Assembly Bill 2097

Assembly Bill 2097 (AB 2097) is a California law that prohibits public agencies or cities from imposing a minimum automobile parking requirement on most development projects located within a half-mile radius of a major transit stop. In Los Angeles, City Planning is responsible for overseeing the implementation of AB 2097, in accordance with State law. Consult this webpage for eligibility requirements or email City Planning at planning.ab2097@lacity.org with general questions on project eligibility and review.

Key Provisions

Projects located within a half-mile of a major transit stop are generally eligible for the automobile parking reduction provided by AB 2097. This includes residential, commercial, and industrial projects, but does not include hotels, motels, bed and breakfast inns, or other transient lodgings. The State does give local agencies the option to impose minimum parking requirements in limited instances, provided that one of the following three findings can be substantiated in the affirmative to necessitate minimum parking requirements:

  • The project furthers the City’s ability to meet its share of the Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) for low and very low income households,
  • The project directly supports the City’s ability to meet any special housing needs for the elderly or persons with disabilities; or,
  • The project is located within one-half mile of existing residential or commercial parking.

Note: These findings must demonstrate that the project would have a substantially negative impact, should the City not impose or enforce minimum parking requirements.

The State law offers a 30-day timeline to formally invoke such findings. However, these findings may not be made for projects that meet the following criteria: 

  • Projects that reserve 20% or more of the total dwelling units for very low, low, or moderate income households, students, the elderly, or persons with disabilities,
  • Projects that contain fewer than 20 dwelling units; or,
  • Projects that are subject to other parking reductions of any other applicable law (by satisfying the applicable eligibility requirements).
Project Eligibility
 

To assess whether a parcel is eligible to qualify under AB 2097, consult the Department’s Zone Information and Map Access System (ZIMAS), a web-based mapping tool that provides zoning information for parcels in Los Angeles. Enter the address in the pop-up window, click the "Planning and Zoning" menu on the left side of the screen, and then scroll down to the "AB 2097 Eligibility" field. 

VISIT ZIMAS
Implementation Memo
 

For additional helpful information, refer to the Department's AB 2097 Implementation Memorandum. The memo provides additional information on the State bill, along with general filing instructions to assist developers with the application.

CLICK HERE
Recent Case Filings
 

List of recently filed cases that have opted to utilize provisions in AB 2097, and may be subject to the findings permitted under the AB 2097. Please see AB 2097 Implementation Memo for details.

VIEW CASES