Chapter 19.10 — COMMERCIAL AND PUBLIC ZONING DISTRICTS

This chapter provides regulations applicable to development of land uses in the commercial and public zoning districts established by Section 19.04.020 (Zoning Districts Established). These regulations are intended to encourage appropriate commercial, public and other compatible land uses in commercial and public zoning districts that are suitable, convenient, and meet community needs. Each zoning district is intended to ensure that commercial development preserves and enhances the integrity of that zoning district. All commercial zoning districts in West Hollywood are intended to provide and continue the sense of an urban village. (Ord. 01-594 § 2, 2001)

• A. CN1 (Commercial, Neighborhood 1) District. The CN1 zoning district identifies areas appropriate for lowintensity commercial land uses. The intent of the CN1 zoning district is to allow land uses that are smallscale, and that serve local residents. Appropriate land uses include neighborhood convenience uses and specialty shops. Mixed-use developments with residential uses on the second story above commercial uses are encouraged. The CN1 zoning district is consistent with the CN1 land use designation of the General Plan.

• B. CN2 (Commercial, Neighborhood 2) District. The CN2 zoning district identifies areas appropriate for lowintensity commercial land uses. The intent of the CN2 zoning district is to allow land uses that are smallscale, and that serve local residents. Appropriate land uses include neighborhood convenience uses and specialty shops. Residential uses are prohibited in this district. The CN2 zoning district is consistent with the CN2 land use designation of the General Plan.

• C. CC1 (Commercial, Community 1) District. The CC1 zoning district is intended to provide a wide variety of commercial opportunities to serve local community needs, as well as broader market areas. The CC1 zoning district identifies areas appropriate for a variety of commercial uses including: retail; professional offices; business support and personal services; entertainment uses; restaurants; specialty shops; overnight accommodations; cultural uses; and small-scale manufacturing uses related to design furnishings, galleries, motion pictures, television, music or design-related uses. Mixed-use developments with residential and office uses above businesses are encouraged, except in the commercial-only overlay district (19.14.090). The CC1 zoning district is consistent with the CC1 land use designations of the General Plan.

• D. CC2 (Commercial, Community 2) District. The CC2 zoning district is intended to provide a wide variety of commercial opportunities to serve local community needs, as well as broader market areas. The CC2 zoning district identifies areas appropriate for a variety of commercial uses including: retail; professional offices; business support and personal services; entertainment uses; restaurants; specialty shops; overnight accommodations; cultural uses; and small-scale manufacturing uses related to design furnishings, galleries, motion pictures, television, music or design-related uses. Mixed-use developments with residential and office uses above businesses are encouraged, except in the commercial-only overlay district (19.14.090). The CC2 zoning district is consistent with the CC2 land use designation of the General Plan.

tions; cultural uses; and small-scale manufacturing uses related to design furnishings, galleries, motion pictures, television, music or design-related uses. Mixed-use developments with residential and office uses above businesses are encouraged, except in the commercial-only overlay district (19.14.090). The CC2 zoning district is consistent with the CC2 land use designation of the General Plan.

• E. CA (Commercial, Arterial) District. The CA zoning district identifies a full range of commercial uses appropriate for the primary, regional arterial streets through West Hollywood. These areas include "entryways" into the city. Appropriate uses include specialty retail and service businesses, restaurants, cultural, and entertainment-related uses. The CA zoning district is consistent with the C3 land use designation of the General Plan.

• F. CR (Commercial, Regional Center) District. The CR zoning district identifies areas that are principal commercial activity centers. Land uses in these areas may serve local, as well as regional market areas. The CR zoning district is consistent with the C4 land use designation of the General Plan.

• G. PDCSP (Pacific Design Center Specific Plan) District. The PDCSP zoning district identifies areas that are principal activity centers, including a regional destination for design-related industries. Land uses in these areas may serve local, as well as regional market areas. The PDCSP zoning district is consistent with the C4 land use designation of the General Plan.

• H. SSP (Sunset Specific Plan) District. The SSP zoning district identifies the areas along Sunset Boulevard which are included within the Sunset Specific Plan.

• I. PF (Public Facilities) District. The PF zoning district is intended to accommodate a wide range of public and quasi-public uses distributed throughout the community (e.g., schools, child care centers, transportation facilities, public buildings and facilities, museums, hospitals, cultural and recreational facilities and activities), and similar compatible uses. The PF zoning district is consistent with the P (Public) land use designation of the General Plan.

