Small Lot Subdivision Information

In 2005, the City of Los Angeles adopted the Small Lot Subdivision Ordinance (“Ordinance”) which introduced a new housing typology to the City. The new housing type, a small lot home, was enabled by the Ordinance’s subdivision regulations that permitted fee-simple homeownership of homes located on conventionally smaller lots and in zones where apartment units would be permitted by-right. Such permitting regulations included reduced minimum lot areas, setback and passageway requirements, and the altogether elimination of standardized open space and guest parking requirements. As a result, the Small Lot Subdivision Ordinance enabled new infill housing development, presented as a hybrid between single- and multi- family housing, that has been a smart growth alternative to traditional suburban style single- family subdivisions.

While the Ordinance created new homeownership opportunities to the traditional single- family or condominium, small lot projects faced challenges related to spatial planning and neighborhood compatibility. After over ten years of implementation of the Ordinance, and in response to Council motions, project appeals and ongoing community discussion, the Department of City Planning has updated the regulations and procedures for small lot subdivisions. The intent of the Update was to equip the City with the tools necessary to review and revise proposed small lot subdivisions with the overarching goal to improve a project’s compatibility with existing by-right zoning and neighborhood contexts.

The Update consisted of amending the Ordinance to: 1) recognize a clear set of map standards to be discretionarily administered to all small lot subdivision maps; 2) establish an administrative review process that permits an enforceable design review of individual small lot homes; 3) reduce previous incentives for newly constructed small lot homes by way of requiring greater setbacks and reducing maximum lot coverage; and 4) create a clear path to retain existing dwelling units and convert them small lot homes.

Information provided by City of Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety.