South Gate City Zoning Code

Urban Mixed-Use Zones. Urban mixed-use zones range in function and density to address mixed-use and nonresidential development within districts and corridors to promote accessibility, business development, and a unified character. These zones define the major corridors, thoroughfares, and districts of the city. These prominent locations make design and building form paramount in defining the character of South Gate. Urban mixed-use zones are regulated from a form-based approach, identifying allowed building types, frontage types, and massing to foster dynamic design.

Commercial Industrial Zones. Commercial industrial zones provide dedicated locations for the preservation and development of commercial and industrial activities. These zones are regulated by land use to ensure that appropriate site design and operational standards are employed to promote commerce within the zones and to protect adjacent properties.

Residential Neighborhood Zones. Residential neighborhood zones protect the integrity and character of existing residential neighborhoods for the development and redevelopment of single-family homes, suburban residential areas, and public spaces. These zones are regulated by land use.

Division of Zoning Map. The citywide zoning map may, for convenience, be divided into parts, and each part may, for purposes of identification, be subdivided into map sections. Each section of the zoning map may be individually mapped or separated out for official reference or when amending the citywide zoning map. Any individual map sections successively adopted by amendment shall become part of this title and shall not impact any other section of the citywide zoning map.

Annexation of Properties. When property outside of the city limits is submitted for annexation to the city, zoning of the property shall be determined by the city at the time of application hearing, and shall be incorporated into the citywide zoning map upon adoption. Annexation actions shall be consistent with state law.

General Boundaries. Zone boundaries approximately following the right-of-way shall be construed to follow the proximate property line or right-of-way line.

Scale. If a zone boundary does not follow a property line, or where a zone boundary divides a property, the location scale on the citywide zoning map shall be used to determine the location of the boundaries, unless the boundaries are indicated by dimensions.

Split Zone Properties. Where a zone boundary divides a property, the property shall be developed in a manner that is consistent with the designated zone area based on the zone boundaries of the citywide zoning map.

Centerline Boundaries. Zone boundaries shown within a right-of-way that do not follow the outside right-of-way line(s) shall be construed to follow the centerline of such rights-of-way.

Vacated Areas. Vacated or abandoned nonoccupancy uses identified in Chapter 11.56, Enforcement, shall be treated in one of the following ways:

Unclassified Areas. Dedicated circulation rights-of-way, utility or maintenance easements/corridors, creek easements, railroad rights-of-way, or similar nonoccupancy uses shown within a designated zone shall be deemed to be unclassified and shall not be used for development or structural purposes inconsistent with the established right-of-way use. In accordance with the provisions of Chapter 11.33, Parking Standards, off-street automobile parking may be permitted within such unclassified rights-of-way. Railroad rights-of-way shall be used solely for the purpose of accommodating tracks, signals, other operative devices, and the movement of rolling stock, unless otherwise vacated.

Zoning. Find the site on the citywide zoning map to determine which zone applies.

Land Uses. See the "allowed land uses" table applicable to the zone to determine what uses are allowed on the site and what types of permit(s) are required. See Chapter 11.21, Land Use Types, for allowed land use tables for each zone.

Application Requirements. Follow the application requirements identified in Table 11.21-2, General Land Use Permit Types and Processes, for processing by city staff.

Zone Standards. See the chapter applicable to the zone to determine the development standards, operational standards, and all other provisions applicable to and required by the zone.

See Chapter 11.22 for urban mixed-use zones, Chapter 11.24 for commercial industrial zones, and Chapter 11.25 for residential neighborhood zones.

Additional Standards. Apply the design standards or other standards applicable to the zone or land use, as applicable.

Parking Standards. Provide at least the minimum required parking spaces as regulated by Chapter 11.33, Parking Standards.

Submit Application for Processing. If in compliance with all applicable requirements, and if a conditional use permit (CUP) is not required, the application will be processed by planning staff for director approval.

Processing. Applications shall be processed and approved administratively if it is consistent with the applicable requirements. Applications that exceed the flexibility built into this title, as established in Table 11.30-1, will be considered inconsistent with this title and, therefore, may be approved, conditionally approved, or denied at the discretion of the director.

Permit Requirements.

