Glossary of Terms

Architectural element is defined as any building component, either decorative or structural, which is outside of or comprises the building envelope. Examples include windows, walls, cornices, and parapets. For the purposes of Sec. 14.2.5.B. (Vertical Encroachments), architectural elements is defined as building elements attached to or integrated onto the roof of a building, not intended for human occupation. Examples of architectural elements may include, but are not limited to: skylights, steeples, spires, belfries, cupolas, domes, flagpoles, or lighting.

Architectural feature is defined as a structure or assembly of architectural elements attached to or integrated with a facade. Often architectural features include occupiable space. Examples include: bay windows, balconies, and entry features.

Area median income is defined as the median income in Los Angeles County as determined annually by the California Department of Housing and Community Development, adjusted for household size.

Area of overlap is defined as the portion of a lot's area where the build-to zones of two intersecting frontage lot lines overlap. See Sec. 3C.1.2. (Build-To Depth). For an illustration of the area of overlap, see Sec. 3C.1.2.C.4. (Standards).

Area Planning Commission is defined pursuant to Sec. 552. (Area Planning Commission) of the City Charter.

Pursuant to Sec. 3D.6.5. (Articulating Element), articulating element is defined as permanent architectural details used to embellish a facade design to accentuate an articulation technique or facade composition.

At-grade is defined as a descriptor ascribed to something, such as a floor or entry, which is at the elevation of the ground where the ground meets the foundation of a building.

Attended bicycle parking service is defined as a service by which a bicycle is left in the care of an attendant(s) with provision for identifying the bicycle's owner. See Sec. 4C.3.2.C.7. (Attended Bicycle Parking Service) and Sec. 4C.3.3.C.5. (Attended Bicycle Parking Service).

Pursuant to Sec. 14.2.10.F. (Attic), attic is defined as the clear height between the underside of the finished ceiling or exposed framing, whichever is lower, and the finished floor.

Pursuant to Sec. 4C.2.1.C.1. (Automobile Access Packages), automobile access packages are defined as a combination of standards regulating automobile access between the public roadway and a lot.

Pursuant to Sec. 4C.4.1. (Automobile Parking Stalls), automobile parking stalls are defined as a space within a building, or a private or public parking area, exclusive of driveways, ramps, columns, office, and work areas, for the parking of one automobile. Automobile parking stalls do not include bicycle parking.

For the purposes of Sec. 13B.10.4. (Annual Inspection Monitoring (Type 2)), automotive repair garage is defined pursuant to Sec. 13B.10.4.A.3. (Definitions) as any use described by the definition of: 1) motor vehicle services: light 2) motor vehicle services: heavy 3) or motor vehicle services: large vehicle per Part 5D. (Use Definitions).

Avenue is defined as any public right-of-way designated as an Avenue I, II, or III on the Citywide General Plan Circulation System maps of the Circulation Element of the General Plan.

Average natural slope is defined as the average of the ungraded slopes at selected contours within a given parcel of land divided by its area as computed from either the City Engineer’s topographic maps or a topographic map prepared by a registered civil engineer or land surveyor and meets all the standards in Sec. 14.2.18.A. (Average Natural Slope).

Pursuant to Sec. 4C.11.6.C.1. (Awning Sign), awning sign is defined as a sign painted, sewn, or otherwise adhered to the material of an awning as an integrated part of the awning itself.

Pursuant to Sec. 3D.6.1. (Base, Middle & Top Articulation), base, middle & top articulation is defined as a requirement composed of three separate and coordinated articulating elements designed to visually break a building facade up into three separately legible layers.

Pursuant to Sec. 3D.6.2. (Base-Top Articulation), base-top articulation is defined as a requirement composed of two separate and coordinated articulating elements designed to visually break a building facade up into two separately legible layers.

Pursuant to Sec. 14.2.10.G. (Basement), basement is defined as an occupiable portion of a building located below the ground story.

Bee is defined as any stage of life of the common domestic honey bee (Apis Mellifera).

Beehive is defined as a structure that houses a bee colony.

Pursuant to Sec. 3D.6.5.C.2. (Belt Course), belt course is defined as a horizontal course projecting beyond the face of the surrounding building facade often shaped to mark a division in the facade wall.

Bicycle cage is defined as a locked bicycle parking area that has been fenced off to prohibit access by the general public, and contain bicycle racks that provide a means of securing the bicycle frame at two points to a securely anchored rack.

Bicycle corral is defined as any on-street public bicycle parking space in which multiple short-term bicycle parking racks have been installed.

Bicycle room is defined as a locked bicycle parking area that has been walled off to prohibit access by the general public, and which, contain bicycle racks that provide a means of securing the bicycle frame at two points to a securely anchored rack.

Bicycle share dock is defined as a device designed to receive a bicycle for locked storage as part of a system that directly rents bicycles on a short-term basis.

Bicycle share service provider is defined as an entity operating a system that directly provides bicycles for rent on a short-term basis.

Bicycle share station is defined as a combination of multiple bicycle share docks, automated payment equipment, and related equipment associated with bicycle rentals on a short-term basis.

Bisecting line is defined as a line that equally divides the angle created by the projection of intersecting lot lines of a lot adjoining the street of a corner lot as illustrated in Sec. 4C.11.3.D. (Measurement).

Block is defined as a lot or grouping of lots with public ways on all sides.

Block face is defined as any number of lots that have a primary street lot line adjacent to one side of a segment of private or a public street that lies between two other streets or alleys.

Bollard is defined a an upright post consisting of a piece of timber, concrete, metal or similar material fixed firmly in an upright position intended to impede various forms of traffic or circulation.

Bonus building width is defined as the bonus building width granted pursuant to Sec. 2C.6.1.C.2. (Bonus Building Width).

See bonus floor area.

Bonus floor area is defined as having the same meaning as tier 2 bonus floor area ratio.

Bonus height is defined as having the same meaning as tier 2 bonus height.

For the purposes of the Home-Sharing Program (Sec. 5C.3.2.), booking service is defined pursuant to Sec. 5C.3.2.B. (Definitions) as any reservation or payment service provided by a person that facilitates a short-term rental transaction between a person and a prospective guest or transient user, and for which the person collects or receives, directly or indirectly through an agent or intermediary, a fee in connection with the reservation or payment of services provided for the transaction.