Los Angeles Zoning Code — LAMC Chapter 1A Part 3D Character

Div. 3D.1. Build-To . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	. . . . . . . . . . 3-105
Div. 3D.2. Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	. . . . . . . . . . 3-105
Div. 3D.3. Landscaping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	. . . . . . . . . . 3-105
Div. 3D.4. Ground Floor Elevation . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	. . . . . . . . . . 3-105
Div. 3D.5. Story Height . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	. . . . . . . . . . 3-106
Sec. 3D.5.1. Ground Story Height. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	. . . . . . . . . . . . .3-106
Sec. 3D.5.2. Upper Story Height . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	. . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-107
Div. 3D.6. Articulation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	. . . . . . . . . . 3-108
Sec. 3D.6.1. Base, Middle & Top Articulation. . . . . . . . . . .	. . . . . . . . . . . . .3-108
Sec. 3D.6.2. Base-Top Articulation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	. . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-111
Sec. 3D.6.3. Horizontal Band Articulation . . . . . . . . . . . .	. . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-114
Sec. 3D.6.4. vertical Band Articulation . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	. . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-115
Sec. 3D.6.5. Articulating Elements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	. . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-117
Div. 3D.7. Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	. . . . . . . . . . 3-120
Sec. 3D.7.1. Restricted Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	. . . . . . . . . . . . .3-120
Div. 3D.8. Entrances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	. . . . . . . . . . 3-122
Sec. 3D.8.1. Street-Facing Entrance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	. . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-122
Sec. 3D.8.2. Entry Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	. . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-123
Sec. 3D.8.3. Focal Entry Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	. . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-124
Div. 3D.9. Transparency. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	. . . . . . . . . . 3-128
Sec. 3D.9.1. Ground Story . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	. . . . . . . . . . . . .3-128
Sec. 3D.9.2. Upper Stories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	. . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-132
Div. 3D.10. Exterior Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	. . . . . . . . . . 3-134
Sec. 3D.10.1. Principal Material Coverage . . . . . . . . . . . . .	. . . . . . . . . . . . .3-134
Sec. 3D.10.2. Accessory Material Coverage . . . . . . . . . . . .	. . . . . . . . . . . . .3-136
Sec. 3D.10.3. Exterior Material Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	. . . . . . . . . . . . .3-138
Div. 3D.11. Roof Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	. . . . . . . . . . 3-145
Sec. 3D.11.1. Roof Form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	. . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-145
Sec. 3D.11.2. Roof Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	. . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-147
Sec. 3D.11.3. Roof Overhang . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	. . . . . . . . . . . . .3-148
3-104

Article 3. Frontage Article Publication Update | August 20, 2026

[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] Character Frontage Rules

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

SEC. 3D.6.3. HORIZONTAL BAND ARTICULATION¶

Horizontal band articulation is a continuous band of material running horizontally across a facade.

A. Intent

The intent of the standards of this Section (Horizontal Band Articulation) is to separate and align windows on a building facade in a way that contributes to the established architectural character of surrounding neighborhoods or districts.

B. Applicability

Horizontal band articulation standards apply to new construction or an exterior modification when the applied Character Frontage District (Div. 3B.9.) requires horizontal band articulations on facades pursuant to Sec. 3A.2.2.B.3. (Frontage Applicable Facades) .

C. Standards

Horizontal band articulation shall meet the following standards:

Be no less than eight inches in height,
Extend for the full width of the facade, interrupted only by required articulating elements or architectural features. Architectural features that interrupt either required vertical band articulation or required horizontal band articulation shall cover cumulatively no more than 30 percent of the total facade area. A maximum of five architectural features that interrupt required vertical band articulation or horizontal band articulation are allowed on the facade area of any individual building width.

D. Measurement

Horizontal band articulation height is measured vertically from the lowest point to the highest point of a horizontal band articulation meeting the standards above.
The facade area covered by an architectural feature that interrupts horizontal band articulation or vertical band articulation is measured as the area of the smallest rectangle that fully circumscribes the architectural feature.

