Title 21 — ZONING[[1]]›Division IX — SIGNS ON PUBLIC PROPERTY
§ 21.53
Long Beach Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · updated 2026-07-25 · Long Beach
21.53.010 - Purpose. ¶
This Chapter establishes the specific regulations for temporary uses in all zoning districts. Uses listed in Chapters 21.31 through 21.36 of this Title as temporary uses (T) are permitted subject to these regulations.
(Ord. C-6533 § 1 (part), 1988)
21.53.100 - Use regulations. ¶
All temporary uses shall be permitted upon written approval of the Zoning Administrator and shall be limited to not more than ten (10) consecutive calendar days unless permitted otherwise. The uses set forth in Sections 21.53.103 through 21.53.123 are subject to the additional limitations provided in those Sections.
(Ord. C-6533 § 1 (part), 1988)
21.53.103 - Construction trailer. ¶
A trailer used for construction offices or watchperson's quarters is permitted at a construction site, including public works projects, provided:
A.
The trailer is located on the same or adjacent premises as the construction project.
B.
The trailer is used only during the period of construction.
(Ord. C-6533 § 1 (part), 1988)
21.53.106 - Mobile food truck or Mobile food facility at specified public parks.
A mobile food truck or mobile food facility may be permitted as a temporary business within a public park, as follows:
A.
Outside the coastal zone, mobile food facilities may operate within designated parking spaces at select parks determined by the Director of Parks, Recreation, and Marine or his or her designee. The City shall publish and maintain the list of designated parks on a public facing website.
B.
Within the coastal zone, mobile food facilities may operate at specified public park areas as follows:
a.
Mobile food facility operators may vend in available parking spaces in the Shoreline Aquatic Park Surface Parking Lot on a first come first serve basis, if adhering to all parking, ordinance, and safety regulations and during times when the lot is not restricted for special events.
b.
Mobile food facility operators may vend in up to two (2) designated parking spots in the Granada Beach Surface Parking Lot on a first come first serve basis, if adhering to all parking, ordinance, and safety regulations and during times when the lot is not restricted for special events.
C.
Mobile food facilities operating within the above-designated parks shall be on a first-come first served basis during official park operating hours, but in no case later than 10:00 p.m., and only at times when the lot is not restricted to special events.
D.
Mobile food facilities shall only park in designated mobile food facility parking spaces.
E.
Mobile food facilities vendors are prohibited from vending in any other parking spaces within the parking lot, impeding access to abutting parking spaces, or from reserving designated mobile food facilities spaces by parking their vehicle(s) outside of operating hours.
F.
Temporary fixtures such as tables, chairs, umbrellas, canopies, and signage are not permitted at mobile food facilities operating within public parks.
G.
Mobile food trucks or mobile food facilities shall not vend within 500 feet of any concessionaire that has signed an agreement for concessions with the City that exclusively permits the sale of food or merchandise by the concessionaire.
H.
This Section shall not apply to mobile food facilities permitted through a Special Events Permit issued by the Office of the City Manager.
I.
A mobile food facility shall comply with the applicable Special Development Standards specified in Section 21.45.133.6.
(ORD-26-0012 § 7, 2026; Ord. C-7607 § 6, 1999: Ord. C-6533 § 1 (part), 1988)
21.53.109 - Special events (carnival, fiesta, other outdoor exhibition or celebration) in residential, institutional and park zone districts.
A.
A special event under this Section shall not last longer than ten (10) days.
B.
The event shall be sponsored by a church, school, educational institution or public or private nonprofit organization, and shall be conducted on the premises of such an organization or approved for use as a City park or other public property.
C.
Special events in residential and institutional zones shall be limited to not more than twice in any calendar year at any one (1) site.
(Ord. C-6895 § 25, 1991: Ord. C-6533 § 1 (part), 1988)
21.53.113 - Special events (carnivals, fairs, circuses, grand prix events, seasonal sales and the like) in commercial, industrial, public right-of-way and planned development zone districts.
A.
Except for seasonal sales, no special event under this Section shall last longer than ten (10) consecutive calendar days at one (1) site.
B.
Seasonal sales (the sale of items symbolic of religious, national or traditional holidays, including the seasonal sale of fruit) shall not last longer than sixty (60) consecutive calendar days at one (1) site.
C.
Parking shall be provided as required by Chapter 21.41 (Off-Street Parking and Loading Requirements).
D.
Parking lot sales shall be conducted on the same or adjacent premises as the principal use.
E.
Except for seasonal sales, special events shall be limited to not more than twice any calendar year at one (1) site unless designated for public park, convention center, arena, auditorium or stadium use.
F.
Seasonal sales events may apply to the Zoning Administrator for a maximum thirty (30) daytime extension.
(Ord. C-7326 § 29, 1995: Ord. C-6895 § 26, 1991: Ord. C-6533 § 1 (part), 1988)
21.53.115 - Temporary activating uses. ¶
A.
Purpose. The purpose of this Section is to allow community-serving temporary uses on vacant lots. Such uses are intended to provide a community benefit, encourage street activation, and reduce visual blight associated with vacant lots, as defined in Chapter 18.29, on a temporary basis and can include sporadic special events, such as cultural and community events, or temporary retail or services uses, such as bike
kitchens. Temporary activating uses are proposed by community based public or private organizations that improve and enhance the social or economic welfare and quality of life of the residents of Long Beach and provide a service to City residents including, but not limited to, faith-based organizations, local non-profit organizations or associations, Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), and organizations which have entered into a contract or agreement with the City to provide specific services or outreach, as determined by the Zoning Administrator.
