Table of Contents

active transportation

The city’s zoning code allows the reduction of both new and existing off-street parking spaces through bicycle parking (§12.21.A.4). The number of required automobile parking spaces can be reduced by the number of bicycle parking spaces divided by 4 and up to a maximum of percentages as dictated in the code. It also allows for the reduction of existing automobile spaces through bicycle parking, also according to use-based formulae. 

Affordable Housing Programs

The city’s zoning code outlines several affordable housing incentives. These include density bonuses for affordable housing projects and permitting multifamily buildings with affordable units in certain non-residential or single-family residential zones (Chapter 1, Article 4). §11.5.11 describes the affordability requirements necessary to take advantage of certain density and development incentives, including alternative compliance options.

Design Review

The Los Angeles Municipal Code establishes design review procedures and authority (§16.50). The Design Review Board (DRB) is strictly advisory; the Director makes ultimate decisions regarding building permits. The code provides administrative standards for design review boards (§16.50.D) and describes design review submission requirements and procedures (§16.50.E).  

Grayfields Reuse and Redevelopment

The city's zoning code contains extensive regualtion and incentives for adaptive reuse ordinances in two areas. One is for downtown, and the other is for several subareas. In both ordinances, the Zoning Administrator may permit adaptive reuse projects on application. The following incentives are in place for both ordinances: joint living areas (mezzanines) not more than 33% FAR are not considered new floor area; projects are not restricted to underlying density limits; parking amounts are given according to older dates (different dates for each ordinance); projects are exempt from mini-shopping center and commercial corner regulations; projects do not require a site plan review; if no loading space is present, no such space must be created. The ordinances go on to provide design standards.

Residential INfill

The city’s planning and zoning code includes development standards to ensure compatible residential infill development in established residential neighborhoods (§12.08.C.5). These standards address permissible housing types, floor area ratio, height, bulk, and massing. 

solar energy

The city's zoning regulations grant a limited height and setback exception for rooftop solar energy systems (Sec. 12.21.1.B.3.(c)).

These regulations also authorize the zoning administrator to grant solar installations a limited exemption from any specific development standard in the code (Sec. 12.24.W.53).

These regulations also grant limited parking stall dimension exceptions for structures supporting solar energy systems (Sec. 12.21.A.5.(a)(1)(iii)).

These regulations also grant a limited coverage exception for rooftop solar energy systems that shade passageways between residential buildings (Sec. 12.21.C.2(e)).

The city's building regulations require all new low-rise residential (Sec. 99.04.211) high-rise residential/nonresidential (Sec. 99.05.211) and all rehabbed low-rise residential (Sec. 99.09.211) and high-rise residential/nonresidential (Sec.99.10.211) construction to be solar ready.

These regulations also specify that accessory solar energy systems may be installed with new low-rise residential (Sec. 99.11.602) and high-rise residential/nonresidential (Sec. 99.12.508) construction as part of voluntary green building certification.

Urban Heat Resilience

The city’s building code contains provisions to address urban heat. It requires developers to install roof materials that reduce the heat island effect (§99.04.106.5) and encourages the planting of trees and use of high albedo materials to help address the issue (§99.11.102.A4.106.7).