Chapter 19.10 COMMERCIAL AND PUBLIC ZONING DISTRICTS

§ 19.10.010 Purpose of Chapter.

This chapter provides regulations applicable to development of land uses in the commercial and public zoning districts established by Section 19.04.020 (Zoning Districts Established). These regulations are intended to encourage appropriate commercial, public and other compatible land uses in commercial and public zoning districts that are suitable, convenient, and meet community needs. Each zoning district is intended to ensure that commercial development preserves and enhances the integrity of that zoning district. All commercial zoning districts in West Hollywood are intended to provide and continue the sense of an urban village.

(Ord. 01-594 § 2, 2001)

§ 19.10.020 Purposes of Commercial and Public Zoning Districts.

CN1 (Commercial, Neighborhood 1) District. The CN1 zoning district identifies areas appropriate for low-intensity commercial land uses. The intent of the CN1 zoning district is to allow land uses that are small-scale, and that serve local residents. Appropriate land uses include neighborhood convenience uses and specialty shops. Mixed-use developments with residential uses on the second story above commercial uses are encouraged. The CN1 zoning district is consistent with the CN1 land use designation of the General Plan.

CN2 (Commercial, Neighborhood 2) District. The CN2 zoning district identifies areas appropriate for low-intensity commercial land uses. The intent of the CN2 zoning district is to allow land uses that are small-scale, and that serve local residents. Appropriate land uses include neighborhood convenience uses and specialty shops. Residential uses are prohibited in this district. The CN2 zoning district is consistent with the CN2 land use designation of the General Plan.

CC1 (Commercial, Community 1) District. The CC1 zoning district is intended to provide a wide variety of commercial opportunities to serve local community needs, as well as broader market areas. The CC1 zoning district identifies areas appropriate for a variety of commercial uses including: retail; professional offices; business support and personal services; entertainment uses; restaurants; specialty shops; overnight accommodations; cultural uses; and small-scale manufacturing uses related to design furnishings, galleries, motion pictures, television, music or design-related uses. Mixed-use developments with residential and office uses above businesses are encouraged, except in the commercial-only overlay district (19.14.090). The CC1 zoning district is consistent with the CC1 land use designations of the General Plan.

CC2 (Commercial, Community 2) District. The CC2 zoning district is intended to provide a wide variety of commercial opportunities to serve local community needs, as well as broader market areas. The CC2 zoning district identifies areas appropriate for a variety of commercial uses including: retail; professional offices; business support and personal services; entertainment uses; restaurants; specialty shops; overnight accommodations; cultural uses; and small-scale manufacturing uses related to design furnishings, galleries, motion pictures, television, music or design-related uses. Mixed-use developments with residential and office uses above businesses are encouraged, except in the commercial-only overlay district (19.14.090). The CC2 zoning district is consistent with the CC2 land use designation of the General Plan.

CA (Commercial, Arterial) District. The CA zoning district identifies a full range of commercial uses appropriate for the primary, regional arterial streets through West Hollywood. These areas include "entryways" into the city. Appropriate uses include specialty retail and service businesses, restaurants, cultural, and entertainment-related uses. The CA zoning district is consistent with the C3 land use designation of the General Plan.

CR (Commercial, Regional Center) District. The CR zoning district identifies areas that are principal commercial activity centers. Land uses in these areas may serve local, as well as regional market areas. The CR zoning district is consistent with the C4 land use designation of the General Plan.

PDCSP (Pacific Design Center Specific Plan) District. The PDCSP zoning district identifies areas that are principal activity centers, including a regional destination for design-related industries. Land uses in these areas may serve local, as well as regional market areas. The PDCSP zoning district is consistent with the C4 land use designation of the General Plan.

SSP (Sunset Specific Plan) District. The SSP zoning district identifies the areas along Sunset Boulevard which are included within the Sunset Specific Plan.

PF (Public Facilities) District. The PF zoning district is intended to accommodate a wide range of public and quasi-public uses distributed throughout the community (e.g., schools, child care centers, transportation facilities, public buildings and facilities, museums, hospitals, cultural and recreational facilities and activities), and similar compatible uses. The PF zoning district is consistent with the P (Public) land use designation of the General Plan.

(Ord. 01-594 § 2, 2001; Ord. 12-882 § 7, 2012)

§ 19.10.030 Commercial and Public District Land Uses and Permit Requirements.

Table 2-5 identifies the uses of land allowed by this Zoning Ordinance in the commercial and public zoning districts, and the land use permit required to establish each use, in compliance with Section 19.04.040 (Zoning District Regulations). Permit requirements for additions to existing structures are determined by floor area; see Chapters 19.42 (Zone Clearances), 19.44 (Administrative Permits), and 19.48 (Development Permits).

