Overview
LA uses a dual-code system: Chapter 1 (adopted 1946, covers entire city except Downtown) and Chapter 1A (re:code LA New Zoning Code, operative 2025-01-01, Downtown Community Plan Area only). Chapter 1 is the standard framework for this profile; Chapter 1A is the pilot for the citywide re:code LA rewrite. Zone strings must be parsed as [Prefix][Zone Class][Height District][D Limits][Overlays] — ZIMAS is the authoritative per-parcel decoder. Height Districts (1, 1L, 1VL, 1XL, 1SS, 2, 3, 4) are modifier suffixes governing FAR and max height. RD zones encode minimum lot area per DU in thousands of square feet (density-inverse: RD6 = less dense than RD2). R1 Variation Zones (R1V, R1F, R1R, R1H) are NOT in Height Districts and have their own tables in LAMC §12.08 C.5. RFAR (Residential FAR) governs SF/MF residential in HD-1 variants — separate metric from commercial FAR.
- Dual-code system — Chapter 1 (adopted 1946) governs all community plan areas except Downtown; Chapter 1A (New Zoning Code, re:code LA) operative 2025-01-01 governs Downtown Community Plan Area. Two parallel zoning systems operating simultaneously. Rest of city awaits rollout. c Planning Dept.
- Zoning string complexity — must be parsed as [Prefix][Zone Class][Height District][D Limits][Overlays]. Example: '[Q]R4-1-HPOZ' = Qualified R4 in Height District 1 with HPOZ overlay. ZIMAS (zimas.lacity.org) is the authoritative parcel-level decoder. c§12.04
- RD zones encode lot area per DU in thousands — density-inverse naming: RD6 = less dense than RD2 (6,000 sf/DU vs 2,000 sf/DU). Counterintuitive relative to most CA cities. c§12.09.1
+ 15 more in Quirks & notes
Districts
| Code | Name | Category | Min lot | Height | Coverage | FAR | Du/ac | Parking | Setbacks F/S/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RA | Residential Agriculture | res_sf | 17,500 sf[4] | 36 ft[5] | —[6] | —[7] | — | 2[8] | 25[1] / 5[2] / 25[3] |
| RE9 | Residential Estate 9 | res_sf | 9,000 sf[12] | 33 ft[13] | —[14] | —[15] | — | 2[16] | 25[9] / 5[10] / 25[11] |
| RE11 | Residential Estate 11 | res_sf | 11,000 sf[20] | 36 ft[21] | —[22] | —[23] | — | 2[24] | 25[17] / 5[18] / 25[19] |
| RE15 | Residential Estate 15 | res_sf | 15,000 sf[28] | 36 ft[29] | — | — | — | 2[30] | 25[25] / 10[26] / 25[27] |
| RE20 | Residential Estate 20 | res_sf | 20,000 sf[34] | 36 ft[35] | — | — | — | 2[36] | 25[31] / 10[32] / 25[33] |
| RE40 | Residential Estate 40 | res_sf | 40,000 sf[40] | 36 ft[41] | — | — | — | 2[42] | 25[37] / 10[38] / 25[39] |
| RS | Residential Suburban | res_sf | 7,500 sf[46] | 33 ft[47] | — | — | — | 2[48] | 25[43] / 5[44] / 20[45] |
| R1 | One-Family | res_sf | 5,000 sf[52] | 33 ft[53] | — | — | — | 2[54] | 20[49] / 5[50] / 15[51] |
| RD6 | Restricted Density 6 | res_mf | — | 33 ft[58] | — | — | 7.26[59] | 2[60] | 15[55] / 5[56] / 15[57] |
