Article 5 — USE›Part 5A — INTRODUCTION
Los Angeles Zoning Code — LAMC Chapter 1A Div. 5A.3 Use Permissions
Los Angeles Zoning Code — LAMC Chapter 1A · 2026-08 edition · updated 2026-10-04 · Los Angeles
Cite as: Los Angeles Zoning Code — LAMC Chapter 1A § 5A.3 · Text as of 2026-10-04
Sec. 5A.3.1. GENERAL¶
Use permission levels set out in each Use District table indicate how a use is permitted within the district. Permission levels range from permitted without requiring conformance to any additional standards or conditions of approval, permitted only when specific standards are met, or permitted only through a process requiring approval by a decision maker or decision-making body. Permission levels may be assigned to individual uses, use groups, or entire use categories. Permission levels are represented within each Use District table using symbols that indicate which permission level is assigned to a particular use, or use category. the following Sections summarize the meaning of each permission level.
Sec. 5A.3.2. PERMITTED (P)¶
A use that is permitted without requiring conformance to specific standards is indicated in the Use District table by the letter P.
Sec. 5A.3.3. USE STANDARD APPLIES ( )¶
A use that is permitted only when conforming to a specific set of standards is indicated in the Use District table by the asterisk (*) symbol in combination with the underlying permission level. Any permission level may be combined with an * to cross-reference a specific set of general use standards, supplemental standards, or supplemental findings, that shall be applied. General use standards, supplemental standards, or supplemental findings indicated by the presence of an * are important for ensuring that a use exists and operates in a manner that is consistent with the intent of the Use District.
Sec. 5A.3.4. CONDITIONAL USES (CU1, CU2 & CU3)¶
A use that requires approval by an authority or decision-making body with input from the members of the public who may be affected by the existence of that use. the use may be approved under certain conditions that address potential issues the use may introduce to its surroundings. Uses that may require specific conditions of approval applied through a discretionary process are indicated within the Use District tables by the following permission levels: cU1, cU2, and cU3, as described below.
A. Class 1 Conditional Use (CU1)
A cU1 permission level indicates that a class 1 conditional Use Permit shall be obtained through approval granted by the Zoning Administrator in accordance with the processes and procedures described in Sec. 13B.2.1. (Class 1 Conditional Use Permit) .
B. Class 2 Conditional Use (CU2)
A cU2 permission level indicates that a class 2 conditional Use Permit shall be obtained through approval granted by the Zoning Administrator in accordance with the processes and procedures described in Sec. 13B.2.2. (Class 2 Conditional Use Permit) .
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Div. 5A.3. (Use Permissions) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025
[ FOrM - FrONtAGe - StANDArDS ] [ USE - DeNSitY ] Div. 5A.3. (Use Permissions)
City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A
c. Class 3 Conditional Use (CU3)
A cU3 permission level indicates that a class 3 conditional Use Permit shall be obtained through approval granted by the city Planning commission in accordance with the processes and procedures described in Sec. 13B.2.3. (Class 3 Conditional Use Permit) .
Sec. 5A.3.5. SPECIAL USE PROGRAM (S)¶
A use that is permitted as established by, and in conformance with an applied Special Use Program is indicated in the Use District table by the letter S. Special Use Program uses are subject to the use permission levels and are considered generally appropriate within a Use District when in compliance with the applied Special Use Program to achieve a certain performance outcome or to moderate potential effects a use may have on its surroundings.
Sec. 5A.3.6. DEPENDENT ON ADJOINING ZONING (A- & A+)¶
When an A- or A+ permission level is indicated the use shall assume the same use permissions, use standards, supplemental standards, and any supplemental procedures required by a Use District applied to the zoning of an adjoining lot.
A. Dependent on Most Restrictive Adjoining Zone (A-)
Uses assigned an A- permission level are regulated as follows:
a. the subject use shall be permitted, restricted, or disallowed according to the most restrictive set of use permissions, use standards, supplemental standards, and supplemental procedures applied to the same use by the Use District of any adjoining lot.
b. Only joint public and private developments that are approved in accordance with the processes and procedures described in Sec. 13B.2.5. (Director Determination) and satisfying the finding requirements in Div. 5C.2. (Supplemental Use Standards & Findings) shall be permitted when a use is assigned an A- permission level. No solely private developments are permitted when a use is assigned an A- permission level.
B. Dependent on Most Permissive Adjoining Zone (A+)
the subject use shall be permitted, restricted, or disallowed according to the most permissive set of use permissions, use standards, supplemental standards, and supplemental procedures applied to the same use by the Use District of any adjoining lot.
- a. Only joint public and private developments that are approved in accordance with the processes and procedures described in Sec. 13B.2.5. (Director Determination) shall be permitted when a use is assigned an A+ permission level. No solely private developments are permitted when a use is assigned an A+ permission level.
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Div. 5A.3. (Use Permissions) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025
[ FOrM - FrONtAGe - StANDArDS ] [ USE - DeNSitY ] Div. 5A.3. (Use Permissions)
City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A
c. Special Findings for Adjoining Zoning (A- & A+)
regardless of Subsection A (Dependent on Most Restrictive Adjoining Zoning (A-)) , when an A- permission level is indicated, any use that is not permitted by the most restrictive use permission applied to the same use by the Use District of any adjoining lot may be permitted by a class 3 conditional Use Permit. in addition to the other findings required by Sec. 13B.2.3. (Class 3 Conditional Use Permit) , the city Planning commission shall also find:
a. the use provides a public benefit as a result of increased tax revenue or the provision of public facilities; and
b. the benefit of the project providing the use is sufficient to outweigh any potential detriment to the public interest created by the proposed use of the land.
regardless of Subsection B (Dependent on Most Permissive Adjoining Zoning (A+)) , when an A+ permission level is indicated, any use that is not permitted in the most permissive use permission applied to the same use by the Use District of any adjoining lot may be permitted by a class 3 conditional Use Permit. in addition to the other findings required by Sec. 13B.2.3. (Class 3 Conditional Use Permit) , the city Planning commission shall also find:
a. the use provides a public benefit as a result of increased tax revenue or the provision of public facilities; and
b. the benefit of the project providing the use is sufficient to outweigh any potential detriment to the public interest created by the proposed use of the land.
Sec. 5A.3.7. NOT PERMITTED (--)¶
When a double-dash line (--) is indicated as the permission level for a use, the use is not permitted. A -- permission level signifies that under no circumstances shall the use be allowed to be established in the Use District.
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Div. 5A.3. (Use Permissions) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025
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City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A
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