Note: where the last column in the table ("Specific Use Regulations") includes a section number, the regulations in the referenced section apply to the use; however, provisions in other sections of this Zoning Ordinance may also apply.

TABLE 2-5 ALLOWED USES AND PERMIT REQUIREMENTS FOR COMMERCIAL AND PUBLIC ZONING DISTRICTS
P Use Permitted¹	CUP Conditional Use Permit Required
MCUP Minor Conditional Use Permit Required	PCR Project Conformity Review
RI Rehabilitation Incentives	— Use Not Allowed
[Explanatory Notes Follow at the End of the Table]

LAND USES²	PERMIT REQUIRED BY ZONE						Specific Use Regulations
LAND USES²	CN	CC/SSP	CA	CR	PDCSP	PF³	Specific Use Regulations
Accessory dwelling units	P^{1, 14}	P^{1, 14}	P^{1, 14}	P^{1, 14}	—	—	19.36.310
Accessory manufacturing	—	P¹	P¹	P¹	PCR	—	19.36.030
Accessory retail uses	P¹	P¹	P¹	P¹	PCR	P¹	19.36.030
Adaptive reuse — Historic structure	RI	RI	RI	RI	PCR	RI	Chapter 19.58
Adult businesses	—	P¹	P¹	P¹	—	—	19.36.050
Adult day care facilities	MCUP	MCUP	MCUP	MCUP	—	MCUP	19.36.040
Alcoholic beverage sales, off-site consumption (retail or wholesale establishments)	CUP	CUP	CUP	CUP	CUP	—	19.36.060
Alcoholic beverages sales, on-site consumption⁴	P¹	P¹	P¹	P¹	P¹	P¹	19.36.060
Art galleries	P¹	P¹	P¹	P¹	PCR	P¹
Artisan/handcraft shops	P¹	P¹	P¹	P¹	PCR	—
Artisan/craft product manufacturing AP	P¹	P¹	P¹	P¹	PCR	—
Auto parts sales	—	P¹	P¹	—	—	—
Automated teller machines (ATMs), exterior	P¹	P¹	P¹	P¹	—	P¹	19.36.080
Banks and financial services	P¹	P¹	P¹	P¹	PCR	—	19.36.085 (applicable to SSP only)
Banquet facility	—	—	—	—	PCR	—
Bed and breakfast inns (B&Bs)	CUP	CUP	CUP	CUP	—	—	19.36.090
Broadcasting studios	P¹	P¹	P¹	P¹	PCR	—
Building material stores	—	P¹	P¹	P¹	—	—
Business support services	P¹	P¹	P¹	P¹	PCR	—
Cannabis adult-use retail	P¹	P¹	P¹	P¹	—	—	19.36.091 Chapter 5.70
Cannabis commercial cultivation (ancillary to adult-use retail and medical-use dispensary)	P¹	P¹	P¹	P¹	—	—	Chapter 5.70
Cannabis commercial cultivation (stand-alone indoor facility)	—	—	—	—	—	—
Cannabis commercial cultivation (outdoor)	—	—	—	—	—	—
Cannabis consumption area (edible products only) with on-site adult-use retail (edible products for on-site consumption only)	P¹	P¹	P¹	P¹	—	—	19.36.092 Chapter 5.70
Cannabis consumption area (smoking, vaping, and edible products) with on-site adult-use retail (smoking, vaping, and edible products for on-site consumption only)	P¹	P¹	P¹	P¹	—	—	19.36.092 Chapter 5.70 7.08.030
Cannabis delivery service (ancillary to adult-use retail and medical-use dispensary)	P¹	P¹	P¹	P¹	—	—	19.36.093
Cannabis delivery service (office only)	P¹	P¹	P¹	P¹	—	—	Chapter 5.70
Cannabis distributor (ancillary to adult-use retail and medical-use dispensary)	P	P	P	P	—	—
Cannabis distributor (stand-alone facility)	—	—	—	—	—	—
Cannabis manufacturer (ancillary to adult-use retail and medical-use dispensary)	P	P	P	P	—	—	Chapter 5.70
Cannabis manufacturer (stand-alone facility)	—	—	—	—	—	—
Cannabis medical-use dispensary	P¹	P¹	P¹	P¹	—	—	19.36.093 Chapter 5.70 19.36.030
Cannabis microbusiness	—	—	—	—	—	—
Cannabis mobile consumption lounges	—	—	—	—	—	—
Cannabis temporary use	—	—	—	—	—	—
Cannabis testing laboratory	P¹	P¹	P¹	P¹	—	—
Cardrooms	CUP	CUP	CUP	CUP	—	CUP
Caretaker housing	P^{1, 12}	P^{1, 12}	P¹	P¹	—	P¹
Child day care centers	MCUP	MCUP	MCUP	MCUP	MCUP	MCUP	19.36.040
Clubs, lodges, and meeting halls	CUP	CUP	CUP	CUP	PCR	CUP
Common interest developments, new projects and conversions	P^{1, 12}	P^{1, 12}	P¹	P¹	PCR	—	19.36.100
Community care facilities (6 or fewer clients)	P	P	P	P	P	—
Community care facilities (7 or more clients)	CUP	CUP	CUP	CUP	CUP	—
Community centers	CUP	CUP	CUP	CUP	PCR	CUP
Community gardens	P¹	P¹	P¹	P¹	P¹	P¹
Convention centers	—	CUP	CUP	CUP	CUP	CUP
Conversion of commercial to residential uses (excluding hotels and motels)	P¹	P¹	P¹	P¹	P¹	P¹	19.36.400
Conversion of mixed-use residential units to commercial	CUP	CUP	CUP	CUP	—	CUP	19.36.290
Corporate housing	—	—	—	—	—	—	19.36.100(B), 19.48.060
Electric vehicle charging site	P¹	—	—	—	—	—	19.36.392
Emergency shelters	—	P^1,13,15	—	—	—	—	19.36.125
Extended hour businesses	P	P	P	P	P¹	P	5.52
Farmers markets	—	P¹	P¹	P¹	—	P¹
Firearm sales	—	CUP	CUP	CUP	—	—	19.36.134
General retail stores	P¹	P¹	P¹	P¹	PCR¹¹	P^1,5
Grocery stores, 10,000 sq. ft. or more of floor area	CUP	CUP	CUP	CUP	—	—
Grocery stores, less than 10,000 sq. ft. of floor area	P¹	P¹	P¹	P¹	—	—
Hazardous materials storage requiring Fire Code permit	—	CUP	CUP	CUP	—	CUP	19.20.070
Health/fitness facilities	CUP	CUP	CUP	CUP	PCR¹¹	CUP
Health/fitness facilities, personal training	P¹	P¹	P¹	P¹	PCR¹¹	P¹
Heliports	—	CUP	CUP	CUP	—	CUP
Home businesses	P¹	P¹	P¹	P¹	—	—	19.36.140
Hotels	—	CUP¹⁰	CUP	CUP	—	—	19.36.150
Indoor amusement/entertainment facilities	—	CUP	CUP	CUP	—	—
Junior accessory dwelling units	P^{1, 14}	P^{1, 14}	P^{1, 14}	P^{1, 14}	—	—	19.36.310
Kiosks	—	P¹	P¹	P¹	P¹	P¹	19.36.155
Laundries and dry cleaning plants	—	CUP	CUP	CUP	—	—
