Landscape and Site Design Ordinance

The Landscape and Site Design Ordinance and Point System (LSDO) were recently adopted by the City Council and will become effective on Nov. 15, 2026. The ordinance will replace the prior Landscape Ordinance (1996) and its guidelines in favor of objective standards that support high quality urban design and sustainable features.

How To Apply

Follow these steps to apply for Landscape and Site Design approval.

Before applying, please review Which Projects Are Subject to the Ordinance and Requirements by Project Type sections below to determine whether the ordinance applies to your project and what requirements you must meet. For questions about applicability, contact a Development Services Center.

Step 1: Review the updated forms and instructions
Review the requirements for your project type and gather the plans and supporting documents listed in the application instructions. Use the Citywide Tree Documentation Requirements Flowchart to check which tree forms or reports your project needs.

Step 2: Use the online LSDO Calculator
The Landscape and Site Design Ordinance Calculator is an online tool that helps you select mandatory and optional design features to meet the design standards and point requirements for your project type. Once all requirements are met, the Calculator automatically generates a completed Administrative Clearance (ADM) form (CP-4106). Save this form for your application, show the selected design features on your plans, and reference the plan sheets that demonstrate compliance with the design standards.

Step 3: (Ministerial Projects Only) Submit your application through OAS
Go to City Planning’s Online Application System (OAS) and select Landscape and Site Design Approvals. Upload your completed Administrative Clearance form from the Calculator, along with the required plans and supporting documents. City Planning will review your application to confirm that your project meets the ordinance’s requirements.

Discretionary Projects Only - If the project is discretionary, include the completed ADM form as part of the City Planning Application.

Projects that meet the following criteria will be subject to the new ordinance beginning on Nov. 15, 2026:

Residential or Mixed-Use
The construction of new residential or mixed-use building(s) with five or more dwelling units and/or guest rooms and efficiency dwelling units, or the division of land creating five or more lots, whether an air space lot or parcel or land or in conjunction with new construction.

Non-Residential
The construction of any new non-residential building(s) for commercial, institutional, or public use. This includes the infill of new, detached buildings on-site with existing buildings.

Industrial or Hybrid Industrial Projects
The construction of any new industrial use building(s) listed in the Subject Use list in Section 13.18 E.2 of this Code, or hybrid-industrial use building.

Surface Parking Area Construction or Configuration
Any surface parking area of eight or more parking stalls, involving the following:

  • Construction or reconfiguration of existing surface parking area;
  • Resurfacing or regrading of existing surface parking areas;
  • Creation of new surface parking areas of any size; and
  • Re-striping of surface parking areas and projects, specifically projects involving resurfacing or regrading of existing surface parking areas or the creation of new surface parking areas and changes necessary to meet accessible parking standards, Electric Vehicle (EV) parking requirements or for general maintenance and upkeep of parking facilities accessory to the primary use of land.

Note: Projects vested prior to the effective date of the LSDO may be exempt from the requirements. Please consult with the Development Services Center to confirm vested status.

The ordinance uses a Landscape and Site Design Point System with objective standards grouped under three design approaches: Pedestrian-First Design, 360 Degree Design, and Climate-Adapted Design. Below are the Landscape and Site Design Point Requirements by Project Type.

Project Type Minimum Points Required for each of the 9 Design Categories Minimum Required Designing for Health Standards per Project Total Points Required
Type (a) or (b): Residential/ Mixed-Use or Non-Residential Projects 3 points 8 standards,
or
10 if Project is located within Health and Urban Forest Equity Priority Area
 		 27 points (See Note)
Type (c): Industrial/ Hybrid Industrial Projects N/A 0 standards,
or
2 if Project is located within Health and Urban Forest Equity Priority Area
 		 15 points
Type (d): Surface Parking Area Construction or Reconfiguration N/A 0 standards,
or
2 if Project is located within Health and Urban Forest Equity Priority Area
 		 15 points
Note: A Project seeking an approval pursuant to LAMC Section 12.22.A.37 (State Density Bonus Program), LAMC Section 12.22.A.38 (Mixed Income Incentive Program), or LAMC Section 12.22.A.39 (Affordable Housing Incentive Program) shall require 30 points in lieu of the 27 points otherwise required by this section if one or more of the following incentives are requested under the Menu of Incentives: Lot Coverage, Lot Width, Open Space, or Relief from a Development Standard. A Project seeking incentives not on the Menu of Incentives pursuant to the Mixed Income Incentive Program shall require 35 points for compliance with the Landscape and Site Design Ordinance. 
 


For questions, please visit the City’s new BuildLA portal to join the Same Day Virtual Counter or contact the Department of City Planning's Development Services Center (DSC):

The Administrative Clearance (ADM) form (CP-4106) is required for any project subject to the Landscape and Site Design Ordinance (LSDO).The Administrative Review allows City Planning to review and confirm compliance with the LSDO and Point System. The applicant shall complete this form for Administrative Review via the online Landscape and Site Design Ordinance Calculator and submit the form along with any plans, and other documents necessary to demonstrate compliance. Plans shall clearly illustrate how the proposed Project complies with all applicable selected standards.

Covenant and Agreement (CP-4105) and Certificate of Completion (CP-7813)

Prior to the issuance of any building permits, a Covenant and Agreement (CP-4105) acknowledging and agreeing to comply with all selected LSDO’s Mandatory and Elective Standards will be required. The Covenant and Agreement shall include a Landscape Management Plan.

After construction, prior to the issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy, a Certificate of Completion (CP-7813) is required to demonstrate compliance with the administrative review form and proof of payment of any applicable tree planting in-lieu fees for any development tree planting requirement under the provisions of LAMC Section 12.40 of Chapter 1 and 62.177 will be required.

Tree Documentation Requirements

Please review the Citywide Tree Documentation Requirements Flowchart to determine if a Tree Disclosure Statement is required, and whether additional documentation such as a Tree Survey, Tree Letter, or Tree Report must be provided.

Links to Forms

Administrative Review Form  (CP-4106) (Landscape and Site Design Ordinance Calculator)
Citywide Tree Documentation Requirements Flowchart
Tree Disclosure Statement (CP-4067)
Tree Report (CP-40658)
Tree Survey (CP-4093)
Landscape Plan Instructions (CP-6730)
Covenant and Agreement (CP-4105)
Certificate of Completion of Landscape Installation (CP-7813)

 

Landscape and Site Design Ordinance Calculator
 

Visit the online Calculator to determine compliance with the Landscape and Site Design Ordinance and complete the required ADM form.

How To Apply
 

Visit the Department's Online Application System (OAS) to apply for a Landscape and Site Design approval.