Division 4C.2 — AUTOMOBILE ACCESS

A. Intent

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City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

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The intent of the standards of this Section (Automobile Access Packages) is to ensure automobile access to sites is designed to support the safety of all users by minimizing conflicts with pedestrians, cyclists, transit vehicles, micro-mobility devices, and automobile traffic on the abutting public right-of-way, and to avoid detrimental effects on the surrounding public realm, while providing sufficient access to automobile parking and motor vehicle use areas.

B. Applicability

1. Automobile access package standards apply to new construction, a major remodel, a site

modifcationi, or a lot modifcationi, wherever a project provides a driveway from a public right of-way to a lot, and are applied to a project as determined by the automobile access package

assigned by the Development Standards District (Part 4B.) and subject to the following:

a. Where automobile access package standards are specified for 'Boulevard or Avenue', the

standards apply to driveways that take access from a street designated as a boulevard or

avenue, as designated by the applicable community plan circulation map.

b. Where the automobile access package standards are specified for 'Collector or Local', the

standards apply to driveways that take access from a street designated as a collector street

or local street, as designated by the applicable community plan circulation map.

C. Standards

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Sec. 4C.2.1. (Automobile Access Packages) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

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Div. 4C.2. (Automobile Access)

1. Automobile Access Packages

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

Automobile access packages are a combination of standards regulating automobile access between the public

roadway and a lot.

a. Automobile Access Package 1

Automobile Access Package 1 is intended for areas where walking, bicycling and transit are the prioritized

See Sec. 4C.2.2. (Motor Vehicle Use Area) for additional standards that apply.

Sec. 4C.2.1. (Automobile Access Packages) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

b. Automobile Access Package 2

Automobile Access Package 2 is intended for areas where walking, bicycling and transit are balanced with

See Sec. 4C.2.2. (Motor Vehicle Use Area) for additional standards that apply.

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Div. 4C.2. (Automobile Access)

c. Automobile Access Package 3

Automobile Access Package 3 is intended for areas where automobiles are the prioritized mode of

See Sec. 4C.2.2. (Motor Vehicle Use Area) for additional standards that apply.

Sec. 4C.2.1. (Automobile Access Packages) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

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Div. 4C.2. (Automobile Access)

2. General

a. Design

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

All vehicle drive aisles shall conform to Sec. 4C.2.2. (Motor Vehicle Use Area) .

b. Queuing Depth

Access lanes designated for ingress traffic shall have a depth no less than the minimum specified in the table below, based on the total number of parking stalls included within

the parking facilities that the access lane serves.

QUEUING DEPTH

i. Vehicle entry restriction devices, such as mechanical gates or ticket dispensers, are

prohibited within the driveway and drive aisle for the minimum queuing depth.

ii. Automobile parking stalls shall not be accessed from the drive aisle for the minimum

queuing depth.

iii. Drive aisles providing internal circulation within a parking facility shall not intersect

a drive aisle that is providing access to a lot from the street for its minimum queuing

depth.

3. Access Location

a. Limited

Where an automobile access package specifies "Limited" for any street designation, the

following standards apply:

i. Access lanes shall not take access through primary street lot lines unless the lot does

not include a side street lot line or alley lot line through which access can be taken.

ii. Access lanes shall not take access through side street lot lines unless the lot does not

include an alley lot line through which access can be taken.

iii. For an alley lot line to be considered eligible for automobile access, the abutting alley

shall have a minimum width of 12 feet.

Sec. 4C.2.1. (Automobile Access Packages) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

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Div. 4C.2. (Automobile Access)

b. Permitted

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

Where an automobile access package specifies "Permitted" for a street designation, access lanes are permitted along the specified street lot line.

4. Number of Access Lanes

The total number of access lanes taking access to a lot shall be no greater than the number specified by the applicable automobile access package based on the lot width. Lot width shall

be measured along the street lot line from which access is limited pursuant to Paragraph 3.

(Access Location) above.

5. Access Lane Width

Access lanes shall be no wider than the maximum and no narrower than the minimum width

specified by the applicable automobile access package. When more than one access lane is

permitted on a lot, two access lanes may be conjoined to create a dual-lane drive aisle, the

maximum width of which is the sum of two allowable single access lane widths. A drive aisle

may be no wider than the sum of all included access lane widths, excluding gutters of no more

than 18 inches wide, curbs, and pedestrian accessways.

