Table3-1

LAND USE STANDARDS AND TYPICAL DEVELOPMENT CHARACTERISTICS*

 

* The City's zones generally allow uses which are permitted in more restricted zones. This is set forth in the LAMC. The Framework Element and use designations and the above standard are not intended to modify this system.

Category Typical Characteristics/Uses Discouraged Uses
Residential
Single-Family Residential
  • Single-family dwelling units
  • Supporting uses (parks, schools, community centers, etc.)
  • Infill development shall be designed and sited to maintain the salient characteristics of the neighborhood in which it is located (e.g., setbacks, building mass, rural, equestrian, etc.)
  • Incentives for upgrades of deteriorated and aging housing stock
  • 1 - 9 units per net acres. Specific densities are established by community plans using the following categories:
    • Minimum-Density (in hillside areas the slope density provisions of the LAMC shall apply)
    • Very Low I
    • Very Low II
    • Low I
    • Low II
    • Duplex/granny flat
In accordance with the Los Angeles Municipal Code (LAMC)
Multi-Family Residential
  • Multi-family dwelling units
  • Supporting uses (parks, schools, community centers, etc.)
  • Low Medium I: 10-17 dwelling units/net acre
  • Low Medium II: 18-29 dwelling units/net acre
  • Medium: 30-55 dwelling units/net acre
  • High Medium: 56-109 dwelling units/net acre
  • High: 110-218 dwelling units/net acre
  • Densities may be adjusted to achieve neighborhood stability and quality of life (refer to policies for factors to be considered)

Per LAMC

Units are to be designed to convey a higher level of quality (based on guidelines suggested in Chapter 5: Urban Form and Neigh borhood Design).

Districts, Centers, Mixed-Use Boulevards, Commercial
Neighborhood District
  • Retail commercial, small professional offices, personal services, food stores, eating and drinking establishments, telecommunications centers, small cultural facilities (generally, 5,000 square feet or less), and similar uses.
  • Existing neighborhood-serving uses should be retained (barber shops, beauty salons, laundries, shoe repair, convenience commercial, childcare, community meeting facilities, etc.).
  • Uses that occupy a building footprint generally exceeding 25,000 square feet, when they meet development standards (supermarkets are exempt)
  • Mixed-use structures integrating housing with commercial uses (includes density and other incentives)
  • A focal point for surrounding residential neighborhoods and containing a diversity of land uses to encourage walking to and from adjacent neighborhoods, Neighborhood Districts are generally at a floor area ratio of 1.5:1 or less, characterized by one- to two-story buildings, pedestrian-oriented, and may be served by a local shuttle service.
  • Gasoline/automotive services which may also provide accessory uses such as retail, food stores, restaurants and/or take-out.
  • General (highway-oriented) commercial; e.g., lumber and building supplies, nurseries, and similar uses
  • Large scale, high activity uses; such as entertainment
  • Commercial overnight accommodations
Community Center
  • Same as Neighborhood District with the following modifications:
  • Entertainment, larger cultural facilities (museums, libraries, etc.), and similar community-oriented uses characterized by high activity
  • Commercial overnight accommodations, small offices
  • Inclusion of bus or rail center (at station or intersection)
  • Inclusion of small parks and other community-oriented activity facilities
  • A focal point for surrounding residential neighborhoods and containing a diversity of uses, Community Centers generally range from floor area ratios of 1.5:1 to 3.0:1, characterized by two- to six-story buildings, e.g., some will be two-story Centers, some four- or six-story Centers depending on the character of the surrounding area.
  • Gasoline/automotive services which may also provide accessory uses such as retail, food stores, restaurants and/or take-out.
General (highway-oriented) commercial; e.g., lumber and building supplies, nurseries, and similar uses
Region
  • Corporate and professional offices, retail commercial (including malls), offices, personal services, eating and drinking establishments, telecommunications centers, entertainment, major cultural facilities (libraries, museums, etc.), commercial overnight accommodations, and similar uses.
  • Mixed-use structures integrating housing with commercial uses
  • Multi-family housing (independent of commercial)
  • Major transit hub
  • Inclusion of small parks and other community-oriented activity facilities
  • A focal point of regional commerce, identity and activity, Regional Centers generally will fall within the range of floor area ratios from 1.5:1 to 6.0:1, characterized by six- to 20-stories (or higher) buildings. Some will only be commercially oriented; others will contain a mix of residential and commercial uses.
  • Gasoline/automotive services which may also provide accessory uses such as retail, food stores, restaurants and/or take-out.
General (highway-oriented) commercial; e.g., nurseries, and similar uses
Category Typical Characteristics/Uses Discouraged Uses
Districts, Centers, Mixed-Use Boulevards, Commercial Cont'd
Downtown Center
  • modifications:

