Subdivision Activity

The subdivision activity layer represents those areas (within unincorporated areas) with cases that are either pending, approved or recorded (within the past few years) within the Los Angeles County subdivision process.  Updated 4/30/13 for an annexation in Santa Clarita (recorded 4/16/13).

 Data can be downloaded here:

For more complete information, see Title 22 (Planning and Zoning) of the Los Angeles County Code, or stop by the office of the Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning, Room 1360 Hall of Records, 320 [...]]]>  This is zoning for the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County.

For more complete information, see Title 22 (Planning and Zoning) of the Los Angeles County Code, or stop by the office of the Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning, Room 1360 Hall of Records, 320 W. Temple St., Los Angeles, CA 90012. Phone: (213) 974-6411. (Note: Citations which follow refer to sections within the Zoning Ordinance).  LAST UPDATED 4/30/13 to account for recent annexation to the City of Santa Clarita (recorded 4/16/13).  PLEASE NOTE, Santa Catalina Island is not included in this dataset.  It is in a seperate data layer since Catalina has specific zoning categories that differ from the Countywide zoning categories found in Title 22. 

Data can be downloaded here:

• Download Shapefile / Layer File (.zip)
• KMZ file

This data depicts generalized land use classifications, each of which is intended to describe the dominant use characteristics within the area covered. Updated information regarding public parks, school sites, freeways, rail/transit lines, and other ownership-specific boundaries have been incorporated into this data. The actual use and intensity of development that may be [...]]]>

This data depicts generalized land use classifications, each of which is intended to describe the dominant use characteristics within the area covered. Updated information regarding public parks, school sites, freeways, rail/transit lines, and other ownership-specific boundaries have been incorporated into this data. The actual use and intensity of development that may be allowed on private property within any given land classification is determined by a review of policy maps, other mapped and written policies of the General Plan, and the underlying zoning classification.  Updated 4/30/13 for annexation to the city of Santa Clarita (recorded 4/16/13).

Areas included:

• Altadena Community Plan
• Antelope Valley Area Plan
• Catalina Island Land Use Plan
• Local Coast Plan (Malibu – Santa Monica Mountains)
• East Los Angeles Community Plan
• Hacienda Heights Community Plan
• Marina Del Rey Land Use Plan
• Rowland Heights Community General Plan
• Santa Clarita Valley Area Plan
• Santa Monica Mountains North Area Plan
• West Athens / Westmont Community Plan
• Walnut Park Neighborhood Plan

For more information about adopted plans (including a complete list) – click here.  Legend info can be found here as well – click here.

Data can be downloaded here:

• Download Shapefile / Layer File (.zip)
• Download Layer Package (.zip)

Rural Outdoor Lighting District (Dark Skies)

This project is an amendment to Title 22 of the County Code, Planning and Zoning, to establish a Rural Outdoor Lighting District for areas of unincorporated Los Angeles County. The proposed Ordinance will establish the District with regulations that will conserve energy and resources and [...]]]>

Rural Outdoor Lighting District (Dark Skies)

This project is an amendment to Title 22 of the County Code, Planning and Zoning, to establish a Rural Outdoor Lighting District for areas of unincorporated Los Angeles County. The proposed Ordinance will establish the District with regulations that will conserve energy and resources and promote dark skies for the enjoyment and health of humans and wildlife, while permitting reasonable uses of outdoor lighting for nighttime safety and security. The regulations include limitations on allowable light trespass, fully shielding outdoor lighting, and imposes maximum heights of fixtures. The draft ordinance includes requirements for street lighting in rural areas, outdoor recreation facilities and signs. The draft map depicts areas located within the proposed District.

For more information contact the Ordinance Studies Section or go to Rural Outdoor Lighting District Ordinance.  For more information about adopted plans (including a complete list) – click here.  UPDATED on 4/30/13 to include annexation to the City of Santa Clarita (recorded 4/16/13)

Data can be downloaded here:

Download Shapefile (.zip)

These districts were established when zoning was created for Los Angeles County many years ago. It was a way to break the county up into distinct areas, smaller units, for easier record keeping and organization. It is still in use to identify and keep track of those ordinances and for running queries [...]]]>

These districts were established when zoning was created for Los Angeles County many years ago. It was a way to break the county up into distinct areas, smaller units, for easier record keeping and organization. It is still in use to identify and keep track of those ordinances and for running queries against permits and ordinances.  For a list of zoned districts or for other information on these districts, please refer to County Code 22.16 Zoned Districts and Maps.  Updated 4/30/13 for an annextaion to the city of Santa Clarita.

