Zoning Code Los Angeles: Understanding the New Code and Its Impact on Your Property

Los Angeles has officially begun implementing a sweeping overhaul of its decades-old zoning code. These new zoning code in Los Angeles mark a pivotal shift from the traditional, outdated Euclidean-based code to a more flexible, modular, and form-based zoning framework. With a growing population, urgent housing needs, and a cityscape as diverse as its people, this change comes at a crucial time.

What does this mean for property owners, developers, architects, or even a family looking to build an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)? Let’s break it down.

Check: https: City Council Approved Los Angeles Housing Rezoning Plan

The Purpose of the New Zoning Rules in Los Angeles

Historically, zoning in Los Angeles was rigid—dividing land primarily by use (residential, commercial, industrial). This traditional model led to a patchwork of inconsistent development rules across neighborhoods. It also contributed to LA’s housing crisis, as single-family zoning covered over 70% of residential land.

The new zoning code aims to fix this by:

  • Introducing form-based zoning which focuses not just on what you build, but how it looks and relates to its surroundings

  • Simplifying and consolidating zoning classifications

  • Offering better tools for stakeholders like the “Use Classification System” and “Form Districts”

  • Supporting state mandates like SB 9 and SB 10 for denser housing

  • Integrating sustainability, mobility, and community-specific planning principles

Asian male architect works at desk with house model toy and A3 paper blueprints, construction real estate law, zoning, permits, and resolving property disputes through arbitration and litigation.

Where the New Zoning Code Are Already in Effect

As of mid-2025, the new zoning code is active in specific areas with more to follow soon. The code will eventually apply citywide through Community Plan Updates.

Neighborhoods where the new zoning code is currently adopted or in progress:

  1. Downtown Los Angeles (fully implemented – pilot area)

  2. Boyle Heights

  3. Harbor Gateway

  4. West Los Angeles

  5. Hollywood

  6. Granada Hills – Knollwood

  7. Westlake

  8. Palms – Mar Vista – Del Rey

  9. Arleta – Pacoima

  10. South Los Angeles

  11. Brentwood – Pacific Palisades

  12. Canoga Park – Winnetka – Woodland Hills – West Hills

  13. Encino – Tarzana

  14. Reseda – West Van Nuys

  15. Sylmar

  16. Mission Hills – Panorama City – North Hills

  17. Sherman Oaks – Studio City – Toluca Lake – Cahuenga Pass

  18. Silver Lake – Echo Park – Elysian Valley

  19. Wilmington – Harbor City

  20. Van Nuys – North Sherman Oaks

  21. Southeast Los Angeles

  22. Northridge – Porter Ranch

  23. Sunland – Tujunga – Lake View Terrace – Shadow Hills – East La Tuna Canyon

  24. Bel Air – Beverly Crest

  25. Koreatown (within Wilshire Community Plan Area)

Note: Full implementation will occur through individual Community Plan Updates (CPUs), each incorporating the new code gradually.

📊 Old vs. New Zoning Code in Los Angeles

Compare key development metrics before and after LA’s zoning code updates.

Metric Old Code New Code
FAR (Floor Area Ratio) 2.5:1
3.0:1
Height Limit (ft) 45 ft
55 ft
Setback (Front) 15 ft
10 ft
Parking per Unit 2.0
1.0–1.5

📌 JDJ Tip: These zoning changes vary by zone and Community Plan area. Always verify overlay zones and local amendments before proceeding with design.

📞 Need help calculating new entitlements? Call JDJ Consulting at (818) 827‑6243 or request a zoning analysis.

What’s Actually Changing in Zoning?

The new code reorganizes zoning through modular components that can be customized per community. Key elements include:

  • Form Districts: Define building scale, height, and setbacks

  • Frontage Standards: Ensure pedestrian-friendly streets

  • Use Districts: Replace conventional zoning with clearer, consistent rules

  • Overlay Zones: Layer extra rules to address local goals like preservation or green building

It also integrates sustainability, transit access, and modern land-use planning with localized community priorities.

Benefits for Homeowners and Developers

  • Simplified approval: Instead of deciphering dense regulations across multiple code sections, property owners can easily understand what’s allowed.

  • Better tools: Tools like ZIMAS, the Use Finder, and parcel-specific zoning reports help developers reduce risks and misinterpretations.

  • Predictable design outcomes: Form-based rules help ensure that new buildings “fit in” visually and spatially.

  • Support for missing middle housing: Small-lot subdivisions, duplexes, and ADUs are easier to design and legalize under the new code.

  • Time-saving: Administrative steps reduced from 120+ to ~60 in some projects.

model house on blueprints for a house, zoning code los angeles

Supporting Legislation Influencing Zoning Rules

Statewide reforms are fueling local code changes:

  • SB 9: Legalizes duplexes and lot splits on most single-family parcels

  • SB 10: Allows up to 10 units on transit-rich parcels, CEQA-exempt

  • AB 2097: Ends parking minimums near public transit

  • AB 2011: Mandates affordable housing overlays on certain commercial corridors

These state initiatives make it easier for local governments like Los Angeles to implement zoning updates aligned with California’s housing goals.

