City of West Hollywood

General Plan 2035: adopted in 2011, the General Plan provides a roadmap for the City to continue building on its success. The Plan provides a future vision, policies, and proposed actions to guide decision makers, staff members, project developers, businesses, and residents in West Hollywood. For City staff, the General Plan acts as a reference guide in evaluating projects, structuring City programs, and deciding whether to pursue new opportunities. City officials use the General Plan as the basis for decision-making and to guide the development of new policies, ordinances, programs, initiatives and capital expenditures. The General Plan won the LA APA Small Jurisdiction Comprehensive Plan Award in 2011

Climate Action Plan: adopted in 2011 as part of the General Plan, this highly ambitious Climate Action Plan receiveda Compass Blueprint Recognition Award for Visionary Planning for Sustainability and an “Outstanding Climate Change” document award from the Association of Environmental Professionals. Plan policies include improving pedestrian amenities along City streets, reducing water use, incentivizing renewable energy, reducing waste, expanding green space, and more aggressive measures such as implementing a point-of-sale retrofit program that would require energy and water efficiency upgrades to buildings prior to sale – all to lessen our impact on the environment. In 2021, this Plan was updated and included an Adaption Plan.

Housing Element 2021-2029: significantly strengthens citywide housing policy and programs to confront housing affordability, equity, and sustainability issues. Outlined strategies of the Housing Element aim to address housing needs across the economic and social spectrum of the City through facilitating the preservation and development of housing and establishing programs to accommodate the City's share of the regional housing needs in Southern California. 

Santa Monica Blvd Streetscape Master Plan: completed in 1999, a comprehensive vision for the entire 2.7 miles of Santa Monica Boulevard. From widened sidewalks and double rowed street trees, to an enhanced median, public art and added crosswalks, the improvements from this Plan led to Santa Monica Boulevard being named a "Great Street" by the American Planning Association as part of the organization's Great Places in America program (2011). The APA singled out Santa Monica Boulevard in the City of West Hollywood for its ability to meld a variety of cultural influences into a dynamic streetscape. A major reconstruction project completed in 2001 not only honors the City's commitment to the street's cultural and historic heritage but has enhanced aesthetics, improved pedestrian orientation and vehicular flow, and incorporated green features.

Pedestrian and Bicycle Mobility Plan: adopted in 2017, creates a vision and set of prioritized strategies to enhance the City’s streets to be more comfortable, safe, and inviting to pedestrians and bicyclists of all ages and abilities.  The Plan achieves a Complete Network, prioritizing some streets for certain modes and other streets for other modes. This means that no matter what mode of travel you choose, there will be safe and comfortable options for you in West Hollywood. Key pedestrian and bicycle improvements will provide safe, comfortable, convenient and attractive routes for walk/bike transit or driving.

Adopted in 2017, the Eastside Community Priorities Plan envisions a place that looks toward the dynamic opportunities of the future while retaining the neighborhood charm of the Eastside. At the core of this vision is a desire for the Eastside to embrace its diverse, eclectic and unique character. The eastside is an important part of the City and the 314 acres accounts for approximately 25% of the total l

and area of West Hollywood. Santa Monica Boulevard is the main arterial running through the Eastside, with a variety of retail and commercial uses on both sides of the street. Developed through a collaborative two-year and two-stage engagement process, the Plan addresses a wide range of topics prioritized by the Working Group that effect every-day life: Housing, Urban Design, Economic Development, Mobility, Arts and Events, and Sustainability and Public Space.

Adopted in 1991 and amended in 2019, the Sunset  Specific Plan was developed to encourage responsible development along Sunset Boulevard, known internationally as “The Strip.” This world famous corridor serves as a major artery through shopping, entertainment venues and offices and an eclectic array of restaurants.  The Sunset Specific Plan is a form-based plan with urban design standards, density strategies, cultural resource guidelines, and land use and development regulations that allow expanded development in certain “target” areas.  The Plan divides Sunset Boulevard into eight geographic sections, with corresponding development standards and policies. The intent of the Plan is to ensure that the Strip remains as a vital district for businesses, residents, and tourists.