| RD5 | Restricted Density 5 | res_mf | — | 33 ft[64] | — | — | 8.71[65] | 2[66] | 15[61] / 5[62] / 15[63] |
| RD4 | Restricted Density 4 | res_mf | — | 33 ft[70] | — | — | 10.89[71] | 2[72] | 15[67] / 5[68] / 15[69] |
| RD3 | Restricted Density 3 | res_mf | — | 33 ft[76] | — | — | 14.52[77] | 2[78] | 15[73] / 5[74] / 15[75] |
| RD2 | Restricted Density 2 | res_mf | — | 33 ft[82] | — | — | 21.78[83] | 2[84] | 15[79] / 5[80] / 15[81] |
| RD1.5 | Restricted Density 1.5 | res_mf | — | 33 ft[88] | — | — | 29.04[89] | 2[90] | 15[85] / 5[86] / 15[87] |
| R3 | Low-Rise Multiple Dwelling | res_mf | — | 45 ft[94] | — | — | 54.45[95] | [{'variant': 'studio', 'value': 1}, {'variant': '1BR', 'value': 1.5}, {'variant': '2BR+', 'value': 2}][96] | 15[91] / 5[92] / 15[93] |
| R4 | Medium-High Multiple Dwelling | res_mf | — | —[100] | — | — | 108.9[101] | [{'variant': 'studio', 'value': 1}, {'variant': '1BR', 'value': 1.5}, {'variant': '2BR+', 'value': 2}][102] | 15[97] / 5[98] / 15[99] |
| R5 | High Density Multiple Dwelling | res_mf | — | —[106] | — | — | 217.8[107] | [{'variant': 'studio', 'value': 1}, {'variant': '1BR', 'value': 1.5}, {'variant': '2BR+', 'value': 2}][108] | 15[103] / 5[104] / 15[105] |
| RAS3 | Residential/Accessory Services (R3 scale) | res_mf | 5,000 sf[112] | —[113] | — | — | — | —[114] | 10[109] / 5[110] / 15[111] |
| RAS4 | Residential/Accessory Services (R4 scale) | res_mf | 5,000 sf[118] | —[119] | — | — | — | —[120] | 10[115] / 5[116] / 15[117] |
| C1 | Limited Commercial | com | 5,000 sf[124] | —[125] | — | —[126] | — | —[127] | 10[121] / 5[122] / 15[123] |
| C2 | Commercial | com | 5,000 sf[131] | 75 ft[132] | — | 1.5[133] | — | —[134] | 10[128] / 5[129] / 15[130] |
| CM | Commercial Manufacturing | com | 5,000 sf[138] | —[139] | — | —[140] | — | —[141] | 10[135] / 0[136] / 0[137] |
| C4 | Commercial | com | 5,000 sf[145] | —[146] | — | —[147] | — | —[148] | 10[142] / 5[143] / 15[144] |
| C5 | Commercial | com | 5,000 sf[152] | —[153] | — | —[154] | — | —[155] | 10[149] / 5[150] / 15[151] |
| M1 | Limited Industrial | ind | 5,000 sf[159] | —[160] | — | —[161] | — | —[162] | 0[156] / 0[157] / 0[158] |
| M2 | Light Industrial | ind | 5,000 sf[166] | —[167] | — | —[168] | — | —[169] | 0[163] / 0[164] / 0[165] |
| M3 | Heavy Industrial | ind | 5,000 sf[173] | —[174] | — | —[175] | — | —[176] | 0[170] / 0[171] / 0[172] |
Confidence: confirmed partial under review not found
Overlays
State preemptions
Non-applicable laws (1)
Adopted building codes
Statewide mandatory minimum
Click a code label to open its state-by-state adoption atlas.
Quirks & notes
- Dual-code system — Chapter 1 (adopted 1946) governs all community plan areas except Downtown; Chapter 1A (New Zoning Code, re:code LA) operative 2025-01-01 governs Downtown Community Plan Area. Two parallel zoning systems operating simultaneously. Rest of city awaits rollout. c Planning Dept.
