Long Beach — Land Use

Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

Long Beach’s land use rules live in the Zoning Regulations (Title 21 of the Long Beach Municipal Code). The Title divides the city into named zoning districts (residential R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, commercial CO/CH/CT/etc., industrial IL/IM/IG/IP, P, I, PD, PR, etc.), lists permitted/conditional/accessory/temporary uses for each district, and attaches development standards (setbacks, heights, lot area, FAR, lot coverage). The Zoning Regulations apply citywide subject to limited exceptions; see § 21.10.030 for scope.

This page summarizes what the Long Beach ordinance (Title 21) actually says about land use: which uses are allowed where, the district purposes, the most important dimensional/use limits applicants must check, and where to verify parcel‑specific rules.

-- Link resources used in this guide (first mention only): development standards, parking, design review, overlay districts, ADUs, California Building Standards Code, signage, and nonconforming uses are discussed below. See Long Beach’s pages on development standards, parking, design review, overlay districts, ADUs, the California Building Standards Code, signage, and nonconforming uses.

How the code is organized (short)

• The Zoning Regulations create named districts and adopt a city Zoning Map; see § 21.30.030 (use district map adopted).
• Each district has a uses table and development standard tables (minimum lot area/width, setbacks, height, lot coverage, FAR). Residential development standards are collected in Tables 31-2A/B and applied per § 21.31.201.

District-by-district breakdown (selected, code-grounded)

Note: each subsection names the actual district symbol used in the code and summarizes purpose, typical permitted uses, key dimensional standards, and where that district applies in the city. Always verify parcel-specific rules with the City; the Zoning Map on file controls. Verify with the jurisdiction.

R-1 (Single‑family residential: R-1‑S, R-1‑M, R-1‑N, R-1‑L, R-1‑T)

Purpose: The R-1 family of districts preserves single‑family neighborhoods with different lot-size subtypes (small, moderate, standard, large, townhome). § 21.31 and Tables 31‑1 and 31‑2A set uses and standards.

Typical permitted uses:

• Single‑family detached dwellings permitted (Table 31‑1). Accessory uses and limited ADUs are allowed subject to ADU rules (see the ADU chapter) § 21.31 and Table 31‑1.

Key dimensional standards (representative — see Table 31‑2A):

• Minimum lot area examples: R-1‑N = 6,000 sq ft, R-1‑M = 3,600 sq ft, R-1‑S = 2,400 sq ft. § 21.31.201 / Table 31‑2A.
• Front setback examples: R-1‑N = 20 ft, R-1‑M = 8 ft. § 21.31.201 / Table 31‑2A.
• Height: many R‑1 types capped at 25 ft / 2 stories (check specific subtype). § 21.31.201.

Where it applies: listed on the city zoning map; see Table 30‑1 for district symbols and Chapter 21.31 for standards. § 21.30.030 and § 21.31.

R-2 / R-3 / R-4 (Two‑family to multi‑family residential)

Purpose: provide for duplexes, small multi‑family, and higher density apartments; densities and allowable building forms differ by subtype. See Table 31‑1 and Table 31‑2. § 21.31.

Typical permitted uses:

• Duplexes, townhomes, multifamily per Table 31‑1; many multi‑family forms are allowed in R‑3 and R‑4 with density limits shown in Table 31‑2A/B. § 21.31.205 and Table 31‑1.

Key dimensional standards / special standards:

• Buffers/setbacks: where higher‑density buildings adjoin low‑density R‑1/R‑2/R‑3 districts, buffer setbacks are required (e.g., 20–40 ft depending on stories) — see the buffer table in Chapter 21.31 (building story setbacks). § 21.31 (buffer rules).

Where it applies: see the zoning map; development thresholds (units per lot) are not subject to the standard variance procedure (units per lot must follow Table 31‑2). § 21.31.205.

Commercial districts (CO, CH, CT, CNR, CCA, CCR, CCN, etc.)

Purpose: the commercial chapters set commercial district types (Office CO, Highway CH, Tourist/Entertainment CT, neighborhood/community/regional commercial variants) and tailor permitted uses to scale and context. § 21.32.010–.020.

Typical permitted/conditional uses:

• Use tables (Table 32‑1 and related) show whether a use is Y (permitted), C (conditional use permit required), A (accessory), AP (administrative use permit), or T (temporary). Alcoholic beverage sales are often conditional unless exempted by footnote (restaurants with alcohol served only with meals can be exempt). See Table 32‑1 and footnotes. § 21.32 / Table 32‑1.

