Los Angeles Zoning Code — LAMC Chapter 1A Div. 3C.6 Ground Story

Ground story height is defined as the floor-to-floor height of the story of a building having its finished floor elevation nearest to the finished grade.

A. Intent

The intent of the standards of this Section (Ground Story Height) is to promote active uses that are directly connected to the public realm, and ensure high-quality ground story spaces that are adaptable and appropriate to their context.

B. Applicability

Ground story height standards apply to new construction. When the ground story height standards apply, the standards apply to all portions of the ground story, within the first 15 feet of a facade of a new building or structure, pursuant to Sec. 3A.2.2.B.3. (Frontage Applicable Facades) .

C. Standards

All occupiable space located in applicable portions of the ground story shall have floor-to-floor height of no less than the ground story height minimum.

D. Measurement

1. Ground story height is measured vertically from the top of the finished ground story to the top of the finished floor above.

2. Where no story exists above, ground story height is the shortest vertical distance from the top of the ground floor elevation to the top of the ceiling or roof structure above.

3. For determining the ground story, see Sec. 14.2.10.A. (Ground Story) .

E. Relief

1. A reduction in required ground story height up to one foot may be granted in accordance with Sec. 13B.5.2. (Adjustment) .

2. Deviation from ground story height standards may be granted as a variance in accordance with Sec. 13B.5.3. (Variance) .

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Sec. 3C.6.1. (Ground Story Height) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] Div. 3C.6. (Ground Story)

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

Ground floor elevation is defined as the finished floor height associated with the story of a building having its finished floor elevation nearest to the finished grade.

A. Intent

The intent of the standards of this Section (Ground Floor Elevation) is to promote high-quality ground story spaces with direct connection and visual interplay with the public realm.

B. Applicability

1. Ground floor elevation standards apply to new construction subject to the following:

   • a. For structures located less than 20 feet from the frontage lot line, all portions of the ground story located within the first 15 feet of a frontage applicable facade pursuant to Sec. 3A.2.2.B.3. (Frontage Applicable Facades) , measured inward and perpendicular to the frontage lot line, shall comply with ground floor elevation standards.

[Figure]

C. Standards

1. All occupiable space located in applicable portions of the ground story shall have a ground floor elevation no higher than the maximum ground floor elevation specified by the applied Frontage District (Part 3B.) .

2. All occupiable space located in applicable portions of the ground story shall have a ground floor elevation no lower than the minimum ground floor elevation specified by the applied Frontage District (Part 3B.) .

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Sec. 3C.6.2. (Ground Floor Elevation) Last amended by Ord. 189,007, Eff. 08/20/2026

[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] Div. 3C.6. (Ground Story)

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

D. Measurement

1. Where a building is located greater than 10 feet from a public sidewalk, ground story height is measured vertically from the average finished grade within five feet of the frontage lot line facing building perimeter to the finished floor elevation of the ground story.

2. Where a building is located 10 feet or less from a public sidewalk, ground floor elevation is measured vertically from the average sidewalk grade to the finished floor elevation of the ground story. Average sidewalk grade is measured as the average of the highest and lowest sidewalk elevation for the portion of the sidewalk located in front of the building.

[Figure]

3. Ground floor elevation shall be measured independently for different modules of the building width. The ground floor elevation for each module shall be measured from either average sidewalk grade for the portion of the sidewalk in front of the module or from average finished grade within five feet of the frontage lot line facing building perimeter based on the distance of the building module from a public sidewalk according to Paragraph 1. and Paragraph 2. above.

   • a. For sloped lots, average elevation along the sidewalk shall be measured individually for each module and calculated as the average of the highest and lowest sidewalk elevation for the portion of the sidewalk located in front of the building module.

[Figure]

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Sec. 3C.6.2. (Ground Floor Elevation) Last amended by Ord. 189,007, Eff. 08/20/2026

[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] Div. 3C.6. (Ground Story)

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

E. Exceptions

Ground floor elevation standards do not apply to structures located 20 feet or greater from the frontage lot line.

F. Relief

1. A deviation in minimum or maximum ground floor elevation up to 10 percent may be granted in accordance with Sec. 13B.5.2. (Adjustment) .

2. Deviation from ground floor elevation standards may be granted as a variance in accordance with Sec. 13B.5.3. (Variance) .

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Sec. 3C.6.2. (Ground Floor Elevation) Last amended by Ord. 189,007, Eff. 08/20/2026

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

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A