Libraries and museums	P¹	P¹	P¹	P¹	PCR	P¹
Live/work units	P^{1, 12}	P^{1, 12}	P¹	P¹		—	19.36.160
Low barrier navigation centers	P	P	P	P	—	—	19.36.165
Media production	—	P¹	P¹	P¹	PCR	—	19.36.180
Medical services — Clinics, offices and laboratories	P¹	P¹	P¹	P¹	PCR	P¹
Medical services — Hospitals	CUP	CUP	CUP	CUP	—	CUP
Microbreweries in conjunction with on-site sales	—	CUP	CUP	CUP	—	CUP
Mixed-use projects	P^{1, 12}	P^{1, 12}	P¹	P¹	—	—	19.36.170
Mortuaries and funeral homes	CUP	CUP	CUP	CUP	—	—
Newsstands and flower stands	P¹	P¹	P¹	P¹	PCR	P¹	19.36.185
Nightclubs and bars	CUP	CUP	CUP	CUP	—	—	19.36.200
Nonconforming use or sign, extension of amortization	CUP	CUP	CUP	CUP	—	—	19.72.040.D
Offices — Administrative/business/production/ professional	P¹	P1, 6	P¹	P¹	PCR	—
Offices - Government	P¹	P¹	P¹	P¹	PCR	P¹
Organizational houses	CUP	CUP	CUP	CUP	—	CUP
Outdoor commercial recreation	—	CUP	CUP	CUP	—	CUP
Outdoor storage	—	P¹	P¹	P¹	PCR	P¹	19.36.230
Palm readers, fortune tellers, psychics, etc.	P¹	P¹	P¹	P¹	—	—
Parking — Mechanical lifts	P¹	P¹	P¹	P¹	P¹	P¹	19.28.090
Parking — Automated structures (accessory retail required)	P¹	P¹	P¹	P¹	P¹	P¹	19.28.090
Parking structures (accessory retail required)	P¹	P¹	P¹	P¹	PCR	P¹	Chapter 19.28
Parks and playgrounds	CUP	CUP	CUP	CUP	—	P¹
Pawn shops	—	CUP⁷	—	—	—	—	19.36.240
Personal services	P¹	P¹	P¹	P¹	PCR	P¹
Pet shops	—	P^{1, 16}	P^{1, 16}	P^{1, 16}	—	P^{1, 16}
Pharmacies	—	P¹	P¹	P¹	—	P¹
Plant nurseries and garden supply stores	MCUP	MCUP	MCUP	MCUP	—	—
Printing and publishing	—	CUP	CUP	CUP	PCR	—
Public safety facilities	CUP	CUP	CUP	CUP	—	CUP	19.36.250
Recycling facilities — Reverse vending machines	—	P¹	P¹	P¹	—	P¹	19.36.260
Recycling facilities — Small collection facility	—	CUP	CUP	CUP	—	CUP	19.36.260
Religious facilities/places of worship	CUP	CUP	CUP	CUP	CUP	—
Research and development (R&D)	—	CUP	CUP	CUP	PCR	—
Residential care facilities, 6 or fewer clients	P¹	P¹	P¹	P¹	P¹	—
Residential care facilities, 7 to 12 clients	MCUP	MCUP	MCUP	MCUP	MCUP	—
Residential care facilities, more than 12 clients	CUP	CUP	CUP	CUP	CUP	—
Restaurants	P¹	P¹	P¹	P¹	PCR	P¹	19.36.210
Restaurants with alcoholic beverage sales, on- and off-site consumption with appropriate ABC License	P¹	P¹	P¹	P¹	PCR	P¹	19.36.210, 19.36.060
Restaurants — Outdoor dining	P¹	P¹	P¹	P¹	PCR	P¹	19.36.210
Schools — Public and private	CUP	CUP	CUP	CUP	CUP	CUP
Schools — Specialized education and training	CUP	CUP	CUP	CUP	CUP	—
Service stations, electric vehicle (EV)	CUP	CUP	CUP	CUP	—	—	19.36.394
Service stations, internal combustion engine vehicle (ICEV)	—	—	—	—	—	—	19.36.330
Service stations – Modifications or expansion of existing	—	CUP	CUP	CUP	—	—	19.36.330, 19.72.050
Shared housing building	P^{1, 14}	P^{1, 14}	P^{1, 14}	P^{1, 14}	—	—	19.36.328
Short-term rental for five days or more of up to 30% of units within a building that received an administrative permit for rental of dwelling units for 31 days or more pursuant to Section 19.36.275		CUP in SSP only					19.36.275
Short-term rental of a dwelling unit, or any portion thereof, for a period of 30 consecutive calendar days or less	—	—	—	—	—	—	19.36.331
Single room occupancy housing	—	CUP^{1, 13, 14}	—	—	—	—	19.36.335
Smoking areas — Outdoor, accessory to any use, without the consumption of alcohol	P¹	P¹	P¹	P¹	PCR	P^{1, 10}	19.36.340
Smoking areas — Outdoor, accessory to any use, with the consumption of alcohol	CUP	CUP	CUP	CUP	MCUP	CUP¹⁰	19.36.340
Special events	(8)	(8)	(8)	(8)	PCR (8)	(8)	Chapter 19.54
Studios — Art, dance, music, photography, etc.	P¹	P¹	P¹	P¹	PCR	—
Supper clubs	MCUP	MCUP	MCUP	MCUP	—	—	19.36.345
Supportive housing	P^1,12,14	P^1,12,14	P^1,12,14	P^1,12,14	—	—
Supportive housing — Multifamily structure, 50 units or less	P^12,14	P^12,14	P^12,14	P^12,14	—	—	19.36.280, Gov't Code § 65651. Nonresidential floor area dedicated for services satisfies any mixed-use requirement.
Supportive housing — Multifamily structure, more than 50 units	P^1,12,14	P^1,12,14	^1,12,14	^1,12,14	—	—	19.36.280, Gov't Code § 65651. Nonresidential floor area dedicated for services satisfies any mixed-use requirement.
Telecommunications facilities	P¹	P¹	P¹	P¹	PCR	P¹	19.36.350
Temporary uses	(8)	(8)	(8)	(8)	PCR (8)	(8)	Chapter 19.54
Theaters	—	CUP	CUP	CUP	PCR	CUP
Tobacco product shops	—	CUP	CUP	CUP	—	—	19.36.354
Transitional housing	P^1,12,14	P^1,12,14	P^1,12,14	P^1,12,14	—	—
Transit stations and terminals	—	—	—	—	—	P¹
Transit stop shelters	P¹	P¹	P¹	P¹	PCR	P¹
Urban inns	CUP⁹	CUP⁹	CUP⁹	—	—	—
Utility facilities	CUP	CUP	CUP	CUP	—	CUP
Utility infrastructure	P¹	P¹	P¹	P¹	PCR	P¹
Vehicle maintenance and repair	—	CUP	CUP	CUP	—	—	19.36.370
Vehicle sales/rental	—	P¹	P¹	—	—	—	19.36.380
Veterinary clinics, animal hospitals, kennels, boarding	CUP	CUP	CUP	CUP	—	—
Warehousing, wholesaling and distribution, accessory	P¹	P¹	P¹	P¹	PCR	—
Wholesale design showroom	P¹	P¹	P¹	P¹	PCR	—
Zero emission vehicle (ZEV) showroom	P¹	P¹	P¹	P¹	P¹	P¹	19.36.390