- Zoning string complexity — must be parsed as [Prefix][Zone Class][Height District][D Limits][Overlays]. Example: '[Q]R4-1-HPOZ' = Qualified R4 in Height District 1 with HPOZ overlay. ZIMAS (zimas.lacity.org) is the authoritative parcel-level decoder. c§12.04
- RD zones encode lot area per DU in thousands — density-inverse naming: RD6 = less dense than RD2 (6,000 sf/DU vs 2,000 sf/DU). Counterintuitive relative to most CA cities. c§12.09.1
- R1 Variation Zones (R1V, R1F, R1R, R1H) are NOT in any Height District — own separate height/RFAR tables in LAMC §12.08 C.5. c§12.08 C.5
- RFAR vs FAR — LA uses two separate floor area ratio measures. RFAR (Residential FAR) governs non-coastal SF/MF residential in HD-1/1L/1VL/1XL/1SS only. Coastal Zone properties are subject to FAR (not RFAR). HD-2/3/4 use FAR throughout. c§12.21.1
- Height District prevailing-height rule — if ≥40% of frontage on block exceeds zone max height, block max may equal average of those exceeding heights. Enables taller buildings on already-tall blocks. c§12.21.1
- Height District prevailing-setback rule — if ≥40% of frontage on developed block has consistent front setbacks, new construction conforms to that setback (can be more or less than zone-default). c§12.07 / §12.08
- HPOZs NOT subject to AB 2097 parking elimination — state statute exempts designated historic districts. HPOZ parcels retain LAMC parking minimums. c GC §65863.2 + LAMC Art. 2
- Motion-picture studio stages in C2 may reach 125 ft (vs 75 ft C2 default HD-1) with additional setbacks — LA-specific provision reflecting entertainment industry. c§12.21.1 B.1
- Transit Oriented Communities (TOC) Program — Measure JJJ (2016) layers LA-specific density/FAR/setback bonuses on state Density Bonus. 4 tiers based on proximity to major transit. Can stack with AB 2097 but not with same state Density Bonus concession. c LAMC Ord. 185633 (2017)
- R1 2024 reforms — first 100 sf of ceilings >14 ft counted toward RFAR; 250 sf porch exemption eliminated; garage exemption reduced 400→200 sf. c R1 Amendment Ord. 2024
- Wildlife District Ordinance shelved (July 2025) — proposed very restrictive development standards in wildlife-interface areas; shelved after budget cuts eliminated the responsible Planning Department unit. Not currently in effect. c Planning Dept. 2025
- re:code LA — first comprehensive LAMC rewrite since 1946; Downtown is the pilot area on Chapter 1A (operative 2025-01-01). Citywide rollout phased by community plan area over multiple years. Same-parcel dual-citation possible during transition. c re:code LA Initiative
- ZIMAS (zimas.lacity.org) is the authoritative parcel-level zoning lookup — required for any site-specific zoning determination. Flat municipal code text alone does not resolve the combined [Prefix][Zone][HD][D][Overlays] string without ZIMAS. c Planning Dept.
- Hillside Areas (H suffix) use slope-band RFAR method — steeper slopes receive progressively lower RFAR. Separate from basic R-zone RFAR table. 36 ft (or 45 ft per §12.21 A.17) max height. c§12.21 C.10
- Coastal Zone non-hillside residential uses FAR (not RFAR) — unique interaction where Coastal Zone overrides the RFAR/FAR distinction and caps non-hillside residential at 45 ft. c§12.21.1
- LA Metro line letter-designation rebrand (2019-2020) — Blue Line → A Line (Long Beach to Azusa); Red Line → B Line (Union Station to North Hollywood); Purple Line → D Line (Union Station to Wilshire/Western, extending to Westwood); Expo Line → E Line (Santa Monica to Downtown LA); Green Line → C Line (Redondo Beach to Norwalk); K Line new (Crenshaw/LAX, opened 2022). Use current letter designations in all AB 2097 and TOC analyses. Compton profile error from Wave 1 (obsolete Blue/Green names) must not recur for LA.
