Long Beach Municipal Code Ch. 22.30 General Provisions - Development Standards (rmu, Mu, C Zones)

Tables 30-1 through 30-6 of this Chapter establish development standards.

A. Applicability. Tables 30-1 through 30-6 denote development standards for all RMU, MU and C zones. Regulations in these tables also apply to all sub-zones. For example, RMU3 regulations apply to RMU3, RMU3-A and any future RMU3 sub-zones.

B. Intensity (FAR). The intensity of non-residential development shall meet the established minimum required FAR and shall not exceed the maximum FAR.

1. Area dedicated to parking structures and residential uses shall not be included in the FAR calculation.

2. Mixed-use development shall not be subject to the minimum FAR requirement of Table 30-1.

C. Density (residential). Residential development density is not designated by any single standard but is calculated based on meeting the development standards delineated in Chapter 22.30, including but not limited to, building height, setbacks, parking, and open space. Density levels correlate to the General Plan in the aggregate and may vary from individual lot to lot.

D. Building Height. Building height shall be regulated by maximum number of stories and the dimensional height of the structure.

1. Building height shall be measured as the vertical distance between the adjacent sidewalk grade and highest point of the parapet (for flat roofs), or the average height of the highest and lowest ridge point of the top floor roof line (gable, pitch, hip, or other non-flat roof) that does not add to the useable square footage to the building.

2. Measurement of building height shall exclude the following features:

a. Vertical architectural projections (building elements added for architectural interest without adding interior floor area, such as towers and cupolas), not to exceed ten (10) feet above parapet height.

b. Horizontal architectural projections which cantilever five (5) feet or less from the exterior wall (or rooftop feature) shall not be included as part of the exterior wall line.

c. Rooftop guard rails or parapet walls of up to 42 inches in height.

d. Permanent unenclosed roof deck features located two (2) feet or more from the exterior wall plane (including shade or partial covering structures, or similar features) up to fifty percent (50%) of the principal building footprint.

e. All mechanical equipment (including solar panels or other alternative energy equipment/infrastructure, elevator and mechanical equipment penthouses, and all associated screening features) up to 12 feet in vertical projection.

f. Subterranean and semi-subterranean parking.

(ORD-26-0018 § 7, 2026; ORD-24-0015 § 1(Exh. A), 2024)

Editor's note— ORD-26-0018 § 7, amended § 22.30.010 including the title to read as herein set out. The former § 22.30.010 was entitled "Tables 30-1 through 30-6 of this Title establish development standards."

A. In addition to the development standards of Table 30-2, the building character and building frontage requirements of Sections 22.30.050 and 22.30.060 shall apply to all development.

B. Active Ground Floor Urban Design Standards, Activating Uses, and Pedestrian-Oriented Uses are regulated as a minimum required percentage of block length. Standards are established in Table 30-2.

(ORD-24-0015 § 1(Exh. A), 2024)

A. Development created through lot consolidation shall be developed as a unified site.

B. Consolidation of sites is permitted in accordance with the regulations of Title 20.

C. At the time of lot consolidation, the new development site shall identify primary and secondary (if applicable) frontages.

(ORD-24-0015 § 1(Exh. A), 2024)

A. Screening per Section 21.32.225 shall be required for non-residential and mixed-use development.

(ORD-24-0015 § 1(Exh. A), 2024)

Potential street frontage conditions are based on the following standards.

A. New construction and renovations shall be subject to the requirements of Section 21.45.400 (Green Building Standards) based on project type and gross square footage thresholds as outlined by Section 21.45.400.

B. Continuous blank walls, without windows, doors, or any other architectural articulation, shall be limited to fifty (50) feet, measured horizontally. Architectural articulation may include:

1. Use variation and expression of building details, form, line, colors, and materials to create visual interest.

2. Express individual units through building design wherever possible. This may be accomplished in a variety of ways, such as through use of balconies, or a change in wall plane, and/or color, and/or roof form.

(ORD-24-0015 § 1(Exh. A), 2024)

Primary and Secondary building frontages (frontage definition, Section 22.30.140) shall incorporate urban design standards that can accommodate active retail and pedestrian-oriented ground floor uses per the percentage requirements of Table 30-2.