Notes:
(1)	Zone clearance or development permit may be required; see Chapters 19.42, 19.44 and 19.48 or regulated by another chapter of the municipal code as referenced.
(2)	See Section 19.03.020(E) regarding uses not listed. See Article 19-6 for definitions of the listed uses.
(3)	See Municipal Code Chapter 11.12 regarding uses in public parks.
(4)	Accessory to a restaurant, coffee house and live theater.
(5)	Use prohibited within city parks.
(6)	Ground floor office use not permitted in certain areas of the SSP district by the Sunset Specific Plan.
(7)	Use not allowed within the SSP (Sunset Specific Plan) district.
(8)	See Chapter 19.54 for requirements and procedures for Special Event Permits and Temporary Use Permits.
(9)	Allowed on San Vicente Boulevard only, except within the Sherbourne Triangle site.
(10)	Not allowed within the Sherbourne Triangle site.
(11)	See the Pacific Design Center Specific Plan for details.
(12)	Not allowed in the CN2 district or in the commercial-only overlay district.
(13)	Allowed only on properties with frontage on Santa Monica Boulevard, outside the commercial-only overlay district.
(14)	As part of a mixed-use development only.
(15)	A conditional use permit may be required if the city's demonstrated need has been met. See Section 19.36.125.
(16)	No pet shop shall display, sell, deliver, offer for sale, barter, auction, give away, or otherwise transfer or dispose of dogs or cats in the City of West Hollywood.