Key dimensional standards:

• Commercial districts have distinct setback/height rules in Tables 32‑2 / 32‑2A and development rules for residential uses within commercial zones (Table 32‑3). § 21.32 / Table 32‑3. Parking and loading are controlled by Chapter 21.41; see the parking page and Chapter 21.41 reference in the code.

Where it applies: downtown corridors, arterial frontages, tourist nodes — exact map locations are on the official zoning map referenced in § 21.30.030.

Industrial districts (IL, IM, IG, IP)

Purpose: separate light and heavy industrial activities and protect adjacent uses. Chapter 21.33 sets uses and performance controls. § 21.33 and Table 33‑2.

Typical permitted uses:

• Table 33‑2 lists manufacturing, transportation, utilities, warehousing uses with Y / C / N designations by IL/IM/IG/IP and includes SIC code references and special notes. See Table 33‑2. § 21.33 / Table 33‑2.

Key dimensional & performance standards:

• Yards abutting residential districts: IL = 20 ft, IM = 45 ft, IG = 45 ft, IP = no restriction (Table 33‑4). Screening, maximum stacking heights for outdoor storage, and where outdoor production is allowed are controlled in § 21.33.150 and Table 33‑2.

Where it applies: industrial parks, airport/port‑adjacent zones, and manufacturing corridors identified on the zoning map. See Chapter 21.33 and Table 33‑4 for setbacks.

Park district (P)

Purpose: preserve parks and recreation uses; special use table controls commercial recreation and events. See Chapter 21.35. § 21.35.120 and Table 35‑1.

Typical permitted uses:

• Parks, landscaped open areas, community gardens, athletic facilities are permitted (Y). Commercial recreation and food concessions are often C or A (conditional or accessory) per Table 35‑1. § 21.35.120.

Key dimensional standards:

• Park perimeters and public access are subject to park‑specific rules in Chapter 21.35 and to site plan review when facilities exceed thresholds. § 21.35.120.

Where it applies: city parks and rights‑of‑way designated P on the zoning map.

Public Right‑of‑Way district (PR)

Purpose & uses: Table 36‑1 lists uses permitted in the Public Right‑of‑Way District (e.g., flood control rights‑of‑way Y, rail rights‑of‑way Y, solar collectors Y, wireless telecommunications C). See TABLE 36‑1.

Code citation: the table (Table 36‑1) is the controlling use list in the PR district; a section number for the table is not clearly labeled in the retrieved preview. Not found in retrieved materials: an explicit section number for Table 36‑1.

Planned Development districts (PD‑##)

Purpose: PD districts allow customized mixes of uses and site‑specific standards; a PD ordinance or specific plan establishes the PD’s permitted uses and standards (use & development standards plan required). See § 21.37.110–.150.

Typical approach:

• The PD ordinance for each PD (e.g., PD‑30 Downtown) lists permitted uses; where PD is silent, the Zoning Administrator picks the closest standard. Site plan review and site‑specific development standards apply. § 21.37.150–.160.

Where it applies: defined PD numbers on the zoning map (PD‑1 through PD‑32, etc.). § 21.37.120.

Institutional district (I)

Purpose: provide for public/institutional uses (schools, hospitals) with long‑range development plan requirements for large campus sites. See § 21.34.010 and related site plan rules.

Typical rules:

• Sites > 40,000 sq ft generally need a long range development plan and all future development must be consistent with that plan. § 21.34.020.

Quick decision‑relevant summary table

Checklist (What an applicant must satisfy before filing)

• Confirm the parcel’s zoning district and any overlays on the official zoning map; see § 21.30.030.
• Verify whether the proposed use is Y, C, A, AP, or T in the district’s use table (Table 31‑1, Table 32‑1, Table 33‑2, Table 35‑1, Table 36‑1, etc.). § 21.31 / § 21.32 / § 21.33 / § 21.35.
• Check applicable development standards (minimum lot area, lot width, setbacks, height, lot coverage, FAR) in Tables 31‑2A/B, 32‑2, 33‑4, etc. § 21.31.201 / Table 31‑2A.
• Confirm parking requirements (Chapter 21.41) and prepare a parking plan if required; consult the city parking rules. § 21.33.190 references off‑street parking; see Chapter 21.41.
• Determine whether the use triggers Design Review, Site Plan Review, Conditional Use Permit, Administrative Use Permit, or Standards Variance (see Chapter 21.25 and the uses table footnotes). § 21.21 / Chapter 21.25.
• If proposing an ADU, follow ADU rules (ADUs may be allowed in many residential districts and PDs — see ADU chapter and Section on ADUs in Chapter 21.31). § 21.31 and ADU provisions.
• Check overlays and specific plans that modify base zoning (e.g., historic overlays, high‑rise overlays, PD specific plan standards). § 21.37 / Table 30‑1.

