Division 3D.9 — TRANSPARENCY

A. Intent

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City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

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The intent of the standards of this Section (Ground Story) is to ensure projects are designed with

ground story windows that contribute to the established architectural character of surrounding

neighborhoods or district.

B. Applicability

Ground story transparency standards apply to new construction, a major remodel, or an exterior

modifcationi when the applied Character Frontage District (Div. 3B.9.) requires ground story

transparency on facades pursuant to Sec. 3A.2.2.B.3. (Frontage Applicable Facades) located on the

ground story and pursuant to Sec. 3A.2.2.B.4. (Frontage Applicable Building Depth) .

C. Standards

1. General

a. Standards

i. Frontage applicable facades located on the ground story shall provide no less than the minimum transparency specified in the applied Character Frontage District (Div. 3B.9.) .

ii. Frontage applicable facades located on the ground story shall provide no more than

the maximum transparency specified in the applied Character Frontage District (Div.

3B.9.) .

iii. All transparent area shall meet the standards of Sec. 3C.4.1.C. (Standards) .

b. Measurement

For transparent area measurement, see Sec. 3C.4.1.D. (Measurement) .

2. Active Wall Spacing

See Sec. 3C.4.2. (Active Wall Spacing) .

3. Window Recession

The depth that a window is set back from the surrounding facade.

a. Standards

All windows on applicable facades shall be recessed at a minimum depth as specified in

the applied Frontage District (Part 3B.) .

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Sec. 3D.9.1. (Ground Story) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

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[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] Div. 3D.9. (Transparency)

b. Measurement

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City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

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Window recession depth is measured inward from the immediately surrounding facade

surface, exclusive of trim or accessory projecting architectural details, to the outermost

element of the window assembly.

4. Bulkhead

A wall located beneath a display window on the ground story facade that elevates a window above the exterior finished grade and the interior finished floor surface.

a. Standards

i. When listed as "required" in the applied Frontage District (Part 3B.), all ground story

window openings located on applicable facades shall be located between 18 and 30 inches above the finished floor of the ground story.

ii. Ground story window openings located entirely above another ground story window

may be located greater than 30 inches from the ground story finished floor provided

that no portion of the opening extends beyond the width of the lower window

opening.

Greater than 30”

18” - 30”

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b. Measurement

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Bulkheads are measured as "provided" or "not provided" based on the compliance of all

applicable windows with the standards above.

5. Symmetrical Lite Pattern

Window panes that are arranged or designed so that the left-side of the window composition

is a mirror image of the right-side of the window composition.

a. Standards

When listed as “required" in the applied Frontage District (Part 3B.), all windows provided

on applicable facades shall meet the following standards:

i. Divided-lite and simulated divided-lite windows shall have a composition of muntins or grills that display reflective symmetry.

ii. Operable windows shall have sashes that are reflectively symmetrical.

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Sec. 3D.9.1. (Ground Story) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

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[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] Div. 3D.9. (Transparency)

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

iii. Window assemblies sharing a window opening shall be composed in a way that

reflective symmetry is displayed over the entirety of the window opening.

b. Measurement

In meeting symmetrical lite pattern standards, if a vertical line can be drawn through

the window opening, and the pattern and shape on both sides of the line appear

approximately identical, the window or windows are considered in compliance with the

symmetrical lite pattern standard.

Line of Symmetry Line of Symmetry

6. Horizontal Sliding Windows

a. Standards

When listed as "prohibited" in the applied Frontage District (Part 3B.), windows provided on

applicable facades shall not include sashes that operate left to right or right to left.

b. Measurement

Horizontal sliding windows are identified as either present or absent.

7. Vinyl Windows

a. Standards

i. When listed as "prohibited" in the applied Frontage District (Part 3B.), window

assemblies provided on applicable facades shall not contain frames, sashes, rails, styles, muntins, mullions, or grills with a vinyl exterior finish.

ii. Other accessory window assembly components may be finished with vinyl products.

b. Measurement

Vinyl windows are identified as either present or absent.

D. Exceptions

Ground story transparency standards do not apply to parking structure facades unless the applied

development standards district requires the facade to be wrapped, see Development Standards

District (Part 4B.) .

Sec. 3D.9.1. (Ground Story) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

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[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] Div. 3D.9. (Transparency)

E. Relief

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

1. Up to a 15 percent increase to the total allowed ground story transparent area may be granted

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

2. A deviation from ground story transparency dimensional standard up to 15 percent may be

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

3. Deviation from any ground story transparency standard may be granted as a variance in

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

Sec. 3D.9.1. (Ground Story) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

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[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] Div. 3D.9. (Transparency)

A. Intent

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City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

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The intent of the standards of this Section (Upper Stories) is to ensure projects are designed with

upper story windows that contribute to the established architectural character of surrounding

neighborhoods or districts.

B. Applicability

Upper story standards apply to new construction, a major remodel, or an exterior modifcationi

when the applied Character Frontage District (Div. 3B.9.) requires upper story transparency on

facades 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. General

a. Standards

i. Applicable upper story facades shall provide at least the minimum transparency specified in the applied Character Frontage District (Div. 3B.9.) .

ii. Applicable upper story facades shall provide no more than the maximum transparency

specified in the applied Character Frontage District (Div. 3B.9.) .

iii. All transparent area shall meet the standards of Sec. 3C.4.1.C. (Standards) .

b. Measurement

See Sec. 3C.4.1.D.2. (Upper Stories) .

2. Window Recession

See Sec. 3D.9.1.C.3. (Window Recession) .

3. Symmetrical Lite Pattern

See Sec. 3D.9.1.C.5. (Symmetrical Lite Pattern) .

4. Sill

The bottommost horizontal exterior surface of a window opening including a ledge or other

architectural detail that projects from the surrounding building facade.

a. Standards

i. When required by the applied Frontage District (Part 3B.), all windows provided on

applicable facades shall include a sill, ledge or comparable architectural detail located

at the bottommost exterior surface of a window opening.

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Sec. 3D.9.2. (Upper Stories) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

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[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] Div. 3D.9. (Transparency)

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

ii. Required sills shall project a minimum of one inch beyond the immediately

surrounding building facade.

iii. Required sills shall have a width of no less than the window opening.

b. Measurement

Sills are measured as "provided" or "not provided" based on the compliance of all

applicable windows with the standards of subparagraph a above.

5. Horizontal Sliding Windows

See Sec. 3D.9.1.C.6. (Horizontal Sliding Windows) .

6. Vinyl Windows

See Sec. 3D.9.1.C.7. (Vinyl Windows) .

D. Exceptions

Upper story transparency standards do not apply to parking structure facades unless the applied

Development Standards District (Part 4B.) requires the facade to be wrapped.

E. Relief

1. Up to a 15 percent increase in the total allowed upper story transparent area may be granted in

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

2. A deviation up to 15 percent from upper story transparency dimensional standards may be

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

3. Deviation from any upper story transparency standard may be granted as a variance in

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

Sec. 3D.9.2. (Upper Stories) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

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Div. 3D.10. (Exterior Materials)