Los Angeles Municipal Code Part 3A Introduction

Div. 3A.1. Orientation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4 Sec. 3A.1.1. Relationship to Zone String . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4 Sec. 3A.1.2. How to Use Article 3. (Frontage) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-5 Sec. 3A.1.3. Frontage District Diagrams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-8 Sec. 3A.1.4. Frontage District Naming Convention . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-11

Div. 3A.2. General Rules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-12
Sec. 3A.2.1. Frontage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-12
Sec. 3A.2.2. Frontage Applicability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-13

Article 3. Frontage | 3-3 Article Publication Update | July 23, 2025

[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] City of Los Angeles Div. 3A.1. (Orientation) Zoning Code Chapter 1A

Div. 3A.1. ORIENTATION

A zone string is composed of the following districts:

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

Frontage District

The Frontage District is a separate and independent component of each zone.

Sec. 3A.1.1. (Relationship to Zone String) | 3-4 Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] City of Los Angeles Div. 3A.1. (Orientation) Zoning Code Chapter 1A

A. Identify the Applicable Frontage District

The second component in a zone string is the Frontage District applied to a property.

B. Determine Applicable Frontage District Standards

1. Frontage District standards are outlined in Part 3B. (Frontage Districts). Each Frontage District page identifies the standards specific to that Frontage District.

2. Each Frontage rule category on a Frontage District page in Part 3B. (Frontage Districts) provides a reference to Part 3C. (General Frontage Rules) or Part 3D. (Character Frontage Rules), where the standards within that rule category are explained in detail. Part 3D. (Character Frontage Rules) may reference Part 3C. (General Frontage Rules) for standards that are common to both Character Frontage Districts and general Frontage Districts. Text in italics below a heading provides a definition of that heading.

Sec. 3A.1.2. (How to Use Article 3. (Frontage)) | 3-5 Last amended by Ord. 188,418 (Resolution), Eff. 06/18/2025

[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] City of Los Angeles Div. 3A.1. (Orientation) Zoning Code Chapter 1A

Frontage District Example:
Zone String
[ LM2-MU2-5] [RG1-FA]

Find Your
Part 3B. (Frontage Districts) Frontage District

For Illustrative Purposes Only

A. Lot B. Facade

B

B

C B

A
D F

C B E G Street A Street Frontage Frontage Specification Lot Line Standard for Standard Frontage Rule 1. BUILD-TO PrimaryDiv. 3C.1.Side 1. TRANSPARENCY PrimaryDiv. 3C.4.Side Link to Category Applicable stories (min) 2 2 Transparent area (min) Rules A Build-to depth (max) 10' 15' A Ground story 30% 30% Label on B Build-to width (min) 70% 40% b Upper stories 20% 20% Graphic Pedestrian amenity Not Not c Active wall spacing (max) 30’ 40' allowance (max) Required Required 2. ENTRANCES Div. 3C.5. Div. 3C.2. 2. PARKING C Parking setback (min) 20’ 5' D Street-facing entrance Required RequiredNot 3. LANDSCAPING Div. 3C.3. E Entrance spacing (max) 50’ 100' No Not Not Label Frontage planting area (min) 30% 30% Entry feature Required Required on Graphic Frontage yard fence & wall A2 Div. 3C.6. A2 3. GROUND STORY type allowed: F Ground story height (min) 10' 10' Standard Does Not G Ground(min/max)floor elevation -2'/5' -2'/5' Apply

Find Your Rules

Part 3C. (General Frontage Rules)

For Illustrative Purposes Only DIV. 3C.6. GROUND STORY

Ground story height is defined as the floor-to-floor height of the story of a building having its finished floor elevation nearest to the finished grade.

A. Intent

The intent of the standards of this Section (Ground Story Height) is to promote active uses that are directly connected to the public realm, and ensure high-quality ground story spaces that are adaptable and appropriate to their context.

B. Applicability

Ground story height standards apply to new construction. When the ground story height standards apply, the standards apply to all portions of the ground story, within the first 15 feet of a facade of a new building or structure, pursuant to Sec. 3A.2.2.B.3. (Frontage Applicable Facades).

C. Standards

All occupiable space located in applicable portions of the ground story shall have floor-to-floor

height of no less than the ground story height minimum.

D. Measurement

1. Ground story height is measured vertically from the top of the finished ground story to the top

of the finished floor above.

1. Ground story height is measured vertically from the top of the finished ground story to the top of the finished floor above. 2. Where no story exists above, ground story height is the shortest vertical distance from the top of the ground floor elevation to the top of the ceiling or roof structure above. 3. For determining the ground story, see Sec. 14.2.10.A. (Ground Story). E. Relief 1. A reduction in required ground story height up to one foot may be granted in accordance with Sec. 13B.5.2. (Adjustment).