(Ord. 01-594 § 2, 2001; Ord. 02-643 §§ 3, 4, 5, 2003; Ord. 03-657 § 5 (2), 2003; Ord. 03-670 § 5, 2003; Ord. 04-677 § 4, 2004; Ord. 06-734 § 7 [Att. C], 2006; Ord. 06-741 § 6 [Att. A], 2006; Ord. 07-743 § 7, 2007; Ord. 09-829 § 4, 2009; Ord. 09-833 § 6, 2009; Ord. 12-882 § 7, 2012; Ord. 12-903 § 6, 2012; Ord. 13-914 § 2, 2013; Ord. 14-940 § 10, 2014; Ord. 15-958 § 3, 2015; Ord. 15-965 § 7, 2015; Ord. 17-1014 §§ 9, 10, 2017; Ord. 17-1016 § 10, 2017; Ord. 17-999 § 7, 2017; Ord. 19-1097 § 7, 2020; Ord. 20-1112 § 11, 2020; Ord. 22-1186 § 7, 2022; Ord. 22-1190 § 11, 2022; Ord. 23-27, 1/22/2024; Ord. 25-12, 7/7/2025; Ord. 25-19, 8/18/2025; Ord. 25-27, 12/15/2025; Ord. 25-28, 12/15/2025)

§ 19.10.040 Commercial and Public District General Development Standards.

General Requirements. Proposed land uses and structures, and alterations to existing land uses and structures, shall be designed, constructed, and/or established in compliance with the requirements in Table 2-6, in addition to the applicable development standards (e.g., landscaping, parking and loading, etc.) in Article 19-3 (Site Planning and General Development Standards).

Requirements for the SSP (Sunset Specific Plan) District. Standards for development and land uses within the SSP (Sunset Specific Plan) zoning district shall be determined by the Sunset Specific Plan. Floor area ratio (FAR) and height incentive bonuses may be allowed in addition to the FARs and maximum structure heights allowed by the Sunset Specific Plan in compliance with Section 19.10.050 (Commercial Development Incentives).

Requirements for the PDCSP (Pacific Design Center Specific Plan) District. Standards for development and land uses within the PDCSP zoning district shall be determined by the Pacific Design Center Specific Plan.

Additional Requirements. The development standards in Table 2-6 are supplemented by Sections 19.10.050 (Commercial Development Incentives), and 19.10.060 (Commercial Building Façade Standards).

