Earlier editions: 2026-09
Title 21 — ZONING›Chapter 21.21 — ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES
Long Beach Municipal Code Div. II Initiation of Procedures
Long Beach Municipal Code · 2026-10 edition · updated 2026-10-04 · Long Beach
Cite as: Long Beach Municipal Code Division II · Text as of 2026-10-04
21.21.201 - Application.¶
A. General. Any procedure provided for in this Title 21, including, but not limited to, amendment of the Zoning Regulations, change of a zoning district, issuance of conditional use permits, variances, administra-tive use permits, site plan review, classification of uses and density bonuses may be initiated by application of the owner of any real property in the City directly affected by the procedure, or his authorized agent. The Director of Development Services may request proof of ownership or authorization to apply prior to acceptance of any such application.
B. Zoning and Zoning Regulations. An amendment to the Zoning Regulations and a change of zoning district may also be initiated by:
Direction by action of the City Council or the Planning Commission; or
Direction of the Director of Development Services with the consent of the Planning Commission.
C. Filing Fee. A filing fee shall accompany each application as required by Section 21.21.701.
D. Complete Application. No application shall be considered complete until applicable forms are filed, the required fee is paid, and additional information as required by the Director of Development Services, is received. The Director of Development Services shall determine when an application is complete, and the determination of the Director shall be final.
(ORD-20-0018 § 1, 2020; Ord. C-6533 § 1 (part), 1988)
Table 21-1 Discretionary Review Responsibilities
| Type of Procedure | Responsible Hearing Body | Responsible Hearing Body | Responsible Hearing Body | Responsible Hearing Body | Notice Required (d) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type of Procedure | SPRC | ZA | PC | CC | Notice Required (d) |
| Zoning regulations amendment: | Zoning regulations amendment: | Zoning regulations amendment: | Zoning regulations amendment: | Zoning regulations amendment: | Zoning regulations amendment: |
| Initial hearing | X | Yes | |||
| Final decision | X | Yes | |||
| Zone change: | Zone change: | Zone change: | Zone change: | Zone change: | Zone change: |
| Initial hearing | X | Yes | |||
| Final decision | X | Yes | |||
| Conditional use permit: | Conditional use permit: | Conditional use permit: | Conditional use permit: | Conditional use permit: | Conditional use permit: |
| Initial hearing | X | Yes | |||
| Appeal | X | Yes | |||
| Variance: | Variance: | Variance: | Variance: | Variance: | Variance: |
| Initial hearing | X | X (c) | Yes | ||
| Appeal | X | X (c) | Yes | ||
| Administrative use permit: | Administrative use permit: | Administrative use permit: | Administrative use permit: | Administrative use permit: | Administrative use permit: |
| Initial hearing | X | X (c) | Yes | ||
| Appeal | X | X (c) | Yes | ||
| Site plan review: | Site plan review: | Site plan review: | Site plan review: | Site plan review: | Site plan review: |
| Initial hearing | X | X (a) | No | ||
| Appeal | X | X (a) | No | ||
| Classification of uses: | Classification of uses: | Classification of uses: | Classification of uses: | Classification of uses: | Classification of uses: |
| Initial hearing | X | No | |||
| Final decision | X | No | |||
| Establishment of planned development district: | |||||
| Initial hearing | X | Yes | |||
| Final decision | X | Yes | |||
| Applicability of use/ |
|||||
| Initial Hearing | X | ||||
| Appeal | X | ||||
| Special setback lines: | Special setback lines: | Special setback lines: | Special setback lines: | Special setback lines: | Special setback lines: |
| Initial hearing | X | Yes | |||
| Final decision | X | Yes | |||
| Local coastal permit: | Local coastal permit: | Local coastal permit: | Local coastal permit: | Local coastal permit: | Local coastal permit: |
| Initial hearing | X | X (c) | Yes | ||
| Appeal (b) | X | X (c) | Yes | ||
| Determination of applicable law: | Determination of applicable law: | Determination of applicable law: | Determination of applicable law: | Determination of applicable law: | Determination of applicable law: |
| Initial hearing | X | Yes | |||
| Appeal | X | Yes | |||
| Interim park use permit: | Interim park use permit: | Interim park use permit: | Interim park use permit: | Interim park use permit: | Interim park use permit: |
| Initial hearing | X | Yes | |||
| Appeal | None | ||||
| Temporary Activating Use (TAU) permit: | Temporary Activating Use (TAU) permit: | Temporary Activating Use (TAU) permit: | Temporary Activating Use (TAU) permit: | Temporary Activating Use (TAU) permit: | Temporary Activating Use (TAU) permit: |
| Initial hearing | X | ||||
| Appeal | X | ||||
| Establishment of specific plans: | Establishment of specific plans: | Establishment of specific plans: | Establishment of specific plans: | Establishment of specific plans: | Establishment of specific plans: |
| Initial hearing | X | Yes | |||
| Final decision | X | Yes | |||
| Applicability of use/ |
|||||
| Initial hearing | X | ||||
| Appeal | X |
Abbreviations:
SPRC = Site Plan Review Committee; ZA = Zoning Administrator; PC = Planning Commission; CC = City Council
(a) Planning Commission establishes types of projects subject to Planning Commission review. Such projects can be appealed to the City Council.
(b) Also appealable to California Coastal Commission if the project site is located within the appealable area.
(c) The Zoning Administrator may refer such application to the Planning Commission for consideration. In this case, the City Council shall serve as the appeal body.
(d) See Section 21.21.302 (Noticing of hearings) for noticing requirements.
(ORD-26-0017 § 4, 2026; ORD-20-0018 § 2, 2020; ORD-16-0009 § 1, 2016; Ord. C-7378 § 2, 1995)
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