Los Angeles Zoning Code — LAMC Chapter 1A Div. 3D.6 Articulation

The base, middle & top articulation requirement is composed of three separate and coordinated articulating elements designed to visually break a building facade up into three separately legible layers.

A. Intent

The intent of the standards of this Section (Base, Middle & Top Articulation) is to visually break a building facade up into three separately legible building layers.

B. Applicability

Base, middle & top articulation standards apply to new construction or any exterior modification when the applied Character Frontage District (Div. 3B.9.) requires base, middle & top articulation on facades pursuant to Sec. 3A.2.2.B.3. (Frontage Applicable Facades).

C. Standards

1. General

One articulating element option shall be provided for each building layer in accordance with the building layer standards below.

2. Building Layers

• a. Base

• i. The base building layer shall include at least one and no more than three contiguous stories starting with the ground story and continuing upward.

Sec. 3D.6.1. (Base, Middle & Top 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

• ii. At least one of the following articulating elements shall be applied along the top of the base layer, creating a transition between the base and middle layers:

  • a) Sec. 3D.6.5.C.1. (Material Change) ;

  • b) Sec. 3D.6.5.C.2. (Belt Course) ; or

  • c) Sec. 3D.6.5.C.3. (Shopfront Cornice) .

• iii. The articulating element shall extend for the full width of the building and be located no higher than the top of the uppermost story included in the layer.

b. Middle

• i. The middle building layer shall include at least twice as many contiguous stories than the base building layer, starting at the top of the base layer and continuing upward.

• ii. At least one of the following articulating elements shall be applied along the top of the middle layer, creating a transition between the middle and top layers:

  • a) Sec. 3D.6.5.C.1. (Material Change) ;or

  • b) Sec. 3D.6.5.C.2. (Belt Course) .

• iii. The articulating element shall extend for the full width of the building and be located no higher than the top of the uppermost story included in the layer.

c. Top

• i. The top building layer shall include at least one story and shall not include more stories than the base building layer.

• ii. All stories located in the top building layer shall be contiguous and include, at minimum, all stories between the top of the middle layer and the top of the highest of the build-to applicable stories specified by the applied Frontage District (Part 3B.) .

• iii. A roofline cornice articulating element shall be applied to the top building layer when the top building layer is the topmost story of the building or the topmost story before a street step-back. See Sec. 3D.6.5.C.4. (Roofline Cornice) .

• iv. The roofline cornice shall extend for the full width of the building and be located along the top of the topmost story included in the building layer.

• v. When the top building layer does not include the topmost story of the building or the topmost story before a street step-back, at least one of the following articulating elements shall be applied along the top of the top layer, creating a transition between the top building layer and any story above:

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Sec. 3D.6.1. (Base, Middle & Top 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

• a) Sec. 3D.6.5.C.1. (Material Change) ; or

• b) Sec. 3D.6.5.C.2. (Belt Course) .

• vi. The articulating element shall extend for the full width of the building and be located along the top of the topmost story included in the building layer.

D. Measurement

For measurement of stories see Sec. 2C.4.3. (Height in Stories) .

E. Exceptions

1. Where the applied Form District (Part 2B.) requires a street step-back depth of 10 feet or greater, the top building layer may terminate at the topmost story below the street step-back. No articulating element is required above the top building layer.

2. When a building is less than five stories, the standards of this Section (Base, Middle & Top Articulation) do not apply, and the standards of Sec. 3D.6.2. (Base-Top Articulation) apply.

F. Relief

1. Base, middle & top articulation standards may be met through alternative compliance in accordance with Sec. 13B.5.1. (Alternative Compliance) .

2. A deviation from number of stories in building layers of one story may be granted in accordance with Sec. 13B.5.2. (Adjustment) .

3. Deviation from any base, middle & top articulation standard may be granted as a variance in accordance with Sec. 13B.5.3. (Variance) .

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Sec. 3D.6.1. (Base, Middle & Top Articulation) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

The base-top articulation requirement is composed of two separate and coordinated articulating elements designed to visually break a building facade up into two separately legible layers.

A. Intent

The intent of the standards of this Section (Base-Top Articulation) is to visually break a building facade up into two separately legible building layers.

B. Applicability

Base-top articulation standards apply to new construction and any exterior modification of a building or structure possessing five stories or fewer when the applied Character Frontage District (Div. 3B.9.) requires base-top articulation on all facades pursuant to Sec. 3A.2.2.B.3. (Frontage Applicable Facades).

