Frequently Asked Questions

The New Zoning Code offers different ways to get relief from regulations, each with its own rules. To find out what your options are, check the "Relief" Subsection within the Section for the specific rule (typically either Subsection E. or F.) you're interested in. This Subsection will tell you what kind of relief might be possible and what degree of flexibility is available.

If the New Zoning Code does not require any parking (Parking Package A) or Assembly Bill 2097 (AB 2097) allows zero parking, then a project has the right to provide zero parking.

Questions regarding the New Zoning Code can be answered through a variety of resources:

Interactive Web-Based Zoning Code

The Interactive Web-Based Zoning Code provides comprehensive information about the code, including:

The New Zoning Code is implemented by various City Agencies, with the Department of City Planning (DCP) and the Department of Building and Safety (DBS) playing the primary roles. Other departments involved in the implementation process, such as the Department of Transportation and Public Works Department, each with specific responsibilities for certain regulations.  

Each project is unique and the process may vary. However, the general process for obtaining a building permit can be summarized as follows:

If your building or use existed legally before the New Zoning Code went into effect for a property, it might be considered a nonconformity. Nonconformities are allowed to continue, but there are rules about how they can be changed or expanded.

Key Points

The Interactive Web-Based Zoning Code has a property report function that streamlines how to find the zoning regulations that apply to a specific property.

1. Go to the Report function on the Interactive Web-Based Zoning Code.
2. Enter the property address and follow the directions.
3. Browse or download the report generated.

You can also find the zoning regulations for a property by using the Zoning Information and Map Access System (ZIMAS):

You can find the zoning for a property by using the Zoning Information and Map Access System (ZIMAS):  

1. Go to ZIMAS.
2. Enter the property address.
3. Select "Planning and Zoning" from the drop-down menu.
4. Check the "Zone" field.
5. Click on the zone to view the zoning information.

Understanding the Zoning Information

The Zoning Code that applies to a property depends on whether the property is located within a Community Plan that has been updated to use the New Zoning Code (Chapter 1A of the LAMC).

The New Zoning Code (Chapter 1A of the Los Angeles Municipal Code) provides a comprehensive framework for determining permitted uses. Here's a breakdown of the process:  

1. Identify the Use District