Long Beach Municipal Code Ch. 18.63 Alternative Building Standards for Adaptive Reuse Projects

The Adaptive Reuse Ordinance in the Zoning Regulations expanded the scope of eligible and underutilized buildings or structures that have great potential to be converted into new uses or occupancy that can benefit from relief of parking standards, setbacks and zoning height limitations. However, key to the success of the Adaptive Reuse Ordinance relies on the ability of the Building Official and Fire Code Official to effectively use their authority to grant code modification or alternative materials, design and methods of construction and equipment to address practical difficulties involved in complying with the strict provisions of the code or consider alternative design or methods not specifically prescribed in the code. Other statutory regulations such as the California Historic Building Code adopted in Chapter 18.50 and the California Existing Building Code adopted in Chapter 18.49, including Sections 17958.11 and 19957 of the California Health and Safety Code, provides the Building Official and Fire Code Official with the ability to consider other alternative building standards. Therefore, the purpose of this chapter is to amend, expand, establish and clarify alternative building standards for the conversion of existing buildings or structures to accommodate new uses or occupancy for other purposes than what it was originally designed for and still provide reasonable use and safety to the building occupants.

(ORD-25-0019 § 1(Exh. A), 2025; ORD-22-0033 § 1(Exh. A), 2022; ORD-19-0031 § 1(Exh. A), 2019; ORD-16-0026 § 1(Exh. A), 2016)

Projects that meet the definition and applicable requirements of an adaptive reuse project pursuant to the Zoning Regulations may be permitted to use the alternative building standards of this chapter.

(ORD-25-0019 § 1(Exh. A), 2025; ORD-22-0033 § 1(Exh. A), 2022; ORD-19-0031 § 1(Exh. A), 2019; ORD-16-0026 § 1(Exh. A), 2016)

A. Although other chapters or sections of the Long Beach Municipal Code and the most recently adopted edition of the California Building Standards Code are applicable to new construction or a change of use or occupancy, the use of the Alternative Building Standards Manual may be permitted to provide alternative regulations for adaptive reuse projects that meet the applicability requirement of Section 18.63.020.

B. The Building Official and Fire Code Official shall prepare, maintain, and update, as deemed necessary and appropriate, the Alternative Building Standards Manual and shall include technical information and implementation parameters, alternative compliance for technical infeasibility, as well as other rules, requirements and procedures as the City deems necessary, for implementing the provisions of this chapter.

C. The Building Official and Fire Code Official shall develop, as deemed necessary and appropriate, in cooperation with other City departments and stakeholders, informational bulletins, training manuals and educational materials to assist in the implementation of this chapter.

(ORD-25-0019 § 1(Exh. A), 2025; ORD-22-0033 § 1(Exh. A), 2022; ORD-19-0031 § 1(Exh. A), 2019; ORD-16-0026 § 1(Exh. A), 2016)