Long Beach City Zoning Code

The intent of the OT Old Town District is to provide a compact retail core that will stimulate foot traffic, promote tourism and serve the needs of visitors. The OT Old Town District partially implements the visitor commercial (VC) land use designation of the Long Beach comprehensive plan. (Ord. 959, 10-15-2018; amd. Ord. 1036, 8-19-2024)

   A.   Principal uses:

      Amusements conducted indoors.

      Arts and crafts galleries.

      Business, professional offices or financial institutions.

      Eating and/or drinking establishments, excluding drive-through facilities.

      Itinerant lodging, i.e., hotels, motels, twenty five (25) or fewer lodging units.

      Mixed use: Any combination of the permitted uses listed herein.

      Performing arts center seating ninety nine (99) people or fewer.

      Personal services, including, but not limited to, barbershops, tailoring, laundry and dry cleaning, or other service establishments.

      Residences shall be allowed on upper floors and behind commercial buildings, not facing a street, when parking is provided.

      Restaurants, excluding drive-through facilities.

      Retail trade establishments such as food stores, drugstores, gift shops, garden stores, variety stores, and appliance stores.

      Special events and festivals may be allowed upon approval by the City Council.

      Theaters, but not including drive-ins.

      Vacation rentals.

      Wineries and breweries.

   B.   Accessory uses and structures:

      Enclosed storage of materials, supplies and equipment associated with the principal use of the property.

      Live-work spaces within residential uses.

      Outdoor merchandising, vending, dining and amusements, two hundred (200) square feet or less, when such use is associated with a business operating out of an adjacent building.

      Parking and loading areas associated with the principal use of the property.

      Small wind generation facilities, subject to the provisions of section 12-11-22 of this title.

      Solar energy facilities, subject to the provisions of section 12-11-21 of this title. (Ord. 959, 10-15-2018; amd. Ord. 1036, 8-19-2024)

   A.   Uses:

      Community centers.

      Custom manufacturing of goods for retail sale on premises, or cottage industries.

      Governmental or Municipal structures, uses, or facilities.

      Itinerant lodging, i.e., hotels and motels, twenty six (26) or more lodging units.

      Mixed use: Any combination of uses including at least one conditional use listed herein.

      Outdoor merchandising, vending, dining and amusements greater than two hundred (200) square feet may be allowed if such activity is associated with a business operating out of an adjacent building. No businesses shall operate solely in an open air environment.

      Parks, recreation areas and facilities.

      Performing arts center seating one hundred (100) people or more.

      Public parking lots.

      Quasi-public uses.

      Wireless communication facilities, pursuant to the requirements of section 12-11-17 of this title.

   B.   Other Uses: Other uses may be allowed as a conditional use if the hearing examiner determines that such use is similar in intent and impact to a permitted or conditional use. (Ord. 959, 10-15-2018)

   A.   Lots:

      1.   Lot size: Two thousand five hundred (2,500) square foot minimum. Construction on lots platted prior to the effective date hereof, with less than two thousand five hundred (2,500) square feet, may be permitted where approved by the City Council, upon the recommendation of the Planning Commission.

      2.   Lot coverage: No maximum.

      3.   Setback requirements:

         a.   Pacific Avenue: Five foot (5') maximum setback from Pacific Avenue; except that a setback of up to twenty feet (20') may be permitted by the reviewing authority during design review; provided, that none of the setback area is used for parking, and the area is finished and used for outside display, dining and/or landscaping.

         b.   All other sides: Subject to design review.

   B.   Building Height:

      1.   The maximum height of a building shall be thirty five feet (35').

      2.   The minimum building height shall be twenty five feet (25'), except that a lower building height may be permitted by the reviewing authority during design review upon an affirmative finding that the lower building height results in a building of similar proportions to abutting buildings.

   C.   Signs: As provided in chapter 14, including article A, of this title.

   D.   Parking: As provided in chapter 12 of this title.

   E.   Design Review: All new construction, additions and exterior alterations shall be subject to design review as provided in chapter 10 of this title.

   F.   Landscaping: As provided in chapter 13 of this title.

   G.   Maximum Building Size: Ten thousand (10,000) square feet per floor.

   H.   Density: No maximum. (Ord. 959, 10-15-2018)

The intent of the OTW Old Town West District is to provide a compact retail core that will stimulate foot traffic, provide lodging, promote tourism and serve the needs of visitors. Located west of Ocean Beach Boulevard, taller buildings are allowed to take advantage of ocean views. The OTW Old Town West District partially implements the visitor commercial (VC) land use designation of the Long Beach comprehensive plan. (Ord. 959, 10-15-2018; amd. Ord. 1036, 8-19-2024)

   A.   Principal Uses:

      Amusements conducted indoors.