6. Drive Aisle Separation

a. From Intersection

i. Drive aisles shall be separated from all street intersections by a distance no less than the minimum distance specified by the applicable automobile access package,

measured parallel to the applicable street lot line.

ii. Where the intersecting street only interrupts the opposite edge of the subject street

right-of-way (ex: three-way intersection), the following standards apply:

a) Where at least one of the intersecting street rights-of-way is not designated as

a local street, the drive aisle shall be located no less than half of the minimum distance specified by the applicable automobile access package.

b) Where both intersecting streets are designated as local streets, no drive aisle

separation from the intersection is required.

iii. Drive aisles may only be placed within the minimum street separation from

intersection when the lot width is less than 170 feet on a boulevard or avenue and 85

feet on a Collector or Local, and drive aisles are placed along the side lot line located

furthest from the street intersection. When there are multiple intersections from which

separation is required, drive aisles shall be placed at the midpoint between the street

intersections.

Sec. 4C.2.1. (Automobile Access Packages) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

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Div. 4C.2. (Automobile Access)

b. From Other Drive Aisles

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

Drive aisles shall be separated from all other drive aisles located on the same street lot line by a distance no less than the minimum distance specified by the applicable automobile

access package, measured parallel to the applicable street lot line.

7. Drive-Throughs

a. Where the applicable automobile access package specifies that drive-through facilities are

"Not Allowed", no drive-through facility may be provided on the lot.

b. Where the assigned automobile access package specifies that drive-through facilities

are "Allowed", a drive-through facility may be provided on-site provided they meet the

standards for drive-through lanes provided in Sec. 4C.2.2.C.3. (Motor Vehicle Use Area) .

8. Measurement

a. For determining primary street lot line and side street lot line measurements see Sec.

14.2.12. (Lot Line Determination) .

b. Street designation is determined by the applicable community plan circulation map.

c. Number of access lanes is calculated as the total number of access lanes providing access

to a lot along an individual street lot line.

d. Drive aisle separation from intersections is measured parallel to the street lot line that the

drive aisle takes access through, from the extension of the curb along the intersecting

street to the edge of the nearest access lane.

e. Drive aisle separation from other drive aisles located on the same street lot line is

measured following the geometry of the street lot line that the drive aisle takes access

through, from edge of drive aisle to edge of drive aisle. Drive aisle separation from other

drive aisles only includes drive aisles providing access to the subject lot and does not

include drive aisles providing access to surrounding lots.

Sec. 4C.2.1. (Automobile Access Packages) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

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Div. 4C.2. (Automobile Access)

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

9. Access lane width is measured as the narrowest horizontal dimension from edge of access

lane to edge of access lane for the full length of the access lane.

10. Queuing depth is measured from the applicable street lot line, into the lot and perpendicular

to the drive aisle width, to the abutting drive aisle or vehicle entry restriction device.

Drive Aisle

Vehicle Entry

D. Relief

1. Alternative Compliance from any automobile access standard may be granted in accordance

with Sec. 13B.5.1. (Alternative Compliance) .

2. A deviation from any drive aisle separation, width or depth dimensional standard, or drive aisle

separation of 20 percent or less may be granted in accordance with Sec. 13B.5.2. (Adjustment) .

3. One additional access lane in excess of the maximum number of access lanes permitted may

be granted in accordance with Sec. 13B.5.2. (Adjustment) .

4. A deviation from any automobile access standard may be granted as a variance in accordance

with Sec. 13B.5.3. (Variance) .

Sec. 4C.2.1. (Automobile Access Packages) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

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Div. 4C.2. (Automobile Access)

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City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

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A motor vehicle use area is defined as portions of a lot designed and intended for use by motor

vehicles, including areas to be used by motor vehicles for circulation, maneuvering, loading, staging,

queuing, service areas and areas to be used for the sale or storage of motor vehicles

A. Intent

The intent of the standards of this Section (Motor Vehicle Use Area) is to ensure motor vehicle use

areas are designed in a manner that does not detract from the safety, comfort, or enjoyment of

users of neighboring lots or the public realm.

B. Applicability

Motor vehicle use area design standards apply to new construction or a site modifcationi . When

motor vehicle use area design standards apply, the standards apply to the lot, including areas to be

used by motor vehicles for circulation, maneuvering, loading, staging, queuing, service areas and

areas to be used for the sale or storage of motor vehicles.

