Landscape and Site Design Ordinance Website

Initially launched as the Healthy Buildings, Healthy Places Initiative in 2020, in response to the glaring social and environmental health inequities uncovered during the pandemic, this program implements several goals, policies, and programs identified in the Plan for a Healthy Los Angeles and the 2021-2029 Housing Element. Last year, Planning staff held a series of public listening sessions to share a recommended framework for the Landscape and Site Design Ordinance. In response to public feedback, an innovative approach was developed through an easy-to-use point system that can be adapted to a wide variety of uses, project scales, and settings, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.

The draft Ordinance reflects best practices in addressing climate needs and social factors, and provides multiple pathways to advance site design principles that make our streets and sidewalks more walkable, support healthy communities, provide spaces for nature and biodiversity to flourish, and create buildings and places that support positive community interaction.

Through the updated Landscape and Site Design Point System, objective design standards are organized into the following three design approaches: Pedestrian-First Design, 360 Degree Design and Climate-Adapted Landscape and Site Design, based upon the City Planning Commission’s adopted Citywide Design Guidelines in effect today. Under the three design approaches, the objective design standards are further organized under nine categories. Points are assigned through a combination of Mandatory and Elective Standards.

To complement the Landscape and Site Design Standards the proposed Ordinance proposes a new classification for covered outdoor spaces that provide amenities such as balconies, terraces and courtyards and exempts such areas from floor area and height calculations provided they meet certain design criteria. While the new Zoning Code (Chapter 1A) addresses such outdoor spaces, the current Zoning Code does not yet include enabling language to support these uses, which have become increasingly essential to building occupants, and promote health and wellbeing, particularly in the post-pandemic recovery. Bridging this gap between the current and new Zoning Codes incentives climate-friendly design solutions for outdoor areas. Outdoor Dining Areas for restaurants are exempted from this definition, and will need to comply with the City’s Draft Al Fresco Ordinance (Council File 20-1074-S4)

In July 2024, City Planning staff released a second draft of the Landscape and Site Design Ordinance and Point System in advance of the Public Hearing on July 31, 2024. City staff are currently evaluating comments, gathering feedback, and revising the ordinance. The deadline for written comments on the Landscape and Site Design Ordinance has been extended to August 30, 2024.

For more information and to submit your comments, please contact planning.urbandesign@lacity.org