      Arts and crafts galleries.

      Bed and breakfasts of fifteen (15) units or less.

      Business, professional offices or financial institutions.

      Drive-ins.

      Eating and/or drinking establishments, excluding drive-through facilities.

      Itinerant lodging, i.e., hotels, motels, twenty five (25) or fewer lodging units.

      Mixed use: Any combination of the permitted uses listed herein.

      Multi-family dwellings, four (4) or fewer units.

      Personal services, including, but not limited to, barbershops, tailoring, laundry and dry cleaning, or other service establishments.

      Residences shall be allowed on upper floors and behind commercial buildings, not facing a street, when parking is provided.

      Restaurants, excluding drive-through facilities.

      Retail trade establishments such as food stores, drugstores, gift shops, garden stores, variety stores, and appliance stores.

      Special events and festivals may be allowed upon approval by the City Council.

      Theater, but not including drive-ins.

      Vacation rentals.

      Wineries and breweries.

   B.   Sexually Oriented And Adult Businesses: Sexually oriented or adult businesses shall be permitted, subject to design review as set forth in chapter 10, including article A, of this title, and subject to the restrictions set forth in chapter 15 of this title.

   C.   Accessory Uses And Structures:

      Enclosed storage of materials, supplies and equipment associated with the principal use of the property.

      Live-work spaces within residential uses.

      Outdoor merchandising, vending and dining, two hundred (200) square feet or less, when such use is associated with a business operating out of an adjacent building.

      Parking and loading areas associated with the principal use of the property.

      Small wind generation facilities, subject to the provisions of section 12-11-22 of this title.

      Solar energy facilities, subject to the provisions of section 12-11-21 of this title. (Ord. 959, 10-15-2018; amd. Ord. 997, 11-15-2021; Ord. 1008, 11-21-2022; Ord. 1036, 8-19-2024)

Community centers.

Custom manufacturing of goods for retail sale on premises, or cottage industries.

Governmental or Municipal structures, uses, or facilities.

Itinerant lodging, i.e., hotels and motels, twenty six (26) or more lodging units.

Multi-family dwellings resulting in five (5) or more dwelling units.

Outdoor merchandising, vending, and dining greater than two hundred (200) square feet may be allowed if such activity is associated with a business operating out of an adjacent building. No businesses shall operate solely in an open-air environment.

Parks, recreation areas and facilities.

Performing arts center seating one hundred (100) people or more.

Public parking lots.

Quasi-public uses.

Resort/conference complexes. (Ord. 959, 10-15-2018)

   A.   Lots:

      1.   Lot size: Two thousand five hundred (2,500) square foot minimum. Construction on lots platted prior to the effective date hereof, with less than two thousand five hundred (2,500) square feet, may be permitted as approved by the City Council upon the recommendation of the Planning Commission.

      2.   Lot coverage: None specified.

      3.   Setback requirements: Maximum of twenty feet (20') from Ocean Beach Boulevard if only one building is located on the property. For development with multiple buildings, at least one building shall be set back a maximum of twenty feet (20') from Ocean Beach Boulevard. All other setbacks shall be subject to design review.

   B.   Building Height:

      1.   The maximum height of any building or portion of a building within thirty feet (30') of Ocean Beach Boulevard shall be forty five feet (45'). The maximum height for any building or portion of a building set back more than thirty feet (30') from Ocean Beach Boulevard shall be fifty five feet (55').

      2.   The minimum building height shall be twenty five feet (25'), except that a lower building height may be permitted by the reviewing authority during design review upon an affirmative finding that the lower building height results in a building of similar proportions to abutting buildings.

   C.   Signs: As provided in chapter 14, including article A, of this title.

   D.   Parking: All parking shall be provided pursuant to chapter 12 of this title.

   E.   Design Review: All new construction, additions and exterior alterations shall be subject to design review as provided in chapter 10 of this title.

