What does the Lawndale Housing Opportunity Overlay allow?
Ike Mbelu, Principal Partner · Last checked
On this page: The short answer · What the code says · On a Lawndale lot
The short answer
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Ch. 17.54
20 to 100 units an acre
The Lawndale Housing Opportunity Overlay, Lawndale Municipal Code Chapter 17.54, lets mapped Housing Element sites in this Los Angeles County city build at 20 to 100 units an acre, against about 33 in the R-3 zone. HOO1 serves moderate and above, HOO2 lower income. Height and parking still come from the underlying zone. LMC §§17.54.010, 17.54.020.
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What the code says
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01
HOO1: moderate and above
Applies to Housing Element sites for the city's moderate and above-moderate share. Minimum 20, maximum 100 units an acre. Every other rule of the underlying zone applies. LMC §17.54.010.
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02
HOO2: lower-income sites
Same 20 to 100 range, with the minimum counted per net acre. In mixed use, housing takes at least half the gross floor area. Where HOO2 conflicts with the base zone, HOO2 governs. LMC §17.54.020.
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03
Multifamily at 20 percent affordable
On HOO2, owner and rental multifamily is permitted when 20 percent or more of the units are lower income. HOO2 implements the state rezone program, which requires those sites to allow that use by right: no conditional use permit or other discretionary review, though design review may stay. LMC §17.54.020.C; Gov. Code §65583.2(h)(1), (i).
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04
Density bonus on top
An HOO2 applicant may apply for a state density bonus under Gov. Code §65915. See California Density Bonus Law, city by city. LMC §17.54.020.D.
What it means on a Lawndale lot
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01
A 10,000 square foot lot
R-3 at one unit per 1,320 sf holds 7. The overlay's 100 an acre reads as just under 23. Approximate; check net area for your site.
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02
Height and parking decide it
On an R-3 base, 35 feet still applies, with two covered spaces plus half a guest space per unit. At 22 or 23 units that is about 57 spaces. The site plan, not the overlay number, sets the yield. Near transit, see AB 2097. LMC §17.48.200.
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03
Only listed sites qualify
The overlay covers specific sites in Lawndale's Adopted 2021-2029 Housing Element, not every lot. Confirm the parcel first. More on the city: Lawndale.
This is a summary of the Lawndale code and state law, not legal advice. Check the current code and the Housing Element site list for your parcel.
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