• (Ord. 01-594 § 2, 2001; Ord. 12-882 § 7, 2012)

Table 2-5 identifies the uses of land allowed by this Zoning Ordinance in the commercial and public zoning districts, and the land use permit required to establish each use, in compliance with Section 19.04.040 (Zoning District Regulations). Permit requirements for additions to existing structures are determined by floor area; see Chapters 19.42 (Zone Clearances), 19.44 (Administrative Permits), and 19.48 (Development Permits).

Note: where the last column in the table ("Specific Use Regulations") includes a section number, the regulations in the referenced section apply to the use; however, provisions in other sections of this Zoning Ordinance may also apply.

(click here to view the full table)

TABLE 2-5

Notes:

• (12) Not allowed in the CN2 district or in the commercial-only overlay district.

• (13) Allowed only on properties with frontage on Santa Monica Boulevard, outside the commercial-only overlay district.

• (14) As part of a mixed-use development only.

• (15) A conditional use permit may be required if the city's demonstrated need has been met. See Section 19.36.125 .

• (16) No pet shop shall display, sell, deliver, offer for sale, barter, auction, give away, or otherwise transfer or dispose of dogs or cats in the City of West Hollywood.

(Ord. 01-594 § 2, 2001; Ord. 02-643 §§ 3, 4, 5, 2003; Ord. 03-657 § 5 (2), 2003; Ord. 03-670 § 5, 2003; Ord. 04-677 § 4, 2004; Ord. 06-734 § 7 [Att. C], 2006; Ord. 06-741 § 6 [Att. A], 2006; Ord. 07-743 § 7, 2007; Ord. 09-829 § 4, 2009; Ord. 09-833 § 6, 2009; Ord. 12-882 § 7, 2012; Ord. 12-903 § 6, 2012; Ord. 13-914 § 2, 2013; Ord. 14-940 § 10, 2014; Ord. 15-958 § 3, 2015; Ord. 15-965 § 7, 2015; Ord. 17-1014 §§ 9, 10, 2017; Ord. 171016 § 10, 2017; Ord. 17-999 § 7, 2017; Ord. 19-1097 § 7, 2020; Ord. 20-1112 § 11, 2020; Ord. 22-1186 § 7, 2022; Ord. 22-1190 § 11, 2022; Ord. 23-27, 1/22/2024; Ord. 25-12, 7/7/2025; Ord. 25-19, 8/18/2025; Ord. 2527, 12/15/2025; Ord. 25-28, 12/15/2025)

• A. General Requirements. Proposed land uses and structures, and alterations to existing land uses and structures, shall be designed, constructed, and/or established in compliance with the requirements in Table 2-6, in addition to the applicable development standards (e.g., landscaping, parking and loading, etc.) in Article 19-3 (Site Planning and General Development Standards).

• B. Requirements for the SSP (Sunset Specific Plan) District. Standards for development and land uses within the SSP (Sunset Specific Plan) zoning district shall be determined by the Sunset Specific Plan. Floor area ratio (FAR) and height incentive bonuses may be allowed in addition to the FARs and maximum structure heights allowed by the Sunset Specific Plan in compliance with Section 19.10.050 (Commercial Development Incentives).

• C. Requirements for the PDCSP (Pacific Design Center Specific Plan) District. Standards for development and land uses within the PDCSP zoning district shall be determined by the Pacific Design Center Specific Plan.

• D. Additional Requirements. The development standards in Table 2-6 are supplemented by Sections 19.10.050 (Commercial Development Incentives), and 19.10.060 (Commercial Building Façade Standards).

TABLE 2-6 COMMERCIAL AND PUBLIC ZONING DISTRICT GENERAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS

TABLE 2-6 COMMERCIAL AND PUBLIC ZONING DISTRICT GENERAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS

Notes:

• (1) Maximum floor area that may be occupied by dwellings. See also Chapter 19.22 (Affordable Housing Requirements and Incentives) for possible density bonuses.

• (2) Maximum FAR allowed, except as otherwise provided by Section 19.10.050 (Commercial Development Incentives).

• (3) Maximum allowable height for structures, except as otherwise provided by Section 19.10.050 (Commercial Development Incentives). See Section 19.20.080 (Height Measurement and Exceptions).

• (4) The review authority may grant deviations from required setbacks where the review authority finds, based on substantial evidence, that the combination of height and setbacks or similar standards for a code compliant development triggers requirements for life safety access methods that would conflict with city plans or policies that have been adopted by the City Council. The deviation shall be to the minimum extent necessary to avoid the conflict with city plans or policies. By way of example only, when the combination of height and setbacks triggers the need for installation of a new fire lane or the removal of mature trees to provide fire department access to the development, the applicable setback may be reduced by the review authority to the minimum extent necessary to site the building closer to the street for the fire department to safely access the building without having to create a new fire lane or require removal of the mature trees.

