Long Beach Municipal Code Div. IV Administrative Use Permits

In order to streamline the project review process, the administrative use permit procedure is established to allow a simplified review process for projects which have insignificant effects on surrounding properties.

(Ord. C-6533 § 1 (part), 1988)

The administrative use permit process applies only to the following applications:

A. Minor Expansion of Existing Conditional Use. This applies to uses for which conditional use permits have been previously granted and to legal, nonconforming uses which now require a conditional use permit for the zone districts in which they are located. Such uses may be expanded through approval of an administrative use permit by twenty-five percent (25%) of the existing use, although the expansion may not exceed five thousand (5,000) square feet of additional floor area. Any expansion exceeding these limits shall be considered a new conditional use and shall be subject to the review process established in Division II of this Chapter 21.25 (Conditional Use Permits) This application shall not apply to the sale of alcoholic beverages (on-premises or off-premises).

B. Change From Legal Nonconforming Use to Another Nonconforming Use. An existing, legal nonconforming use may be changed to another nonconforming use in accordance with the requirements of Section 21.27.070 (Nonconformities - Change in use) through approval of an administrative use permit.

C. Modification of Permit. Approved special use permits granted during or prior to 1979 may be modified through this process.

D. Legalization of Illegal Units. For units created prior to 1964, as set forth in Section 21.52.240.

E. Fences in High Crime Districts. Fence height may exceed three feet zero inches (3'0") in the front yard of residential lots located in high crime areas, through approval of an administrative use permit. (See Section 21.52.231.5 for criteria.)

F. Uses designated in Tables 31-1 (Residential Use Table), 32-1 (Commercial Use Table), 33-2 (Industrial Use Table), 34-1 (Institutional Use Table) and 35-1 (Park Use Table) or other provisions of this Title as administrative use permit uses.

G. New construction of a building with five thousand (5,000) square feet or more of floor area in the CNP zone (see Section 21.52.247).

H. Reduction of parking requirements in accordance with Section 21.41.223.

I. Other invocations of the Administrative Use Permit process in the Zoning Regulations not listed here.

(ORD-24-0033 § 13, 2024; Ord. C-7729 § 12, 2001; Ord. C-7663 § 4, 1999; Ord. C-7247 § 3, 1994; Ord. C-7032 § 10, 1992; Ord. C-6895 § 6, 1991; Ord. C-6595 § 7, 1989; Ord. C-6533 § 1 (part), 1988)

A. Zoning Administrator. The Zoning Administrator shall have the authority to consider and act on requests for an administrative use permit. The Zoning Administrator may approve, conditionally approve or deny a request. The Zoning Administrator's actions may be appealed to the Planning Commission.

B. Planning Commission. Rather than act on an administrative use permit, the Zoning Administrator may instead refer the application to the Planning Commission for consideration. In such cases, the hearing before the Commission shall be held within ninety (90) days of the filing of the application.

(Ord. C-6533 § 1 (part), 1988)

The following findings must be analyzed, made and adopted before any action is taken to approve or deny the subject permit and must be incorporated into the record of the proceedings relating to such approval or denial:

A. The approval is consistent with and carries out the General Plan, any applicable specific plans such as the local coastal program and all Zoning Regulations of the applicable district;

B. The approval will not be detrimental to the surrounding community including public health, safety, general welfare, environmental quality or quality of life;

C. The approval is in compliance with the special conditions for the use enumerated in Chapter 21.52; and

D. The related development approval, if applicable, is consistent with the green building standards for public and private development, as listed in Section 21.45.400.

(ORD-09-0013, § 2, 2009; Ord. C-7032 § 11, 1992; Ord. C-6533 § 1 (part), 1988)

The Zoning Administrator, or Planning Commission or City Council on appeal, shall set the matter for decision within sixty (60) days of receiving a completed application.

(Ord. C-6533 § 1 (part), 1988)

All projects for which an administrative use permit is approved shall be required to undergo an annual reinspection to verify compliance with the conditions of approval. The property owner shall be required to pay an annual fee to the City as established by the City Council to cover the costs of the reinspection program.

(Ord. C-6933 § 43, 1991)