For the purposes of this section land uses that generate environments that are engaging to visit and that have pedestrian access are uses that are "active." Activating uses are required to be incorporated into ground floor building designs. Activating uses are further specified in Section 22.30.060.B.

A. Frontage Standards. The following conditions and standards shall apply to all Primary and Secondary Frontage setbacks:

1. Street wall. At least 50% of the primary street facing façade of a building at the ground floor shall be located within 10 feet of the property line. Minimum required and maximum allowed setback standards can be found in Table 30-2.

2. Corner cut-off. Additional standards for a required corner cut-off apply in accordance with Sections 21.31.215 and 21.32.220 of the Zoning Regulations.

3. Maximum finish floor height. Finish floor height for the first story of all non-residential or mixed-use buildings shall be within three (3) feet of curb grade.

4. Exception for sidewalk-accessible above-grade entrances. A residential building may have a finish floor height more than three (3) feet above curb grade, when creating a stoop or porch frontage directly accessible from the sidewalk. This finish floor height may be applied to individual unit entrances and multi-family residential units with a shared entrance, provided that disabled access requirements, as administered by the Building Official, may be met.

5. Blank Walls. Continuous blank walls, without windows, doors, or any other architectural articulation, shall be limited to twenty (20) feet in length, measured horizontally.

B. Active Ground Floor Requirements. Active ground floor condition requirements are established in Table 30-2 which can be satisfied by inclusion of the following pedestrian-oriented activating uses and/or the incorporation of the urban design standards of this Section. Activating uses include active uses that are accessible to the public and contribute to a high level of pedestrian activity in the public realm. Activating uses include but are not limited to the following, but shall only be permitted if the use is permitted in the applicable zoning district. The Zoning Administrator is authorized to determine if an unlisted use or feature constitutes an activating ground floor use and if it is consistent with the uses permitted by the zoning district.

1. Publicly accessible open space.

2. Restaurants and food service (not drive through).

3. Outdoor dining areas.

4. Entertainment.

5. Civic and community services (library, museum, non-profit, services, etc.).

6. Commercial personal and convenience services.

7. Commercial professional or business support services (walk-in).

8. Commercial retail sales.

9. Neighborhood-serving commercial multipurpose space.

10. Grocery or food market.

11. Medical office or clinic.

12. Veterinary clinic.

13. Urgent care facility/minor-medical services.

14. Assembly or religious assembly.

15. College, university, business or professional school.

16. Community Center/Senior Center, and other related recreation or neighborhood serving facilities.

17. Leasing or property management office.

18. Live or movie theater.

19. Daycare center or pre-school.

20. Gallery/experience/demonstration space.

21. Fitness or health facility.

22. Hotel.

23. Building lobby or building common area.

24. Bed and breakfast inn.

25. Youth hostel.

C. The following residential uses qualify as activating uses.

1. Residential use with patio, stoop, porch or other architectural entrance feature facing primary and secondary frontages on the ground floor.

2. Live-work/artist studio with residence/shopkeeper.

3. Residential lobbies, amenity spaces, recreation rooms, and community rooms, designed per Section 22.30.070.

(ORD-26-0018 § 8, 2026; ORD-24-0015 § 1(Exh. A), 2024)

The following standards shall apply to the design of retail, activating, and pedestrian-oriented uses:

A. Plate Height. Ground-floor height (floor-to-ceiling) for commercial uses (in a commercial or mixed use zoning district) shall be a minimum of twelve (12) feet, however fifteen (15) feet is encouraged. Ground-floor residential uses are not subject to this standard.

B. Ground Floor Entrances. The primary entrance for all uses shall be located on the primary street-facing frontage of each building, and shall open onto a sidewalk, public open space, or pedestrian pathway that is a minimum of four (4) feet in width and leads directly to the sidewalk. All entrances shall be set back at least thirty inches (30") from the public right-of-way.

1. A primary entrance shall be distinguishable by at least one of the following design features:

a. An awning or canopy,

b. A recessed entry, or

c. Another architectural element or feature that creates a well-defined entrance.

2. Façade architectural and building elements (not including any building area or habitable space) may project over the public right-of-way if approved by the Director of Public Works.

