Los Angeles County · Land use · Emergency shelter
Where is an emergency shelter allowed in Los Angeles County?
In Los Angeles County, an emergency shelter is needs a permit in 18 (A-1, A-2, R-2, R-3, R-4 and 13 more, 3 with a condition) and not allowed in 6 (Los Angeles County use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Needs a permit: A-1, A-2, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, C-H, C-1 and 10 more
- Not allowed: O-S, R-R, W, R-A, R-1 and C-R
Find your lot's zone on the city zoning map, then read its row. Every status below was read from the Los Angeles County Municipal Code use tables (read October 2026). Base zones only. General information, not legal advice — check with the city before you apply.
Zones where an emergency shelter can go
Los Angeles County's code calls this use “Emergency shelters”. Each row links to the use table it comes from. A zone marked “see note” has a condition in the code, for example upper floors only or a larger lot.
| Zone | Status | Code |
|---|---|---|
| A-1 | Needs a ministerial site plan review — see note Note 17: Use permitted on lots of one-half acre or more that are within one-half mile of a transit stop and outside of: 1) an Agriculture Resource Area, as depicted in the General Plan, in its entirety; 2) Coastal Zone, as defined in Division 2 (Definition), in its entirety; 3) Threatened and Endangered Species Critical Habitats, as determined by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service; 4) Significant Ecological Areas, as depicted in the General Plan, in its entirety; 5) Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, as depicted in the General Plan, in its entirety; and 6) the 70 or above decibel Community Noise Equivalent Level (dB CNEL) noise contour of an Airport Influence Area, as depicted in the General Plan, in its entirety. For the purposes of these criteria, "transit stop" includes, without limitation, all existing public rail, bus stations, and designated bus stops. | § 22.16.030 |
| A-2 | Needs a ministerial site plan review — see note Note 17: Use permitted on lots of one-half acre or more that are within one-half mile of a transit stop and outside of: 1) an Agriculture Resource Area, as depicted in the General Plan, in its entirety; 2) Coastal Zone, as defined in Division 2 (Definition), in its entirety; 3) Threatened and Endangered Species Critical Habitats, as determined by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service; 4) Significant Ecological Areas, as depicted in the General Plan, in its entirety; 5) Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, as depicted in the General Plan, in its entirety; and 6) the 70 or above decibel Community Noise Equivalent Level (dB CNEL) noise contour of an Airport Influence Area, as depicted in the General Plan, in its entirety. For the purposes of these criteria, "transit stop" includes, without limitation, all existing public rail, bus stations, and designated bus stops. | § 22.16.030 |
| R-2 | Needs a ministerial site plan review — see note Note 12: Use permitted only when converting from an existing, legally-built hotel, motel, or youth hostel on lots outside of the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, as depicted in the General Plan, in its entirety, subject to Chapter 22.186 (Site Plan Review, Ministerial). | § 22.18.030 |
| R-3 | Needs a ministerial site plan review | § 22.18.030 |
| R-4 | Needs a ministerial site plan review | § 22.18.030 |
| R-5 | Needs a ministerial site plan review | § 22.18.030 |
| C-H | Needs a ministerial site plan review | § 22.20.030 |
| C-1 | Needs a ministerial site plan review | § 22.20.030 |
| C-2 | Needs a ministerial site plan review | § 22.20.030 |
| C-3 | Needs a ministerial site plan review | § 22.20.030 |
| C-M | Needs a ministerial site plan review | § 22.20.030 |
| C-MJ | Needs a ministerial site plan review | § 22.20.030 |
| M-1 | Needs a ministerial site plan review | § 22.22.030 |
| M-1.5 | Needs a ministerial site plan review | § 22.22.030 |
| M-2 | Needs a ministerial site plan review | § 22.22.030 |
| M-2.5 | Needs a conditional use permit | § 22.22.030 |
| C-RU | Needs a ministerial site plan review | § 22.24.030 |
| MXD-RU | Needs a ministerial site plan review | § 22.24.030 |
Zones where it is not allowed
What else applies
- Standards for this use: Section 22.140.180.
- 'Accessory emergency shelters' (accessory tables) and 'Domestic violence shelters' are different rows (not used). Transitional and supportive housing not used.
- State law: State law (Gov. Code § 65583, SB 2) requires every city to allow emergency shelters by right in at least one zone.
- Not covered here: M-3: S5 says premises 'may be used for any use' except the listed exceptions, so no per-use row exists; not comparable, no cells given; B-1 and B-2: S6 is a short list of allowed items (parking, landscaping, grading etc.) with none of the 16 uses; no cells given; Zone W has no cell for several uses because the row is '-' (given as no); Zones O-S/R-R/W belong to the Resort/Open space group in S1; Overlay and special districts in S8 to S70 (Santa Monica Mountains LIP, Coastal specific plans, Billboard, Parking, Equestrian, Green Zone, TOD specific plan) are not base zones and were not used. Overlay zones and specific plans can also change the answer.
Other uses in Los Angeles County
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I have an emergency shelter in the A-1 zone in Los Angeles County?
Only with a ministerial site plan review. Los Angeles County's use table lists it that way in A-1 (§ 22.16.030). The code adds a condition: “Use permitted on lots of one-half acre or more that are within one-half mile of a transit stop and outside of: 1) an Agriculture Resource Area, as depicted in the General Plan, in its entirety; 2) Coastal Zone, as…”
Can I have an emergency shelter in the O-S zone in Los Angeles County?
No. Los Angeles County's use table does not allow it in O-S (§ 22.16.030).
General information, not legal advice.
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