   F.   Landscaping: As provided in chapter 13 of this title.

   G.   Maximum Building Size: Ten thousand (10,000) square feet per floor.

   H.   Density: No maximum.

   I.   Dwelling Unit Minimum Size: Each dwelling unit must be at least four hundred ten (410) square feet. (Ord. 959, 10-15-2018)

The intent of the RC Residential Commercial Zone District is to provide for a mix of residential and commercial uses in a pedestrian oriented neighborhood that is residential in character, while creating a twentieth century seashore look. Commercial uses serve the needs of local residents as well as visitors but exclude certain more intensive activities that might have a negative impact on residences, such as those that emit noise, light, smells or vibrations. Development is encouraged that will provide compatibility between different uses, and facilitate future conversion from one use to another. The RC Residential Commercial District implements the RC residential commercial land use designation of the Long Beach comprehensive plan. (Ord. 959, 10-15-2018)

   A.   Principal Uses:

Adult family home, six (6) or fewer beds.

Arts and crafts galleries.

Bed and breakfast, fifteen (15) or fewer guestrooms.

Building supply, contractors, shops, excluding exterior storage yards.

Business, professional offices or financial institutions.

Daycare center, eleven (11) or fewer children.

Itinerant lodging, i.e., hotels and motels, twenty five (25) or fewer lodging units.

Laundromats.

Mixed use: Any combination of the permitted uses listed herein.

Multi-family dwellings, four (4) or fewer units.

Performing arts center seating ninety nine (99) people or fewer.

Personal services, including, but not limited to, barbershops, laundry and dry cleaning, or other service establishments.

Restaurants, with or without drive-through facilities.

Retail trade establishments such as food stores, drugstores, gift shops, garden stores, variety stores and appliance stores.

Single-family dwellings.

Two-family dwellings.

Vacation rentals.

Wineries and breweries.

   B.   Sexually Oriented And Adult Businesses: Sexually oriented or adult businesses shall be permitted, subject to design review as set forth in chapter 10, including article A, of this title, and subject to the restrictions set forth in chapter 15 of this title.

   C.   Accessory Uses And Structures:

Enclosed storage of materials, supplies and equipment associated with the principal use of the property.

Family daycare home, six (6) or fewer children.

Live-work spaces within residential uses.

Outdoor merchandising, vending and dining, two hundred (200) square feet or less, when such use is associated with a business operating out of an adjacent building.

Parking and loading areas associated with the principal use of the property.

Private garages and private recreational vehicle storage buildings.

Private (noncommercial) greenhouses, woodsheds, and toolsheds.

Small wind generation facilities, subject to the provisions of section 12-11-22 of this title.

Solar energy facilities, subject to the provisions of section 12-11-21 of this title. (Ord. 959, 10-15-2018)

Auto repair shops and car washes.

Churches.

Commercial fishing equipment, supplies and repairs (equipment and small engine only).

Cooperative (State registered).

Custom manufacturing of goods for retail sale on premises, or cottage industries.

Daycare center, twelve (12) or more children.

Eating and drinking establishments, excluding drive-through facilities.

Funeral homes and mortuaries, crematorium.

Governmental or Municipal structures, uses or facilities.

Group dwellings.

Group home or residential care facility, fifteen (15) or fewer beds.

Itinerant lodging, i.e., hotels and motels, twenty six (26) or more lodging units.

Marijuana (State licensed) retailer.

Mixed use: Any combination of uses including at least one conditional use.

Multi-family dwellings or a combination of two-family and/or multi-family buildings, resulting in five (5) or more dwelling units.

Nursing homes and convalescent centers, seven (7) or more beds.

Outdoor merchandising, vending, and dining greater than two hundred (200) square feet may be allowed if such activity is associated with a business operating out of an adjacent building. No businesses shall operate solely in an open air environment.

Parks, recreational areas and facilities.

Public parking lots.

Quasi-public uses.

Recreational vehicle parks on the east side of SR 103 (Pacific Avenue).

Schools.

Wireless communication facilities, pursuant to the requirements of section 12-11-17 of this title. (Ord. 959, 10-15-2018)

   A.   Lots:

      1.   Lot Size: Lot area shall be a minimum of five thousand (5,000) square feet. Construction on lots platted prior to the effective date hereof, with less than five thousand (5,000) square feet, may be permitted as approved by the City Council upon the recommendation of the Planning Commission.

      2.   Maximum Lot Coverage: No more than seventy five percent (75%) of any lot shall be covered by structures and/or impermeable surfaces.

      3.   Setback Requirements:

         a.   Front yard: Zero (0) minimum to a maximum of twenty feet (20') along Pacific Avenue; zero (0) minimum and no maximum to other streets.

         b.   Side yard: Five foot (5') minimum.

         c.   Rear yard: Five foot (5') minimum.

         d.   Corner lots and multiple street frontages: Zero (0) minimum to a maximum of twenty feet (20') along Pacific Avenue; five foot (5') minimum to Ocean Beach Boulevard; zero (0) minimum to all other street sides.

