The Landscape and Site Design Ordinance and Point System (LSDO) were recently adopted by the City Council and will become effective on Nov. 15, 2026. The ordinance will replace the prior Landscape Ordinance (last updated in 1996) and its guidelines in favor of objective standards.
The LSDO establishes a point-based system organized under three key design approaches:
- Pedestrian First Design
- 360 Degree Design
- Climate-Adapted Design.
Through this point system, the new ordinance establishes design standards while also allowing for design flexibility. The LSDO is reviewed through an online Administrative Review procedure that does not require discretionary review or a public hearing. More information on how to apply can be found below.
Which Projects Are Subject to the Ordinance?
Projects that meet the following criteria will be subject to the new ordinance beginning on Nov. 15, 2026:
Residential or Mixed-Use
The construction of new residential or mixed-use building(s) with five or more dwelling units and/or guest rooms and efficiency dwelling units, or the division of land creating five or more lots, whether an air space lot or parcel or land or in conjunction with new construction.
Non-Residential
The construction of any new non-residential building(s) for commercial, institutional, or public use. This includes the infill of new, detached buildings on-site with existing buildings.
Industrial or Hybrid Industrial Projects
The construction of any new industrial use building(s) listed in the Subject Use list in Section 13.18 E.2 of this Code, or hybrid-industrial use building.
Surface Parking Area Construction or Configuration
Any surface parking area of eight or more parking stalls, involving the following:
- Construction or reconfiguration of existing surface parking area;
- Resurfacing or regrading of existing surface parking areas;
- Creation of new surface parking areas of any size; and
- Re-striping of surface parking areas and projects, specifically projects involving resurfacing or regrading of existing surface parking areas or the creation of new surface parking areas and changes necessary to meet accessible parking standards, Electric Vehicle (EV) parking requirements or for general maintenance and upkeep of parking facilities accessory to the primary use of land.
Note: Projects vested prior to the effective date of the LSDO may be exempt from the requirements. Please consult with the Development Services Center to confirm vested status.
How To Apply
The ordinance uses a Landscape and Site Design Point System with objective standards grouped under three design approaches: Pedestrian-First Design, 360 Degree Design, and Climate-Adapted Design. Below are the Landscape and Site Design Point System Requirements by Project Type.
| Project Type | Minimum Points Required for each of the 9 Design Categories | Minimum Required Designing for Health Standards per Project | Total Points Required | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type (a) or (b): Residential/ Mixed-Use or Non-Residential Projects | 3 points | 8 standards, or 10 if Project is located within Health and Urban Forest Equity Priority Area | 27 points (See Note) | |||
| Type (c): Industrial/ Hybrid Industrial Projects | N/A | 0 standards, or 2 if Project is located within Health and Urban Forest Equity Priority Area | 15 points | |||
| Type (d): Surface Parking Area Construction or Reconfiguration | N/A | 0 standards, or 2 if Project is located within Health and Urban Forest Equity Priority Area | 15 points | |||
| Note: A Project seeking an approval pursuant to LAMC Section 12.22.A.37 (State Density Bonus Program), LAMC Section 12.22.A.38 (Mixed Income Incentive Program), or LAMC Section 12.22.A.39 (Affordable Housing Incentive Program) shall require 30 points in lieu of the 27 points otherwise required by this section if one or more of the following incentives are requested under the Menu of Incentives: Lot Coverage, Lot Width, Open Space, or Relief from a Development Standard. A Project seeking incentives not on the Menu of Incentives pursuant to the Mixed Income Incentive Program shall require 35 points for compliance with the Landscape and Site Design Ordinance. | ||||||
The Landscape and Site Design Ordinance Calculator is a new online tool that allows users to select from a combination of mandatory and elective standards to meet the design objectives and necessary points, depending on the project type. When a project has demonstrated that it meets all requirements, the LSDO calculator will automatically generate a completed Administrative Clearance (ADM) form (CP-4106), ready to submit as part of your application.
For questions, please visit the City’s new BuildLA portal to join the Same Day Virtual Counter or contact the Department of City Planning's Development Services Center (DSC):
- Figueroa Counter: planning.figcounter@lacity.org
- West LA Counter: planning.westlacounter@lacity.org
- Valley Counter: planning.mbc2@lacity.org