C. Standards

1. General

One articulating element option shall be provided for each building layer in accordance with the building layer standards below. See Sec. 3D.6.5. (Articulating Elements).

2. Building Layers

Sec. 3D.6.2. (Base-Top Articulation) Last amended by Ord. 189,007, Eff. 08/20/2026

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

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

a. Base

• i. The base building layer shall include between one and three contiguous stories starting with the ground story and continuing upward.

• ii. At least one of the following articulating elements shall be applied along the top of the base layer, creating a transition between the base and top layers:

  • a) Sec. 3D.6.5.C.1. (Material Change) ;

  • b) Sec. 3D.6.5.C.2. (Belt Course) ; or

  • c) Sec. 3D.6.5.C.3. (Shopfront Cornice) .

• iii. The articulating element shall extend for the full width of the facade and be located no higher than the top of the uppermost story included in the layer.

b. Top

• i. The top building layer shall include at least twice as many stories as the base building layer, and include all remaining above-grade stories not included in the base building layer or include all remaining above-grade stories up to a street step-back of no less than 15 feet in depth. If the building is less than three stories, or less than three stories without a street step-back of at least 15 feet in depth, the top layer may be composed of one story regardless of the height of the base building layer.

• ii. A roofline cornice articulating element shall be applied to the top building layer that is the topmost story of the building or the topmost story before a street step-back. See Sec. 3D.6.5.C.4. (Roofline Cornice) .

• iii. The roofline cornice shall extend for the full width of the facade and be located along the top of the topmost story included in the building layer.

• iv. When the top building layer does not include the topmost story of the building or the topmost story before a street step-back, at least one of the following articulating elements shall be applied along the top of the top layer, creating a transition between the top building layer and any story above:

  • a) Sec. 3D.6.5.C.1. (Material Change) ; or

  • b) Sec. 3D.6.5.C.2. (Belt Course) .

• v. The articulating element shall extend for the full width of the building and be located along the top of the topmost story included in the building layer.

D. Measurement

For measurement of stories see Sec. 2C.4.3. (Height in Stories) .

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Sec. 3D.6.2. (Base-Top Articulation) Last amended by Ord. 189,007, Eff. 08/20/2026

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

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

E. Exceptions

Where the applied Form District (Part 2B.) requires a street step-back depth of 10 feet or greater, the top building layer may terminate at the topmost story below the street step-back. No articulating element is required above the top building layer.

F. Relief

1. Base-top articulation standards may be met through alternative compliance in accordance with Sec. 13B.5.1. (Alternative Compliance) .

2. A deviation from number of stories in building layers of one story may be granted in accordance with Sec. 13B.5.2. (Adjustment) .

3. Deviation from any base-top articulation standard may be granted as a variance in accordance with Sec. 13B.5.3. (Variance) .

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Sec. 3D.6.2. (Base-Top Articulation) Last amended by Ord. 189,007, Eff. 08/20/2026

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

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

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:

1. Be no less than eight inches in height,

2. 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

1. Horizontal band articulation height is measured vertically from the lowest point to the highest point of a horizontal band articulation meeting the standards above.

2. 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

1. Horizontal band articulation standards may be met through alternative compliance in accordance with Sec. 13B.5.1. (Alternative Compliance) .

2. A deviation from horizontal band articulation dimensional standards up to 15 percent may be granted in accordance with Sec. 13B.5.2. (Adjustment) .

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

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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

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:

1. Be no less than eight inches in width, and

2. 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

1. 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.) .

2. vertical band articulation shall also be located at each corner of a building facade.

E. Measurement

1. 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.

2. vertical band articulation spacing is measured horizontally and perpendicular to the applicable building facade from edge of vertical band to edge of vertical band.

3. 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.

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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

1. vertical band articulation standards may be met through alternative compliance in accordance with Sec. 13B.5.1. (Alternative Compliance) .

2. A deviation from vertical band articulation dimensional standards up to 15 percent may be granted in accordance with Sec. 13B.5.2. (Adjustment) .

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

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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

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.

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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.

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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

1. Articulating elements standards may be met through alternative compliance in accordance with Sec. 13B.5.1. (Alternative Compliance) .

2. A deviation from articulating elements dimensional standards up to 10 percent may be granted in accordance with Sec. 13B.5.2. (Adjustment) .

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

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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