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Article 6 — DENSITY›Part 6A — INTRODUCTION

Los Angeles Zoning Code — LAMC Chapter 1A Div. 6A.1 Orientation

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 § 6A.1 · Text as of 2026-10-04

Sec. 6A.1.1. RELATIONSHIP TO ZONE STRING

A zone string is composed of the following districts, as established in Sec. 1.5.2. (Zoning Map) :

[ FORM- FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ]

Density District

the Density District is a separate and independent component of each zone.

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Sec. 6A.1.1. (Relationship to Zone String) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

[ FOrM - FrONtAGe - StANDArDS ] [ USe - DENSITY ] Div. 6A.1. (Orientation)

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

Exceptions & meaning →

Sec. 6A.1.2. HOW TO USE ARTICLE 6. (DENSITY)

  • A. Identify the Applicable Density District

the fifth component in a zone string is the Density District for a property.

  • B. Determine Applicable Density District Standards

    1. Density Districts standards are located in Part 6B. (Density Districts) . each Density District identifies the standards specific to that Density District.

    2. each standard in a Density District in Part 6B. (Density Districts) provides a reference to Part 6C. (Density Rules) where the standard is explained in detail. text in italics below a heading provides a definition of that heading.

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Sec. 6A.1.2. (How to Use Article 6. (Density)) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

[ FOrM - FrONtAGe - StANDArDS ] [ USe - DENSITY ] Div. 6A.1. (Orientation)

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

Densit District Exam le: y p
Zone String
[LM2-MU2-5] [RG1-4]

[Figure]

Part 6B. (Density Districts) (Density Districts)
DIV. 6B.2.LO
In FA, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8,
household dwelli
table below. Alot
units.
LOT
Density District
For Illustrative Pu
T AREA-BASED DENSITY DISTRICTS
10, 12, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, 60, and N Density Districts, the maximum density of
ng units andefciency dwelling units permitted on alotis limited according to the
may contain any combination ofhousehold dwelling units andefciency dwelling
AREA-BASED DENSITY DISTRICTS
Lot Area per
Household Dwelling Unit
(min SF)
Sec. 6C.1.2.
Lot Area per
Efficiency Dwelling Unit
(min SF)
Sec. 6C.1.3.
rposes Only
Link to

DensityDistrict
Category
Density
Standard
FA Limited byfoor area
Limited byfoor area
Rules
2 200
100
3 300
150
4
6
400
200
600
300
Specification
for Standard
8 800
400
10 1000
500
12 1200
600
15
1500
750
20 2000
1000
25 2500
1250
30
3000
1500
40 4000
2000
50 5000
2500
60 6000
3000
N Not Permitted
Not Permitted
Find Your
Part 6C. (Density Rules)
For Illustrative Purposes Only
SEC. 6C.1.3.LOT AREA PER EFFICIENCY DWELLING UNIT
The maximum number ofefciency dwelling units allowed on alot based onlot area.
A.Intent
The intent of regulating the number ofefciency dwelling units based onlot areais to provide a
method that ensures there is a specified maximum ratio ofefciency dwelling units in relation to

the size of alot.
B.Applicability
Lot area per efficiency dwelling unitapplies to anyprojectthat includesefciency dwelling units in
a Lot Area-Based Density District.
C.Standards
The number ofefciency dwelling units on alotshall not exceed the maximum established by the
applied Density District in_Div. 6B.2. (Lot Area-Based Density Districts)_.
D.Measurement
1.The maximum number ofefciency dwelling units is calculated by dividing thelot areaby
thelot areaperefciency dwelling unitvalue outlined in_Div. 6B.2. (Lot Area-Based Density_
Districts), and can be provided in conjunction withhousehold dwelling units where permitted,

as calculated in_Sec. 6C.1.2. (Lot Area per Household Dwelling Unit)_.
a.Lot areathat has been committed to the minimumlot arearequired perefciency dwelling
unitcannot be counted toward the minimumlot arearequired for ahousehold dwelling
unit.
b.Example:
i.
A 5,000 square-footlotwith a 10 Density District could have fvehousehold dwelling
units, or threehousehold dwelling units plus fourefciency dwelling units, or any
combination that does not exceed the maximum number ofdwelling units permitted
by the ratios.
ii.If this samelothad fvehousehold dwelling units, it would not be able to add any
efficiency dwelling units, as the 5,000 square feet of thelotwould have been
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Sec. 6A.1.2. (How to Use Article 6. (Density)) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

[ FOrM - FrONtAGe - StANDArDS ] [ USe - DENSITY ] Div. 6A.1. (Orientation)

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

Exceptions & meaning →

Sec. 6A.1.3. DENSITY DISTRICT NAMING CONVENTION

there are two categories of Density Districts, lot-limited and lot area-based.

A. Lot-Limited Density Districts

lot-limited Density District names include a number, which represents the maximum quantity of household dwelling units allowed on a lot, followed by the letter "l."

B. Lot Area-Based Density Districts

With the exception of the "FA" and "N" Density Districts, lot Area-Based Density District names are a number that represents how many hundreds of square feet of lot area are required per household dwelling unit or efficiency dwelling unit. the FA Density District is an abbreviation for "Floor Area," indicating that floor area is the only practical limit to density in this district and that the effective minimum lot area per household dwelling unit or efficiency dwelling unit is zero square feet. the N Density District is an abbreviation for "Not Permitted," indicating that no household dwelling units or efficiency dwelling units are allowed in this Density District.

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Sec. 6A.1.3. (Density District Naming Convention) Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

[ FOrM - FrONtAGe - StANDArDS ] [ USe - DENSITY ] Div. 6A.2. (General Rules)

City of Los Angeles Zoning Code Chapter 1A

Exceptions & meaning →

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