C. Standards

1. General

a. Location

i. Motor vehicle use areas shall not be located in a frontage yard.

ii. Motor vehicle use areas shall not be located in the area between a frontage lot line and

the minimum parking setback specified by the applicable Frontage District (Part 3B.) .

b. Screening

i. Where a motor vehicle use area faces a frontage lot line, common lot line or an alley

lot line the entire length of the motor vehicle use area shall be screened as follows:

a) An F-Screen 2 (Sec. 4C.8.1.C.2.b.) or an F-Screen 3 (Sec. 4C.8.1.C.2.c.) is required

between the motor vehicle use area and frontage lot lines for any portion of the

length of the motor vehicle use area that faces a frontage lot line.

b) A T-Screen 1 (Sec. 4C.8.2.C.3.a.) is required between the motor vehicle use area

and common lot lines for any portion of the length of the motor vehicle use area

that faces a common lot line.

c) A T-Screen 1 (Sec. 4C.8.2.C.3.a.) is required between the motor vehicle use area

and alley lot lines for any portion of the length of the motor vehicle use area that

faces an alley lot line.

ii. Screens located in a frontage yard shall comply with frontage yard fence & wall

standards in the applied Frontage District (Part 3B.) .

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Sec. 4C.2.2. (Motor Vehicle Use Area) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

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Div. 4C.2. (Automobile Access)

c. Containment Perimeter

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

Motor vehicle use areas shall include a containment perimeter that obstructs motor

vehicles from leaving the designated motor vehicle use area. The containment perimeter

shall be provided using one or more of the following containment methods around the

entire perimeter except for crossings and access points required for driveways, drive aisles,

pedestrian accessways, pedestrian passageways:

i. Continuous curbs of no less than four inches in height.

ii. Permanent bollards, walls, raised planters, or a similar containment method having a

height no less than 30 inches and having a clear width of no more than 66 inches.

iii. A planting area meeting Sec. 4C.6.4.C.2. (Planting Areas) with no horizontal dimension

less than five feet.

d. Surfacing

i. All automobile parking areas shall be graded and drained to collect, retain and infiltrate

surface water on-site by applying Low Impact Development practices and standards

in accordance with Chapter VI. (Public Works and Property), Sec. 64.72. (Stormwater

Pollution Control Measures for Development Planning and Construction Activities) of

this Code.

ii. Motor vehicle use areas shall be surfaced with hard, durable asphaltic paving which has

been mixed at a plant and is at least two inches thick after compaction, with portland

cement paving at least three inches thick or with an alternative paving material

described in sub-subparagraph iii. below.

iii. Alternative paving materials include the following: porous asphalt, porous concrete,

permeable interlocking concrete pavers, permeable pavers, decomposed granite,

crushed rock, gravel, and restrained systems (a plastic or concrete grid system confined on all sides to restrict lateral movement, and filled with gravel or grass in the

voids).

iv. Alternative paving materials are permitted for use in every motor vehicle use area,

subject to the following standards:

a) Any product installed within areas designated by the Fire Department as a fire lane

must be approved by the Fire Department.

b) Permeable interlocking concrete pavers and permeable pavers shall have a

minimum thickness of 80 millimeters (3.14 inches).

c) If plants are an element of the alternative paving material, the irrigation system

shall not utilize potable water except for plant establishment.

Sec. 4C.2.2. (Motor Vehicle Use Area) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

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Div. 4C.2. (Automobile Access)

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

d) Products and underlying drainage material shall be installed per manufacturers'

specifications. Sub-grade soils shall be compacted as required per the product installation specifications.

e) Decomposed granite, crushed rock and gravel shall only be allowed for drive aisles

and parking areas serving a maximum of two dwelling units.

2. Freight Loading Areas

Freight loading areas are areas designated for the on-site loading and unloading of freight

vehicles.

a. General

All freight loading areas on-site shall meet the following standards:

i. Shall meet Sec. 4C.2.2.C.1. (Motor Vehicle Use Area) .

ii. Shall meet the following dimensional standards:

FREIGHT LOADING AREA DIMENSIONAL STANDARDS

iii. Be located and designed so that vehicles do not occupy any portion of the public

right-of-way when stationary during loading and unloading.

iv. Loading and unloading activities will not occur in public streets, with the exception of

loading areas designated by the City.

v. Loading and unloading activities will not encroach on or interfere with the use of

sidewalks, driveways, drive aisles, automobile queuing spaces, or parking areas.

vi. Include one permanent “NO IDLING” sign for every 400 square feet of freight loading

area. Signs shall be at least 18 inches by 24 inches in dimension and installed to be

facing and located within 10 feet of each freight loading area provided. When multiple

signs are required to be facing the same freight loading area, signs shall be spaced a

minimum of 10 feet apart.

b. Required Freight Loading Areas

Lots that include a tenant space of 10,000 square feet or greater designated for public &

institutional uses, general commercial uses, heavy commercial uses, light industrial uses,

or heavy industrial uses, that abut an alley having a width of 15 feet or greater, and have an

alley lot line 50 feet or wider, shall meet the following additional standards.

