Land Use

Temple of Judea CUP (Conditional Use Permit) Application

Mansionization Ordinance Update

The City Council unanimously approved the Baseline Mansionization Ordinance at its meeting on May 6.  The basic provisions of the ordinance are as follows...

Basic maximum house size: The basic maximum house size is a percent of the lot in each zone.
o R1: 50% of lot size if under 7500 sq. ft; the greater of 3750 sq. ft. or 45% of lot size if over that
o RS: 45% of lot size under 9000 sq. ft.; the greater of 4050 sq. ft. or 40% of lot size if under that
o RE9, RE11: 40% of lot size under 15,000 sq. ft.; the greater of 6000 sq. ft. or 35% of lot size if under that
o RE15, RE20, RE 40: 35% of lot
o RA: 25% of lot size under 20,000 sq. ft.; the greater of 5000 sq. ft. or 20% of lot size if under that
o These numbers exclude 400 sq. ft. for a garage and an articulation bonus.

• Bonus provisions: A bonus of up to 20% if the second floor is not more than 75% of the first floor size or if it meets a complex articulation formula. Another option is a “Green Bonus” of 20% if the house meets the US Green Building Council’s Design requirements at the “Certified” or higher level. Only one bonus (Green or Articulation) can be applied.
• 10% Variance. The Planning Department can administratively grant a 10% bonus to the permitted house size without the normal variance and public hearing process.
• Residential Floor Area District (RSAD). This provision allows a neighborhood to establish more restrictive or less restrictive home size ratios than nominal for the particular zone. This is a very positive change, since it empowers local neighborhoods and removes the often voiced objective concerning the difficulty of a “one size fits all” ordinance for an area as diverse as Los Angeles. While a number of ways to implement the RSAD are called out, it basically requires 75% agreement by the residents in the specified area.
• Height Limits: A two story height limit with a maximum height of 33 feet for sloped roofs and 28 for flat roofs (less than 25% slope) in R1, RS, and RE 9 lots; 36 feet and 30 feet for RE11-RE40 and RA lots. There is a provision for “average height” if 40% of the existing homes on the block are higher. There is another provision for a special Single Story Height District.

Two amendments were offered at the hearing. One is a “sunset” provision which means the ordinance is void after two years if the Hillside Mansionization Ordinance is not passed by then. The Baseline Mansionization Ordinance sunset can be extended by Council resolution. This amendment was adopted. A second amendment offered was specifically for new subdivision: it would not count 600 square feet of the garage in the permissible house size, rather than the 400 square feet contained in the Baseline ordinance. The amendment was withdrawn to be offered as a separate amendment at a later Council hearing.

Dave Garfinkle

Chair: Kathy Delle Donne

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