C. Pedestrian Paseos. A retail building in which the rear of the development abuts a public street, and with a building street frontage of greater than two hundred (200) feet, shall provide a pedestrian path from the rear to primary frontage to allow direct pedestrian access to store entrances.

D. Orientation (all uses). Where courtyards, paseos, or greenways are proposed, restaurant, retail, or other uses shall face these spaces with at least one element of windows, front doors, or outdoor patios, which shall be designed to conform to standards of this Section. This requirement shall apply in addition to the standards for primary and secondary street frontage requirements.

E. Transparency (residential units). A residential building façade on a primary frontage shall be provided with windows for at least fifteen percent (15%) of the building façade on the ground floor. Windows shall have a transmittance factor of at least sixty percent (60%), and a reflectance factor of not greater than twenty-five percent (25%).

F. Transparency (commercial space and residential common/amenity space). A street-facing façade for commercial building area or residential common or amenity area shall be provided with windows for at least thirty percent (30%) of the building façade on the ground floor. Windows should provide views into work, display, and sales areas or a lobby, fitness center, community room, or similar space. Windows shall have a transmittance factor of at least sixty percent (60%), and a reflectance factor of not greater than twenty-five percent (25%).

1. Window area shall be measured as the percentage of the building elevation consisting of window openings between a height of two (2) and ten (10) feet above curb grade. Storefront window systems and glass doors may be included in this calculation.

2. The use of tinted, mirrored, or highly reflective coatings, films, or applications on window glass shall be prohibited.

3. Blinds, drapes, and other window treatments, signs and posters, shelving, boxes, and products, and other visual obstructions shall not obscure more than thirty percent (30%) of the total window area on each building elevation. This requirement shall not apply to treatment or exam areas or corridors of medical offices and other medical uses.

G. Pedestrian-Oriented Features. Awnings, signs, and other projecting building features shall be located at least 8 feet above the adjacent sidewalk or walkway, or higher as required by the Director of Public Works or Building Official. These features may project over the public right-of-way if approved by the Director of Public Works but shall not conflict with any adjacent street trees.

H. Awning Separation. Awnings shall be limited to individual awnings per each building storefront or tenant space, unless a larger awning is approved through the Site Plan Review procedure.

I. Outdoor dining. See Section 22.20.070 for additional standards applicable to outdoor dining.

Table 30-1 Development Standards: Intensity

Table 30-1 Development Standards: Intensity

Table 30-2 Development Standards: Building Placement and Activation

Table 30-2 Development Standards: Building Placement & Activation

(ORD-26-0018 §§ 9—11, 2026; ORD-24-0015 § 1(Exh. A), 2024)

The following standards shall apply to all primary and secondary street frontages in the Main Street ("-M"-suffix) zoning districts. Where the standards of this Section overlap with or differ from the standards established in Section 22.30.060 and 22.30.070, the standards of this Section shall take precedence:

A. Ground Floor Residential Units. Residential dwelling units shall be prohibited on the ground floor within thirty-five (35) feet of the primary and secondary street frontage property lines.

B. Ground Floor Unit Depth. Building area (residential or non-residential) with ground floor frontage on the primary and secondary streets shall have an average interior depth of thirty-five (35) feet and a minimum depth of twenty (20) feet, measured to the interior walls.

C. Ground Floor Entrance. A ground floor entrance to non-residential building area or residential common/amenity area shall have a finish floor height not more than eighteen inches (18") above or below curb grade, with no steps or other height changes not compliant with disabled access requirements, as administered by the Building Official.

D. Driveways and Service Access. A driveway or other service access is not permitted from the primary street frontage if other vehicular access to the site is available (see also Section 22.30.090).

E. Street wall. At least sixty-five percent (65%) of the building elevation facing the primary street frontage shall be located within three (3) feet of the property line, except areas of publicly-available open space shall not be counted against this requirement.

F. Plate Height. Ground-floor height (floor-to-ceiling) for commercial uses and residential common/amenity space shall be a minimum of fifteen (15) feet. Ground-floor residential uses are not subject to this standard.

G. Pedestrian-Oriented Features. Awnings, signs, and other projecting building features shall be located at least 8 feet above the adjacent sidewalk or walkway, or higher as required by the Director of Public Works or Building Official. These features may project over the public right-of-way if approved by the Director of Public Works but shall not conflict with any adjacent street trees.

(ORD-26-0018 § 17, 2026)

A. General Provisions - Parking.

Intent and Outcomes. Parking standards are intended to allow for infill development and adaptive reuse through flexibility of off-street parking location and minimum number of spaces.

B. Parking Requirements.

Table 30-3 establishes minimum vehicle parking requirements by use. No parking will be required if within a high-quality transit area per AB 2097 unless it is a hotel use.

1. Uses not listed, and all loading requirements, shall be regulated by Chapter 21.41 Off Street Parking and Loading Requirements.

2. If different land uses are part of the same project (for example, within vertical mixed-use development combining retail and residential), the parking requirements for each land use are applicable and will be added together to determine the total parking requirements for the project.

3. Minimum parking requirements for residential uses in the RMU3 and RMU4 Zones shall be met; however, parking may be 'unbundled' from individual units.

4. Calculations. In the calculation of parking requirements, fractional numbers of parking spaces, greater than 0.5, shall be rounded down to the nearest whole number.

5. Change of Use. No new parking shall be required for changes of use of any existing square footage within a building more than ten (10) years old. This Section shall not apply to the following uses: hotel, motel, inn, bed and breakfast inn, and event center.

6. Residential parking for all Title 22 zones shall not be required to comply with the garage requirement in Section 21.41.214 of Title 21. Required parking may be provided with enclosed garage, covered and uncovered parking. Covered parking may include parking provided under a carport or in an enclosed garage. Uncovered parking may comprise up to 50% of the required parking of a development project. Uncovered parking may include parking such as surface parking.

Table 30-3 Vehicular Parking Requirements *See City standard in Chapter 21.41

C. Parking Setback Standards

Requirements. Table 30-4 establishes minimum required parking setbacks.

Table 30-4 Parking Setback Standards

D. Parking Location and Access.

1. Surface parking is not permitted between the building and the Primary Frontage for projects that require Site Plan Review.

2. Surface parking must be located behind the building, internal to the block, wrapped with active uses along the public frontages, or below-grade. Alterations to parking location may be reviewed by the Zoning Administrator through the Adjustment process per Section 22.30.080.

3. Access to parking shall be from side streets or alleys. If access from side streets is not possible due to lot location and/or configuration, the Primary Frontages may be used if pedestrian access and safety are incorporated into the design, as per City Standards.

E. Design of Parking Structures.

1. Screening Requirements

a. Subject to the following standards, ground story and upper story parking structures and parking garages non-alley frontages must be screened.

b. Screened Parking Standards-semi-subterranean, ground floor story, and upper story parking screening:

1. Must be, on average, no less than sixty (60) percent opaque for any individual tier of parking.

2. Openings in screens must be four inches or less in at least one (1) dimension.

3. Upper story parking screening, when viewed from the sidewalk below, must not be less than sixty percent (60%) opaque.

2. Measurement

a. Opacity of screening is calculated separately for each tier of parking on each building facade.

b. Minimum opacity is measured as a percentage calculated as the sum of all open areas on a parking screen facade area divided by the total parking screen facade area.

c. Exceptions- Openings, of the minimum practical width, providing vehicular or pedestrian access are exempt from the above parking standards.

d. Relief- These standards can be relieved at the discretion of the Site Plan Review Committee.

F. Architectural Character. Whether public or private, freestanding parking structures and integrated parking podiums will be treated as buildings and follow the same principles as good building design.

1. Parking structure facades visible from the public right-of-way shall employ the same architectural style as the primary building it serves, or a complementary architectural style that shall be reviewed and approved by the Zoning Administrator.

2. Parking structures shall have an external skin designed to improve the building's appearance over the basic concrete structure of ramps, walls, and columns. This can include heavy-gauge metal screen, precast concrete panels, laminated glass, photovoltaic (solar) panels, landscape features, architecturally interesting walls, or a combination of these features.

3. Vertical circulation (elevators and stairs) shall be located along the primary pedestrian way, and shall be highlighted architecturally so visitors can easily find and access these entry points.