    Government offices
  • Industrial uses
  • Uses as recommended by the Downtown Strategic Plan
  • An international center for finance and trade that serves the population of five-county metropolitan region. Downtown is the largest government center in the region and the location for major cultural and entertainment facilities, hotels, professional offices, corporate headquarters, financial institutions, high-rise residential towers, regional transportation facilities and the Convention Center. The Downtown Center is generally characterized by a floor area ratio up to 13:1 and high-rise buildings.
  • Gasoline/automotive services which may also provide accessory uses such as retail, food stores, restaurants and/or take-out.

Densities as defined by the community plan, as may be amended to reflect the Downtown Strategic Plan

General (highway-oriented) commercial; e.g., nurseries, and similar uses











 

 

As defined by the community plan, as may be amended to reflect the Downtown Strategic Plan

Boulevard-
Mixed-Use
  • Uses permitted in Community Center-Mixed Use
  • Areas may be differentiated into smaller districts (e.g., commercial uses may be clustered at intersections, abutted by mixed-use, and intervening areas developed for multi-family housing). Uses within each area may be determined by the community plans.
  • A linear district that connects the city's neighborhood districts and community, regional and downtown centers, mixed-use boulevards generally will fall within a range of floor area ratios from 1.5:1 up to 4:1, characterized by one- to two-story commercial structures, up to three- to six-story mixed-use buildings between centers and higher buildings within centers. Mixed-use boulevards generally consist of three types: housing and commercial integrated in a single structure; in structures side-by-side, or on a block-by-block basis.
Per LAMC
General Commercial
  • Uses as permitted by existing zoning (generally, uses permitted in the C 2 zone).
  • Modifications to be determined by the community plans
  • Potential adjustment of density to reflect parcel size and configuration, intended functional role, and characteristics of surrounding uses determined through the community plan process
Per LAMC
Overlays
Pedestrian Overlay Uses permitted in underlying zone provided that they conform with the requirements contained in Chapter 5: Urban Form and Neighborhood Design. Development should be designed and sited to facilitate pedestrian activity (See Urban Form and Neighborhood Design).
Historic Overlay Uses permitted in the underlying zone (programs for the retention of existing historic structures) Application of the Historic Preservation Overlay Zone or similar method to promote historic preservation.
Industrial
Industrial-Light
  • Industrial uses with potential for a low level of adverse impacts on sur rounding land uses
  • Increased range of commercial uses that support industrial uses (through zoning amendments)
  • Possible consideration for other uses where parcels will not support viable industrial uses (determined by community plan)
Industrial-Heavy
  • Industrial uses
  • Possible consideration for other uses where parcels will not support viable industrial uses (determined by community plan)
Industrial-Transit
  • Industrial uses with higher levels of employment that would benefit from proximity to public transit
  • Increased range of commercial uses that support industrial uses (through zoning amendments)
Open Space
Open Space In accordance with the Los Angeles Municipal Code (LAMC) In accordance with the Los Angeles Municipal Code (LAMC)
Public and Institu tional
Public and Institutional In accordance with the Los Angeles Municipal Code (LAMC) In accordance with the Los Angeles Municipal Code (LAMC)