Pacific Palisades : Height of Buildings Limited

The Los Angeles City Council, awaiting a permanent law that restricts large-scale developments locally, extended an interim measure for height limits on apartments and condominiums built near homes along Sunset Boulevard in Pacific Palisades.

The council’s action Tuesday means the height restrictions, between Pacific Coast Highway and Chautauqua Boulevard, will remain in effect for up to six months. Another six-month extension could be enacted if city staff needs additional time to write a permanent law restricting local residential developments.

The interim height restrictions, first adopted last year, limit new construction depending on its proximity to homes. Buildings next to homes would be restricted to 30 feet, while those more than 50 feet away can be 35 feet tall. There is a 45-foot limit for units built more than 100 feet from homes.

The height limit would apply to an estimated 50 to 60 parcels along Sunset.

The restrictions were introduced by Councilman Marvin Braude, whose district includes Pacific Palisades. Braude acted at the urging of residents who said the limits were needed to prevent high-density development from overwhelming one of the city’s most picturesque streets.