Los Angeles Zoning Code — LAMC Chapter 1A Div. 3D.9 Transpar

SEC. 3D.9.1. GROUND STORY¶

A. Intent

The intent of the standards of this Section (Ground Story) is to ensure projects are designed with ground story windows that contribute to the established architectural character of surrounding neighborhoods or district.

B. Applicability

Ground story transparency standards apply to new construction, a major remodel, or an exterior modification when the applied Character Frontage District (Div. 3B.9.) requires ground story transparency on facades pursuant to Sec. 3A.2.2.B.3. (Frontage Applicable Facades) located on the ground story and pursuant to Sec. 3A.2.2.B.4. (Frontage Applicable Building Depth) .

C. Standards

1. General

a. Standards

i. Frontage applicable facades located on the ground story shall provide no less than the minimum transparency specified in the applied Character Frontage District (Div. 3B.9.) .
ii. Frontage applicable facades located on the ground story shall provide no more than the maximum transparency specified in the applied Character Frontage District (Div. 3B.9.) .

iii. All transparent area shall meet the standards of Sec. 3C.4.1.C. (Standards) .

b. Measurement

For transparent area measurement, see Sec. 3C.4.1.D. (Measurement) .

2. Active Wall Spacing

See Sec. 3C.4.2. (Active Wall Spacing) .

3. Window Recession

The depth that a window is set back from the surrounding facade.

a. Standards

All windows on applicable facades shall be recessed at a minimum depth as specified in the applied Frontage District (Part 3B.) .

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Sec. 3D.9.1. (Ground Story) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] Div. 3D.9. (Transparency)

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

b. Measurement

Window recession depth is measured inward from the immediately surrounding facade surface, exclusive of trim or accessory projecting architectural details, to the outermost element of the window assembly.

4. Bulkhead

A wall located beneath a display window on the ground story facade that elevates a window above the exterior finished grade and the interior finished floor surface.

a. Standards

i. When listed as "required" in the applied Frontage District (Part 3B.) , all ground story window openings located on applicable facades shall be located between 18 and 30 inches above the finished floor of the ground story.
ii. Ground story window openings located entirely above another ground story window may be located greater than 30 inches from the ground story finished floor provided that no portion of the opening extends beyond the width of the lower window opening.

[Figure]

b. Measurement

Bulkheads are measured as "provided" or "not provided" based on the compliance of all applicable windows with the standards above.

5. Symmetrical Lite Pattern

Window panes that are arranged or designed so that the left-side of the window composition is a mirror image of the right-side of the window composition.

a. Standards

When listed as “required" in the applied Frontage District (Part 3B.) , all windows provided on applicable facades shall meet the following standards:

i. Divided-lite and simulated divided-lite windows shall have a composition of muntins or grills that display reflective symmetry.
ii. Operable windows shall have sashes that are reflectively symmetrical.

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Sec. 3D.9.1. (Ground Story) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] Div. 3D.9. (Transparency)

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

iii. Window assemblies sharing a window opening shall be composed in a way that reflective symmetry is displayed over the entirety of the window opening.

b. Measurement

In meeting symmetrical lite pattern standards, if a vertical line can be drawn through the window opening, and the pattern and shape on both sides of the line appear approximately identical, the window or windows are considered in compliance with the symmetrical lite pattern standard.

[Figure]

Horizontal Sliding Windows

a. Standards

When listed as "prohibited" in the applied Frontage District (Part 3B.) , windows provided on applicable facades shall not include sashes that operate left to right or right to left.

b. Measurement

Horizontal sliding windows are identified as either present or absent.

7. Vinyl Windows

a. Standards

i. When listed as "prohibited" in the applied Frontage District (Part 3B.) , window assemblies provided on applicable facades shall not contain frames, sashes, rails, styles, muntins, mullions, or grills with a vinyl exterior finish.
ii. Other accessory window assembly components may be finished with vinyl products.

b. Measurement

vinyl windows are identified as either present or absent.

D. Exceptions

Ground story transparency standards do not apply to parking structure facades unless the applied development standards district requires the facade to be wrapped, see Development Standards District (Part 4B.) .

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Sec. 3D.9.1. (Ground Story) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] Div. 3D.9. (Transparency)

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

E. Relief

Up to a 15 percent increase to the total allowed ground story transparent area may be granted in accordance with Sec. 13B.5.2. (Adjustment) .
A deviation from ground story transparency dimensional standard up to 15 percent may be granted in accordance with Sec. 13B.5.2. (Adjustment) .
Deviation from any ground story transparency standard may be granted as a variance in accordance with Sec. 13B.5.3. (Variance) .

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Sec. 3D.9.1. (Ground Story) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] Div. 3D.9. (Transparency)

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

Exceptions & meaning →

SEC. 3D.9.2. UPPER STORIES¶

A. Intent

The intent of the standards of this Section (Upper Stories) is to ensure projects are designed with upper story windows that contribute to the established architectural character of surrounding neighborhoods or districts.

B. Applicability

Upper story standards apply to new construction, a major remodel, or an exterior modification when the applied Character Frontage District (Div. 3B.9.) requires upper story transparency on facades pursuant to Sec. 3A.2.2.B.3. (Frontage Applicable Facades) and Sec. 3A.2.2.B.4. (Frontage Applicable Building Depth) .

C. Standards

1. General

a. Standards

i. Applicable upper story facades shall provide at least the minimum transparency specified in the applied Character Frontage District (Div. 3B.9.) .
ii. Applicable upper story facades shall provide no more than the maximum transparency specified in the applied Character Frontage District (Div. 3B.9.) .

iii. All transparent area shall meet the standards of Sec. 3C.4.1.C. (Standards) .

b. Measurement

See Sec. 3C.4.1.D.2. (Upper Stories) .

2. Window Recession

See Sec. 3D.9.1.C.3. (Window Recession) .

3. Symmetrical Lite Pattern

See Sec. 3D.9.1.C.5. (Symmetrical Lite Pattern) .

4. Sill

The bottommost horizontal exterior surface of a window opening including a ledge or other architectural detail that projects from the surrounding building facade.

a. Standards

i. When required by the applied Frontage District (Part 3B.) , all windows provided on applicable facades shall include a sill, ledge or comparable architectural detail located at the bottommost exterior surface of a window opening.

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Sec. 3D.9.2. (Upper Stories) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] Div. 3D.9. (Transparency)

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

ii. Required sills shall project a minimum of one inch beyond the immediately surrounding building facade.

iii. Required sills shall have a width of no less than the window opening.

b. Measurement

Sills are measured as "provided" or "not provided" based on the compliance of all applicable windows with the standards of subparagraph a above.

5. Horizontal Sliding Windows

See Sec. 3D.9.1.C.6. (Horizontal Sliding Windows) .

6. Vinyl Windows

See Sec. 3D.9.1.C.7. (Vinyl Windows) .

D. Exceptions

Upper story transparency standards do not apply to parking structure facades unless the applied Development Standards District (Part 4B.) requires the facade to be wrapped.

E. Relief

Up to a 15 percent increase in the total allowed upper story transparent area may be granted in accordance with Sec. 13B.5.2. (Adjustment) .
A deviation up to 15 percent from upper story transparency dimensional standards may be granted in accordance with Sec. 13B.5.2. (Adjustment) .
Deviation from any upper story transparency standard may be granted as a variance in accordance with Sec. 13B.5.3. (Variance) .

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Sec. 3D.9.2. (Upper Stories) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] Div. 3D.10. (Exterior Materials)

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

Exceptions & meaning →