Ordinance 184,505 (Parks Dedication and Fee Update ordinance) was passed by City Council on September 7, 2016 with an effective date of January 11, 2017. The ordinance requires most residential projects that create new dwelling units or joint living and work quarters to dedicate land or to pay a fee for the purpose of developing park and recreational facilities. Residential projects that propose one or more additional dwelling units will be subject to the new Park Fee unless they meet one of the exceptions listed in Los Angeles Municipal Code (L.A.M.C.) Section 12.33 C.3 (e.g. certain affordable housing units and accessory dwelling units may be exempt from any requirement to pay a fee).
Any land required to be dedicated, or Park Fees required to be paid, can only be used to acquire new parkland or fund capital improvements at existing park facilities, which will serve residents of the residential development that dedicated the land or paid the fees. Park Fees are not permitted to be used to offset park operation and maintenance costs, to purchase materials and supplies, or to replace equipment.
Applicants can make an appointment for General Questions about Park Fees and LAMC 12.33 in the BuildLA Appointment System: https://appointments.lacity.org/apptsys/Public/Account
Applicants can also contact Department of Recreation and Parks staff by email at rap.parkfees@lacity.org or by phone at (213) 202-2682.
New residential dwelling units which are rented or sold to persons or household of very-low, low, or moderate income may be eligible to receive an affordable housing exemption for the park fee and land dedication requirement L.A.M.C. Section 12.33 G.
Recreation Credits Information
In lieu of paying the park fee, eligible residential developments may dedicate land to the City of Los Angeles for public park and recreational purposes, at the City's option. Applicants may also propose improvements to existing dedicated parkland.
Pursuant to Los Angeles Municipal Code Section 12.33 I.2, the Department of Recreation and Parks shall report to the Board of Commissioners of Recreation and Parks on the amount of the fee income within 180 days after the last day of each fiscal year.
Pursuant to L.A.M.C. Section 12.33 I.4, applicants requesting a refund of Park Fees shall submit a claim for a refund with the Department of Recreation and Parks.