You can find the zoning for a property by using the, Zoning Information and Map Access System (ZIMAS), :   Go to ZIMAS . Enter the property address. Select, "Planning and Zoning", from the drop-down menu. Check the "Zone" field. Click on the zone to view the zoning information., Understanding the Zoning Information, The zoning information will typically include a combination of letters and numbers that represent the specific zoning regulations that apply to the property. For example, a property might be zoned as, [MB3-SH1-1[CX3-4[CPIO, , where:  , MB3, is the Form District in Article 2 of the New Zoning Code., SH1, is the Frontage District in Article 3 of the New Zoning Code., 1, is the Development Standards District in Article 4 of the New Zoning Code., CX3, is the Use District in Article 5 of the New Zoning Code., 4, is the Density District in Article 6 of the New Zoning Code., CPIO, is the Supplemental District in Article 8 of the New Zoning Code. However, the zoning information may also be a shorter combination of letters and numbers as the zoning for the property. For example, a property…, [FWY[CPIO, , where:  , FWY, is the Special Zone in Article 8 of the New Zoning Code., CPIO, is the Supplemental District in Article 8 of the New Zoning Code., Important Notes:, If the zone is represented as a combination of letters and numbers in brackets (e.g.,, [MB3-SH1-1[CX3-4[CPIO, ), then the property is in an area governed by the, New Zoning Code, . If the zone is represented as a combination of letters and numbers without brackets (e.g.,, [QC2-2D-CDO, ), then the property is in an area governed by the, Original Zoning Code, . The, New Zoning Code, is being implemented gradually through the Community Plan Update Program , starting with the Downtown Community Plan. During this transition period, both the, New Zoning Code, and the, Original Zoning Code, will be in effect in different parts of the City. For properties subject to the, New Zoning Code, , it is important to note that it introduces new concepts and terminology.

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. Go to the Report function on the Interactive Web-Based Zoning Code . Enter…, Zoning Information and Map Access System (ZIMAS), : Go to the ZIMAS . Enter the property address. Select, "Planning and Zoning", from the drop-down menu. Check the, "Zone", field. Click on the zone to view the zoning information., Understanding the Zoning Information, The zoning information will typically include a combination of letters and numbers that represent the specific zoning regulations that apply to the property., New Zoning Code, If the zone is represented as a combination of letters and numbers in brackets (e.g.,, [MB3-SH1-1[CX3-4[CPIO, ), then the property is in an area governed by the New Zoning Code. The bracketed letters and numbers represent the following:  , MB3, is the Form District, which regulates the building's form, such as its height, setbacks, and lot coverage., SH1, is the Frontage District, which regulates the building's frontage, such as the transparency and articulation of the facade., 1, is the Development Standards District, which regulates the development standards, such as parking, landscaping, and access., CX3, is the Use District, which regulates the uses that are allowed on the property., 4, is the Density District, which regulates the density of development on the property., CPIO, is the Supplemental District, which provides additional regulations that supplement the zoning., Original Zoning Code, If the zone is represented as a combination of letters and numbers without brackets (e.g.,, [QC2-2D-CDO, ), then the property is in an area governed by the Original Zoning Code. To find those regulations by going to ZIMAS and clicking on the zone for the property which will take you to the Original Zoning Code (…, Important Notes:, The New Zoning Code is being implemented gradually, starting with the Downtown Community Plan. Other Community Plans will be updated over time, expanding the areas subject to the New Zoning Code. During this transition period, both…

