Los Angeles Zoning Code — LAMC Chapter 1A Div. 3D.11 Roof Design

Roof form is defined as the shape of the external upper covering of a building, including the frame for supporting the roofing.

A. Intent

The intent of the standards of this Section (Roof Design) is to ensure that building forms contribute to the established architectural character of surrounding neighborhoods or districts.

B. Applicability

1. Roof form standards apply to new construction, a major remodel, or an exterior modification when the applied Character Frontage District (Div. 3B.9.) requires a primary roof form on any frontage lot line-facing buildings.

2. A minimum of 70 percent of the total roof area of each applicable building or structure shall meet roof form standards, measured horizontally.

C. Standards

1. General

All building and structures shall have a roof form listed as a roof form option in the applied Frontage District (Part 3B.) .

2. Roof Form Options

a. Flat

A roof subject to the “flat” option shall have a maximum pitch of 2:12 (two inch of vertical rise for every 12 inches of horizontal span) or less. Flat roof forms include roofs with parapets up to six feet in height.

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Sec. 3D.11.1. (Roof Form) Last amended by Ord. 189,007, Eff. 08/20/2026

[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] Div. 3D.11. (Roof Design)

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

b. Pitched

A roof subject to the “pitched” option shall be composed of two or more sloping planes where all roof planes slope up from the exterior perimeter of the building or structure and connect with another roof plane at a central ridge. All roof planes required to meet this standard shall have pitch between a minimum of 3:12 (three inches of vertical rise for every 12 inches of horizontal span) and a maximum of 16:12 (16 inches of vertical rise for every 12 inches of horizontal span).

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D. Measurement

1. Roof pitch is measured by calculating a roof's vertical rise in inches divided by a foot of its horizontal span and is represented as a ratio.

2. Roof form is measured as compliant or non-compliant based on whether it meets the standards and definition of one of the roof form options allowed by the applied Frontage District (Part 3B.) .

E. Relief

1. Up to a 10 percent reduction in the total required roof area having an allowed roof form may be granted in accordance with Sec. 13B.5.2. (Adjustment) .

2. A deviation from roof form dimensional standard up to 10 percent may be granted in accordance with Sec. 13B.5.2. (Adjustment) .

3. Deviation from any roof form standard may be granted as a variance in accordance with Sec. 13B.5.3. (Variance) .

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Sec. 3D.11.1. (Roof Form) Last amended by Ord. 189,007, Eff. 08/20/2026

[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] Div. 3D.11. (Roof Design)

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

A. Intent

The intent of the standards of this Section (Roof Materials) is to ensure that a building's roof finishing materials contribute to the established architectural character of surrounding neighborhoods or districts.

B. Applicability

This Section (Roof Materials) applies to new construction, a major remodel, or an exterior modification. When roof materials standards apply, the standards apply to all portions of a required primary roof form pursuant to Sec. 3D.11.1. (Roof Form) on any frontage lot line-facing buildings on a lot.

C. Standards

Only roof materials specified by the applied Frontage District (Part 3B.) shall be used to finish an applicable roof.

D. Measurement

Roof materials are measured as compliant or non-compliant based on whether all applicable roofs meet the roof materials standards.

E. Exceptions

Roof material standards do not apply to accessory roof forms.

F. Relief

1. Up to a 10 percent reduction in the total required roof area finished of an allowed roof material may be granted in accordance with Sec. 13B.5.2. (Adjustment) .

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

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Sec. 3D.11.2. (Roof Materials) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] Div. 3D.11. (Roof Design)

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

Roof overhang is defined as the portion of a roof extending beyond a building’s exterior walls.

A. Intent

The intent of the standards in this Section (Roof Overhang) is to ensure that a building's roof design contributes to the established architectural character of surrounding neighborhoods or districts.

B. Applicability

Roof overhang standards apply to new construction, a major remodel, or exterior modification when specified by the applied Character Frontage Districts (Div. 3B.9.). Roof overhang standards apply to any portion of a roof subject to Sec. 3D.11.1. (Roof Form).

C. Standards

The roof plane shall extend horizontally beyond the building footprint by no less than the minimum roof overhang dimension specified by the applied Character Frontage District (Div. 3B.9.) for all portions of the perimeter of the building footprint.

D. Measurement

Roof overhang is measured horizontally and perpendicular to the building facade from the face of the outermost building facade to the outer edge of the roof plane for the full perimeter of the building or structure.

E. Relief

1. Up to a 15 percent reduction to the minimum roof overhang dimension may be granted in accordance with Sec. 13B.5.2. (Adjustment).

2. A deviation from roof overhang standards beyond those available by Adjustment, above, may be granted as a variance in accordance with Sec. 13B.5.3. (variance).

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Sec. 3D.11.3. (Roof Overhang) Established by Ord. 189,007, Eff. 08/20/2026

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