Developer & Investor Reference
Los Angeles
Residential Zoning Guide
Every LA residential zone from R1 to R5 and the RD series — density rules, by-right unit math, and TOC bonus tiers. Verify any parcel in seconds with the free unit calculator.
| Zone | Density Rule | By-Right Units |
|---|---|---|
| R1 | 1 primary dwelling per lot. SB 9 (2021) allows a second unit and/or urban lot split on most R1 parcels, and California ADU law adds an ADU + JADU. | 2 |
| R2 | 1 unit per 1,500 sq ft of lot area under LAMC Title 12. | 5 |
| R3 | 1 unit per 800 sq ft of lot area under LAMC Title 12. | 9 |
| R4 | 1 unit per 400 sq ft of lot area under LAMC Title 12. | 18 |
| R5 | 1 unit per 200 sq ft of lot area under LAMC Title 12. | 37 |
| RD1.5 | 1 unit per 1,200 sq ft of lot area under LAMC Title 12. | 6 |
| RD2 | 1 unit per 1,200 sq ft of lot area under LAMC Title 12 (shares RD1.5's per-unit minimum; differs in lot-area minimums). | 6 |
| RD3 | 1 unit per 1,200 sq ft of lot area under LAMC Title 12. | 6 |
| RD4 | 1 unit per 1,600 sq ft of lot area under LAMC Title 12. | 4 |
| RD5 | 1 unit per 2,000 sq ft of lot area under LAMC Title 12. | 3 |
| RD6 | 1 unit per 2,400 sq ft of lot area under LAMC Title 12. | 3 |
R1
R1 — One-Family Dwelling Zone
Single-family homes, SB 9 duplex conversions, ADU additions
Full Guide →R2
R2 — Two-Family Dwelling Zone
Duplexes, small multifamily, owner-occupied + rental combinations
Full Guide →R3
R3 — Multiple Dwelling Zone
Apartment buildings, condo developments, small-lot subdivisions
Full Guide →R4
R4 — Multiple Dwelling Zone (High Density)
Mid-rise apartments, mixed-income projects, ED1 100%-affordable developments
Full Guide →R5
R5 — Multiple Dwelling Zone (Maximum Density)
High-rise residential, downtown towers, transit-adjacent density
Full Guide →RD1.5
RD1.5 — Restricted Density Multiple Dwelling
Townhomes, small-lot apartments, duplex-to-fourplex infill
Full Guide →RD2
RD2 — Restricted Density Multiple Dwelling
Small multifamily, townhome rows
Full Guide →RD3
RD3 — Restricted Density Multiple Dwelling
Low-rise multifamily, courtyard apartments
Full Guide →RD4
RD4 — Restricted Density Multiple Dwelling
Small apartment buildings, fourplexes
Full Guide →RD5
RD5 — Restricted Density Multiple Dwelling
Triplexes, low-density infill
Full Guide →RD6
RD6 — Restricted Density Multiple Dwelling
Duplex/triplex transition zones
Full Guide →Know Your Parcel Before You Buy or Build
Zoning code alone doesn't tell the whole story — TOC tiers, specific plans, HPOZ overlays, and hazard maps all change what you can build. The SevenNova zoning report pulls live ZIMAS and Assessor data for any LA parcel.
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