Los Angeles Zoning Code — LAMC Chapter 1A Div. 3A.2 General Rules

This Article (Frontage) regulates the portions of a lot and exterior building facades that impact the public realm. Frontage Districts (Part 3B.) help ensure that projects respond to the public realm in a contextually appropriate manner. Frontage Districts range from minimal standards (for example Warehouse Frontages) to a robust set of standards (for example Shopfront Frontages) which require projects to support a high-quality public realm that is active, comfortable, safe, and visually interesting, with strong connections between the public realm and uses inside buildings.

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Sec. 3A.2.1. (Frontage) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] Div. 3A.2. (General Rules)

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

A. General

All project applications filed after the effective date of this Zoning Code (Chapter 1A) must comply with the Frontage District standards and rules in this Article (Frontage) , as further specified in the applicability statement of each Section in Part 3C. (General Frontage Rules) and Part 3D. (Character Frontage Rules) . For vested rights, see Sec. 1.4.5. (Vested Rights) , and for continuance of existing development, see Sec. 1.4.6. (Continuance of Existing Development) .

B. Applicable Components of Lots, Buildings, & Structures

1. General

Frontage standards apply only to the applicable facades, portions of a lot, and building depth, as specified in Paragraph 3. (Frontage Applicable Facades) below. Specific Frontage District standards or rules may further limit which components of buildings and lots are required to comply with the standard within Part 3C. (General Frontage Rules) and Part 3D. (Character Frontage Rules) .

2. Frontage Applicable Portions of a Lot

Frontage District standards apply to the following portions of a lot:

• a. Frontage yards, see Sec. 14.2.16. (Yards) ;

• b. Public amenity spaces or pedestrian amenity spaces, see Sec. 2C.3.3. (Amenity Space Types) ;

• c. Build-to zones; and

• d. Parking setbacks.

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Sec. 3A.2.2. (Frontage Applicability) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] Div. 3A.2. (General Rules)

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

3. Frontage Applicable Facades

Frontage standards apply to the following facades up to the top of the 12th story, unless otherwise specified by the applied Frontage District (Part 3B.) :

• a. Frontage Lot Line-Facing Facades

[Figure]

• i. Facades facing a frontage lot line, including street-facing facades, special lot linefacing facades, and when a Dual Frontage District (Div. 3B.8.) is applied.

• ii. These facades shall meet the standards specified by the applied Frontage District (Part 3B.) along the frontage lot line that the facade faces (primary street lot line, side street lot line or special lot line).

• b. Lot Line-Facing Facades (Non-Frontage Lot Line)

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• i. lot line-facing facades that do not face a frontage lot line and are:

  • a) located vertically above the top of the fourth story; and

  • b) located 10 feet or more from a common lot line or centerline of an alley, measured horizontally.

• ii. lot line-facing facades (non-frontage lot line) facades shall meet the standards specified by the applied Frontage District (Part 3B.) for the side street lot line.

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Sec. 3A.2.2. (Frontage Applicability) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] Div. 3A.2. (General Rules)

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

c. Pedestrian Amenity Space and Public Amenity Space-Facing Facades

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• i. Facades that face a pedestrian amenity space or public amenity space, see Sec. 14.2.6.C. (Pedestrian Amenity & Public Amenity-Facing Facade) .

• ii. These facades shall meet the standards specified by the applied Frontage District (Part 3B.) for the frontage lot line that the pedestrian amenity space or public amenity space abuts. Where the pedestrian amenity space or public amenity space abuts multiple frontage lot lines, the standards specified for the frontage lot line that abuts the pedestrian amenity space or public amenity space for the greatest length applies.

4. Frontage Applicable Building Depth

Frontage District standards apply to portions of a building interior within 15 feet of a frontage lot line-facing facade pursuant to Sec. 3A.2.2.B.3.a. (Frontage Lot Line-Facing Facades) or frontage applicable facades facing a pedestrian amenity space or public amenity space pursuant to Sec. 3A.2.2.B.3.c. (Pedestrian Amenity Space and Public Amenity Space-Facing Facades) .

[Figure]

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Sec. 3A.2.2. (Frontage Applicability) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] Div. 3A.2. (General Rules)

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

C. Nonconformities

Article 12. (Nonconformities) may provide relief from the requirements of this Article (Frontage) for existing lots, site improvements, buildings and structures, and uses that conformed to the zoning regulations, at the time they were established, but do not otherwise conform to current district standards or use permissions. Unless otherwise specified by Div. 12.3. (Frontage Exceptions) , project activities must conform with applicable frontage standards.

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Sec. 3A.2.2. (Frontage Applicability) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

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

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A