Chapters of This Title. The following chapters of this title are applicable to all zones, land uses, and structures within the city:

Required Maintenance. All parking areas, private property, and public spaces visible or accessible to the public shall be maintained in good condition, free of vandalism, graffiti, and litter. It is the responsibility of the property owner to maintain all properties and spaces in compliance with the standards of this title.

Air Pollution Control District. Any permitted use that is subject to control by the South Coast Air Quality Management District shall be allowed only when it has secured a permit to operate from such district.

Nonconforming Property. Any existing nonconforming property, or property rendered nonconforming by this title, shall be regulated pursuant to Chapter 11.55, Nonconforming Uses and Buildings.

Land Use Operations. No operations conducted on any property shall create objectionable and/or obnoxious dust, light, matter, mud, noise, odor, refuse, smoke, steam, vibration, maintenance needs of grounds or buildings, or other nuisance(s). No land use shall be detrimental to the health and welfare of the South Gate community.

Unlisted or Similar Compatible Uses. Any land use that is not specifically listed in the land use tables for the applicable zone shall not be allowed or permitted within the zone. However, the director shall have the authority to determine whether the proposed use may be permitted when all the following findings are made by the director in writing:

Unlisted Use Permit Findings. Consideration of and findings for the determination of the classification, permissibility, or applicability of an unlisted or similar compatible use, as defined in subsection (B) of this section, shall be based on the degree of compatibility between the use in question and adjacent uses. Technical evidence and scientific means, when available, shall be considered in determining the form and intensity of performance standards typically associated with any identifiable type of use in question.

Unlisted Standards and Permit Requirements. When the director makes the subsection (B) of this section findings in writing, the proposed use will be treated in the same regulatory manner as the zone listed use for allowable location(s), permits required, and all other applicable standards and requirements of this title.

Prohibited Uses. For the purposes of public health, safety, and general welfare, land uses listed in Table 11.21-1 are prohibited in any zone in the city, and are not subject to the director's discretion. The city represents a small portion of the entire metropolitan area, and constitutes a single, economic area of industry and commerce within Los Angeles County. Full provision is made for all types of uses necessary for industrial development within the county and thus the following uses, because of their nuisance and hazard characteristics if permitted within the developed area of South Gate, would defeat the basic purposes of zoning. The exclusion of these land uses from the city represents a reasonable regulation, because full provision for the appropriate locations of these uses is ensured by the total land use pattern of the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area.

Outdoor Display of Merchandise. Any outdoor display of merchandise shall be limited within the public right-of-way so that pedestrian access and travel is maintained and the character of the streetscape is not compromised. Outdoor display of merchandise is subject to the following requirements:

Permitted Land Uses. Table 11.21-2 identifies the permit types and city review references applicable to all zones. The land uses allowed by this title in each zone are listed in Table 11.21-3, and indicated by the type of land use permit required for each use.

Permit and Approval Requirements. Prior to the establishment of any land use identified in the tables of this chapter, the applicant shall obtain all necessary approvals and permits in compliance with all applicable requirements of this title. Chapter 11.51, Permits and Procedures, identifies the requirements of development proposals, and procedures and processing requirements for administrative and discretionary permit applications.

Land Use Implementation. All permitted and conditionally permitted uses shall be implemented consistent with the purpose and character of the applicable zone, and shall limit the impacts of the use from adjacent properties.

Additional Use Regulations. In addition to the regulations and development standards of the applicable zone, all land uses are subject to the specific use standards identified in the "Additional Use Regulations" column of the table. Refer to the referenced section for additional operational standards and regulations applicable to the use.

All standards, dimensions, and requirements identified within the development standards tables of this chapter shall be requirements that are applicable to that zone. Guidelines that incorporate "should" indicate that the standard is not mandatory, but is strongly recommended.

Per Section 11.10.080, all standards, dimensions, and requirements of this title are minimum requirements unless otherwise noted.

See Section 11.30.050 for buffer setback requirements between residential and industrial uses.

See Section 11.23.090, Density bonus program, and Chapter 11.31, Density Bonus for Affordable Housing.

To provide for flexibility in development and to promote innovative design, administrative modifications to the standards of this table are permitted subject to Section 11.30.030, Administrative modifications.

All major nonresidential development projects shall be required to implement trip reduction measures. See Section 11.33.110, Trip reduction measures, for standards.