(Ord. 01-594 § 2, 2001; Ord. 02-619 § 3, 2002; Ord. 12-882 § 7, 2012; Ord. 17-1007 § 6, 2017; Ord. 19-1084 § 7, 2019)

This section provides incentives in the form of bonus increases in allowable FAR, building height, and floor area, to encourage commercial projects to provide certain features desired by the city. These incentives may be granted by the review authority where a proposed project complies with the criteria provided for each incentive by this section; provided that no bonus incentives are permitted for a project that proposes the demolition of a cultural resource.

• A. Mixed-Use Development Incentives. FAR and height bonuses may be granted by the review authority as follows for mixed-use projects that include both commercial and residential development. The additional allowed floor area shall be developed exclusively with residential units, except where otherwise provided by this subsection.

  1. Mixed-Use Incentive Overlay Zone. In the mixed-use incentive overlay zone (Section 19.14.080 ), FAR of up to 0.5 may be granted in addition to the base FAR for a project that incorporates residential units into a commercial project. Except as provided below, a height bonus of up to 10 feet may accompany a FAR bonus of up to 0.5 for residential uses provided that:

     • a. If the proposed project is adjacent to an R1, R2, R3, or R4 residential zoning district, the 25 feet of the structure located closest to the residential zoning district, not including projections into setbacks, shall be limited to 35 feet in height, and the impact of the structure shall be mitigated to the satisfaction of the Planning Commission with architectural, or additional landscape elements; and

     • b. Any square footage of the building where the height bonus is utilized shall be developed exclusively with residential units, except that the Planning Commission may authorize a hotel use in the height bonus area as part of the conditional use permit for the hotel. If hotel use is authorized in the height bonus area, the square footage that is allocated for hotel use shall be replaced with an equivalent square footage of residential uses elsewhere in the project.

• B. Sunset Specific Plan Area Commercial Development Bonuses. The following development incentive bonuses in FAR, building height, and floor area may be granted within the SSP zoning district, in the locations noted.

• C. Avenues Commercial Development Bonuses.

  1. Floor area and building height bonuses may be granted by the review authority to qualifying commercial projects in the Avenues Bonus Overlay District (19.14.100). The following development bonuses are permitted for projects which satisfy the findings in subsection (C)(2):

     • a. An increase of up to 10 feet in height; and

     • b. An increase of up to 0.5 FAR; or

     • c. For projects on the north side of Melrose Avenue between Robertson and San Vicente Boulevards, immediately adjacent to the West Hollywood Park Library and Parking Garage, an increase of up to 20 feet in height and 0.75 FAR may be allowed.

  2. The Avenues Commercial Development Bonuses may be approved, only if the review authority first finds all of the following:

     • a. The development is consistent with the city's General Plan;

     • b. The height, floor area ratio, modulation, and setbacks create a development that is compatible with the character of Melrose Avenue;

     • c. The development will contribute to and enhance the character of the neighborhood and foster an appropriate mix of uses including a pedestrian friendly environment in the vicinity of the development;

     • d. The development does not result in detrimental impacts to existing or anticipated residential or commercial development in the vicinity of the project;

     • e. The development incorporates quality architecture to enhance the arts, fashion, and design focus of the Avenues District; and

     • f. The development includes public benefits.

• D. Gateway Mixed-Use Incentive.

1. Floor area and building height bonuses may be granted by the review authority to qualifying commercial projects on the parcels bounded by Santa Monica Boulevard, Almont Drive, and Melrose Avenue. The following bonuses are permitted for projects which satisfy the criteria set forth in subsection (D)(2) below:

   • a. An increase of up to 15 feet in height; and

   • b. An increase of up to 0.5 FAR.

   2. The Gateway Mixed-Use Incentive bonuses may be approved only if the review authority first finds that all of the following criteria are satisfied:

      • a. The project maintains at least 20 percent of the total site area as open space, of which 40 percent is maintained as pedestrian open space or pedestrian walk-throughs open to the sky;

      • b. The project provides a double row of trees along Santa Monica Boulevard; and

      • c. The portions of the project exceeding 55 feet in height are located within 250 feet of the centerline of Santa Monica Boulevard.

(Ord. 01-594 § 2, 2001; Ord. 05-698 § 4, 2005; Ord. 07-756 § 6 [Att. A], 2007; Ord. 07-780 § 7, 2007; Ord. 08802 § 2, 2009; Ord. 12-882 § 7, 2012; Ord. 12-890 § 7, 2012; Ord. 14-943 § 6, 2014; Ord. 17-1007 § 7, 2017; Ord. 19-1058 § 12, 2019)

The following standards shall apply to new structures and alterations to existing structures involving a change in the level of the first story or a change in the façade at the street frontage, in all commercial zoning districts. The review authority may approve minor variations to these standards as appropriate, provided that the general

spirit and intent of the standards are implemented to the satisfaction of the Community Development Director. (See also Commercial and Public Use Design Guidelines, Chapter G-12 [[1]] .)