TABLE 2-6 COMMERCIAL AND PUBLIC ZONING DISTRICT GENERAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
The following are the minimum setbacks required. See Section 19.20.150 for setback measurement. See Table 3-2 for projections allowed into setbacks.
Development Feature	Requirement by Zoning District
Development Feature	CN	CC	CA	CR	PF
Minimum lot area	5,000 sq. ft.
Residential floor area¹	Determined through land use permit process based on allowable FAR.
Floor area ratio ²	CN1 and CN2: 1.0 maximum	CC1: 1.5 maximum	2.5 maximum	3.0 maximum	N/A
Floor area ratio ²	CN1 and CN2: 1.0 maximum	CC2: 2.0 maximum	2.5 maximum	3.0 maximum	N/A
Setbacks required⁴	The following are the minimum setbacks required. See Section 19.20.150 for setback measurement.
Front	See Section 19.10.060 (Commercial Building Façade Standards).
Sides	10 ft. if adjacent to a parcel in a residential zoning district, or more as necessary to provide a minimum separation of 15 ft. between commercial and residential structures; none required otherwise.
Street side, corner lot	No minimum required; a maximum of 25 ft. is allowed.
Rear	10 ft. if adjacent to a parcel in a residential zoning district, or more as necessary to provide a minimum separation of 15 ft. between commercial and residential structures; none required otherwise.
Upper floor	See Section 19.10.060 (Commercial Building Façade Standards).
Between structures	As required by Section 19.20.040 (Distance Between Structures).
Height limit³	CN1 and CN2: 25 ft., 2 stories	CC1: 35 ft., 3 stories	60 ft., 5 stories	90 ft., 8 stories	N/A
Height limit³	CN1 and CN2: 25 ft., 2 stories	CC2: 45 ft., 4 stories	60 ft., 5 stories	90 ft., 8 stories	N/A
Landscaping	As required by Chapter 19.26 (Landscaping Standards).
Outdoor activities	All sales, displays and storage shall be conducted within an enclosed building, except for newsstands and flower stands in compliance with Section 19.36.185.
Parking and loading	As required by Chapter 19.28 (Off-Street Parking and Loading Standards)
Safety and seismic safety	For new construction and building additions, as required by Chapter 19.32 (Seismic Safety) in fault precaution zones and liquefaction areas. Critical facilities (such as police stations or hospitals), sensitive facilities (such as nursing homes or day care facilities) and high occupancy facilities (such as hotels, nightclubs or restaurants) are also subject to Chapter 19.32 (Seismic Safety).
Sidewalks	Sidewalks shall be provided at a minimum width of 10 ft. See Section 19.20.160.
Signs	As required by Chapter 19.34 (Sign Standards)

Notes:
(1)	Maximum floor area that may be occupied by dwellings. See also Chapter 19.22 (Affordable Housing Requirements and Incentives) for possible density bonuses.
(2)	Maximum FAR allowed, except as otherwise provided by Section 19.10.050 (Commercial Development Incentives).
(3)	Maximum allowable height for structures, except as otherwise provided by Section 19.10.050 (Commercial Development Incentives). See Section 19.20.080 (Height Measurement and Exceptions).
(4)	The review authority may grant deviations from required setbacks where the review authority finds, based on substantial evidence, that the combination of height and setbacks or similar standards for a code compliant development triggers requirements for life safety access methods that would conflict with city plans or policies that have been adopted by the City Council. The deviation shall be to the minimum extent necessary to avoid the conflict with city plans or policies. By way of example only, when the combination of height and setbacks triggers the need for installation of a new fire lane or the removal of mature trees to provide fire department access to the development, the applicable setback may be reduced by the review authority to the minimum extent necessary to site the building closer to the street for the fire department to safely access the building without having to create a new fire lane or require removal of the mature trees.

(Ord. 01-594 § 2, 2001; Ord. 02-619 § 3, 2002; Ord. 12-882 § 7, 2012; Ord. 17-1007 § 6, 2017; Ord. 19-1084 § 7, 2019)

§ 19.10.050 Commercial Development Incentives.

This section provides incentives in the form of bonus increases in allowable FAR, building height, and floor area, to encourage commercial projects to provide certain features desired by the city. These incentives may be granted by the review authority where a proposed project complies with the criteria provided for each incentive by this section; provided that no bonus incentives are permitted for a project that proposes the demolition of a cultural resource.

Mixed-Use Development Incentives. FAR and height bonuses may be granted by the review authority as follows for mixed-use projects that include both commercial and residential development. The additional allowed floor area shall be developed exclusively with residential units, except where otherwise provided by this subsection.