Sec. 4C.2.2. (Motor Vehicle Use Area) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

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Div. 4C.2. (Automobile Access)

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

i. The freight loading area for each tenant space shall meet the following minimum

dimensional standards:

FREIGHT LOADING AREA TOTAL AREA

ii. The total required freight loading area may be provided as a single consolidated

loading area equal in size to the sum of the required minimum dimension for each

tenant space, or as separated loading spaces that each meet the required minimum

dimensions.

iii. Each required freight loading area shall have direct access to an alley for a minimum

width of 12 feet, measured along the alley lot line. Alley access for a freight loading

area may be shared among multiple motor vehicle use areas and parking lots.

3. Drive-Through Facilities

A drive-through facility is a facility that provides goods or services to drivers in vehicles. Drive-

through facilities include drive-through lanes consisting of queuing spaces.

a. Where the applicable automobile access package specifies that drive-through facilities are

"Not Allowed", no drive-through facility may be provided on-site.

b. Where the applicable automobile access package specifies that drive-through facilities

are "Allowed", a drive-through facility may be provided on-site and shall meet all of the

following standards:

i. Comply with Subsection C. (Standards) above.

ii. Provide a number of automobile queuing spaces sufficient to accommodate the

number of automobiles anticipated during peak demand, to the satisfaction of LADOT.

iii. Shall not encroach on or interfere with the use of sidewalks, drive aisles providing

access to parking stalls, loading areas, or parking areas.

Sec. 4C.2.2. (Motor Vehicle Use Area) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

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Div. 4C.2. (Automobile Access)

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

Primary Street

v. Any drive-through lane that take access directly from the public right-of-way shall

be regulated as a drive aisle and subject to the drive aisle standards specified by the

applicable automobile access package for the minimum required depth of the queuing

depth.

vi. Reviewed and approved by LADOT to ensure the site design does not create

detrimental impacts on pedestrians bicyclists, transit vehicles or riders, micro mobility device users, and automobile traffic and circulation on the abutting right-of-way.

D. Measurement

1. For lot line measurements see Sec. 14.2.12. (Lot Line Determination) .

2. For frontage yard measurements see Sec. 14.2.16.C.1. (Frontage yard) .

3. For parking setback measurements see Sec. 3C.2.1. (Parking Setback) .

4. Freight loading area width is measured as the narrowest horizontal distance between opposite

edges of a designated freight loading area.

5. Freight loading area depth is measured as the narrowest horizontal distance measured

perpendicular to the freight loading area width from one edge of a designated freight loading

area to the opposite edge. A minimum freight loading area depth shall be met for all portions

of the freight loading area width.

6. Freight loading area provided is measured as the total area of all areas designated as freight

loading area that meet all applicable requirements of Sec. 4C.2.2.C.2. (Freight Loading Areas) .

7. Drive-through queuing space depth is measured parallel to the drive-through lane from one

end to the opposite end of the queuing space.

8. Drive-through queuing space width is measured perpendicular to the queuing space length

from one end to the opposite end of the queuing space.

Sec. 4C.2.2. (Motor Vehicle Use Area) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

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Div. 4C.2. (Automobile Access)

E. Exceptions

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

Parking lots and parking structures are excluded from motor vehicle use area design standards. For

parking lots and parking structure design standards see Sec. 4C.4.3. (Parking Area Design) .

F. Relief

1. A deviation from any motor vehicle use area design dimensional standard of 10 percent or less

may be granted in accordance with Sec. 13B.5.2. (Adjustment) .

2. A deviation from any motor vehicle use area design standard may be granted as a variance in

accordance with Sec. 13B.5.3. (Variance) .

Sec. 4C.2.2. (Motor Vehicle Use Area) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

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[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] Div. 4C.3. (Bicycle Parking)