Small Lot Single Family Homes In Los Angeles

Many home buyers looking for property in Los Angeles are willing to forego a large lot and yard in exchange for new construction in convenient locations such as Mid-City and Silver Lake. For these buyers, small lot developments are perfect. Typically, small lot developments involve multiple-level, townhome-style single family homes with little or no back yards and minimal setback from the property boundaries. The benefit of these properties are that they are brand new and are typically built by established developers, often with perks such as solar panels, wirless remotes for locks and AC units, and more. The properties are typically marketed before they are completely finished, allowing buyers to customize the property with hand-picked flooring, moldings, appliances, etc. More importantly, they are typically situated in high-density locations that are convenient to downtown Los Angeles, making the properties extremely attractive to young professionals.

The Los Angeles Small Lot Ordinance

In 2005, the Los Angeles Municipal Code was amended to add Section 12.22-C, 27, also known as the Small Lot Ordinance. The Small Lot Ordinance modified zoning requirements to reduce lot size requirements, amended parking requirements, and allowed large parcels to be subdivided into multiple smaller parcels. The Small Lot Ordinance was enacted to allow for the subdivision of underutilized land in mult-family and commercial areas into “fee-simple” homes, or single family homes. It’s purpose was to “infill development and a smart-growth alternative to traditional, suburban style single-family subdivisions.”

In a study released by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the HUD identified several reasons the Small Lot Ordinance was beneficial, including the following:
1. Small lot developments increase homeownership at reduced costs.
2. Small lot developments increase housing production.
3. Small housing developments are not subject to monthly homeowners’ association (HOA) fees.
4. Small lot developments are easier to finance than condominium projects.

Currently Available Small Lot Developments

Since the enactment of the Small Lot Ordinance, developers have been routinely purchasing vacant land and teardown properties, and replacing them with multiple small lot properties. The following are several small lot developments that are currently available and on our list of must-see properties

The Faircrest Collection

Located at 1433 Hi Point Street, Los Angeles, CA 90035, the Faircrest Collection is advertised as a luxury development of 10 contemporary Spanish homes with between 3 and 5 bedrooms priced at between $944,000 and $1,225,000, depending on the floor plan and selected options. More importantly, it is located conveniently close to Century City, with easy access to LAX via La Cienega and close to the 10 freeway allowing easy access to downtown Los Angeles.

For more information on this development, visit the Faircrest Collection website here.

Gramercy At Hollywood

Located at 1717 North Gramercy Place, Los Angeles, CA 90028, the Gramercy at Hollywood development is located in the heart of Hollywood close to Hollywood Blvd. and Western Ave. Each unit boasts a fourth floor rooftop deck with panoramic views, and its location is ideally close to a vibrant restaurant and night life. Units start at $709,000 up to $874,990.

For more information on this development, visit the Gramercy at Hollywood website here.

SL70

Located at on the corner of Glendale Blvd. and Branden Street in Silver Lake, this small lot development is one of the most affordable, with units starting in the low $600,000.00s. Floor plans include either 2 or 3 bedrooms, 2 to 3 bathrooms, and 1,300 square feet to 1,400 square feet of living space, plus additional outdoor space. The location is extremely convenient for professionals working in down town who want to be close to the crowd, but not in it.

For more information on this development, visit the SL70 website here.

5112 Melrose

Located on the corner of Melrose Ave. and N. Gramercy Pl., just on the border of Koreatown and and Hollywood, this development by Lennar of 49 new homes are all three stories and start at about $700,00.00. Most of the units feature about 1,700 square feet of living space as well as a 450+ square foot rooftop deck with excellent views of the city. As with other Lennar properties, this small lot development offers an “everything included” concept, meaning you pay nothing extra for the kitchen countertops, stainless steel appliances, cabinetry, and Nexia Home Intelligence Automation, which allows homeowners to remotely lock and unlock doors, turn lights on and off, and adjust the thermostat.

For more information on this development, visit the 5112 Melrose website here.

2775 Cahuenga

Located just off of the 101 freeway in the Hollywood Hills, the homes start at 2 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, and 1,400 square feet at the high $900,000.00s. Another development by Lennar, these small lot homes come with the “everything included” package, and also come pre-wired for electric/hybrid vehicle charging.

For more information on this development, visit the 5112 Melrose website here.

For more information on how Esquire Real Estate Brokerage, Inc. can help you in the Los Angeles real estate market, feel free to give us a call at 213-973-9439 or send us an email at info@esquirereb.com.