Data can be downloaded here:

• Download Shapefile (.zip)
• KMZ file

The Public Land Survey System (PLSS) typically divides land into 6-mile-square townships, which is the level of information included in the National Atlas. Townships are subdivided into 36 one-mile- square sections. A section is an area normally [...]]]> The grid that shows the township, range and section information for Los Angeles County taken from the PLSS.

The Public Land Survey System (PLSS) typically divides land into 6-mile-square townships, which is the level of information included in the National Atlas. Townships are subdivided into 36 one-mile- square sections. A section is an area normally one mile square, containing 640 acres(2.6 km²). Sections can be further subdivided into quarter sections, quarter-quarter sections, or irregular government lots. Normally, a permanent monument, or marker, is placed at each section corner. Source: U.S. Department of the Interior / Bureau of Land Management / Public Land Survey System; last update: 2007.

PLSS Illustration:

Illustrated by The National Atlas of the United States of America® of the United States Department of the Interior

Data can be downloaded here:

Download Shapefile (.zip)

Significant Ecological Areas (SEA)

Significant Ecological Areas (SEA) Significant Ecological Area (SEA) means an area that is determined to possess an example of biotic resources that cumulatively represent biological diversity for the purposes of protecting biotic diversity, as part of the Los Angeles County general plan or the city’s general plan. Additional [...]]]>

Significant Ecological Areas (SEA)

Significant Ecological Areas (SEA) Significant Ecological Area (SEA) means an area that is determined to possess an example of biotic resources that cumulatively represent biological diversity for the purposes of protecting biotic diversity, as part of the Los Angeles County general plan or the city’s general plan. Additional regulations shall be applied based on County Code 22.56.215: Hillside management and significant ecological areas — Additional regulations.More information about the County’s SEA Program can be found at:  http://planning.lacounty.gov/sea/

Data can be downloaded here:

• Download Shapefile (.zip)
• KMZ file

The grid that shows the zoning maps that cover the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County.  This grid follows alignment and numbering system as the Department of Public Works House Numbering Maps.  This was developed as part of the Zoning Map Conversion and Integration Project (ZCIP) – 2002 to 2006. 

UPDATED on [...]]]>

The grid that shows the zoning maps that cover the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County.  This grid follows alignment and numbering system as the Department of Public Works House Numbering Maps.  This was developed as part of the Zoning Map Conversion and Integration Project (ZCIP) – 2002 to 2006. 

UPDATED on 1/8/13 to include annexation to the City of Santa Clarita (recorded 11/28/12)

Data can be downloaded here:

Download Shapefile (.zip)

Countywide layer which divides the County of Los Angeles into 11 Planning Areas. These area divisions were created for the LA County Dept. of Regional Planning by the GIS Section under direction from the General Plan Development Section. Reflects the most recent changes from the [...]]]> For planning purposes & reference within the General Plan Update.

Countywide layer which divides the County of Los Angeles into 11 Planning Areas. These area divisions were created for the LA County Dept. of Regional Planning by the GIS Section under direction from the General Plan Development Section. Reflects the most recent changes from the General Plan update (revision 5–December, 2011). 

UPDATED on 1/8/13 to include adjustment of City boundaries in the Los Angeles / Long Beach Harbor areas (using linework from Public Works)

Download the files at the hyperlinks below:

Download Shapefile (.zip) 

Planning Areas

Data can be downloaded here:

 This is the boundary of Los Angeles County including Santa Catalina Island and San Clemente Island. Does not include incorporated city boundaries.  Last updated 1/9/13 to include boundary modification in Los Angeles / Long Beach Harbor area (used DPW linework to adjust shorelines)

• Download zipped shapefile

Airports (Countywide)

Data can be downloaded here:

DRP_RIDGELINES (zipped shapefile)

Significant Ridgelines

Data can be downloaded here:

Download Shapefile / .zip

The community standards districts are established as supplemental districts to provide a means of implementing special development standards contained in adopted neighborhood, community, area, specific and local coastal plans within the UNINCORPORATED areas of Los Angeles County, or to provide a means of addressing special problems which are unique to certain geographic [...]]]>

The community standards districts are established as supplemental districts to provide a means of implementing special development standards contained in adopted neighborhood, community, area, specific and local coastal plans within the UNINCORPORATED areas of Los Angeles County, or to provide a means of addressing special problems which are unique to certain geographic areas within the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County. For detailed development standards for each CSD, please refer to County Code 22.44 Part 2.  Last Updated 9/22/11 – Stonyvale CSD.  Modified on 10/22/12 for an annexation in Palmdale.

This also includes the CSD Subareas layer (specific development standards areas within CSD boundaries).

Data can be downloaded here:

• Download Shapefile / Layer File (.zip)
• KMZ file

Significant Environmental Resource Areas

Sensitive Environmental Resources (SERA) – Coast Zone Only

These are in the Coastal Zone area only, and they afford the highest protection from future land development due to their environmental signifigance and sensitivity. ESHA’s [...]]]>  

Significant Environmental Resource Areas

Sensitive Environmental Resources (SERA) – Coast Zone Only

These are in the Coastal Zone area only, and they afford the highest protection from future land development due to their environmental signifigance and sensitivity. ESHA’s have the most restricction to development (only resource dependent uses allowed), and the remaining categories allow some development but with additional review from the Environmental Review Board. Please click here for the 1986 Malibu Land Use Plan; a description of SERAs and ESHAs begin on page 27 of the PDF, and a table listing permitted uses begins on page 75 of the PDF. Source: Malibu Local Coastal Plan; last update: 1986 (plan adopted).

Data can be downloaded here:

• Download shapefile & layer file (.zip)

Note, this is not a link to GIS data layers, just Adobe Acrobat PDF files. For GIS data, i.e., ESRI Shapefiles, search [...]]]> Various maps are available for free as downloads (PDF files) or as hard copy prints for a fee. Available maps include Supervisorial Districts, Community Standards Districts (CSD), Zoning, Community and Area Plans, etc.

Note, this is not a link to GIS data layers, just Adobe Acrobat PDF files. For GIS data, i.e., ESRI Shapefiles, search this LA County GIS Data Portal with the search window or browse through the categories to the left.

http://planning.lacounty.gov/gis/maps

Address Points

Current data date: June 2012 – we will be releasing new versions of this data periodically.

This dataset contains address points from the Countywide Address Management System, a collaborative program between the County’s Registrar/Recorder, Chief Information Officer, Public Works Department, Department of Regional Planning, and many local cities [...]]]>

Address Points

Current data date: June 2012 – we will be releasing new versions of this data periodically.

This dataset contains address points from the Countywide Address Management System, a collaborative program between the County’s Registrar/Recorder, Chief Information Officer, Public Works Department, Department of Regional Planning, and many local cities to manage addresses and street centerlines for the purposes of geocoding and cartography.

What this data is (and isn’t)

This dataset contains the best available information, with close to 3 million primary and secondary addresses in the County of Los Angeles.   It does NOT include information about every unit, suite, building, and sub-address.  With probably over 7 million addresses, we have a ways to go.

Description

This dataset includes over 2.9 million individual points for addresses in the County.  Data has been compiled from best available sources, including city databases, LA County Assessor parcels, and the County’s House Numbering maps.  Please see the Source field for information.

Street Name information has been split into multiple fields to support the County’s specifically designed geocoders – please see the entry on LA County Specific Locators and Matching rules for more information.

Multi-address Parcels

Some of our data sources (LA City, LA County, for example) have mapped each individual address in their city.  These may also show unit information for an address point.  A property with multiple addresses will show a point for each address.  For some cities where this has not happened, the data source is the Assessor, where the primary address of the property may be the only address shown.  We invite cities and sources with more detailed information to join the CAMS consortium to continue to improve the data.

Legal vs. Postal Cities

Many users confuse the name the Post Office delivers main to (e.g. Van Nuys, Hollywood) as a legal city (in this case Los Angeles), when they are a postal city.  The County contains 88 legal cities, and over 400 postal names that are tied to the zipcodes.  To support useability and geocoding, we have attached the first 3 postal cities to each address, based upon its zipcocode.

For a full list of zipcode to postal city correlations, see this file: zipcodexxpostalcities (zipped .dbf file)

Download the data

•  Data Download in ESRI Shapefile Format (123 Mb): lacounty_address_points.zip (zipped shapefile)

Land Use Policy (1980 General Plan)

Referred to as the “General Plan” and encompasses the unincorporated areas (sometimes referred to as ‘islands’) not covered by a community, neighborhood or area plan.  Adopted by the Board of Supervisors on November 25, 1980.  Last Amended 4/30/12 for a Plan Amendment in Del Aire.

Proposed Significant Ecological Areas

Proposed updates to the Significant Ecological Areas are based on aerial imagery and parcels.   Please note that proposed SEAs have not been officially adopted as part of the L.A. County General Plan.  For the Existing/Adopted SEAs click here.

From the Los Angeles County Draft General Plan Map [...]]]>

Proposed Significant Ecological Areas

Proposed updates to the Significant Ecological Areas are based on aerial imagery and parcels.   Please note that proposed SEAs have not been officially adopted as part of the L.A. County General Plan.  For the Existing/Adopted SEAs click here.

From the Los Angeles County Draft General Plan Map 6.2 (2011):  Significant Ecological Areas and Coastal Resource Areas Policy Map identifies three areas of significance types; proposed SEAs, proposed ETAs and Coastal Resource Areas.

Proposed SEAs are subject to the SEA CUP, and the SEA Policies of the General Plan. A full list of the 27 Proposed SEAs is available here. Each SEA specific page has more information about that individual Proposed SEA and a full list of parcels located within it.

Significant Ecological Areas (SEA) Significant Ecological Area (SEA) means an area that is determined to possess an example of biotic resources that cumulatively represent biological diversity for the purposes of protecting biotic diversity, as part of the Los Angeles County general plan or the city’s general plan. Additional regulations shall be applied based on County Code 22.56.215: Hillside management and significant ecological areas — Additional regulations.

• Download Shapefile (.zip)
• Download Layer File (.zip)
• KMZ file

CAMS Data (October 2011)

Current data date: August 2012 – we will be releasing new versions of this data periodically.

Important note: This file is not final – it is an intermediate step and should be used with the understanding that further work is being performed.

Description

The LA County Street Center TIGER [...]]]>

CAMS Data (October 2011)

Current data date: August 2012 – we will be releasing new versions of this data periodically.

Important note: This file is not final – it is an intermediate step and should be used with the understanding that further work is being performed.

Description

The LA County Street Center TIGER road file is a street centerline network in development by Los Angeles County to move toward a public domain street centerline and addess file.  This dataset can be used for two purposes:

1. Geocoding addresses in LA County – this file currently geocodes > 99.5% of the addresses in our test files (5,000 out of 8 million addresses) using the County’s geocoding engines.
1. This last statement is important - the County splits the street names and addresses differently than most geocoders.  This means that you cannot just use this dataset with the standard ESRI geocoding (US Streets) geocoding engine.  You can standardize the data to resolve this, and we will be publishing the related geocoding rules and engines along with instructions on how to use them, in the near future.  Please review the data fields to understand this information.
2. Mapping street centerlines in LA County – note that the street types in this file are not fully updated yet.  Use with caution.

History

LA County has historically licensed the Thomas Brothers Street Centerline file, and over the past 10 years has made close to 50,000 changes to that file.  In order to provide better opportunities for collaboration and sharing among government entities in LA County, we have embarked upon an ambitious project to leverage the 2010 TIGER roads file as provided by the Census Bureau and upgrade it to the same spatial and attribute accuracy as the current files we use.  This effort is part of the Countywide Address Management System (click the link for details).

Processes

The County downloaded and evaluated the 2010 TIGER file (more information on that file, including download, is at this link).  The evaluation showed that the TIGER road file was the best candidate to serve as a starting point for our transition.

Since that time, the County is moving down a path toward a complete transition to an updated version of that file.  Here are the steps that have been completed and are anticipated.

1. Upgrade the geocoding accuracy to meet the current LA County street file licensed from Thomas Brothers.  This has been completed by the Registrar/Recorder (RRCC) – matching rate have improved dramatically. COMPLETE
2. Develop a countywide street type code to reflect various street types we use.  We have used various sources, including the Census CFCC and MTFCC codes to develop this coding.  The final draft is here –  Final Draft of Street Type Codes for CAMS (excel file)
3. Update the street type information to support high-quality cartography.  IN PROGRESS - we have completed an automated assignment for this, but RRCC will be manually checking all street segments in the County to confirm.
4. Load this dataset into our currrent management system and begin continuing maintenance.

The Land Types dataset includes various types of land use that are critical for mapmaking and geographic analysis. The data has been created to match parcel boundaries where possible, and digitized from 4-inch aerial photography where more [...]]]> Updated December 2012 – Added the Michael D. Antonovich Open Space Preserve and the Santa Clarita Woodlands Park

The Land Types dataset includes various types of land use that are critical for mapmaking and geographic analysis.  The data has been created to match parcel boundaries where possible, and digitized from 4-inch aerial photography where more detail was needed.

Important note:  This data is still under development and is not complete as of April  2011, and it should not be used for authoritative analysis.

General land types that have been captured include:

A full listing of the categories can be found here: Land Types Categories – February 2011 (Excel Table).xlsx

This data is the result of a collaborative county project that began in January 2011 to update and take ownership of this valuable dataset.  It is closely related to the Location Management System program, which updates information represented as points.  This data is a replacement for the currently licensed Thomas Brothers OWNA layer.  It has greater scope, greater accuracy, and will be maintained collaboratively by County departments and various agencies that have true jurisdiction over the actual land types.

The LA County Department of Regional Planning has made a significant enhancement to the land types data through its development of three layers:

• Parks, Recreation Centers, and Sports Complexes – 1,340 total
• Schools – 2,951 total- see the School Update Process description (.pdf file)
• Open Spaces – from the ‘California Protected Areas Database (CPAD)’ (click here for website).

LA County’s eGIS Group developed the boundaries for 110 Golf Courses, and the LA County CIO’s office developed a number of other layers, including cemeteries, colleges, and shopping centers.

Data Access:

• Land Type Layer File (for County access only)
• land_types_2013_05 (zipped shapefile)

Credits County of Los Angeles Department of Regional Planning GIS Section.

Access and use limitations Every reasonable effort has been made to assure the accuracy of this data. DRP makes no warranty, representation, or guarantee as to the content, sequence, accuracy, timeliness, or completeness of any of the [...]]]> Description
Adopted Scenic Highways.

Credits
County of Los Angeles Department of Regional Planning GIS Section.

Access and use limitations
Every reasonable effort has been made to assure the accuracy of this data. DRP makes no warranty, representation, or guarantee as to the content, sequence, accuracy, timeliness, or completeness of any of the data provided herein. DRP explicitly disclaims any representations and warranties, including, without limitation, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. DRP shall assume no liability for any errors, omissions, or inaccuracies in the information provided regardless of how caused. All rights to this data are reserved.

Data can be downloaded here:

• Download shapefile

Data can be downloaded here:

Data can be downloaded here:

Freeways

Statistical Areas 2000

The Statistical Areas dataset contains Statistical Areas from the LA County Department of Regional Planning (DRP). Statistical Areas are communities that can be grouped together to show areas of geographical connection in the county. To do this use the STAT_D field. Similar areas have the same first few [...]]]>

Statistical Areas 2000

The Statistical Areas dataset contains Statistical Areas from the LA County Department of Regional Planning (DRP). Statistical Areas are communities that can be grouped together to show areas of geographical connection in the county. To do this use the STAT_D field. Similar areas have the same first few digits. The more similar the number, the closer together the geographic areas are.

Data is designed to be accurate to the Thomas Brothers datasets for mapping purposes. It does not correspond to Census Bureau data. You must have a license for the Thomas Brothers data to use this dataset.  THIS DATASET IS BEING PHASED OUT; will be removed from portal very soon.

Data can be downloaded here:

• Download zipped shapefile

It represents the initial imagery capture by the County of Los Angeles, which later become the Los Angeles Regional Imagery Acquisition Consortium (LAR-IAC).

Three imagery resolutions were captured:

Equestrian Districts

The equestrian district is established as a supplemental district in order to recognize particular areas where the keeping or maintaining of horses and other large domestic animals for the personal use of members of the family residing on the premises has become or is intended to become an integral [...]]]>

Equestrian Districts

The equestrian district is established as a supplemental district in order to recognize particular areas where the keeping or maintaining of horses and other large domestic animals for the personal use of members of the family residing on the premises has become or is intended to become an integral part of the character of the area. For detailed development standards for each Equestrian District, please refer to County Code 22.44 Part 3.

Data can be downloaded here:

• Download Shapefile (.zip)
• Download Layer Package (.zip)
• KMZ file

Zoning Index Map Grid

The grid that shows the zoning index maps that cover the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County.  These maps are a conglomorate of 25 zoning maps and have less detail on them.  This grid follows alignment and numbering system as the Department of Public Works House Number [...]]]>

Zoning Index Map Grid

The grid that shows the zoning index maps that cover the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County.  These maps are a conglomorate of 25 zoning maps and have less detail on them.  This grid follows alignment and numbering system as the Department of Public Works House Number Index Maps.

Data can be downloaded here:

• Download Shapefile (.zip)
• Download Layer Package (.zip)
• KMZ file

Transit oriented districts are established as supplemental districts in order to promote transit-oriented and pedestrian-oriented development, to increase transit use, to manage traffic congestion, and to improve air quality. For detailed TOD development standards, please refer to County Code 22.44.420 ~ 22.44.450.

Data can be downloaded here:

Detail

Natural color, leaf-off, 0.33-foot (4-inch) high-resolution, high-accuracy orthorectified aerial imagery, acquired by the Los Angeles Regional Imagery Consortium (LAR-IAC) in winter 2007/2008.  This imagery covers the majority of urban/suburban areas of the County in mainland (approximately 2,898 square miles) and Catalina Island covering approximately 75 square miles.  The rest of the [...]]]>

Detail

Natural color, leaf-off, 0.33-foot (4-inch) high-resolution, high-accuracy orthorectified aerial imagery, acquired by the Los Angeles Regional Imagery Consortium (LAR-IAC) in winter 2007/2008.  This imagery covers the majority of urban/suburban areas of the County in mainland (approximately 2,898 square miles) and Catalina Island covering approximately 75 square miles.  The rest of the County, covering the National Forest, is covered by a one foot (1-foot) resolution digital orthoimagery, approximately 1,056 square miles, and is a separate dataset.  Information about that data is available in another part of the portal..

This dataset meets or exceeds ASPRS (American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing) 1:100 scale mapping.  Accuracy is within +/- 2 feet of true location with 95% confidence.

Detailed product information is contained in the LAR-IAC2 Product Guide.

We highly recommend that you visit the LAR-IAC Program Website to find a rich source of information about the data and the LAR-IAC program.  The site includes project documents, full FGDC compliant metadata, data downloads of related GIS used to complete the project, sub-licensing information, sample imagery and data, and information about the 2006 acquisition.

GIS Data showing flight-date information is available from the site, and elsewhere in the LA County GIS Data Portal.

The 4-inch imagery is held under license from Pictometry International, and cannot be publicly released.  Government entities are eligible to join the LAR-IAC program to access the data.  Private entities may contact Pictometry directly to purchase selected parts of the data.  A one-foot, resampled version of this file is available from the US Geological Survey as a public domain product.

About LAR-IAC

The Los Angeles Region Imagery Acquisition Consortium (LAR-IAC) Program is a collaborative acquisition program for digital aerial imagery data which has included the participation of 10 County departments, 30 municipalities, and four other public agencies.

The consortium is a model for regional cooperation that improves the quality, access, and cost-effectiveness of high resolution digital aerial imagery. Knowledge transfer is increased through consortium program meetings, user groups, and various workshops that have been established in conjunction with the project. The imagery acquired will enable all participating jurisdictions to leverage this key geographic information asset for numerous decision support and business applications, thereby facilitating the effective and efficient delivery of services.