The following chapters and sections include additional requirements and standards applicable to all development in the urban mixed-use zones:

Physical Character. The physical environment should be characterized by ground-floor civic, office, and commercial uses at the sidewalk or set back behind community open space. Housing may occur in upper floors or in portions of building(s) not adjacent to the California Avenue streetscape.

Building Form. Buildings should be varied in size, forming a street wall of three, and bonus allowances up to five stories. Table 11.22-CC, Development Standards, identifies applicable requirements for density, building height, floor area ratio (FAR), and setbacks.

Building Frontage and Active Use Requirements. Table 11.22-CC, Development Standards, identifies building frontage types that are encouraged within the CC zone. Additionally, the following active use requirements apply:

Streetscape/Public Realm. Streetscapes should be urban and comfortable, with wide sidewalks in support of pedestrian activities. Street trees should be of the types that provide shade while allowing views of ground-floor businesses. Planting should be focused in individual or groups of containers/pots, recognizing the high pedestrian nature of the streetscape.

Parking. Parking should be provided through a combination of on-street customer spaces, park-once/public parking, and off-street residential spaces behind buildings. Parking along Firestone Boulevard should be off-peak and parallel in configuration.

Special Requirements and Applicable Overlays.

Physical Character. The physical environment should be characterized by ground-floor commercial/service uses at the sidewalk, with provision for public, common, and private open space features. Nearer the transit station, housing should be located in upper floors or in portions of buildings not adjacent to the streetscape. Farther from the station, housing may be on the ground floor.

Building Form. Buildings should be mixed- or single-use, forming a street wall of two to four stories, with upper volumes of up to eight stories, and bonus allowances for up to ten stories. Table 11.22-TV, Development Standards, identifies applicable requirements for density, building height, FAR, and setbacks.

Building Frontage and Active Use Requirements. Table 11.22-TV, Development Standards, identifies building frontage types that are encouraged within the TV zone. Additionally, the following active use requirements apply:

Streetscape/Public Realm. Streetscapes should be urban and comfortable, with wide sidewalks in support of pedestrian activity and canopy trees for shade. Planting should be focused in individual or groups of containers/pots, recognizing the high pedestrian nature of the streetscape. Planting farther from a transit station should be more landscape-oriented, with tree planting strips between the curb and sidewalk and front yard landscaping.

Parking. Nonresidential parking near a transit station should be provided through a combination of on-street customer spaces (parallel and/or diagonal) and park-once/public parking. Residential parking near a transit station should be behind or within buildings and on the site of the associated dwellings.

Nonresidential parking farther from a transit station should be provided by on-street customer spaces (parallel and/or diagonal). Residential parking farther from a transit station should be behind or within buildings and on the site of the associated dwellings.

Special Requirements and Applicable Overlays.

Physical Character. The physical environment should incorporate light industrial development, research and development (R&D) integrated with office, and local- and regional-serving commercial. Development within this zone shall address transitions between uses as well as building forms.

Along major corridors, including Firestone Boulevard and Atlantic Avenue, pedestrian-oriented, mixed-use development should incorporate active ground-floor uses, with residential above or behind where feasible.

Building Form. Buildings should be located near the sidewalk or configured around open space.

Along major corridors, including Firestone Boulevard and Atlantic Avenue, buildings should be varied in size, forming a street wall of up to five stories, with bonus allowances for up to eight stories. Table 11.22-IF, Development Standards, identifies applicable requirements for density, building height, FAR, and setbacks.

Building Frontage and Active Use Requirements. Table 11.22-IF, Development Standards, identifies building frontage types that are encouraged within the IF zone. Additionally, the following active use requirements apply:

Streetscape/Public Realm. Streetscapes should be urban and comfortable, with wide sidewalks in support of pedestrian activity. Street trees should be of the types that provide shade while allowing views of the ground-floor businesses. Planting should be focused in planting strips or narrow parkways, in large tree wells, or in individual or groups of containers/pots, recognizing the high pedestrian nature of the streetscape. Additionally, the intersection of Firestone Boulevard and I-710, and Firestone Boulevard and Atlantic Avenue, should be designed as gateways.