B.
Use Regulations. Notwithstanding Sections 21.53.109 and 21.53.113, all temporary activating uses shall be permitted upon written approval of the Zoning Administrator and are subject to the following standards and findings:
1.
No temporary activating use shall be allowed which would not otherwise be allowed in the applicable zoning district or the General Plan designation, unless the Zoning Administrator determines that the use is compatible with existing surrounding uses.
a.
Temporary activating uses proposed in residential zones shall be allowed along Neighborhood Connector and more intense arterial streets, as defined in the Mobility Element.
2.
The applicant is a community-based public or private organization or association serving the residents of the City as described in this Section, as determined by the Zoning Administrator.
3.
A temporary activating use is subject to compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements per the Building Code.
Vacant lots used for temporary activating uses shall be maintained free of weeds, dry brush, dead vegetation, trash, garbage, junk, debris, building materials, vehicles, cars, boats, campers, any accumulation of newspapers, circulars, flyers, notices (except those required by federal, state or local law), discarded personal items, including but not limited to, furniture, clothing, large and small appliances, graffiti, tagging or similar markings. The property owner or other responsible person must inspect the property at reasonable intervals or take other reasonable steps to ensure that there is no dead or dying vegetation, litter, weeds, graffiti, debris or materials accumulating on the property.
5.
Temporary activating uses that are sporadic special events shall be permitted for a period of up to six (6) months at the discretion of the Zoning Administrator. These types of uses are eligible for up two additional six-month renewal periods not to exceed a maximum of eighteen (18) months for the same use. Conditions may be modified by the Zoning Administrator during the renewal process, as necessary, to ensure compatibility with the surrounding area.
6.
Other temporary activating uses that do not fall under the category of sporadic special events shall be permitted for a period of up to one year at the discretion of the Zoning Administrator. These types of uses may be renewed for up to two (2) additional one-year periods not to exceed a maximum of three (3) years for the same use. Conditions may be modified by the Zoning Administrator during the renewal process, as necessary, to ensure compatibility with the surrounding area.
7.
Projects may be granted relief from development standards for temporary activating uses by the Zoning Administrator if positive findings can be made for the following:
a.
The use shall further the goals of the general plan, provide a community benefit, activate the street, and reduce visual blight associated with vacant lots;
b.
The use shall not cause substantial adverse impacts upon the surrounding area including public health, safety and general welfare;
c.
The use shall be compatible with the surrounding area.
8.
The fee for temporary activating use permits shall be the fee charged for Administrative Land Use Review (ALUR) permits. Each renewal application for a temporary activating use is subject to the same fee.
The Zoning Administrator shall have the authority to revoke or refuse to approve or renew a temporary activating use permit if the Zoning Administrator determines that there has been a violation of the terms or conditions of the approval or evidence of negative impacts on the surrounding area. The Zoning Administrator's action may be appealed to the Planning Commission.
(ORD-20-0018 § 24, 2020)
21.53.116 - Trailer in Port district. ¶
A trailer or trailers may be erected in the Port district as a temporary business office when authorized by the Board of Harbor Commissioners.
(Ord. C-6533 § 1 (part), 1988)
21.53.119 - Trailer for real estate sales or lease. ¶
A trailer used as a sales or lease office or model home display unit is permitted, provided the trailer is used only during the period of construction and original sale or other disposition of the first eighty percent (80%) of the lots, parcels or units or leasable areas of all phases of a new subdivision or building project.
(Ord. C-6533 § 1 (part), 1988)
21.53.123 - Trailer for temporary business office. ¶
A trailer or trailers may be erected as a temporary business office provided:
A.
The trailer or trailers are used for a period not to exceed one (1) year; and
B.
The structures comply with all development standards of the applicable zone district; and
C.
The trailer or temporary building is not allowed until a building permit is issued for a permanent building on the site, or the building on the site was damaged by fire, explosion, earthquake, imminent public hazard, act of terrorism, sabotage, vandalism, warfare, or abatement of earthquake hazard.
(Ord. C-7032 § 44, 1992; Ord. C-6533 § 1 (part), 1988)
CHAPTER 21.54 - BILLBOARDS[[10]]
Footnotes:
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Editor's note— ORD-14-0006 § 1, adopted June 17, 2014, amended Ch. 21.54 in its entirety to read as herein set out. Former Ch. 21.54, §§ 21.54.010—21.54.450, pertained to similar subject matter and derived
from: Ord. C-6533, § 1, 1988; and Ord. C-6534, §§ 1, 2, 1988; and ORD-12-0006, § 5, adopted Mar. 13, 2012.
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Ask AI about this code▸ Contents — Long Beach Zoning Code
- Title 21 — ZONING[1]
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▸ Title 21 — ZONING[[1]]
Overview- Chapter 21.10 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
- Division III — STANDARDS VARIANCE
- Division IX — LOCAL COASTAL DEVELOPMENT PERMITS
- Division X — (REPEALED) DIVISION XI. - DETERMINATION OF APPLIC…
- Division II — DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
- Division I — PERMITTED USES
- Division I — PLANNED DEVELOPMENT DISTRICTS
- Division I — PERMITTED USES
- Division I — PERMITTED USES
- Division I — MAJOR SIGNS
- Division II — SPECIAL MAJOR SIGNS
- Division V — PERMIT EXEMPT SIGNS
- Division I — USE REGULATIONS
- Division IV — NONCONFORMING BILLBOARDS