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, Locate the property on the Zoning Information and Map Access System ( ZIMAS ) or through the Interactive Web-Based Zoning Code. The zone designation will include the Use District in brackets, such as, [MB3-SH1-1[CX3-4, . The Use District is a component of the New Zoning Code that regulates land use. In the, [MB3-SH1-1[CX3-4, example,, "CX3", is the Use District., 2. Consult the Use District Table, Find the Use District Table for the corresponding Use District in Part 5B (Use Districts) . Locate the use in the, "Use" column, . If you are having trouble finding your proposed use, please review and determine the most relevant, Use Definition, in Part 5D (Use Definitions) ., Helpful Hint:, Find the, Use Definition, that most closely describes the nature of the specific use in question., Use Definitions, will often include a short list of specified uses as examples to support the definition. For a more exhaustive list of, Specified Uses, (past uses that have been sorted into their corresponding, Code Uses, ) please reference the, Use Finder Tool, in the navigation tab on the left. Check the corresponding, "Permission" column, to determine if the use is permitted. If the use is listed as, "P", , it means it is allowed (permitted), but may still be subject to standards as established in the applicable use table. If the use is listed as, "CU1", ,, "CU2", , or, "CU3", , it means the use requires a conditional use permit. If the use is listed as, "S", , it means the use is subject to a Special Use Program. If the use is listed as, "A-", or, "A+", , it means the use is dependent on the zoning of the adjoining lot. If the use is listed as, "--", , it means the use is not permitted. If the use is listed with a, "Use Standard", or, "Specification", , review those sections for any applicable standards or limitations as established in the applicable use table., 3. Specified Uses, When filing for a use determination, you will be required to identify the, Code Use, along with your, Specified Use, (past uses that have been sorted into their corresponding, Code Uses, ). An exhaustive list of over 1,400, Specified Uses, have been uploaded to our, Use Finder Tool, for your reference in the navigation tab on the left when browsing the, New Zoning Code, . Begin typing your, Specified Use, into the search field and the, Use Finder Tool, will begin offering options based on what you begin typing.  Select the relevant, Specified Use, to find out what, Code Use, it has been sorted under. If your use is not listed in the, Use Finder Tool, , it may be considered an, Unlisted Use, and may require a determination by the, Zoning Administrator, . If your proposed use is an, Unlisted Use, , the, Zoning Administrator, will determine the appropriate, Code Use, for the unlisted use after filing a, Use Specification Form, and all applicable fees are paid. When a, Code Use, is identified for the, Unlisted Use, , it will then be added to the, Use Finder Tool, database., Important Notes, Always refer to the most recent version of the New Zoning Code and Use District Tables for accurate and up-to-date information. If you do not have a specific property and you are just trying to see where a particular, Code Use, is allowed across all, Use Districts, , please refer to the Use Permission Reference Table . Please keep in mind that this table does not include any applicable, Use Standards, ; however, the presence of an, asterisk “*”, indicates that one or more Use Standard(s) applies.

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)., New Zoning Code (Chapter 1A):, Applies to properties within Community Plans that have been updated as part of the City's ongoing Community Plan Update Program . The New Zoning Code features a streamlined and user-friendly structure, with a focus on clarity and flexibility., Original Zoning Code (Chapter 1):, Applies to properties in areas where Community Plans have not yet been updated. You can determine which Zoning Code applies to a property by:, Using the Zoning Information and Map Access System (ZIMAS):, Utilizing ZIMAS and entering the subject property’s address, then selecting the “Planning and Zoning” drop-down and checking the “Zoning” field. Clicking on the zone will either send you to the Original Zoning Code…, [MB3-SH1-1 [CX3-4, ) is distinct from the Original Zoning Code’s zone string (ex:, [QC2-2D-CDO, ), and is also a good indication as to which Zoning Code applies., Using the Interactive Web-Based Zoning Code:, This Interactive Web-Based Zoning Code has a property report function that allows you to enter the property's address, and generate a report that provides a summary of the relevant regulations. If the property address is not subject to the…, Important Notes:, The New Zoning Code is being implemented gradually, starting with the Downtown Community Plan. Other Community Plans will be updated over time, expanding the areas subject to the New Zoning Code. During this transition period, both…

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. The majority of Relief options are called Quasi-Judicial Decisions and involve the exercise…, Alternative Compliance:, This option allows for flexibility in how you meet the intent (goals) of a rule. The Director of Planning may grant alternative compliance if your proposed alternative still fulfills or exceeds the intent of the rule., Adjustments:, An Adjustment is a minor modification to a rule that involves a specific number or measurement. The Director of Planning can grant an adjustment if strictly applying the rule would be impractical., Variances:, A Variance allows you to deviate from the strict requirements of the New Zoning Code if a Zoning Administrator finds that following them would cause practical difficulty or unnecessary hardship and that special circumstances apply to the property (…, Important Notes:, The New Zoning Code can be complex, and getting relief from regulations can be tricky. Always start by checking the "Relief" subsection of the specific rule you're working with to see what options are available. Next, check the…