Parking. Parking should be through a combination of on-street customer spaces and off-street residential and customer spaces behind or within buildings.

Special Requirements and Applicable Overlays.

Physical Character. The physical environment should be characterized by ground-floor office and commercial uses, with office or housing above.

Building Form. Buildings should be varied in size and are permitted as mixed-use or single-use. Buildings should be located at or near the sidewalk, occupying at least half of the frontage.

Buildings may form a street wall of up to six stories, with bonus allowances for up to eight stories. Building form shall be compatible with adjacent neighborhoods by orienting upper volumes away from neighborhoods and toward the corridor and important street intersections. Table 11.22-CDR1, Development Standards, identifies applicable requirements for density, building height, FAR, and setbacks.

Building Frontage and Active Use Requirements. Table 11.22-CDR1, Development Standards, identifies building frontage types that are encouraged within the CDR1 zone. Additionally, the following active use requirements apply:

Streetscape/Public Realm. Streetscapes should be urban and comfortable, with wide sidewalks in support of pedestrian activity. Street trees should be of the types that provide shade while allowing views of the ground-floor businesses. Planting should be focused in planting strips or narrow parkways, in large tree wells, or in individual or groups of containers/pots, recognizing the high pedestrian nature of the streetscape.

Parking. Parking should be through a combination of on-street customer spaces and off-street residential and customer spaces behind or within buildings.

Special Requirements and Applicable Overlays.

Physical Character. The physical environment should be characterized by ground-floor office and commercial uses, with office or housing above.

Building Form. Buildings should be varied in size and of a generally smaller scale than in the corridor 1 zone. Buildings are permitted as mixed-use or single-use, and shall be designed to generate a pedestrian-oriented streetscape for all uses. Buildings are at or near the sidewalk and occupy at least half of the frontage while providing convenient off-street parking for corridor-related uses.

Buildings should form a street wall of up to four stories, with bonus allowances for up to five stories. Upper volumes shall be oriented away from neighborhoods and toward the corridor, and are encouraged to address important street intersections. Table 11.22-CDR2, Development Standards, identifies applicable requirements for density, building height, FAR, and setbacks.

Building Frontage and Active Use Requirements. Table 11.22-CDR2, Development Standards, identifies building frontage types that are encouraged within the CDR2 zone. Additionally, the following active use requirements apply:

Use Limitations. Single-use standalone retail is discouraged in the following area:

Streetscape/Public Realm. Streetscapes should be urban and comfortable, with wide sidewalks in support of pedestrian activity and outdoor dining and to provide a physical transition between the traffic and the adjacent buildings. Street trees should be primarily canopy tree species to provide shade for pedestrians and ground-floor activity.

Parking. Parking should be through a combination of on-street customer spaces and off-street residential spaces behind or along the side of buildings. Parking along Imperial Highway and Long Beach Boulevard should be off-peak and parallel in configuration.

Special Requirements and Applicable Overlays.

Physical Character. The physical environment should be characterized by medium- to high-density housing, occasionally accented by neighborhood-serving retail, office, and restaurants. Urban, pedestrian-oriented townhomes and rowhomes are envisioned along Long Beach Boulevard, between Santa Ana Street and Independence Avenue.

Due to the proximity to and visibility from the I-710, single-use retail is encouraged along UN parcels in the area of Atlantic Avenue and Imperial Boulevard.

Building Form. Buildings should be near the sidewalk or set back behind landscaped front yards. Buildings should be varied in size, mixed- or single-use, forming an urban street wall of up to five stories, with bonus allowances for up to eight stories. Table 11.22-UN, Development Standards, identifies applicable requirements for density, building height, FAR, and setbacks.

Building Frontage and Active Use Requirements. Table 11.22-UN, Development Standards, identifies building frontage types that are encouraged within the UN zone. Additionally, the following active use requirements apply:

Use Limitations. Single-use standalone retail is discouraged in the following areas:

Streetscape/Public Realm. Streetscapes should be urban and comfortable, with either tree planters and sidewalks or wide sidewalks with trees in tree wells to support pedestrian activity and occasional outdoor dining, and to establish a distinct residential character.

Parking. Parking should be through a combination of on-street customer spaces and off-street residential and customer spaces behind or within buildings.

Special Requirements and Applicable Overlays.