Long Beach Municipal Code Ch. 21.33 Industrial Districts

Footnotes:

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Note— Prior ordinance history: (Ord. C-6533, 1988; Ord. C-6684, 1990; Ord. C-6895, 1991; Ord. C-7032, 1992; Ord. C-7150, 1993; Ord. C-7247, 1994; Ord. C-7326, 1995.)

A. The industrial districts are established to preserve and enhance areas for a broad range of industrial and manufacturing uses, recognizing that such uses provide employment, contribute to the City's tax base, and create products needed by consumers and the business community at large.

B. These regulations are intended to accommodate a broad range of current and future industrial and manufacturing uses, and associated technologies, at appropriate locations in the City, provided that safeguards are in place to address environmental and aesthetic concerns; to protect public health and safety; and to ensure that businesses operate within the clearly defined limits of what is allowed.

C. In recognition of the fact that industrial and manufacturing technologies change over time, the City has structured these regulations to address the operating characteristics and processes of industrial uses, rather than specific businesses. Thus, the determination of whether a use is permitted by right or requires discretionary review will necessarily require interpretation based upon the criteria contained in Sections 21.33.020 through 21.33.080. Pursuant to the provisions of Subsection 21.33.060.D of this Chapter 21.33, the Zoning Administrator is authorized to make such interpretation.

(Ord. C-7360 § 3, 1995)

Four (4) industrial districts are established by this Chapter as follows:

A. Light Industrial (IL). The Light Industrial (IL) district allows a wide range of industries whose primary operations occur entirely within enclosed structures and which pose limited potential for environmental impacts on neighboring uses. While the emphasis is on industrial, manufacturing, and related uses, small-scale office and commercial uses intended to serve nearby industries and employees are permitted. The performance and development standards are intended to allow a wide range of uses as long as those uses will not adversely impact adjacent uses.

The IL district typically will include clean, non-nuisance industries whose operating characteristics (e.g., noise, hazardous materials, odors, dust, light and glare) are either confined completely within the property or result in limited secondary impacts in terms of traffic, air emissions, and hours of operation. Examples include research and development, flex space (for example, combined office/sales/warehouse/production for one firm), warehousing, small-scale incubator industries, or assembly operations. The buildings housing these uses may be low-scale, older structures within the existing street grid, or modern industrial complexes in park-like settings. These examples are not intended to limit the potential uses within the IL district, but rather to present the range of opportunities available.

B. Medium Industrial (IM). The Medium Industrial (IM) district allows a wide range of industries and industrial processes that involve more intensive operations. The district provides areas where most industries may locate, provided they meet the performance standards defined in Section 21.33.090 (Performance Standards). While the emphasis is on industrial, manufacturing, and related uses, office and commercial uses intended to serve nearby industries and employees may be permitted. The performance and development standards are intended to allow a wide range of uses as long as those uses will not impact adjacent uses.

The IM district generally will include industrial and manufacturing operations on a larger scale than those in the IL district. For example, factories with frequent truck traffic and outdoor storage yards might be located in the district. Outdoor storage and limited outdoor activities may be permitted. These examples are intended to represent typical characteristics within the district, not all potential operations.

C. General Industrial (IG). The General Industrial (IG) district is considered the City's "industrial sanctuary" district where a wide range of industries that may not be desirable in other districts may locate. The emphasis is on traditionally heavy industrial and manufacturing uses. The IG district is intended to promote an "industrial sanctuary" where land is preserved for industry and manufacturing, and where existing industries are protected from non-industrial users that may object to the operating characteristics of industry. Performance standards still must be met, but the development standards are the minimum necessary to assure safe, functional, and environmentally-sound activities.

The IG district includes uses such as large construction yards with heavy equipment, chemical manufacturing plants, rail yards, and food processing plants. The buildings that house these operations may be older industrial buildings retrofitted to accommodate the use, or new state-of-the-art manufacturing plants. As is the case with all the industrial districts, the focus of the IG district is on the operating characteristics of the use, rather than the particular product created.

D. Port-Related Industrial (IP). The Port-Related Industrial (IP) district is characterized predominately by maritime industry and marine resources. Uses in this district are primarily port-related or water dependent, but may also include: water-oriented commercial and recreational facilities primarily serving the general public, and utility installations and rights-of-way. All new uses in the IP district must be consistent with the Port Master Plan.

(Ord. C-7360 § 3, 1995)

The permitting and licensing processes may involve Fire Department review regarding the storage of hazardous materials and other factors which could affect site plans or building designs. The Fire Department offers an informal conceptual site plan review process that provides potential applicants with information regarding such requirements. To ensure such considerations are incorporated into the land use planning and development process at an early stage, applicants are encouraged to contact the Fire Department prior to submitting formal applications to the Department of Planning and Building.

(Ord. C-7360 § 3, 1995)

Site plan review shall be required pursuant to Chapter 21.25, Division V (Site Plan Review).

(Ord. C-7360 § 3, 1995)

Projects proposed on property located in the IP district shall be subject to review by the Harbor Department pursuant to Section 18.04.040 of the Municipal Code.

(ORD-19-0032 § 11, 2019; Ord. C-7360 § 3, 1995)

Any business considered an "adult entertainment business," as defined in Section 21.15.110 of this Title, shall be subject to the special locational standards contained in Chapter 21.45 (Special Development Standards).

(ORD-18-0018 § 6, 2018; Ord. C-7360 § 3, 1995)