Sec. 3A.1.2. (How to Use Article 3. (Frontage)) | 3-6 Last amended by Ord. 188,418 (Resolution), Eff. 06/18/2025

[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] City of Los Angeles Div. 3A.1. (Orientation) Zoning Code Chapter 1A

Character Frontage District Example:
Zone String
[ LLM1-CHC1-5] [IH2-FA]

Find Your
Part 3B. (Frontage Districts) Frontage District

For Illustrative Purposes Only

A. Intent B. Lot

The Historic Core Character Frontage ("Historic Core")
ensures new development contributes to and reinforces
the established architectural character of an urban
historic core established in the late 19th and early
20th centuries, while supporting creative design and
contemporary construction practices. Key architectural
characteristics of the Historic Core include grand
entrances adorned with pillars and archways, highly C
decorative facades that clearly articulate the base, middle
and top layers of a building, deeply recessed windows,
and roofs with prominent cornices. Buildings in the B
Historic Core adhere to a well-defined street wall with Street
high ground story activation. A

Frontage
Lot Line

Primary Side Link to Div. 3D.1. 1. BUILD-TO Label on Applicable stories (min) 12 12 Rules Graphic A Build-to depth (max) 5' 10' B Build-to width (min) 90% 70% Pedestrian amenity 15% 10% allowance (max) Frontage Rule 2. PARKING Div. 3D.2. Category C Parking setback (min) 20' 5' 3. LANDSCAPING Div. 3D.3. Frontage planting area (min) 0% 0% No Label Frontage yard fence & wall A2 A2 type allowed: on Graphic

Frontage Specification
Standard for Standard

Find Your Rules
Part 3D. (Character Frontage Rules)

For Illustrative Purposes Only For Illustrative Purposes Only DIV. 3C.2. PARKING DIV. 3D.1. BUILD-TO SEC. 3C.2.1. PARKING SETBACK References to See Sec. 3C.1. An area on a lot along a frontage lot line where motor vehicle use areas are prohibited, including DIV. 3D.2. PARKING primary street parking setbacks, side street parking setbacks and special lot line parking setbacks. Part 3C. See Sec. 3C.2. A. Intent DIV. 3D.3. LANDSCAPING To minimize the impact of motor vehicle dominated areas on the public realm and to promote a See Sec. 3C.3. comfortable, safe, engaging and attractive streetscape with active uses and landscaping along the DIV. 3D.4. GROUND FLOOR ELEVATION public realm. See Sec. 3C.6.2. B. Applicability

3C.6.2. B. Applicability

Frontage setback requirements apply to the ground story portions of structures and portions of lots designed or designated for motor vehicle uses; including but not limited to parking structures, parking stalls, drive lanes, loading, vehicular circulation areas, and drive-thru facilities.

C. Standards

All applicable areas designated for motor vehicle use shall be located at or behind the required

parking setback unless specifically stated as an exception below.

D. Measurement

Setback ParkSpecialLotLineFrontage Setback Frontage Setback Frontage LotLine Street Street Primary StreetLotLine Side Street

All frontage setbacks are measured perpendicular to the frontage lot line.

1. A primary street parking setback is measured from the primary street lot line.

2. A side street parking setback is measured from the side street lot line.

3. An alley parking setback is measured from the alley lot line associated with a dual frontage.

Sec. 3A.1.2. (How to Use Article 3. (Frontage)) | 3-7 Last amended by Ord. 188,418 (Resolution), Eff. 06/18/2025

[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] City of Los Angeles Div. 3A.1. (Orientation) Zoning Code Chapter 1A

A. General

Diagrams and illustrations are provided in this Article (Frontage) to assist users in understanding the
purpose and requirements of the text and are not requirements but examples of compliance with
a particular standard. In the event a conflict occurs between the text of this Article (Frontage) and
any diagram or illustration, the text prevails.

B. Lot Diagrams

Lot Boundary

Build-To Zone
Street Occupied Build-To Zone

Pedestrian Amenity Space

Building Footprint

1. Lot Boundary

This line represents the perimeter of the subject lot, serving as a reference for build-to width.

2. Build-To Zone

This blue hatched shape represents the area on a lot, near the frontage lot line. Buildings are
required to occupy the build-to zone according to the minimum build-to width specified by
the applied Frontage District (Part 3B.).

3. Occupied Build-To Zone

The part of the build-to zone with a blue background representing the width of the build-to
zone applied toward build-to width based on location of buildings or location of pedestrian
amenity spaces.