- Specific Plans (SP) are numerous (40+) and override base district standards in their areas — Warner Center 2035, Century City, Playa Vista, Exposition Corridor, LAX, Port of LA, Ventura/Cahuenga Corridor, Coastal Transportation Corridor, Downtown (pre-Chapter 1A). Always check ZIMAS for SP overlay before assuming base district standards apply. c§11.5.7
Formulas
Definitions
- height
- Grade to highest point of structure, with sloped-roof / flat-roof rules and 33/28 ft threshold at 25% pitch per LAMC §12.21.1
- lot_coverage
- Building footprint / lot area
- far
- Gross floor area / lot area (commercial/HD-2/3/4 general)
- rfar
- Residential Floor Area Ratio — separate metric applied to SF/MF residential in HD-1, 1L, 1VL, 1XL, 1SS per LAMC §12.21.1 and §12.07.01 / §12.08 / §12.09
- du_ac
- Dwelling units per gross acre; implied from min lot area per DU (RD/R3/R4/R5 = 43,560 / per-DU-lot-area)
- setback_front
- Front property line to nearest building face; prevailing-setback rule applies on developed blocks with ≥40% frontage
- setback_side
- Side property line to nearest building face; 10% lot width minimum typical for R1
- setback_rear
- Rear property line to nearest building face
- parking
- Spaces per dwelling unit unless noted; AB 2097 eliminates minimums within ½ mile of major transit stop
- prevailing_height_rule
- If ≥40% of frontage on block exceeds zone max height, block max may equal average of those exceeding heights per LAMC §12.21.1
Capacity calculations
- max_footprint_sf
lot_area_sf * lot_coverage- max_gfa_sf_residential
lot_area_sf * rfar (HD-1/1L/1VL/1XL/1SS residential) OR lot_area_sf * far (HD-2/3/4 and Chapter 1A Downtown)- max_gfa_sf_commercial
lot_area_sf * far (per Height District — HD-1=1.5, HD-1L=1.0, HD-1VL=0.5, HD-1XL=0.5, HD-1SS=0.5, HD-2=6.0, HD-3=10.0, HD-4=13.0)- max_units_from_density
lot_area_sf / min_lot_area_per_du- buildable_width_ft
lot_width_ft - setback_side_ft * 2- buildable_depth_ft
lot_depth_ft - setback_front_ft - setback_rear_ft- max_stories_approx
max_height_ft / 10
Massing explorer
Interactive 3D comparison across every district. Drag to orbit, scroll to zoom, use the slider to walk districts, and toggle applicable overlays in the right-side panel.
| District | Category | Height | FAR | Coverage | Setbacks | Parking | Density | Min lot | Overlays |
|---|
Sources & references
- [1] §12.07
- [2] §12.07
- [3] §12.07
- [4] §12.07
- [5] §12.21.1
- [6] n
- [7] n
- [8] §12.21 A.4
- [9] §12.07.01
- [10] §12.07.01
- [11] §12.07.01
- [12] §12.07.01
- [13] §12.21.1
- [14] n
- [15] n
- [16] §12.21 A.4
- [17] §12.07.01
- [18] §12.07.01
- [19] §12.07.01
- [20] §12.07.01
- [21] §12.21.1
- [22] n
- [23] n
- [24] §12.21 A.4
- [25] §12.07.01
- [26] §12.07.01
- [27] §12.07.01
- [28] §12.07.01
- [29] §12.21.1
- [30] §12.21 A.4
- [31] §12.07.01
- [32] §12.07.01
- [33] §12.07.01
- [34] §12.07.01
- [35] §12.21.1
- [36] §12.21 A.4
- [37] §12.07.01
- [38] §12.07.01
- [39] §12.07.01
- [40] §12.07.01
- [41] §12.21.1
- [42] §12.21 A.4
- [43] §12.08
- [44] §12.08
- [45] §12.08
- [46] §12.08
- [47] §12.21.1
- [48] §12.21 A.4
- [49] §12.08
- [50] §12.08
- [51] §12.08
- [52] §12.08
- [53] §12.21.1
- [54] §12.21 A.4
- [55] §12.09.1
- [56] §12.09.1
- [57] §12.09.1
- [58] §12.21.1
- [59] §12.09.1
- [60] §12.21 A.4
- [61] §12.09.1
- [62] §12.09.1
- [63] §12.09.1
- [64] §12.21.1
- [65] §12.09.1
- [66] §12.21 A.4
- [67] §12.09.1
- [68] §12.09.1
- [69] §12.09.1
- [70] §12.21.1
- [71] §12.09.1
- [72] §12.21 A.4
- [73] §12.09.1
- [74] §12.09.1