E. Relief

Horizontal band articulation standards may be met through alternative compliance in accordance with Sec. 13B.5.1. (Alternative Compliance) .
A deviation from horizontal band articulation dimensional standards up to 15 percent may be granted in accordance with Sec. 13B.5.2. (Adjustment) .
Deviation from any horizontal band articulation standard may be granted as a variance in accordance with Sec. 13B.5.3. (Variance) .

| 3-114

Sec. 3D.6.3. (Horizontal Band Articulation) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] Div. 3D.6. (Articulation)

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

Exceptions & meaning →

SEC. 3D.6.4. VERTICAL BAND ARTICULATION¶

Vertical band articulation is a continuous band of material running vertically up a facade.

A. Intent

The intent of the standards of this Section (Vertical Band Articulation) is to separate and align windows on a building facade in a way that contributes to the established architectural character of surrounding neighborhoods or districts.

B. Applicability

vertical band articulation standards apply to new construction or an exterior modification when the applied Character Frontage District (Div 3B.9.) requires vertical band articulations on facades pursuant to Sec. 3A.2.2.B.3. (Frontage Applicable Facades) .

C. Standards

vertical band articulation shall meet the following standards:

Be no less than eight inches in width, and
Extend uninterrupted for the full height of all build-to applicable stories, only interrupted by horizontal band articulation, required articulating elements or architectural features. Architectural features that interrupt either required vertical band articulation or required horizontal band articulation shall cover cumulatively no more than 30 percent of the total facade area. A maximum of five architectural features that interrupt required vertical band articulation or required horizontal band articulation are allowed on the facade of any individual building width.

D. Spacing

vertical band articulation shall be applied across the full width of a facade separated by no more than the maximum spacing and no less than the minimum spacing specified by the applied Frontage District (Part 3B.) .
vertical band articulation shall also be located at each corner of a building facade.

E. Measurement

vertical band articulation width is measured parallel to the applicable facade and horizontally from one end of a vertical band meeting the standards above to the opposite end.
vertical band articulation spacing is measured horizontally and perpendicular to the applicable building facade from edge of vertical band to edge of vertical band.
The facade area covered by an architectural feature that interrupts horizontal band articulation or vertical band articulation is measured as the area of the smallest rectangle that fully circumscribes the architectural feature.

| 3-115

Sec. 3D.6.4. (Vertical Band Articulation) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] Div. 3D.6. (Articulation)

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

F. Relief

vertical band articulation standards may be met through alternative compliance in accordance with Sec. 13B.5.1. (Alternative Compliance) .
A deviation from vertical band articulation dimensional standards up to 15 percent may be granted in accordance with Sec. 13B.5.2. (Adjustment) .
Deviation from any vertical band articulation standard may be granted as a variance in accordance with Sec. 13B.5.3. (Variance) .

| 3-116

Sec. 3D.6.4. (Vertical Band Articulation) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] Div. 3D.6. (Articulation)

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

Exceptions & meaning →

SEC. 3D.6.5. ARTICULATING ELEMENTS¶

Articulating elements are permanent architectural details used to embellish a facade design to accentuate an articulation technique or facade composition.

A. Intent

The intent of the standards of this Section (Articulating Elements) is to provide visual interest to the public realm and break up a building facade with visually separate building layers in a way that contributes to the established architectural character of surrounding neighborhoods or districts.

B. Applicability

Articulating element standards apply to new construction or an exterior modification when the applied Character Frontage District (Div. 3B.9.) requires articulating elements on facades pursuant to Sec. 3A.2.2.B.3 (Frontage Applicable Facades) .