            (1)   The ground level of the building, to a height of at least eight feet (8') but excluding porch columns and railings, shall not be located in a vision clearance triangle, formed by measuring twenty feet (20') along each property line from the intersection of the two (2) streets and connecting the end points of such lines formed by such measurements.

            (2)   Porch roofs, balconies, canopies, bays, upper floors and similar features shall be permitted to project into the vision clearance triangle, provided the lowest point of the overhang or projection has a clearance of at least eight feet (8') above the sidewalk grade on Pacific Avenue, if abutting, or the level of the adjacent street for all other frontages.

   B.   Building Height: The maximum height of a structure shall be thirty five feet (35'), except the maximum height of an accessory building with a gross floor area of less than two hundred (200) square feet shall be fifteen feet (15').

   C.   Signs: As provided in chapter 14 of this title.

   D.   Parking: All parking toward the side or rear of buildings; otherwise as provided in chapter 12 of this title.

   E.   Design Review: All new construction, additions and exterior alterations shall be subject to design review as provided in chapter 10 of this title.

   F.   Landscaping: As provided in chapter 13 of this title.

   G.   Maximum Building Size: Ten thousand (10,000) square feet per floor. The total floor area of all buildings on a lot shall not exceed seventy five percent (75%) of the lot area (a floor area ratio [FAR] of 0.75:1).

   H.   Density: No maximum.

   I.   Dwelling Unit Minimum Size: Each dwelling unit must be at least four hundred ten (410) square feet. (Ord. 959, 10-15-2018)

The intent of the AC accommodations district is to provide for tourist lodging and associated visitor oriented commercial uses, with development that enhances and contributes to an atmosphere of early twentieth century beach architectural design. The AC accommodations district implements in part the RES resort land use designation of the Long Beach comprehensive plan. (Ord. 849, 8-17-2009)

   A.   Principal uses:

Bed and breakfast, fifteen (15) or fewer guestrooms.

Itinerant lodging, i.e., hotels and motels, twenty five (25) or fewer lodging units.

Vacation rentals.

   B.   Accessory uses and structures:

Clubhouses.

Eating and/or drinking establishments, excluding drive- through facilities, complementary to the principal use.

Laundry, maintenance shop, storage and other support functions associated with the principal use.

Outdoor merchandising, vending and dining, two hundred (200) square feet or less, when such use is associated with a business operating out of an adjacent building.

Parking and loading areas associated with the principal use of the property.

Personal services, such as beauty salons and day spas, complementary to the principal use.

Property management offices.

Small retail shops complementary to the principal use.

Small wind generation facilities, subject to the provisions of section 12-11-22 of this title.

Solar energy facilities, subject to the provisions of section 12-11-21 of this title.

Swimming pools, hot tubs, tennis courts and similar facilities for the use of guests. (Ord. 849, 8-17-2009; amd. Ord. 891, 4-13-2013)

Governmental or municipal structures, uses or facilities.

Itinerant lodging, i.e., hotels and motels, twenty six (26) or more lodging units.

Museums and interpretive facilities.

Outdoor merchandising, vending, and dining greater than two hundred (200) square feet may be allowed if such activity is associated with a business operating out of an adjacent building. No businesses shall operate solely in an open air environment.

Parks, recreational areas and facilities.

Resort/conference complexes. (Ord. 849, 8-17-2009)

   A.   Lots:

      1.   Lot size: Lot area shall be at least ten thousand (10,000) square feet. Construction on lots platted prior to the effective date hereof, with less than ten thousand (10,000) square feet, may be permitted as approved by the city council upon the recommendation of the planning commission.

      2.   Maximum lot coverage: Seventy five percent (75%).

      3.   Setbacks: None, except as may be required through design review.

   B.   Building Height: The maximum height of a building shall be thirty five feet (35') within one hundred feet (100') of Ocean Beach Boulevard, and fifty five feet (55') for buildings located more than one hundred feet (100') west of Ocean Beach Boulevard.

   C.   Signs: As provided in chapter 14, including article A, of this title.

   D.   Parking: As provided in chapter 12 of this title.

   E.   Design Review: All new construction, additions and exterior alterations shall be subject to design review as provided in chapter 10 of this title.

   F.   Landscaping: As provided in chapter 13 of this title. (Ord. 849, 8-17-2009)