- [75] §12.09.1
- [76] §12.21.1
- [77] §12.09.1
- [78] §12.21 A.4
- [79] §12.09.1
- [80] §12.09.1
- [81] §12.09.1
- [82] §12.21.1
- [83] §12.09.1
- [84] §12.21 A.4
- [85] §12.09.1
- [86] §12.09.1
- [87] §12.09.1
- [88] §12.21.1
- [89] §12.09.1
- [90] §12.21 A.4
- [91] §12.10
- [92] §12.10
- [93] §12.10
- [94] §12.21.1
- [95] §12.10
- [96] §12.21 A.4
- [97] §12.11
- [98] §12.11
- [99] §12.11
- [100] n
- [101] §12.11
- [102] §12.21 A.4
- [103] §12.12
- [104] §12.12
- [105] §12.12
- [106] n
- [107] §12.12
- [108] §12.21 A.4
- [109] §12.10.5
- [110] §12.10.5
- [111] §12.10.5
- [112] §12.10.5
- [113] n
- [114] §12.21 A.4
- [115] §12.11.5
- [116] §12.11.5
- [117] §12.11.5
- [118] §12.11.5
- [119] n
- [120] §12.21 A.4
- [121] §12.13
- [122] §12.13
- [123] §12.13
- [124] §12.13
- [125] n
- [126] n
- [127] §12.21 A.4
- [128] §12.14
- [129] §12.14
- [130] §12.14
- [131] §12.14
- [132] §12.21.1
- [133] §12.21.1
- [134] §12.21 A.4
- [135] §12.17
- [136] §12.17
- [137] §12.17
- [138] §12.17
- [139] n
- [140] n
- [141] §12.21 A.4
- [142] §12.16
- [143] §12.16
- [144] §12.16
- [145] §12.16
- [146] n
- [147] n
- [148] §12.21 A.4
- [149] §12.15
- [150] §12.15
- [151] §12.15
- [152] §12.15
- [153] n
- [154] n
- [155] §12.21 A.4
- [156] §12.17.5
- [157] §12.17.5
- [158] §12.17.5
- [159] §12.17.5
- [160] n
- [161] n
- [162] §12.21 A.4
- [163] §12.18
- [164] §12.18
- [165] §12.18
- [166] §12.18
- [167] n
- [168] n
- [169] §12.21 A.4
- [170] §12.19
- [171] §12.19
- [172] §12.19
- [173] §12.19
- [174] n
- [175] n
- [176] §12.21 A.4
Research status
Publication gates
| primary url present | passed | code_source = https://planning.lacity.gov/zoning/existing-code; source.primary_url = https://planning.lacity.gov/zoning/existing-code; fallback at codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/los_angeles; CP-7150 summary linked; ZIMAS parcel lookup linked. planning.lacity.gov is the city-authoritative portal for LAMC zoning; amlegal.com is the contracted codifier. Neither is an aggregator-only domain. |
|---|---|---|
| no aggregator cited | passed | Record scan found no SitePlanCreator/SitePlanGuide/Zoneomics/Steadily/Propwire/Zonara references. All citations point to LAMC §-references (§12.07 / §12.08 / §12.09.1 / §12.10 / §12.11 / §12.12 / §12.13 / §12.14 / §12.21 / §12.21.1 / §12.20.2 / §12.22 / §13.05 / §13.08 / §13.14 / §11.5.7 / Art. 2), California Government Code (§65915, §65852.21, §65913.4, §65912.100, §65589.5, §65863.2, §66411.7, §66411.8), California Public Resources Code (§30000 et seq. Coastal Act), 14 CFR Part 77 (airport), CP-7150 (city-published digest), or city-published Planning Department materials. |
| confidence tags full form | passed | All confirmed claims carry c§X.XX form (e.g., c§12.07, c§12.08, c§12.09.1, c§12.21.1, c§12.20.2, c§12.22, c§13.05, c§13.08, c§13.14, c§11.5.7, c Art. 2) or GC §-references / PRC §-references for state-law entries. No bare [confirmed] or `c: c` glyphs remain in data. Partial claims carry p§ tokens with search_performed + retrieval_failure_reason narratives. Inferred/null values carry n/null tokens with explicit note about Height District dependency. |
| overlays have parameters trigger confidence | passed | 8/8 overlays have non-empty parameters object (≥3 keys each), explicit geographic_trigger string, status, and citation. 7/8 status=confirmed (HPOZ, CPIO, CDO, Hillside, Coastal Zone, Specific Plans, Equinekeeping); 1/8 status=partial (Airport Hazard/AIA with search_performed + retrieval_failure_reason). All overlays carry base_interaction describing layered/additive/override semantics. |