4. Pedestrian Amenity Space

This green shape represents the largest pedestrian amenity space applicable toward the build-
to width according to the maximum pedestrian amenity allowance specified by the applied
Frontage District (Part 3B.).

5. Building Footprint

This shape represents the building footprint for the front portion of a lot including the portion
of a building occupying the build-to zone, and serves as a reference for build-to width that
meets the build-to standards of the applied Frontage District (Part 3B.).

Sec. 3A.1.3. (Frontage District Diagrams) | 3-8 Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] City of Los Angeles Div. 3A.1. (Orientation) Zoning Code Chapter 1A

C. Facade Diagrams

Lot Boundary

Pedestrian Amenity Space

Story Street Transparent Area

Active Wall Spacing

Street-Facing Entrance

1. Lot Boundary

This line represents the perimeter of the subject lot, serving as a reference for build-to width.

2. Pedestrian Amenity Space

   This paver-patterned shape represents the pedestrian amenity space shown in the corresponding lot diagram, demonstrating the relationship between pedestrian amenity space requirements, and the standards of the applied Frontage District (Part 3B.).

3. Story

   This volume represents a story of a building, serving as a reference for story height and ground floor elevation standards. The volume includes a line at the top and bottom of each story, and an additional line near the top of each story indicating the bottom of a floor plate. The bottom of the floor plate is only depicted on the side of the building.

4. Transparent Area

   This shape represents door and window openings on frontage applicable facades, serving as a reference for transparency standards.

5. Active Wall Spacing

   This red-hatched shape represents one example measurement of active wall spacing, including the regulated facade area between one set of door or window openings. This shape does not represent all applicable facade areas.

6. Street-Facing Entrance

   This red outline represents a street-facing door openings, serving as a reference for street- facing entrance and entrance spacing standards.

Sec. 3A.1.3. (Frontage District Diagrams) | 3-9 Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] City of Los Angeles Div. 3A.1. (Orientation) Zoning Code Chapter 1A

D. Character Frontage Diagrams

Character Frontage Districts (Div. 3B.9.) include a wider variety of diagrams, but use the same
approach to representation established by the lot diagrams and facade diagrams. In addition to the
elements depicted in lot and frontage diagrams, Character Frontage Districts represent articulation
techniques, focal entry features, and exterior materials.

1. Articulation Techniques

Building Layer
Street Banding

Articulation standards often include a variety of regulatory elements, for example, vertical band articulation and horizontal band articulation, building layers, and articulating elements. While articulating elements are not depicted in Character Frontage District diagrams, building layers are represented with a red outline and banding is represented using a black outline around a translucent white shape.

2. Focal Entry Features and Exterior Materials

Focal Entry Feature

Brick
Street Concrete

a. Focal entry features are represented by a dashed red outline surrounding the area on a
facade that meets the focal entry feature requirements in the applied Frontage District
(Part 3B.).

b. Primary and secondary exterior materials are represented using a variety of colors and
textures to represent one or more of the exterior materials allowed by the applied
Frontage District (Part 3B.).

Sec. 3A.1.3. (Frontage District Diagrams) | 3-10 Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] City of Los Angeles Div. 3A.1. (Orientation) Zoning Code Chapter 1A

Frontage District names have two components: frontage category and variation number.

A. Frontage Category

The first component of each Frontage District, frontage categories group all districts with similar characteristics, and are organized as follows:

1. Drive

2. Multi-Unit

3. General

4. Shopfront

5. Market

6. Large Format

7. Warehouse

8. Dual

9. Character

B. Variation Number

The second component of each Frontage District, a variation number represents the order that the Frontage District falls within this Article (Frontage).

Sec. 3A.1.4. (Frontage District Naming Convention) | 3-11 Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] City of Los Angeles Div. 3A.2. (General Rules) Zoning Code Chapter 1A

Div. 3A.2. GENERAL RULES

This Article (Frontage) regulates the portions of a lot and exterior building facades that impact the public realm. Frontage Districts (Part 3B.) help ensure that projects respond to the public realm in a contextually appropriate manner. Frontage Districts range from minimal standards (for example Warehouse Frontages) to a robust set of standards (for example Shopfront Frontages) which require projects to support a high-quality public realm that is active, comfortable, safe, and visually interesting, with strong connections between the public realm and uses inside buildings.

