Missing Middle Webinar Details:
- Schedule Info: Wednesday, June 24, 2026 @ 4:30pm
- Registration here
The Original LA Planning Invite Message:
Dear Interested Parties,
Los Angeles City Planning is pleased to announce the release of the Missing Middle LA Draft Ordinances for public review and feedback. The Department invites interested parties to participate in an upcoming informational webinar on Wednesday, June 24 at 4:30 p.m. to learn more about the proposed ordinances, ask questions, and provide feedback. Please click the date and time below to register for the Zoom meeting.
During the webinar, Planning staff will walk through the Missing Middle LA Draft Ordinances and participants will have the opportunity to:
- Learn more about the proposed code amendments and implementation approaches
- Ask questions and engage directly with Planning staff
- Provide comments and community feedback on the draft ordinances
The purpose of the webinar will be to introduce and explain the Missing Middle LAordinances. Interested parties are encouraged to register and attend live to participate in the discussion and ask questions. The webinar will be recorded and made available online following the event for anyone unable to attend.
Planning staff will also be scheduling office hours in the month of July to provide an opportunity to learn about the program, ask questions, and provide public comments and feedback during this phase. Dates will be announced and posted on the Missing Middle LA webpage following the webinar. The public is invited to provide comments after the webinar as the Department further refines the ordinances. Comments will be accepted until July 31, after which the Department will further refine the ordinances based on public comment prior to the public hearing and City Planning Commission (CPC) meeting in the fall.
The Missing Middle LA Program is a citywide initiative focused on expanding neighborhood-scale housing options through targeted Zoning Code amendments that implement recent state housing laws.
The proposed ordinances will help create a range of missing middle housing types including Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), duplexes, and small lot homes to help address the growing demand for more attainable and flexible housing choices in all residential zones.
By creating opportunities for a wider range of housing options in LA neighborhoods, the program aims to support homeowners, multigenerational families, aging residents, and Angelenos seeking to remain rooted in their communities.
The draft ordinances will leverage and implement recent state housing laws through a series of local code amendments:
SMALL-SCALE HOMES:
- Brings the City’s 2019 ADU Ordinance up to date with state law.
- Allows ADUs to be sold separately as condos, per Assembly Bill 1033 (AB 1033).
- Incorporates City Council direction to expand protections in the City’s hillside fire zones.
- Offers additional provisions to further expand and streamline ADU creation.
- Incorporates the Senate Bill 9 (SB 9) Two-Unit Development and Urban Lot Split provisions.
SMALL LOT SUBDIVISIONS AND STARTER HOMES:
- Updates the City’s Small Lot Subdivision Ordinance. Streamlines the creation of up to 10 lots/homes by incorporating the now in-effect Starter Home Revitalization Act, or SHRA (SB 684/1123).
- Creates a complementary local SHRA program called the “Starter Home Bonus Program” that builds upon state law allowing small lot development while requiring adherence to objective design standards, and establishing local controls that remain consistent with state law.
- Promotes townhouses, row houses, bungalow courts, cottage courts, and other creative housing typologies wherever residential use is permitted.
OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS:
- Later this summer, updates to the current Small Lot Design Standards will be shared. The new Small Lot Design Standards will address citywide policy priorities to create walkable neighborhoods, foster a sense of community, and encourage existing buildings and mature trees to be retained.
- Along with the Small Lot Design Standards, targeted amendments to sections of Chapter 1 of the Los Angeles Municipal Code (LAMC) addressing design considerations will also be released.
- The Department will also be releasing objective design standards for multi-family and infill development for properties located within the City’s Historic Preservation Overlay Zones (HPOZs). Learn more about the Objective Design Standards for historic districts.
These updates support the goals of the City’s adopted Housing Element and Mayor Karen Bass’ Executive Directive 7, both of which call for a multi-faceted approach to housing production. This includes expanding homeownership opportunities to address the City’s long-standing housing affordability crisis.
STAY CONNECTED
To learn more about the Missing Middle LA program, please review the program Fact Sheet. Interested parties can also stay up-to-date on this effort, including future events, by visiting City Planning’s email sign-up page and selecting Missing Middle LA under Current Planning Initiatives.
For questions or additional feedback, please email the team at planning.missingmiddlela@lacity.org. Thank you for supporting the future of housing in Los Angeles!