Mixed-Use Incentive Overlay Zone. In the mixed-use incentive overlay zone (Section 19.14.080), FAR of up to 0.5 may be granted in addition to the base FAR for a project that incorporates residential units into a commercial project. Except as provided below, a height bonus of up to 10 feet may accompany a FAR bonus of up to 0.5 for residential uses provided that:

If the proposed project is adjacent to an R1, R2, R3, or R4 residential zoning district, the 25 feet of the structure located closest to the residential zoning district, not including projections into setbacks, shall be limited to 35 feet in height, and the impact of the structure shall be mitigated to the satisfaction of the Planning Commission with architectural, or additional landscape elements; and

Any square footage of the building where the height bonus is utilized shall be developed exclusively with residential units, except that the Planning Commission may authorize a hotel use in the height bonus area as part of the conditional use permit for the hotel. If hotel use is authorized in the height bonus area, the square footage that is allocated for hotel use shall be replaced with an equivalent square footage of residential uses elsewhere in the project.

Sunset Specific Plan Area Commercial Development Bonuses. The following development incentive bonuses in FAR, building height, and floor area may be granted within the SSP zoning district, in the locations noted.

SUNSET SPECIFIC PLAN AREA COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT BONUSES TABLE
SSP Site	Allowable FAR Bonus and Project Requirements
1B, 1C, 2B, 3B, 3C	0.5 for residential uses
4A	0.5 for consolidated development; 0.2 for provision of a park
4C, 4D, 4F	0.5 for residential uses; 0.2 for theater use
7A	0.1 for structure renovation
7C	0.5 for residential uses; 0.2 for a landmark design
7D	0.1 for structure renovation
8D	0.1 for a landmark design
SSP Site	Allowable Height Bonus and Project Requirements
1A	50 ft., to a maximum height of 85 ft. for a landmark design
3D, 3E	10 ft., to a maximum height of 45 ft. for remodeling of existing structures
4A	50 ft., to a maximum height of 85 ft. for a landmark design
6B	15 ft., to a maximum height of 60 ft. for consolidated development
6E	60 ft., to a maximum height of 100 ft. for the integrated development of several parcels
SSP Site	Allowable FAR Bonus and Project Requirements
SSP Site	Allowable Floor Area Bonus and Project Requirements
2B, 3A, 3D, 3E	A bonus of 6,500 square ft., with no additional parking requirement, for the development of pedestrian oriented uses
7A	An FAR bonus of 0.1, with no additional parking requirement, for the development of pedestrian-oriented uses

Avenues Commercial Development Bonuses.

Floor area and building height bonuses may be granted by the review authority to qualifying commercial projects in the Avenues Bonus Overlay District (19.14.100). The following development bonuses are permitted for projects which satisfy the findings in subsection (C)(2):

An increase of up to 10 feet in height; and

An increase of up to 0.5 FAR; or

For projects on the north side of Melrose Avenue between Robertson and San Vicente Boulevards, immediately adjacent to the West Hollywood Park Library and Parking Garage, an increase of up to 20 feet in height and 0.75 FAR may be allowed.

The Avenues Commercial Development Bonuses may be approved, only if the review authority first finds all of the following:

The development is consistent with the city's General Plan;

The height, floor area ratio, modulation, and setbacks create a development that is compatible with the character of Melrose Avenue;

The development will contribute to and enhance the character of the neighborhood and foster an appropriate mix of uses including a pedestrian friendly environment in the vicinity of the development;

The development does not result in detrimental impacts to existing or anticipated residential or commercial development in the vicinity of the project;

The development incorporates quality architecture to enhance the arts, fashion, and design focus of the Avenues District; and

The development includes public benefits.

Gateway Mixed-Use Incentive.

Floor area and building height bonuses may be granted by the review authority to qualifying commercial projects on the parcels bounded by Santa Monica Boulevard, Almont Drive, and Melrose Avenue. The following bonuses are permitted for projects which satisfy the criteria set forth in subsection (D)(2) below:

An increase of up to 15 feet in height; and

An increase of up to 0.5 FAR.

The Gateway Mixed-Use Incentive bonuses may be approved only if the review authority first finds that all of the following criteria are satisfied:

The project maintains at least 20 percent of the total site area as open space, of which 40 percent is maintained as pedestrian open space or pedestrian walk-throughs open to the sky;

The project provides a double row of trees along Santa Monica Boulevard; and

The portions of the project exceeding 55 feet in height are located within 250 feet of the centerline of Santa Monica Boulevard.

(Ord. 01-594 § 2, 2001; Ord. 05-698 § 4, 2005; Ord. 07-756 § 6 [Att. A], 2007; Ord. 07-780 § 7, 2007; Ord. 08-802 § 2, 2009; Ord. 12-882 § 7, 2012; Ord. 12-890 § 7, 2012; Ord. 14-943 § 6, 2014; Ord. 17-1007 § 7, 2017; Ord. 19-1058 § 12, 2019)

§ 19.10.060 Commercial Building Façade Standards.

