Los Angeles County Department of Regionalll Planning

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Zoning Ordinance Summary - Commercial Zones

Table of Contents

This is a SUMMARY ONLY of the Los Angeles County Zoning Ordinance (unincorporated area). The information herein is NOT ALL-INCLUSIVE.

One other thing to also keep in mind --USES MUST BE CONSISTENT WITH THE GENERAL PLAN, LOCAL PLANS, AND/OR COMMUNITY STANDARDS DISTRICTS. THESE MAY LIMIT THE TYPE AND INTENSITY OF USE.

For more complete information, see Title 22 (Planning and Zoning) of the Los Angeles County Code, or stop by the office of the Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning, Room 1360 Hall of Records, 320 W. Temple St., Los Angeles, CA 90012. Phone: (213) 974-6411.

Guidelines for Designing a Commercial Project

Before you begin, check with the staff of the Department of Regional Planning to confirm the following:

  • Is the proposed use consistent with the General Plan?
  • What is the zoning and does it allow the proposed use?
  • Are there any proposed street or alley widenings?
  • Is the project subject to special standards district requirements?

Setbacks

Structures:

  • C-1 adjacent to major or secondary highway…………………20’
  • All other C and M zones……………………………………………..0’

Detached parking may encroach into setbacks if at least 75’ from front property line.

Parking:

  • Adjacent to street……………………………………………5’
  • Adjacent to A or R zone, for first 50’…………………20’
  • Other…………………………………………………………….0’

Height

  • CH, C-1, C-2…………………………………………………..2 stories, max.
  • All other C & M zones……………………………………..13 times buildable area.

Parking

Requirements

  • Retail commercial, medical office bldg………….1 space per 250 sq. ft.
  • Business Professional office (other than medical)……..1 space per 400 sq. ft.
  • Restaurant, bars, theaters, health clubs, etc. …..1 space per 3 occupants minimum 10 space per use

Parking Design

  • Standard spaces (90)………………………………….8 1/2’ x 18’
    • Aisle………………………………………….26’
  • Compact spaces (90)(Maximum 40%)……………8’ x 15’
    • Aisle (must be all compact)…………..23’
  • Handicap…………………………………………………..1 per 40 spaces
    • 9’ x 18’ with 5’ loading zone adjacent

5’ landscaped setback on perimeter parking adjacent to streets with 30” - 42” masonry wall on inside of planter.

No backing directly into street or alley is allowed.

Landscaping

C zones

  • Minimum 10% of entire lot or parcel.

M zones

  • Same requirements as Commercial Projects.

Walls

  • Adjacent to residential or agricultural……………6’ masonry wall.
  • Between parking and street………………………..30” - 42” masonry wall.

Title 22 - Commercial Zones (effective 2019-02-28)

Zone C-1: Restricted Commercial

Permitted Uses:

  • Zone C-H uses, commercial services, retail sales of new goods and genuine antiques (22.20.030.C)

Minimum Required Area:

  • No minimum required area. But see 21.24.240 of L.A. County Code - Subdivisions

Maximum Height Limit:

  • 35 feet, or as provided in community standards district (22.20.040.B)

Minimum Required Parking:

  • General commercial and medical offices - 1 parking space for each 250 sq. ft. of floor space.
  • Other office uses - 1 parking space per each 400 sq. ft. of floor space (22.112.070). See applicable use – Chapter 22.112
  • Eating/drinking establishments – 1 parking space for each 3 persons, based on occupant load determined by Public Works Department, (minimum of 10 parking spaces). (22.112.070)

Building Setback:

-20 feet for front or corner side yards where property adjoins a parkway, major or secondary highway. On local streets - same as the adjoining residential or agriculture-zoned property (22.20.050)

Maximum Lot Coverage:

  • 90% of net area of lot (22.20.040)
  • 10% of net area must be landscaped (22.20.040)

Outside Display:

  • C-H uses plus a few additional uses (22.140.420)

Outside Storage:

  • Not permitted (22.140.430)

Zone C-2: Neighborhood Commercial

Permitted Uses:

  • Zone C-1 uses, rentals, outdoor advertising, tailor shops (22.20.030.C)

Minimum Required Area:

  • No minimum required area. But see 21.24.240 of L.A. County Code - Subdivisions

Maximum Height Limit:

  • 35 feet, or as provided in community standards district (22.20.040.B, 22.110.060)

Minimum Required Parking:

  • General commercial - 1 parking space for each 250 sq. ft. of floor space (22.112.070)
  • Non-medical office uses - 1 parking space for each 400 sq. ft. of floor space. See applicable use (22.112.070)
  • Eating/drinking establishments - 1 parking space for each 3 persons, based on occupant load determined by Public Works Department (minimum of 10 parking spaces) (22.112.070)

Building Setback:

  • No building setback required

Maximum Lot Coverage:

  • 90% of net area of lot (22.20.040)
  • 10% of net area must be open and landscaped (22.20.040)

Outside Display:

  • Limited to a few uses (22.140.420)

Outside Storage:

  • Not permitted (22.140.430)

Zone C-3: General Commercial

Permitted Uses:

  • Zone C-2 uses, secondhand stores (22.20.030.C)

Minimum Required Area:

  • No minimum required area. But see 21.24.240 of L.A. County Code - Subdivisions

Maximum Height Limit:

  • 13 times buildable area (22.20.040.B, 22.110.060), except as otherwise provided in community standards district

Minimum Required Parking:

  • General commercial – 1 parking space for each 250 sq. ft. of floor space (22.112.070)
  • Non-medical office uses – 1 parking space for each 400 sq. ft. of floor space. (22.112.070)
  • Eating/drinking establishments – 1 parking space for each 3 persons, based on occupant load determined by Public Works Department (minimum of 10 parking spaces) (22.112.070)

Building Setback:

  • No building setback required

Maximum Lot Coverage:

  • 90% of net area of lot (22.20.040)
  • 10% of net area must be landscaped (22.20.040)

Outside Display:

  • Automobile sales, restaurants, and a few other uses (22.140.420)

Outside Storage:

  • Permitted at the rear of a parcel when incidental to the permitted use existing in the front of the parcel; storage may not be closer than 50 feet to the front lot line and must be completely enclosed by a 5 to 6 foot-high solid fence or wall (22.140.430)

Zone C-H: Commercial Highway

Permitted Uses:

  • Community and financial services, parks and play grounds, business/professional offices. No retail sales (22.20.030.C)

Minimum Required Area:

  • No minimum required area. But see 21.24.240 of L.A. County Code - Subdivisions

Maximum Height Limit:

  • 35 feet, or as provided in community standards district (22.20.040)

Minimum Required Parking:

  • Banks, post offices, medical offices - 1 parking space per each 250 sq. ft. of floor space (22.112.070)
  • Other office uses - 1 parking space per each 400 sq. ft. of floor space (22.112.070)

Building Setback:

  • 20 feet for front or corner side yards where property adjoins a parkway, major or secondary highway. On local streets - same as adjoining residential or agriculture-zoned yard (22.20.050.A)

Maximum Lot Coverage:

  • 90% of net area of lot (22.20.040)
  • 10% of net area must be open and landscaped (22.20.040)

Outside Display:

  • Limited to a few uses (22.140.420)

Outside Storage:

  • Not permitted (22.140.430)

Zone C-M: Commercial Manufacturing

Permitted Uses:

  • Zone C-3 uses plus limited manufacture and assembly (22.20.030.C)

Minimum Required Area:

  • No minimum required area. But see 21.24.240 of L.A. County Code - Subdivisions

Maximum Height Limit:

  • 13 times buildable area, except as otherwise provided in community standards district (22.110.060)

Minimum Required Parking:

  • General commercial - 1 parking space for each 250 square feet of floor space (22.112.070)
  • Non-medical office uses - 1 parking space for each 400 sq. ft. of floor space (22.112.070)
  • Eating/drinking establishments–1 parking space for each 3 persons, based on occupant load determined by Public Works Department (minimum of 10 parking spaces) (22.112.070)

Building Setback:

  • No building setback required

Maximum Lot Coverage:

  • 90% of net area of lot (22.20.040)
  • 10% of net area must be landscaped (22.20.040)

Outside Display:

  • Same as C-3 (22.140.420)

Outside Storage:

  • Same as C-3 (22.140.430)

Zone C-R: Commercial Recreation

Permitted Uses:

  • Amusement parks, campgrounds, tennis courts, golf courses, limited agriculture (22.20.030.C)

Minimum Required Area:

  • 5 acres (22.110.130.A.4.a)
  • 1 acre – For sales and service uses (22.20.080.A)

Maximum Height Limit:

  • 13 times buildable area, except as otherwise provided in community standards district (22.110.060)

Minimum Required Parking:

  • See 22.112.070

Building Setback:

  • No building setback required

Maximum Lot Coverage:

  • No maximum lot coverage

Zone CPD: Commercial Planned Development

Permitted Uses:

  • R-A zone uses (22.20.090.A.1, 22.18.030.C)
  • Non-residential C-1 uses with approved CUP (22.20.090.A.2)

Minimum Required Area:

  • 5000 sq. ft. (22.20.090 and 22.110.130.A)

Maximum Height Limit:

  • 35 feet (22.20.040.C)
  • 13 times buildable area (22.110.060)

Minimum Required Parking:

  • Same as zones R-A and C-1 (22.112.030.B, 22.112.070)
  • As required by CUP (22.20.090)

Building Setback:

  • Same as R-A (22.20.090, 22.18.040, 22.18.040.B)
  • Subject to the provisions of the CUP

Maximum Lot Coverage:

  • 40% of gross area of the lot (22.20.090.B.3 – building shall not occupy more than 40%)

Other Standards:

  • Same as R-A
  • Design, access, utilities, signs, walls, walks, landscaping, and development schedule to be established in the conditional use permit
  • Development standards in R-1 zone shall apply to R-A zone uses (22.18.040)

TU

Please note that effective February 28, 2019, the following Code section references have been updated as listed above.
Visit Title 22 for more information.

Zone C-1: Restricted Business

Permitted Uses:

  • Zone C-H uses, commercial services, retail sales of new goods and genuine antiques (22.28.080)

Minimum Required Area:

  • No minimum required area. But see 21.24.240 of L.A. County Code - Subdivisions

Maximum Height Limit:

  • 35 feet, or as provided in community standards district (22.28.120)

Minimum Required Parking:

  • General commercial and medical offices - 1 parking space for each 250 sq. ft. of floor space.
  • Other office uses - 1 parking space per each 400 sq. ft. of floor space (22.52.1100). See applicable use – Part 11, Chapter 22.52
  • Eating/drinking establishments – 1 parking space for each 3 persons, based on occupant load determined by Public Works Department, (minimum of 10 parking spaces). (22.52.1110)

Building Setback:

  • 20 feet for front or corner side yards where property adjoins a parkway, major or secondary highway. On local streets - same as the adjoining residential or agriculture-zoned property (22.28.120)

Maximum Lot Coverage:

  • 90% of net area of lot
  • 10% of net area must be landscaped (22.28.120)

Outside Display:

  • C-H uses plus a few additional uses (22.28.120)

Outside Storage:

  • Not permitted (22.28.120)

Zone C-2: Neighborhood Business

Permitted Uses:

  • Zone C-1 uses, rentals, outdoor advertising, tailor shops (22.28.130)

Minimum Required Area:

  • No minimum required area. But see 21.24.240 of L.A. County Code - Subdivisions

Maximum Height Limit:

  • 35 feet, or as provided in community standards district (22.28.170)

Minimum Required Parking:

  • General commercial - 1 parking space for each 250 sq. ft. of floor space
  • Non-medical office uses - 1 parking space for each 400 sq. ft. of floor space. See applicable use- Part 11, Chapter 22.52
  • Eating/drinking establishments - 1 parking space for each 3 persons, based on occupant load determined by Public Works Department ( minimum of 10 parking spaces)

Building Setback:

  • No building setback required

Maximum Lot Coverage:90% of net area of lot

  • 10% of net area must be open and landscaped (22.28.170)

Outside Display:

  • Limited to a few uses (22.28.170)

Outside Storage:

  • Not permitted (22.28.170)

Zone C-3: Unlimited Commercial

Permitted Uses:

  • Zone C-2 uses, secondhand stores (22.28.180)

Minimum Required Area:

  • No minimum required area. But see 21.24.240 of L.A. County Code - Subdivisions

Maximum Height Limit:

  • 13 times buildable area, except as otherwise provided in community standards district (22.52.050)

Minimum Required Parking:

  • General commercial – 1 parking space for each 250 sq. ft. of floor space

  • Non-medical office uses – 1 parking space for each 400 sq. ft. of floor space. See applicable use– Part 11, Chapter 22.52

  • Eating/drinking establishments – 1 parking space for each 3 persons, based on occupant load determined by Public Works Department (minimum of 10 parking spaces)

Building Setback:

  • No building setback required

Maximum Lot Coverage:

  • 90% of net area of lot
  • 10% of net area must be landscaped (22.28.220)

Outside Display:

  • Automobile sales, restaurants, and a few other uses (22.28.220)

Outside Storage:

  • Permitted at the rear of a parcel when incidental to the permitted use existing in the front of the parcel; storage may not be closer than 50 feet to the front lot line and must be completely enclosed by a 5 to 6 foot-high solid fence or wall (22.28.280)

Zone C-H: Commercial Highway

Permitted Uses:

  • Community and financial services, parks and play grounds, business/professional offices. No retail sales (22.28.030)

Minimum Required Area:

  • No minimum required area. But see 21.24.240 of L.A. County Code - Subdivisions

Maximum Height Limit:

  • 35 feet, or as provided in community standards district (22.28.070)

Minimum Required Parking:

  • Banks, post offices, medical offices - 1 parking space per each 250 sq. ft. of floor space
  • Other office uses - 1 parking space per each 400 sq. ft. of floor space (22.52.1100)

Building Setback:

  • 20 feet for front or corner side yards where property adjoins a parkway, major or secondary highway. On local streets - same as adjoining residential or agriculture-zoned yard (22.28.070)

Maximum Lot Coverage:

  • 90% of net area of lot
  • 10% of net area must be open and landscaped (22.28.070)

Outside Display:

  • Limited to a few uses (22.28.070)

Outside Storage:

  • Not permitted (22.28.070)

Zone C-M: Commercial Manufacturing

Permitted Uses:

  • Zone C-3 uses plus limited manufacture and assembly (22.28.230)

Minimum Required Area:

  • No minimum required area. But see 21.24.240 of L.A. County Code - Subdivisions

Maximum Height Limit:

  • 13 times buildable area, except as otherwise provided in community standards district (22.52.050)

Minimum Required Parking:

  • General commercial - 1 parking space for each 250 square feet of floor space
  • Non-medical office uses - 1 parking space for each 400 sq. ft. of floor space. See applicable use– Part 11, Chapter 22.52
  • Eating/drinking establishments–1 parking space for each 3 persons, based on occupant load determined by Public Works Department (minimum of 10 parking spaces)

Building Setback:

  • No building setback required

Maximum Lot Coverage:

  • 90% of net area of lot
  • 10% of net area must be landscaped (22.28.270)

Outside Display:

  • Same as C-3 (22.28.270)

Outside Storage:

  • Same as C-3 (22.28.270)

Zone C-R: Commercial Recreation

Permitted Uses:

  • Amusement parks, campgrounds, tennis courts, golf courses, limited agriculture (22.28.290)

Minimum Required Area:

  • 5 acres (22.52.100)

Maximum Height Limit:

  • 13 times buildable area, except as otherwise provided in community standards district (22.52.050)

Minimum Required Parking:

  • See applicable use–Part 11, Chapter 22.52

Building Setback:

  • No building setback required

Maximum Lot Coverage:

  • No maximum lot coverage

Zone C-RU: Rural Commercial

Permitted Uses:

  • Limited, low-intensity commercial uses that are compatible with rural and agricultural activities, including retail, restaurants, and personal and professional offices.
  • Recreation and Amusement (22.28.360)

Minimum Required Area:

  • Not applicable.
  • Density/FAR:
    • Residential: 0-5 du/net ac
    • Non-Residential: Maximum FAR 0-5

Maximum Height Limit:

  • 35 feet (22.28.360.C), except as otherwise provided in community standards district.

Minimum Required Parking:

  • 22.28.360.F
  • See applicable use–Part 11, Chapter 22.52

Building Setback:

  • Yard Setbacks vary. (22.28.400)

Maximum Lot Coverage:

  • 50% (22.28.400.D)

Refer to https://case.planning.lacounty.gov/assets/upl/project/tnc_zoning-commercial.pdf.

Zone CPD: Commercial Planned Development

Permitted Uses:

  • One R-A uses (22.28.340)
  • Non-residential C-1 uses with approved CUP (22.28.340)

Minimum Required Area:

  • 5000 sq. ft. (22.28.340 and 22.52.100)

Maximum Height Limit:

  • 35 feet (22.28.170)
  • 13 times buildable area (22.52.050)

Minimum Required Parking:

  • Same as zones R-A and C-1 (22.28.340, 22.20.130, 22.52.1180)
  • As required by CUP (22.28.340)

Building Setback:

  • Same as R-A (22.28.340, 22.20.450, 22.20.120)
  • Subject to the provisions of the CUP

Maximum Lot Coverage:

  • Does not apply
  • 40% of gross area of the lot (22.28.340)

Other Standards:

  • Same as R-A
  • Design, access, utilities, signs, walls, walks, landscaping, and development schedule to be established in the conditional use permit

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