Sec. 3A.2.1. (Frontage) | 3-12 Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] City of Los Angeles Div. 3A.2. (General Rules) Zoning Code Chapter 1A

A. General

All project applications filed after the effective date of this Zoning Code (Chapter 1A) must comply
with the Frontage District standards and rules in this Article (Frontage), as further specified in the
applicability statement of each Section in Part 3C. (General Frontage Rules) and Part 3D. (Character
Frontage Rules). For vested rights, see Sec. 1.4.5. (Vested Rights), and for continuance of existing
development, see Sec. 1.4.6. (Continuance of Existing Development).

B. Applicable Components of Lots, Buildings, & Structures

1. General

Frontage standards apply only to the applicable facades, portions of a lot, and building depth,
as specified in Paragraph 3. (Frontage Applicable Facades) below. Specific Frontage District
standards or rules may further limit which components of buildings and lots are required to
comply with the standard within Part 3C. (General Frontage Rules) and Part 3D. (Character
Frontage Rules).

2. Frontage Applicable Portions of a Lot

Frontage District standards apply to the following portions of a lot:

a. Frontage yards, see Sec. 14.2.16. (Yards);

b. Public amenity spaces or pedestrian amenity spaces, see Sec. 2C.3.3. (Amenity Space
Types);

c. Build-to zones; and

d. Parking setbacks.

Frontage Public Yard Pedestrian Amenityor Space
Street Street

Build-to Zone

Parking
Setback

Street Street

Sec. 3A.2.2. (Frontage Applicability) | 3-13 Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] City of Los Angeles Div. 3A.2. (General Rules) Zoning Code Chapter 1A

3. Frontage Applicable Facades

Frontage standards apply to the following facades up to the top of the 12th story, unless otherwise specified by the applied Frontage District (Part 3B.):

a. Frontage Lot Line-Facing Facades

12 12 stories stories

Line
Lot Street Street Special Park
Facing Exempt

i. Facades facing a frontage lot line, including street-facing facades, special lot line-
facing facades, and when a Dual Frontage District (Div. 3B.8.) is applied.

ii. These facades shall meet the standards specified by the applied Frontage District (Part
3B.) along the frontage lot line that the facade faces (primary street lot line, side street
lot line or special lot line).

b. Lot Line-Facing Facades (Non-Frontage Lot Line)

12 12 stories stories

>10’ CL>10’
Street Line Street Lot Alley

i. Lot line-facing facades that do not face a frontage lot line and are:

a) Located vertically above the top of the fourth story; and

b) Located 10 feet or more from a common lot line or centerline of an alley,
measured horizontally.

ii. Lot line-facing facades (non-frontage lot line) facades shall meet the standards
specified by the applied Frontage District (Part 3B.) for the side street lot line.

Sec. 3A.2.2. (Frontage Applicability) | 3-14 Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] City of Los Angeles Div. 3A.2. (General Rules) Zoning Code Chapter 1A

c. Pedestrian Amenity Space and Public Amenity Space-Facing Facades

12 stories

Public or Street AmenityPedestrian Space
Facing Exempt

i. Facades that face a pedestrian amenity space or public amenity space, see Sec.
14.2.6.C. (Pedestrian Amenity & Public Amenity-Facing Facade).

ii. These facades shall meet the standards specified by the applied Frontage District (Part
3B.) for the frontage lot line that the pedestrian amenity space or public amenity space
abuts. Where the pedestrian amenity space or public amenity space abuts multiple
frontage lot lines, the standards specified for the frontage lot line that abuts the
pedestrian amenity space or public amenity space for the greatest length applies.

4. Frontage Applicable Building Depth

Frontage District standards apply to portions of a building interior within 15 feet of a frontage
lot line-facing facade pursuant to Sec. 3A.2.2.B.3.a. (Frontage Lot Line-Facing Facades) or
frontage applicable facades facing a pedestrian amenity space or public amenity space
pursuant to Sec. 3A.2.2.B.3.c. (Pedestrian Amenity Space and Public Amenity Space-Facing
Facades).

15’
Street

Sec. 3A.2.2. (Frontage Applicability) | 3-15 Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] City of Los Angeles Div. 3A.2. (General Rules) Zoning Code Chapter 1A

C. Nonconformities

Article 12. (Nonconformities) may provide relief from the requirements of this Article (Frontage) for existing lots, site improvements, buildings and structures, and uses that conformed to the zoning regulations, at the time they were established, but do not otherwise conform to current district standards or use permissions. Unless otherwise specified by Div. 12.3. (Frontage Exceptions), project activities must conform with applicable frontage standards.

Sec. 3A.2.2. (Frontage Applicability) | 3-16 Established by Ord. 188,418, Eff. 01/20/2025, Oper. 01/27/2025

[ FORM - FRONTAGE - STANDARDS ] [ USE - DENSITY ] City of Los Angeles Contents Zoning Code Chapter 1A