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People v. Venice Suites, LLC, 71 Cal.App.5th 715 (2021)
<br />286 Cal.Rptr.3d 598, 21 Cal. Daily Op. Serv. 11,565, 2021 Daily Journal D.A.R. 11,835
<br />The People challenge this conclusion on several grounds.
<br />First, they contend the common use of the term apartment
<br />house informs the definition provided by the Zoning Code,
<br />which is incomplete because it only sets forth a physical
<br />description. Second, the People apply a permissive zoning
<br />scheme to argue an Apartment House is converted to a TORS
<br />when it is rented on a short-term basis and a TORS is not an
<br />allowable use in an R3 zone. Third, the People repeat their
<br />argument below, relying on disparate provisions of the Zoning
<br />Code, RSO, and TOT to contend transients may not occupy
<br />Apartment Houses. We are not persuaded.
<br />Cal.Rptr.3d 340.) We must give the words of the statute a
<br />workable and reasonable interpretation keeping in mind the
<br />consequences that will flow from our interpretation. (Watkins
<br />u County of Alameda (2009) 177 Cal.AppAth 320, 336, 98
<br />Cal.Rptr.3d 847.)
<br />*728 B. Relevant Provisions of the LAMC
<br />The ordinances relevant to the parties' arguments are as
<br />follows:
<br />1. The Zoning Code
<br />A. Principles of Statutory Interpretation "The purpose of [the Zoning Code] is to consolidate and
<br />[14] [15] [16] [17] [18] The proper interpretatidWordinate all existing zoning regulations and provisions into
<br />of a statute is a question of law we review de novo. one comprehensive zoning plan in order to designate, regulate
<br />and restrict the location and use of buildings, structures and
<br />(�CaYY12Sl2imba, supra, 215 Cal.AppAth at p. 1081, 156 land, for agriculture, residence, commerce, trade, industry or
<br />Cal.Rptr.3d 1.) "Courts interpret municipal ordinances in other purposes ...... (LAMC, § 12.02.)
<br />the same manner and pursuant to the same rules applicable
<br />to the interpretation of statutes." (FMId. at p. 1087, 156 The Zoning Code provides the following definitions under
<br />Cal.Rptr.3d 1.) " ` " `As in any case involving statutory LAMC section 12.03:
<br />interpretation, our fundamental task here is to determine the
<br />Legislature's intent so as to effectuate the law's purpose. APARTMENT. Same as dwelling unit. (Added by Ord.
<br />[Citation.] We begin by examining the statute's words, giving No. 107,884, Eff. 9/23/56.)
<br />them a plain and commonsense meaning.'" ' " (FMPeople v APARTMENT HOTEL. A residential building designed
<br />Gonzalez (2017) 2 Cal.5th 1138, 1141, 218 Cal.Rptr.3d 150, or used for both two or more dwelling units and six or more
<br />394 P.3d 1074.) " `[W]e look to "the entire substance of the guest rooms or suites of rooms. (Amended by Ord. No.
<br />statute ... in order to determine the scope and purpose of the 107,884, Eff. 9/23/56.)
<br />provision .... [Citation.]" [Citation.] That is, we construe the
<br />words in question " `in context, keeping in mind the nature APARTMENT HOUSE. A residential building designed
<br />and obvious purpose of the statute ....' [Citation.]" [Citation.] or used for three or more dwelling units or a combination of
<br />We must harmonize "the various parts of a **607 statutory three or more dwelling units and not more than five guest
<br />enactment ... by considering the particular clause or section in rooms or suites of rooms. (Amended by Ord. No. 107,884,
<br />the context of the statutory framework as a whole." ' " (People Eff. 9/23/56.)
<br />u Arroyo (2016) 62 CalAth 589, 595, 197 Cal.Rptr.3d 122, DWELLING UNIT. A group of two or more rooms, one
<br />364 P.3d 168.) f h' h' k't h d 4 df b f '1
<br />[19] [20] [21] If the statutory language is susceptible
<br />of more than one reasonable interpretation, the courts look
<br />to "extrinsic aids, including the ostensible objects to be
<br />achieved, the evils to be remedied, the legislative history,
<br />public policy, contemporaneous administrative construction,
<br />and the statutory scheme of which the statute is a part.
<br />[Citations.]" (People v Woodhead (1987) 43 Cal.3d 1002,
<br />1008, 239 Cal.Rptr. 656, 741 P.2d 154.) We interpret the
<br />statute using " `reason, practicality, and common sense to the
<br />language at hand.' [Citation.]" (lllllwAilanto Properties, Inc. v
<br />City of Half Moon Bay (2006) 142 Cal.AppAth 572, 583, 48
<br />o w is is a i c en, esigne or occupancy y one ami y
<br />for living and sleeping purposes. (Amended by Ord. No.
<br />107,884, Eff. 9/23/56.)
<br />GUEST ROOM. Any habitable room except a kitchen,
<br />designed or used for occupancy by one or more persons and
<br />not in a dwelling unit. (Added by Ord. No. 107,884, Eff.
<br />9/23/56.)
<br />HOTEL. A residential building designated or used for or
<br />containing six or more guest rooms, or suites of rooms,
<br />which may also contain not more than one dwelling unit,
<br />but not including any institution in which human beings are
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