Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning

Density Bonus Ordinance

Under the County’s Density Bonus Ordinance, you may be able to build more residential units on your property than what is allowed by code. Density bonus projects are also eligible to receive other benefits, such as reduced parking requirements and other development standard modifications. However, the density bonus cannot be applied to uses or building types that are prohibited by zoning (for example, multi-family buildings in a single-family residential or agricultural zone). View the fact sheet below to learn more:

• Density Bonus Ordinance Fact Sheet (English and Spanish)

Assembly Bill (AB) 1763 (NEW)

Assembly Bill 1763, effective January 1, 2020, amends the State Density Bonus Law (Section 65915 of the Government Code). The bill allows for taller and denser 100 percent affordable housing developments, especially those near transit, through the creation of an enhanced affordable housing density bonus. See below tables for the minimum number of affordable units and their corresponding density bonuses and incentives.

• Table 22.120.050-A: Affordable Housing Set-Asides and Density Bonuses (with AB 1763 changes in red)
• Table 22.120.050-B: Affordable Housing Set-Asides and Incentives (with AB 1763 changes in red)

The bill also exempts certain special needs housing developments and supportive housing developments from any parking requirement. See below parking ratios table for more details.

• Table 22.120.050-B: Affordable Housing Set-Asides and Incentives (with AB 1763 changes in red)

You may also view all the tables above in the AB 1763 Informational Memo.

Other Resources

• Density Bonus Ordinance update - adopted October 15, 2019, effective November 14, 2019
  • Senior Citizen Housing Flow Chart
  • Affordable Housing Flow Chart
  • Income Limits and Affordable Rent/Housing Cost Limits (Note: There are limits on the amount of rent that can be charged for the affordable units. Residents must meet household income thresholds to qualify for affordable housing. Affordable rental units must remain affordable for at least 55 years.)

How to apply for a density bonus

Ask us at the front counter, email zoningldcc@planning.lacounty.gov, or call (213) 974-6411 to find out if your project qualifies for the Density Bonus program. You will need to fill out the “Housing Permit” application forms.

Click here for Density Bonus Ordinance Archive page for historical information about the Density Bonus Ordinance update hearings and previous version of the ordinance.

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