Los Angeles Zoning Code — LAMC Chapter 1A Div. 3C.1 Build-to

Applicable stories is defined as the number of stories that are required to meet build-to standards.

A. Intent

The intent of the standards of this Section (Applicable Stories) is to ensure that ground stories of buildings, and upper stories where appropriate, are located in a consistent manner along the street.

B. Applicability

Applicable stories standards apply to new construction of any portion of a building, or a whole building. When the applicable stories standards apply, the standards apply to any part of the building that is required to meet the standards of Sec. 3C.1.2. (Build-To Depth) and the standards of Sec. 3C.1.3. (Build-To Width).

C. Standards

Where minimum applicable stories are required, build-to standards apply to the ground story and any additional story provided on a lot, up to, and including, the minimum build-to applicable stories.

[Figure]

D. Measurement

For measuring height in stories, see Sec. 2C.4.3. (Height in Stories) .

E. Relief

1. A reduction of one story from the number of applicable stories may be granted in accordance with Sec. 13B.5.2. (Adjustment) .

2. A reduction in number of applicable stories may be granted as a variance in accordance with Sec. 13B.5.3. (Variance) .

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Sec. 3C.1.1. (Applicable Stories) Last amended by Ord. 189,007, Eff. 08/20/2026

[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] Div. 3C.1. (Build-To)

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

Build-to depth is defined as the depth of the build-to zone starting at the minimum building setback and continuing inward for the maximum build-to depth for the full width of the lot.

A. Intent

The intent of the standards of this Section (Build-To-Depth) is to regulate buildings along the public realm and to create a consistent street wall.

B. Applicability

Build-to depth standards apply to new construction. When build-to depth standards apply, they apply to all portions of buildings required to satisfy the standards of Sec. 3C.1.3. (Build-To Width) and the standards of Sec. 3C.1.1. (Applicable Stories).

C. Standards

1. The build-to zone shall be no deeper than the maximum build-to depth of the applied Frontage District (Part 3B.) .

2. Buildings shall occupy the build-to zone for at least the minimum required build-to width.

3. Once the minimum build-to width standard has been satisfied, buildings and structures may occupy the area behind the build-to zone.

4. On a corner lot where intersecting frontage lot lines have build-to requirements, a building shall occupy the portion of the lot area where the build-to zones of the two intersecting frontage lot lines overlap, as described below:

   • a. The building shall occupy the build-to zones for both frontage lot lines for a minimum of 30 feet from the corner. This building width counts toward the required build-to width for both frontage lot lines.

   • b. This standard does not apply when a pedestrian amenity space occupies some portion of the area of overlap and is being used as a pedestrian amenity allowance. See Sec. 3C.1.4. (Pedestrian Amenity Allowance) .

[Figure]

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Sec. 3C.1.2. (Build-To Depth) Last amended by Ord. 189,007, Eff. 08/20/2026

[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] Div. 3C.1. (Build-To)

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

D. Measurement

1. The build-to depth is measured perpendicular to the frontage lot line starting from the minimum building setback and continuing inward away from the frontage lot line.

2. Where a lot includes an easement that abuts the frontage lot line and the easement is deeper than the minimum building setback, the applicant may choose to measure the required build- to depth from the interior edge of the easement rather than the lot line.

[Figure]

3. For a lot affected by a public access easement, see Sec. 14.2.17.B.3. (Build-To Depth) .

E. Exceptions

1. See Sec. 3C.1.4. (Pedestrian Amenity Allowance) .

2. To preserve existing trees that meet minimum size requirements for a small species tree, the Department may increase the build-to depth beyond the maximum allowed by the applied Frontage District to the minimum depth necessary to protect the tree, but by no more than 30 feet pursuant to Sec. 13B.3.1. (Administrative Review) .

