Tom Rothmann explains how and why Los Angeles is updating antiquated language governing land use in the city.
Los Angeles' zoning code—the second-oldest in the country for a major city, dating back to 1946—is known to be near-indiscernible, filled with confusing overlays, supplemental use districts, "Q Conditions," and "D limitations" added over the decades.
The city of Los Angeles is in the midst of a five-year process to clarify this complex language through its re:code LA effort, led by the Department of City Planning. Senior City Planner Tom Rothmann spoke with The Planning Report to provide an overview of re:code LA’s objectives, funding, timeframe, and challenges. He also details issues with zoning as-is and notes other municipalities' codes that can serve as examples for LA:
"The model we like is Raleigh, North Carolina. People say, 'That’s a completely different city!' But the ideas are the same, although obviously LA is going to be a little more complex. It’s a really great code. We all seem to like the way that it looks. It makes things simple, relying on charts, graphics, and simple language that helps get the point across of what we’re requiring—rather than pages-long columns of prose text that numbs the brain."
This is Part I in a TPR series on the Los Angeles Zoning Code, with the publication's March issue carrying the next installment.
FULL STORY: LA City’s re:code—Pitched as Simplifying City’s Complex & Opaque Zoning Code
Oregon Passes Exemption to Urban Growth Boundary
Cities have a one-time chance to acquire new land for development in a bid to increase housing supply and affordability.
Where Urban Design Is Headed in 2024
A forecast of likely trends in urban design and architecture.
Savannah: A City of Planning Contrasts
From a human-scales, plaza-anchored grid to suburban sprawl, the oldest planned city in the United States has seen wildly different development patterns.
Washington Tribes Receive Resilience Funding
The 28 grants support projects including relocation efforts as coastal communities face the growing impacts of climate change.
Adaptive Reuse Bills Introduced in California Assembly
The legislation would expand eligibility for economic incentives and let cities loosen regulations to allow for more building conversions.
LA's Top Parks, Ranked
TimeOut just released its list of the top 26 parks in the L.A. area, which is home to some of the best green spaces around.
City of Rochester
Boston Harbor Now
City of Bellevue
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
City of Birmingham, Alabama
City of Laramie, Wyoming
Colorado Department of Local Affairs
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.