C. Articulating Element Options

1. Material Change

a. Standards

i. The principal exterior material applied to the building layer shall be different from the principal siding treatment applied to the abutting building layers.
ii. The principal exterior material shall be limited to those allowed by the applied Frontage District (Part 3B.) .
iii. One of the following architectural details must be provided between building layers applying the material change articulating element:
- a) A belt course located at the transition from one principal exterior material to the next. See Paragraph 2. (Belt Course) below; or
- b) The building layer applying a material change articulating element shall be recessed or project from the abutting building layers at least three inches.

b. Measurement

i. In measuring material change, principal exterior materials are considered different if they are entirely different materials or products having the same base material where the unit size or finish surface texture is visibly contrasting.
ii. Recessed building layers are measured horizontally from and perpendicular to the immediately surrounding facade to the outermost point of the recessed building layer facade.
iii. Projecting building layers are measured horizontally and perpendicular from the immediately surrounding facade to the innermost point of the projecting building layer facade.

| 3-117

Sec. 3D.6.5. (Articulating Elements) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] Div. 3D.6. (Articulation)

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

2. Belt Course

A horizontal course projecting beyond the face of the surrounding building facade often shaped to mark a division in the facade wall.

a. Standards

A belt course shall meet the following standards:

i. Extend uninterrupted for the full width of the building layer.
ii. Have a consistent profile across the width of the building.
iii. Project a minimum of two inches from the immediately surrounding facade for some portion of the top two inches and the bottom two inches of the belt course profile,
iv. Have a height of no less than 12 inches if located on the first story. An additional two inches in height are required for each story that the belt course is located about the first story. The greatest required minimum height is 48 inches.

b. Measurement

i. Belt course height is measured vertically from the lowest point to the highest point of the belt course profile meeting the standards in subparagraph a above.
ii. Projection is measured perpendicularly from the immediately surrounding facade to the outermost point of a belt course meeting the standards in the subparagraph a above.

3. Shopfront Cornice

A continuous molded projection located above a series of display windows on the ground story facade.

a. Standards

A shopfront cornice shall meet the following standards:

i. Extend uninterrupted for the width of the building layer.
ii. Project a minimum of four inches from the immediately surrounding facade for some portion of the top four inches and the bottom four inches of the cornice profile.
iii. Have a height of no less than 12 inches.

b. Measurement

i. Shopfront cornice height is measured vertically from the lowest point to the highest point of the cornice profile meeting the standards in subparagraph a above.

| 3-118

Sec. 3D.6.5. (Articulating Elements) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] Div. 3D.6. (Articulation)

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

ii. Projection is measured perpendicularly from the immediately surrounding facade horizontally to the outermost point of a shopfront cornice meeting the standards in the subparagraph a above.

4. Roofline Cornice

A continuous molded projection that crowns a wall, often as part of a parapet.

a. Standards

A roofline cornice shall meet the following standards:

i. Extend uninterrupted for the full width of the building layer.
ii. Project a minimum of four inches from the immediately surrounding facade for some portion of the top four inches of the cornice profile if located on the first, second or third stories. An additional two inches of projection are required for each story the roofline cornice is located above the third story. A minimum projection of at least 36 inches is required.
iii. Have a height of no less than 12 inches if located on the first, second or third story. An additional two inches in height are required for each story the roofline cornice is located above the third story. A minimum height of at least 48 inches is required.

b. Measurement

i. Roofline cornice height is measured vertically from the lowest point to the highest point of the cornice profile meeting the standards above.
ii. Projection is measured perpendicularly from the immediately surrounding facade horizontally to the outermost point of a roofline cornice meeting the standards in the subparagraph a above.

D. Measurement

Articulating elements are measured as "provided" or "not provided" based on whether the applicable building layer facade applies an articulating element meeting the standards above.

E. Relief

Articulating elements standards may be met through alternative compliance in accordance with Sec. 13B.5.1. (Alternative Compliance) .
A deviation from articulating elements dimensional standards up to 10 percent may be granted in accordance with Sec. 13B.5.2. (Adjustment) .
Deviation from any articulating elements standard may be granted as a variance in accordance with Sec. 13B.5.3. (Variance) .

| 3-119

Sec. 3D.6.5. (Articulating Elements) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] Div. 3D.7. (Features)

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

Exceptions & meaning →