3. See Sec. 12.3.1. (Build-To Exceptions) .

[Figure]

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Sec. 3C.1.2. (Build-To Depth) Last amended by Ord. 189,007, Eff. 08/20/2026

[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] Div. 3C.1. (Build-To)

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

F. Relief

1. An increase in build-to depth of 20 percent may be granted in accordance with Sec. 13B.5.2. (Adjustment) .

2. A deviation from maximum build-to depth may be granted as a variance in accordance with Sec. 13B.5.3. (Variance) .

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Sec. 3C.1.2. (Build-To Depth) Last amended by Ord. 189,007, Eff. 08/20/2026

[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] Div. 3C.1. (Build-To)

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

Build-to width is defined as the cumulative building width that shall occupy the build-to zone, relative to the width of the lot at the frontage lot line.

A. Intent

The intent of the standards of this Section (Build-To-Width) is to ensure that buildings enclose the public realm with a legible and consistent street wall, spatially defining an outdoor room, and to promote a strong visual and physical connection between uses inside buildings and the public realm.

B. Applicability

Build-to width standards apply to new construction and are subject to the following:

1. Where a minimum height is specified in the applied Form District (Part 2B.) , build-to width standards apply to all above-grade stories up to the minimum height in stories standard in accordance with Sec. 2C.4.3. (Height in Stories) .

[Figure]

2. Where an applicable stories standard exists, build-to width standards apply to all stories located above-grade up to the applicable stories.

[Figure]

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Sec. 3C.1.3. (Build-To Width) Last amended by Ord. 189,007, Eff. 08/20/2026

[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] Div. 3C.1. (Build-To)

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

3. Where both an applicable stories standard and a minimum height standard are specified, build- to width standards apply to whichever standard requires the greatest number of stories located in the build-to zone.

4. Where no applicable stories standard is specified in the applied Frontage District (Part 3B.) and no minimum height standard is specified in the applied Form District (Part 2B.) , build-to width standards apply only to the ground story.

C. Standards

1. Building(s) shall occupy the build-to zone for a cumulative width no less than that specified by the applied Frontage District (Part 3B.) .

2. On a corner lot, a chamfered corner no more than 20 feet in width along both street lot lines qualifies as building width in the build-to zone for all applicable stories even where it extends outside of the build-to zone. Chamfered corner width is measured parallel to the frontage lot line.

[Figure]

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Sec. 3C.1.3. (Build-To Width) Last amended by Ord. 189,007, Eff. 08/20/2026

[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] Div. 3C.1. (Build-To)

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

3. Portions of building width providing motor vehicle access to a motor vehicle use area through the ground story of a building do not qualify as building width in the build-to zone.

[Figure]

4. When build-to width is specified as “building-based”, the build-to zone shall be occupied by buildings for not less than 50 percent of the width of the building having the greatest total floor area on the lot.

D. Measurement

The build-to width is a percentage measured as the sum of the widths of all portions of buildings occupying the build-to zone divided by the total lot width.

[Figure]

1. Building width is measured parallel to the frontage lot line. For measuring building width on a lot with a curved or irregular lot line, see Sec. 14.2.14. (Irregular Lot Lines) .

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Sec. 3C.1.3. (Build-To Width) Last amended by Ord. 189,007, Eff. 08/20/2026

[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] Div. 3C.1. (Build-To)

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

2. lot width is measured along the frontage lot line. For measuring width of a lot with a curved or irregular lot line, see Sec. 14.2.14. (Irregular Lot Lines) .

E. Exceptions

1. Pedestrian amenity space counts toward required minimum build-to width in accordance with Sec. 3C.1.4. (Pedestrian Amenity Allowance) .

2. A building break that includes an open space meeting the design standards for pedestrian amenity space in Sec. 2C.3.3.C.2. (Pedestrian Amenity Space) counts toward the minimum build-to width required by the applied Frontage District (Part 3B.) according to Sec. 3C.1.4. (Pedestrian Amenity Allowance) .

3. Where vehicle access is taken through the frontage lot line based on the automobile access package in Sec. 4C.2.1. (Automobile Access Packages) as specified by the applied Development Standards District (Part 4B.) , and providing vehicle access prevents a building from achieving the required build-to width, a reduced build-to width may be allowed. However, the portion of the lot in the build-to zone used for vehicle access shall be no wider than the minimum required drive aisle width plus an additional four feet of width for clearance. See Div. 4C.2. (Automobile Access) .