| preempt section city specific | passed | state_preemptions_applicable[] contains 8 per-law CA entries (ADU, SB 9, Density Bonus/AB 1287, AB 2097, SB 423, AB 2011, Builder's Remedy, SB 10). Each has qualifying_condition_checked narrative specific to Los Angeles (30+ HPOZs, Coastal Zone geography, VHFHSZ hillsides, 6th-cycle RHNA 456,643 units largest in state, A/B/C/D/E/K Metro lines with 93+ stations, commercial corridor list, TOC program Measure JJJ interaction, Ellis Act/RSO exclusion notes). Each has effect_on_city statement and citation. Not a link-stub; legacy state_preemptions path retained for backwards compatibility but not the primary data source. Under-review entries (SB 423, Builder's Remedy) carry paired search_performed + retrieval_failure_reason per discipline. |
Data quality
- R1 Variation Zone tables (R1V, R1F, R1R, R1H) dimensional standards not retrieved live — §12.08 C.5 table lookup needed for full variation-specific values
- Per-Height-District C1/C4/C5/CM/M1/M2/M3 height and FAR table not populated per-zone per-HD (pattern deferred to height_districts[] and per-district notes)
- Specific Plan individual dimensional tables not enumerated (Warner Center 2035, Century City, Playa Vista, LAX, Port of LA, etc. — 40+ SPs; each has custom tables)
- Chapter 1A (Downtown DCP) new-zone dimensional tables not enumerated — Chapter 1 framework retained as citywide standard
- TOC (Transit Oriented Communities) Tier 1-4 specific incentive matrix not enumerated — Measure JJJ 2016 ordinance chapter not pulled live
- HPOZ individual district boundaries and design guidelines not enumerated (30+ HPOZs)
- CPIO area-specific parameters (Downtown CPIO, West Adams-Baldwin Hills-Leimert CPIO, Exposition Corridor CPIO) not enumerated per-CPIO
- CDO individual design standards per 40+ CDOs not enumerated
- Hillside Area slope-band RFAR ladder not populated (§12.21 C.10 table)
- LAX Specific Plan CNEL contours and LA County ALUC CLUP AIA boundary GIS not retrieved
- HCD Housing Element certification status for 6th-cycle (Builder's Remedy + SB 423 tier gating) not confirmed live
- AB 2097 ½-mile buffer GIS not computed (over 93 rail stations + numerous bus intersections — requires GIS pass)
- R1 2024 reform ordinance (RFAR calculation + porch/garage exemption changes) citation point-version not pulled live
Known issues
Verification
| last_verified_at | 2026-04-19T00:00:00Z |
|---|---|
| verifier_specialist | verification-pass |
| verifier_version | 1.0 |
| verification_result | passed |
| atomic_claims_checked | 71 |
| atomic_claims_passed | 69 |
| atomic_claims_failed | 0 |
| atomic_claims_partial | 2 |
| failed_claims | |
| partial_claims | reason: HCD APR dashboard JS-rendered, not fetched; marked under_review per paired-field discipline; reason: HCD Housing Element Compliance dashboard JS-rendered, not fetched; marked under_review per paired-field discipline |
| narrative_ref | narratives/los-angeles-ca/fleet-20260419T080340-9.json |
| metro_line_obsolescence_check | note: v1 profile and markdown did NOT contain Metro rail references (no obsolete names present). v2 adds current A/B/C/D/E/K Line terminology in AB 2097 preemption narrative and in quirks entry explicitly documenting the 2019-2020 letter-designation rebrand. Compton-style obsolete-name bug avoided. |
Other cities in this state
Nearest-alphabetical profiles. Click through to compare zoning patterns side-by-side.