The following standards shall apply to new structures and alterations to existing structures involving a change in the level of the first story or a change in the façade at the street frontage, in all commercial zoning districts. The review authority may approve minor variations to these standards as appropriate, provided that the general spirit and intent of the standards are implemented to the satisfaction of the Community Development Director. (See also Commercial and Public Use Design Guidelines, Chapter G-12[1].)

Limitation on the Location of Allowable Land Uses. The uses of land allowed in the commercial zoning districts by Table 2-5 shall be located as follows.

The ground floor of any commercial block shall be limited to pedestrian-oriented uses. Pedestrian uses may include walk-in uses such as restaurants, retail stores, health/fitness facilities, personal services, community service organizations, and similar uses. The review authority may modify this requirement when existing structures are reused for different tenants or uses, or when this standard is infeasible.

Offices and media production facilities are permitted if the review authority determines that the use will not impair the pedestrian character of the street, provided that:

Properties on the block occupied by these uses constitute less than 50 percent of the block frontage;

The remainder of the block is characterized primarily by retail and restaurant uses; and

The façade design contributes to the visual interest of the street and conspicuously expresses the nature of the use.

Nonprofit clinics or related uses may occupy properties with a total of less than 50 percent or 150 feet, whichever is less, of block frontage.

Building Placement. Commercial building façades parallel to the street shall be located within 10 feet of the public sidewalk, except that:

The façade may be set back a maximum of one-third of the parcel depth or a maximum of 60 feet from the street property line, whichever is less, along 50 percent of its length; and

An additional setback of 16 feet from the street property line may be allowed along an additional 50 percent of the façade length to accommodate plazas, landscape, public art, water fountains, benches, outdoor dining, and other pedestrian amenities.

First Floor Elevation. A minimum of 75 percent of the first occupiable floor of the street frontage of a commercial structure shall be located no more than two vertical feet above or below the sidewalk elevation at any point along the street property line.

Architectural Treatment. Building design shall comply with the following requirements.

Façade Articulation. To encourage the continuity of visual and pedestrian services, at least 60 percent of the total street frontage ground floor width of any new or reconstructed building shall be differentiated architecturally by recessed windows and entries, display windows, offset surfaces, differentiated piers and columns, offset planes, textured materials, awnings, and compatibility landscaping or other details, or other displays which are of interest to pedestrians. Where a substantial length of windowless wall is determined by the review authority to be unavoidable, eye-level display, a contrast in wall treatment, an offset wall line, decorative features, outdoor seating or landscaping shall be used to enhance visual interest and pedestrian orientation.

Parapets. Parapet extensions of a storefront façade shall be incorporated and integrated into the design of the entire building on all façades and frontages, and shall not be limited to street front façades.

Windows. Clear, untinted glass shall be used at and near the street level to allow maximum visual interaction between sidewalk areas and the interior of buildings. Mirrored, reflective glass or tinted glass shall not be used except as an architectural or decorative accent.

Railings and Decorative Grilles. Any decorative railings or decorative grille work that is placed in front of or behind street level windows, shall be at least 75 percent open to perpendicular view and no more than six feet in height above grade. Security gates and grilles shall not be installed on the exterior of any structures.

Upper Story Design Features. A minimum of 50 percent of the building frontage width above the first story shall be differentiated by recessed windows, balconies, offset planes, or other architectural details which provide dimensional relief.

Signage. Signs shall be designed in compliance with a Comprehensive Sign Program when required by Section 19.34.070.

Banks and Financial Services in the Sunset Specific Plan Area (SSPA). The use of reflective or obscured glass windows, and permanent window coverings that do not allow for a visual connection between the sidewalk and the interior of the building, is prohibited on the ground-floor for all banks or financial service institutions in the SSPA.

Pedestrian Access. The primary entrance to all ground floor stores shall be recessed a minimum of three feet when accessed from the public right-of-way. Walk-up facilities and entries shall be recessed and provide adequate queuing space to avoid interruption of the pedestrian flow.

Driveways. Driveways shall be designed and located to adequately serve parking facilities without unnecessarily interrupting the pedestrian sidewalk.

(Ord. 01-594 § 2, 2001; Ord. 02-643 §§ 6, 7, 2003; Ord. 12-903 § 7, 2012; Ord. 19-1058 § 13, 2019; Ord. 24-16, 6/24/2024)

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Editor's Note: Chapter G-12, Commercial and Public Use Design Guidelines, is included as an attachment to this title.