4. On retail-oriented streets or building frontages, parking structures shall incorporate active ground-floor uses along the street frontage of the garage.

G. Signage. Signage and wayfinding should be integrated with the architecture of the parking structure.

1. Sustainability. Parking structures shall integrate sustainable design features such as photovoltaic panels (especially on the top parking deck), renewable materials with proven longevity, and storm water treatment wherever possible.

2. Lighting. Lighting fixtures in parking areas, ingress/egress areas, and all internal circulation areas shall be directed and shielded appropriately to not illuminate surrounding properties, while promoting visibility for users. See Section 22.30.110 of the Title for additional standards.

(ORD-26-0018 §§ 12, 13, 2026; ORD-24-0015 § 1(Exh. A), 2024)

New and adaptive reuse developments shall utilize joint use and parking agreements when available, subject to Section 21.41.223.

(ORD-24-0015 § 1(Exh. A), 2024)

A. In addition to the following standards, all lighting shall be consistent with Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IES) and International Dark Sky Association (IDA) standards to prevent over-lighting of structures and spaces.

B. Building and/or site design shall include public realm pedestrian lighting to supplement street lights, contribute to the pedestrian scale of the street, and enhance safety.

1. Integrate pedestrian lighting along the length of the street and within public realm areas to facilitate visibility for "eyes on the street."

2. Light areas to be usable and safe at night and encourage nighttime pedestrian activity. This includes, but is not limited to, curb ramps, crosswalks, bus stops, plazas, paseos, mid-block connections, open spaces, parking lots and structures, seating areas, and pedestrian linkages between these areas.

C. Building design shall integrate building-mounted lighting, consistent with the design and character of the structure, to aid in lighting the following areas:

1. The pedestrian way, including areas along primary or side streets.

2. Pedestrian paths, including mid-block connections, from parking lot areas to the building or street.

3. Parking structure entryways and lobbies.

(ORD-24-0015 § 1(Exh. A), 2024)

The following open space and privacy standards apply in combination with the requirements of Table 30-5.

Public open spaces directly accessible and visible from the public right-of-way are highly encouraged.

Table 30-5 Open Space Standards

(ORD-24-0015 § 1(Exh. A), 2024)

Fences and garden walls are permitted accessory structures in all zones, subject to the conditions and requirements set forth in this Section.

A. Height limits.

Fence and garden wall heights shall not exceed the maximum heights set forth in Table 30-6. Fence heights shall be measured from grade adjoining the fence on the public right-of-way side of the fence (for fences adjoining the public right-of-way) and the average grade of both sides of the fence (for fences between two (2) private properties). For fences in flood hazard zones where the Building Code requires the finish floor of a building to be constructed at or above the top of the flood plain, fence height shall be measured from the top of the flood plain.

B. Prohibited fence and wall materials.

Barbed wire or similar fencing with sharp, protruding objects capable of cutting or puncturing a person is prohibited. Such objects shall not be attached to, imbedded in, or laid upon any fence or wall. This restriction does not include decorative wrought iron.

Table 30-6 Fence Height Limits

C. Fence Height Limitations. The limitations in Table 30-6 shall not apply in the following instances:

1. Where a greater height is required by any other City ordinance.

2. Where a greater height is required by a conditional approval of a permit pursuant to this Title or is required by State or Federal law.

3. Where a wall return of greater height is allowed.

4. In corner cutoff areas, chain link and wrought iron/metal tubing fences more than three feet (3') in height are allowed if they do not obstruct visibility.

(ORD-24-0015 § 1(Exh. A), 2024)

Primary and Secondary frontages shall be defined in accordance with the Long Beach General Plan Mobility Element as shown in Table 30-7. For parcels located on multiple streets, the Primary frontage shall be the higher of whichever street classification is designated for a given parcel; in instances where two streets have the same designation the Primary and Secondary frontage shall be determined by the Zoning Administrator through the Adjustment process per Section 22.13.104.

In all instances where a street is designated as Neighborhood Connector or higher classification the Primary frontage parking requirements shall apply regardless of street hierarchy.

Table 30-7 Street Classification

(ORD-24-0015 § 1(Exh. A), 2024)