Adopted in 2014 at the request of residents in the district, the West Hollywood West Overlay District and Design Guidelines provide guidance and standards following a proliferation of projects demolishing existing buildings and replacing them with “Big Box” single family dwellings that many neighbors felt did not complement the neighborhood’s context and character. In response, these Design Guidelines, and the creation of a corresponding Neighborhood Overlay District, were developed to: provide clear guidance for residential design; manage change within the neighborhood; protect the valued qualities and characters of the neighborhood; and allow flexibility for creative design solutions.   The project won the 2015 LA APA Award of Merit for Planning Best Practices.  The guidelines are currently being revisited to ensure they are still addressing the neighborhood’s design vision.

Norma Triangle Overlay District and Design Guidelines: adopted in 2017, these guidelines were collaboratively developed with members of the community, urban design professionals, and city staff to:  manage change within the Norma Triangle single-family neighborhood; to protect the valued qualities and characteristics of the neighborhood; and to allow flexibility for creative design solutions. Norma Triangle is a small (173 parcels) residential neighborhood located in the north west “triangle” of West Hollywood. The single-family homes are surrounded by commercial and multi-family buildings: residents value its close proximity and walkability to local shops, bars, and restaurants. It is a prime location and boasts an eclectic mix of one- and two-story buildings on small lots along narrow, tree-lined street with a wide range of architectural styles and eras. It is a unique neighborhood worth preserving: these guidelines encourage new homes, additions, and remodels to respect the neighborhood’s vitality, character, context, and charm, while encouraging innovative, quality design.

West Hollywood Design District Streetscape Master Plan: adopted in 2014, this Plan is now becoming reality, with actual streetscape improvements beginning 2020. More than 275 global visionaries and creative leaders have chosen the walkable radius of Melrose Avenue, Beverly Boulevard and Robertson Boulevard as their West Coast home and this Plan will create a stunning, pedestrian, bicycle and transit friendly streetscape worthy of this cultural destination. The design district of West Hollywood – 2.5 miles on Melrose Avenue, Beverly Boulevard, and Robertson Boulevard – has evolved into destination for high-caliber design, art, fashion, dining, beauty and more. It is where furniture, fashion, art, and design trends start.  The Streetscape Master Plan furthers this high-quality scene with pedestrian scale lighting, trees and irrigated tree wells, curbside parking and new sidewalk paving. In 2015, this Plan received the Award of Excellence for Urban Design from the LA APA.

West Hollywood Design District Streetscape Master Plan: adopted in 2014, this Plan is now becoming reality, with actual streetscape improvements beginning 2020. More than 275 global visionaries and creative leaders have chosen the walkable radius of Melrose Avenue, Beverly Boulevard and Robertson Boulevard as their West Coast home and this Plan will create a stunning, pedestrian, bicycle and transit friendly streetscape worthy of this cultural destination. The design district of West Hollywood – 2.5 miles on Melrose Avenue, Beverly Boulevard, and Robertson Boulevard – has evolved into destination for high-caliber design, art, fashion, dining, beauty and more. It is where furniture, fashion, art, and design trends start.  The Streetscape Master Plan furthers this high-quality scene with pedestrian scale lighting, trees and irrigated tree wells, curbside parking and new sidewalk paving. In 2015, this Plan received the Award of Excellence for Urban Design from the LA APA.

West Hollywood Design District Streetscape Master Plan: adopted in 2014, this Plan is now becoming reality, with actual streetscape improvements beginning 2020. More than 275 global visionaries and creative leaders have chosen the walkable radius of Melrose Avenue, Beverly Boulevard and Robertson Boulevard as their West Coast home and this Plan will create a stunning, pedestrian, bicycle and transit friendly streetscape worthy of this cultural destination. The design district of West Hollywood – 2.5 miles on Melrose Avenue, Beverly Boulevard, and Robertson Boulevard – has evolved into destination for high-caliber design, art, fashion, dining, beauty and more. It is where furniture, fashion, art, and design trends start.  The Streetscape Master Plan furthers this high-quality scene with pedestrian scale lighting, trees and irrigated tree wells, curbside parking and new sidewalk paving. In 2015, this Plan received the Award of Excellence for Urban Design from the LA APA.