Table: Zoning Code Rollout Status (Sample)

AreaCode StatusNext Steps
Downtown LAAdoptedCode active since early 2025
Boyle HeightsCouncil ApprovedIn review by City Attorney
West LA, Granada HillsDraft ReleasedAwaiting Public Hearing
Sherman Oaks – Studio CityUnder EvaluationCommunity Planning phase

Challenges and Community Concerns

Despite its strengths, the new code faces barriers:

  • Many areas still operate under the old code

  • Implementation depends on political will and community engagement

  • Concerns of gentrification and displacement in historic and low-income areas persist

  • NIMBY opposition (Not In My Backyard) slows or blocks rezoning

Early Outcomes and Case Studies

Downtown Los Angeles

Already applying the new code, Downtown has seen:

  • Faster permit processing times

  • More clarity on design and form

  • Active use of the city’s new digital tools for zoning research

Silver Lake & Echo Park

These neighborhoods, with a mix of progressive housing support and preservation advocacy, are seeing careful navigation of form-based zoning principles, especially around hillside development.

Aerial view of Silver Lake surrounded by neighbourhood with high rise office buildings in background, City Of Los Angeles, California, USA.

Image courtesy: istock photos

Palms – Mar Vista – Del Rey

This area, already dense and transit-connected, is a test case for how SB 9 and the new zoning rules interact with ADU development.

Final Thoughts on Zoning Code Los Angeles

The zoning rules Los Angeles is adopting today are not just about land—they’re about people, mobility, housing access, and how we shape the next century of growth. From Downtown to Granada Hills, and from single-family lots to future high-density corridors, these changes represent a fundamental shift in how we think about cities.

With the right tools, education, and advocacy, residents and developers alike can participate in shaping more livable and equitable neighborhoods.

Need help understanding the new zoning code in Los Angeles? Whether you’re a homeowner, developer, or planning a new real estate investment—JDJ Consulting can guide you through.

Visit https://jdj-consulting.com/ to request a zoning analysis, schedule a FREE consultation, or speak with an expert about what’s possible under the new rules. For details, call our zoning experts at +18188276243

FAQs on Zoning Codes Los Angeles 2025

What is the new zoning code in Los Angeles and why was it created?

  • The new zoning code is a complete rewrite of LA’s zoning framework, replacing the outdated 1946 version.

  • It was designed to:

    • Streamline development processes

    • Better align with sustainability and housing needs

    • Eliminate conflicts in zoning designations across neighborhoods

    • Support more housing and mixed-use developments, especially near transit

Which Los Angeles neighborhoods are using the new zoning code right now?

  • Downtown Los Angeles is the first area where the new zoning code has been fully adopted.

  • The next Community Plans adopting the new code are Boyle Heights and Harbor Gateway.

  • A total of over 20 neighborhoods will adopt the code through phased Community Plan Updates.

  • These areas include Sherman Oaks, Silver Lake, Koreatown, Brentwood, Palms, Encino, Granada Hills, and more.

How does the new zoning code benefit property owners?

  • Property owners now have clearer, more predictable zoning designations.

  • The modular system makes it easier to determine what’s allowed on a property.

  • Tools like the “Use Finder” and parcel-specific zoning reports simplify planning.

  • Projects that meet standards can often proceed by-right, without discretionary reviews.

  • Homeowners can also more easily add ADUs or convert homes into duplexes under supportive state laws.

Is the new zoning code more supportive of affordable housing?

Yes, significantly.

  • The zoning framework now aligns with density bonuses and state laws (like SB 9 and SB 10) to support duplexes, fourplexes, and even 10-unit buildings near transit.

  • The form-based approach also allows infill housing that respects neighborhood character, but increases unit supply.

  • Overlay Zones and Inclusionary Zoning rules can mandate affordable housing in newly zoned parcels.

Can developers still use the old zoning code?

  • Only in neighborhoods where the new code hasn’t been adopted yet.

  • As each Community Plan is updated, the new code becomes mandatory for that area.

  • Developers working in zones like Boyle Heights, Harbor Gateway, and others listed earlier must follow the new code guidelines.

Disclaimer

This blog is intended for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal or zoning advice. Regulations change frequently, and anyone planning construction or property investment should consult the City of Los Angeles Planning Department or a qualified zoning consultant.

Resources

 

📘 New Zoning Code Changes & What They Mean for You

🏗️ FAR & Height Increases

The new code allows up to +20% FAR in many zones to encourage denser development near transit—and in some cases increases maximum height by one additional story.

↔️ Reduced Setbacks

Minimum setbacks have been reduced by up to 5 feet, giving you more buildable area—especially helpful in tight lots.

🅿️ Parking Requirement Updates

Parking minimums have been cut by 10–20%, and up to 25% reduction is now available in Transit Adjacent zones or for affordable housing.

🏢 Expanded Allowed Uses

Non‑residential zones now allow limited food, retail, and office uses by‑right—no CUP needed—under the new mixed-use framework.

🛡️ Overlay Zone Clarifications

The new code simplifies thresholds around HPOZ, Specific Plans, and Transit-Oriented overlays—reducing duplication and easing approval requirements.

📌 JDJ Tip: Don’t assume the new code applies uniformly—site-specific conditions like overlays or zone-specific regulations can override defaults.

📞 Want help updating your project under the new zoning code? Call JDJ Consulting at (818) 827‑6243 or request a code compliance review.