To see your zone, lot size and what fits in one report, enter your address on ADUCheck, our free property report for Southern California.
General information, not legal advice. Zoning has overlays and exceptions, so confirm with the city or a land-use attorney.
Step 1: find your zone
Go to zimas.lacity.org, search your address, and open Planning and Zoning. You’ll see a code like R1-1, R2-1, RD1.5-1 or R3-1. The letters and numbers before the dash are what matter here. Note any overlays, specific plans or fire hazard zones listed too.
Step 2: what your zone allows
| Zone | Roughly | On a 7,500 sq ft property |
|---|---|---|
| R1 | One house (plus ADUs; SB 9 may allow a split) | 1 house |
| R2 | Two homes | 2 homes |
| RD1.5 | One home per 1,500 sq ft | About 5 homes |
| R3 | One home per 800 sq ft | About 9 homes |
The ADU rules can add more homes in most zones. The numbers above are a starting point, not a promise.
Step 3: which state laws apply
Starter home law (SB 684, SB 1123, SB 1116). In multifamily zones, up to 10 homes on up to 10 new parcels can be approved by city staff without a hearing, if the site isn’t in a very high fire hazard zone and hasn’t had tenants in five years or an Ellis Act withdrawal in 15. Full explanation.
SB 9. In single-family zones, allows a lot split and up to two homes on each half, but the owner must sign an affidavit to live there for three years. In July 2025, an executive order allowed LA County agencies to pause some SB 9 projects in high fire-hazard rebuilding areas.
Step 4: decide what to do
You can build yourself, partner with a builder, or sell to one. If your property is in a multifamily zone and you’re thinking of selling, we may be interested. We use our own software, Atlas, to check zoning and constraints, then visit and confirm with the city before making an offer. Tell us about your property.
Questions people ask
How do I find my zone?
Enter your address on ZIMAS (zimas.lacity.org). The zone code, such as R1-1 or RD1.5-1, appears in the Planning and Zoning section.
What does RD1.5 mean?
Restricted density multiple dwelling zone allowing about one home per 1,500 square feet of property. A 7,500 square foot property works out to about five.
Does SB 9 work for builders?
SB 9 lot splits require the owner to sign an affidavit to live on the property for three years, so they're mostly used by owners, not builders. In July 2025 an executive order also let LA County agencies pause some SB 9 projects in high fire-hazard rebuilding areas.
Will I lose tenants' protections if I sell?
Properties with rent-controlled units or recent tenants are excluded from the starter home path, and LA has strong tenant protections. Get advice before acting.