• A. Limitation on the Location of Allowable Land Uses. The uses of land allowed in the commercial zoning districts by Table 2-5 shall be located as follows.

  1. The ground floor of any commercial block shall be limited to pedestrian-oriented uses. Pedestrian uses may include walk-in uses such as restaurants, retail stores, health/fitness facilities, personal services, community service organizations, and similar uses. The review authority may modify this requirement when existing structures are reused for different tenants or uses, or when this standard is infeasible.

  2. Offices and media production facilities are permitted if the review authority determines that the use will not impair the pedestrian character of the street, provided that:

     • a. Properties on the block occupied by these uses constitute less than 50 percent of the block frontage;

     • b. The remainder of the block is characterized primarily by retail and restaurant uses; and

     • c. The façade design contributes to the visual interest of the street and conspicuously expresses the nature of the use.

  3. Nonprofit clinics or related uses may occupy properties with a total of less than 50 percent or 150 feet, whichever is less, of block frontage.

• B. Building Placement. Commercial building façades parallel to the street shall be located within 10 feet of the public sidewalk, except that:

  1. The façade may be set back a maximum of one-third of the parcel depth or a maximum of 60 feet from the street property line, whichever is less, along 50 percent of its length; and

  2. An additional setback of 16 feet from the street property line may be allowed along an additional 50 percent of the façade length to accommodate plazas, landscape, public art, water fountains, benches, outdoor dining, and other pedestrian amenities.

• C. First Floor Elevation. A minimum of 75 percent of the first occupiable floor of the street frontage of a commercial structure shall be located no more than two vertical feet above or below the sidewalk elevation at any point along the street property line.

• D. Architectural Treatment. Building design shall comply with the following requirements.

1. Façade Articulation. To encourage the continuity of visual and pedestrian services, at least 60 percent of the total street frontage ground floor width of any new or reconstructed building shall be differentiated architecturally by recessed windows and entries, display windows, offset surfaces, differentiated piers and columns, offset planes, textured materials, awnings, and compatibility landscaping or other details, or other displays which are of interest to pedestrians. Where a substantial length of windowless wall is determined by the review authority to be unavoidable, eyelevel display, a contrast in wall treatment, an offset wall line, decorative features, outdoor seating or landscaping shall be used to enhance visual interest and pedestrian orientation.

   2. Parapets. Parapet extensions of a storefront façade shall be incorporated and integrated into the design of the entire building on all façades and frontages, and shall not be limited to street front façades.

   3. Windows. Clear, untinted glass shall be used at and near the street level to allow maximum visual interaction between sidewalk areas and the interior of buildings. Mirrored, reflective glass or tinted glass shall not be used except as an architectural or decorative accent.

   4. Railings and Decorative Grilles. Any decorative railings or decorative grille work that is placed in front of or behind street level windows, shall be at least 75 percent open to perpendicular view and no more than six feet in height above grade. Security gates and grilles shall not be installed on the exterior of any structures.

   5. Upper Story Design Features. A minimum of 50 percent of the building frontage width above the first story shall be differentiated by recessed windows, balconies, offset planes, or other architectural

details which provide dimensional relief.

6. Signage. Signs shall be designed in compliance with a Comprehensive Sign Program when required by Section 19.34.070 .

7. Banks and Financial Services in the Sunset Specific Plan Area (SSPA). The use of reflective or obscured glass windows, and permanent window coverings that do not allow for a visual connection between the sidewalk and the interior of the building, is prohibited on the ground-floor for all banks or financial service institutions in the SSPA.

• E. Pedestrian Access. The primary entrance to all ground floor stores shall be recessed a minimum of three feet when accessed from the public right-of-way. Walk-up facilities and entries shall be recessed and provide adequate queuing space to avoid interruption of the pedestrian flow.

• F. Driveways. Driveways shall be designed and located to adequately serve parking facilities without unnecessarily interrupting the pedestrian sidewalk.

• (Ord. 01-594 § 2, 2001; Ord. 02-643 §§ 6, 7, 2003; Ord. 12-903 § 7, 2012; Ord. 19-1058 § 13, 2019; Ord. 2416, 6/24/2024)

• [1] Editor's Note: Chapter G-12, Commercial and Public Use Design Guidelines, is included as an attachment to this title .