Chapter 17.03
RULES FOR PROVISIONS, LANGUAGE, MEASUREMENT AND INTERPRETATION
Sections:
17.03.030 Rules for Measurement.
17.03.010 Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to provide precision in the interpretation of this code. The definitions and use of the words and phrases in this chapter apply throughout the code. (Ord. 13-8 § 4 (Exh. A), 6/11/13)
17.03.020 Rules for Language.
Except where the context indicates otherwise, the following rules for language shall apply:
A. The following conjunctions shall be interpreted as follows:
1. “And” indicates that all connected words or provisions shall apply.
2. “Or” indicates that the connected words or provisions may apply singly or in any combination.
3. “Either . . . or” indicates that the connected words or provisions shall apply singly but not in combination.
B. All references to departments, committees, commissions, boards, or other public agencies and public officials are to those of the City, unless otherwise specified.
C. Any reference to the Fire Department is to that of the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
D. All references to days are to calendar days, unless otherwise specified.
E. All references to lists of items or examples that use terms such as “including,” “such as,” or similar language are intended to provide examples, not to be exhaustive lists of all possibilities.
F. The words “shall,” “will,” “must,” and “is to” are mandatory requirements.
G. The words “should” or “may” are optional and may be required by the Department at its discretion.
H. The present tense includes the past and future tenses, and the future tense includes the past and present.
I. Plural words shall include the singular and singular words shall include the plural.
J. Sections and section headings contained herein shall not be deemed to govern, limit, modify, or in any manner affect the scope, meaning, or intent of any section. (Ord. 13-8 § 4 (Exh. A), 6/11/13)
17.03.030 Rules for Measurement.
The purpose of this section is to explain how measurements are calculated in this code.
A. Fractions.
1. Parking Spaces. When the application of this code requires a fractional part of a parking space, such fraction equal to or greater than one-half (1/2) shall be construed as a whole and fractions less than one-half (1/2) shall be eliminated.
2. Dwelling Units.
a. Rounding. Whenever this code requires consideration of dwelling units and the result of a calculation contains a fraction of a whole number, the results shall be rounded down to the nearest whole number.
b. Exception for State Affordable Housing Density Bonus. For projects eligible for bonus density pursuant to Section 65915 of the State Government Code or any successor statute, any fractional number of permitted bonus density units shall be rounded up to the next whole number.
3. Other Fractions. Besides subsections (A)(1) and (A)(2) of this section, when a regulation is expressed in terms of maximum or minimum limits or requirements, any other fractional result shall not be rounded. For example, if a maximum height for a building is thirty-five (35) feet and the proposed building actually measures thirty-five (35) feet and six (6) inches, then the height is not in compliance.
B. Distance.
1. Measurements Are Shortest Distance.
a. When measuring a required distance, the measurement is made at the closest or shortest distance between the two (2) objects (for example, the minimum distance between a structure and a lot line or another structure).
b. The following shall be excluded when measuring required distances.
i. Projections, as permitted in Section 17.57.050(C) (Projections Permitted Between Buildings); and
ii. Basements.
Figure 17.03-1
Measurements Are Shortest Distance
2. Distances Are Measured Horizontally. When determining distances for setbacks and structure dimensions, all distances are measured along a horizontal plane from the appropriate line, edge of building, structure, storage area, parking area, or other object. Distances are not measured by following the topography or slope of the land.
Figure 17.03-2
Distances Are Measured Horizontally
3. Measurement of Parking Spaces, Aisle Widths, and Stacking Areas.
a. Measurement of parking space length, aisle widths and stacking areas are measured from across the entire area.
b. Where single striping lines are used, parking space widths shall be measured from the center of the striping line. Double striping is preferred and where it is used, parking space widths shall be measured from the midpoint between the striping lines.
c. Obstructions, unless expressly permitted by the Director, are not permitted in a parking space. Wheel stops are permitted in a parking space.
Figure 17.03-3
Measuring of Parking Spaces, Aisle Widths, and Stacking Areas
4. Measurement of Minimum Distances Between Land Uses. When a specified land use is required to be located a minimum distance from another land use, the minimum distance is measured in a straight line from the exterior boundaries of the property to the exterior boundary of the property of the other land use.
Figure 17.03-4
Measurement of Minimum Distances Between Land Uses
C. Height.
1. Measuring Height. Measurement of the height of building or structure is the plumb line distance from the point being measured to the grade.
Figure 17.03-5
Measuring Height
D. Flag Lot Width and Depth.
1. Flag Lots. Average width and depth of flag lots shall exclude the access strip for the lot.
Figure 17.03-6
Flag Lot Width and Depth
E. Floor Area. Floor area is the total gross area of all floors of a building expressed in square feet.
1. Included in Floor Area. Gross floor area shall include the area of all the floors of a building within and including the outer building walls, all habitable and nonhabitable rooms, basements, and interior walls and partitions.
2. Excluded from Floor Area. Gross floor area does not include:
a. Parking structures, garages, carports, or other areas designated for parking and loading, or vehicular access to parking and loading spaces, as these structures shall be counted separately;
b. Unenclosed exterior balconies, decks, porches, courts, and stairs;
c. Cellars; and
d. Attics, if not a habitable space as defined by the Building Code.
3. Floor Area Ratio. Floor area ratio is the numerical value obtained through dividing the gross floor area of a building or buildings located on a lot by the total area of such lot. Floor area ratio is expressed as a decimal number and shall be rounded to the hundredth place (for example, 0.25).
F. Lot Coverage. Lot coverage is the ratio of the total footprint area of all structures on a lot to the net lot area, expressed as a percentage with a decimal number to the hundredths place (for example, 50.15%) according to the following:
1. Included in Lot Coverage. Lot coverage shall include:
a. The footprints of all primary and accessory structures, including garages, carports, covered patios, and roofed porches;
b. Unenclosed and unroofed decks, uncovered patio slabs, porches, landings, balconies and stairways;
c. Eaves and roof overhangs when projecting more than two-and-one-half (2 1/2) feet from the building wall; and
d. The first floor of atrium and all lobby areas.
2. Excluded from Lot Coverage. Lot coverage shall not include:
a. Uncovered walkways, driveways, and landscaping;
b. Eaves and roof overhangs when projecting less than two-and-one-half (2 1/2) feet from the building wall; and
c. Swimming pools and hot tubs that are not enclosed in roofed structures or decks. (Ord. 13-8 § 4 (Exh. A), 6/11/13)