4. See Sec. 12.3.1. (Build-To Exceptions) .

[Figure]

F. Relief

1. Up to a 10 percent reduction to the total required width of a building occupying the build-to zone may be granted in accordance with Sec. 13B.5.2. (Adjustment) .

2. A reduced minimum build-to width may be granted as a variance in accordance with Sec. 13B.5.3. (Variance) .

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Sec. 3C.1.3. (Build-To Width) Last amended by Ord. 189,007, Eff. 08/20/2026

[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] Div. 3C.1. (Build-To)

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

Pedestrian amenity allowance is defined as the width of pedestrian amenity space in the build-to zone that can be counted toward the build-to width requirement.

A. Intent

The intent of the standards of this Section (Pedestrian Amenity Allowance) is to promote the creation of active, human-scale outdoor spaces as an extension of the sidewalk, providing visual interest and vitality to the amenity space as well as the public realm. The pedestrian amenity allowance provides flexibility to building and site design while maintaining standards essential for ensuring all projects contribute to defining a consistent and legible street wall.

B. Applicability

1. Pedestrian amenity allowance standards apply to new construction subject to a pedestrian amenity allowance maximum in the applied Frontage District (Part 3B.) .

   • a. Pedestrian amenity allowance standards apply to all portions of a building or structure required to meet the standards of Sec. 3C.1.3. (Build-To Width) and Sec. 14.2.6.C. (Pedestrian Amenity & Public Amenity-Facing Facades) , and portions of the lot between the building and the frontage lot line for the width of the pedestrian amenity space provided.

C. Standards

Where the applied Frontage District (Part 3B.) specifies a pedestrian amenity allowance, pedestrian amenity spaces may be provided as a substitute for a portion of the required build-to width up to the maximum percentage specified, provided they meet the following standards:

1. Meets the standards of Sec. 2C.3.3.C. (Standards) .

2. Pedestrian amenity spaces may be wider than the maximum allowed pedestrian amenity allowance, however, any part of the pedestrian amenity space width that exceeds the allowed pedestrian amenity allowance does not count toward the required building width in the buildto zone.

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Sec. 3C.1.4. (Pedestrian Amenity Allowance) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] Div. 3C.1. (Build-To)

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

3. At least 85 percent of the pedestrian amenity space perimeter shall abut a lot line or a facade meeting the standards of the applied Frontage District (Part 3B.) as specified for the abutting frontage lot line. Where the pedestrian amenity space abuts multiple frontage lot lines, the standards specified for the frontage lot line abutting the pedestrian amenity space for the greatest length apply.

[Figure]

D. Measurement

Pedestrian amenity allowance is measured as the cumulative width of pedestrian amenity spaces occupying the build-to zone divided by the required build-to width.

[Figure]

1. Pedestrian amenity space width is measured parallel to the frontage lot line. For measuring pedestrian amenity space width along a curved or irregular lot line, see Sec. 14.2.14. (Irregular Lot Lines) .

2. For measuring the required build-to width, see Sec. 3C.1.3. (Build-To Width) .

3. For a lot affected by a public access easement, see Sec. 14.2.17.B.4. (Pedestrian Amenity Allowance) .

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Sec. 3C.1.4. (Pedestrian Amenity Allowance) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] Div. 3C.1. (Build-To)

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

E. Relief

1. Up to a 10 percent increase in the allowed total width of pedestrian amenity allowance may be granted in accordance with Sec. 13B.5.2. (Adjustment) .

2. A deviation from any pedestrian amenity allowance dimensional standard of up to 10 percent may be granted in accordance with Sec. 13B.5.2. (Adjustment) .

3. A reduced minimum build-to width may be granted as a variance in accordance with Sec. 13B.5.3. (Variance) .

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Sec. 3C.1.4. (Pedestrian Amenity Allowance) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] Div. 3C.2. (Parking)

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A