C.4.2. (Active Wall Spacing) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

b. Planter

Permanent structure containing plants and their growing medium located between a foundation wall with no window or door openings and the public realm.

See Div. 4C.6. (Plants) for additional standards.

| 3-72

[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] Div. 3C.4. (Transparency)

c. Green wall

A structure permanently attached to a foundation wall with no window or door openings that supports climbing plants.

See Div. 4C.6. (Plants) for additional standards.

Sec. 3C.4.2. (Active Wall Spacing) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

d. Pedestrian Access

Stairs or ramps providing pedestrian access to a streetfacing entrance located between a foundation wall with no window or door openings and the public realm.

See Div. 4C.1. (Pedestrian Access) for additional standards.

| 3-73

[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] Div. 3C.4. (Transparency)

e. Seating

A permanent structure designed and intended for public seating located between a foundation wall with no window or door openings and the public realm.

C B

Sec. 3C.4.2. (Active Wall Spacing) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

| 3-74

[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] Div. 3C.4. (Transparency)

5. Inactive Wall Treatment Measurement

a. Treatment Width

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

Minimum treatment width percentage is calculated as the cumulative width of the

provided inactive wall treatments divided by the total width of the provided active wall

spacing.

b. Treatment Area

Minimum treatment area percentage is calculated as the cumulative area of the provided

inactive wall treatments divided by the total applicable facade area within the provided

active wall spacing.

c. Tree type

Tree type is measured as small or large species according to Sec. 4C.6.4.C.3.a.ii. (Tree

Types) .

d. Plant type

Plant type is measured as screening plants, groundcover, and turf plants, hedges, living

walls, or climbing plants according to Sec. 4C.6.4. (Plant Design & Installation) .

e. Plant Coverage

Minimum plant coverage is measured according to Sec. 4C.6.4.D.2. (Plant Coverage) .

f. Planting Frequency

Planting frequency is a ratio of the minimum number of plants required over a specified

width of active wall spacing. A minimum of one plant of the required plant type shall be

provided regardless of the width of inactive wall treatment.

g. Column Frequency

Minimum column frequency is a ratio of the minimum number of columns required over a specified width of treated inactive wall treatment. A minimum of two columns shall be

provided regardless of the inactive wall treatment width.

h. Planting Area Depth

Minimum planting area depth is measured as the horizontal dimension of growing medium

at the narrowest point, measured perpendicular to the applicable street lot line. The

planting area shall be open to the sky for at least the required planting area depth.

i. Clear Depth

Minimum clear depth is measured as the horizontal dimension of the occupiable portion

of an architectural element at the narrowest point.

Sec. 3C.4.2. (Active Wall Spacing) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

| 3-75

[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] Div. 3C.4. (Transparency)

j. Height Above Sidewalk

i

l

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

i

l

i. Height above sidewalk is measured vertically from adjacent sidewalk grade to the

topmost point of the inactive wall treatment.

ii. For foundation walls located more than 10 feet from a sidewalk, maximum height

above sidewalk is measured from the lowest elevation of finished grade within five

feet, measured from and perpendicular to the foundation wall, to the topmost point of

the inactive wall treatment.

k. Foundation Wall Reveal

Foundation wall reveal is measured vertically from the top of an inactive wall treatment to

the ground foor elevationl along the entire treated portion of an inactive foundation wall.

l. Seat Depth

Minimum seat depth is measured as the narrowest horizontal dimension of the area

designed for public seating.

m. Enclosure

Maximum enclosure is measured according to Sec. 14.2.4. (Enclosure) .

F. Relief

1. Deviation from inactive wall treatment standards may be granted in accordance with Sec.

13B.5.1. (Alternative Compliance) .

2. An increase in allowed active wall spacing up to 20 percent may be granted in accordance

with Sec. 13B.5.2. (Adjustment) .

3. An increase in allowed active wall spacing and inactive wall treatment standards may be

granted as a variance in accordance with Sec. 13B.5.3. (Variance) .

i

l

Sec. 3C.4.2. (Active Wall Spacing) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

i

l

| 3-76

[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ]

Div. 3C.5. (Entrances)