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain‑English Summary

Long Beach’s zoning (Title 21) assigns each parcel to a named district (for example R‑1, CO, IL, PD). The code’s use tables tell you whether a proposed use is allowed by‑right, conditional, accessory, or temporary; the development tables tell you required setbacks, lot area, height and coverage. Always check the parcel’s exact zoning, overlays, PD ordinances (if any), and the use table footnotes — those determine whether you need a conditional use permit, site plan review, or other discretionary approvals. Key chapters: Residential (21.31), Commercial (21.32), Industrial (21.33), Parks (21.35), Planned Development (21.37).

Source References

• Zoning purpose, scope and interpretation — § 21.10.030, § 21.10.045.
• Zoning map, districts established — § 21.30.030; Table 30‑1 (list of district symbols).
• Residential uses and development standards — Table 31‑1 (uses), Table 31‑2A (Residential Development Standards), § 21.31.201, § 21.31.120.
• Commercial districts, uses and footnotes — Chapter 21.32, Table 32‑1, Table 32‑3.
• Industrial uses and outdoor storage / setbacks — Table 33‑2, Table 33‑4, § 21.33.150.
• Park district uses — Table 35‑1, § 21.35.120.
• Public Right‑of‑Way uses — Table 36‑1 (Uses in PR). Noted in code preview; explicit section number not found in retrieved materials.
• Planned Development (PD) purpose and procedures — § 21.37.110–.160 and PD list.
• ADU rules and references inside Chapter 21.31 (see ADU subsection).
• Off‑street parking reference inside district chapters — e.g., § 21.33.190 referencing Chapter 21.41 (Off‑Street Parking and Loading Requirements).

(If you want direct links to the live municipal code pages or the official zoning map, request those and I’ll pull the exact URL and specific numeric subsections for a particular parcel. Verify all parcel‑level rules with the Department of Development Services — the zoning map and PD ordinances control.)

Retrieved passages

• Long Beach Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance show source text
• Long Beach Zoning Code (Chapter 21.25) High relevance show source text
• Long Beach Zoning Code (Chapter 21.56) High relevance show source text
• Long Beach Zoning Code (Chapter 21.56) High relevance show source text
• Long Beach Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance show source text
• Long Beach Zoning Code (§ 17) High relevance show source text
• Long Beach Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance show source text
• CFC § 4 (Section 21.33.145.) High relevance show source text
• Long Beach Zoning Code (Section 21.52.260.) Medium relevance show source text
• Long Beach Zoning Code Medium relevance show source text
• Long Beach Zoning Code (§ 41) Medium relevance show source text
• Long Beach Zoning Code (Title or) Medium relevance show source text
• Long Beach Zoning Code (§ 4) Medium relevance show source text
• Long Beach Zoning Code (Section for) Medium relevance show source text
• Long Beach Zoning Code (§ 2) Medium relevance show source text
• Long Beach Zoning Code Medium relevance show source text

Cited sections

• Zoning purpose, scope and interpretation — **§ 21.10.030**, **§ 21.10.045**. (§ 21.10.030)
• Zoning map, districts established — **§ 21.30.030**; Table 30‑1 (list of district symbols). (§ 21.30.030)
• Residential uses and development standards — Table 31‑1 (uses), Table 31‑2A (Residential Development Standards), **§ 21.31.201**, **§ 21.31.120**. (§ 21.31.201)
• Commercial districts, uses and footnotes — Chapter 21.32, **Table 32‑1**, Table 32‑3. (Chapter 21.32)
• Industrial uses and outdoor storage / setbacks — **Table 33‑2**, **Table 33‑4**, **§ 21.33.150**. (§ 21.33.150)
• Park district uses — **Table 35‑1**, **§ 21.35.120**. (§ 21.35.120)
• Public Right‑of‑Way uses — **Table 36‑1** (Uses in PR). Noted in code preview; explicit section number not found in retrieved materials. (section number)
• Planned Development (PD) purpose and procedures — **§ 21.37.110–.160** and PD list. (§ 21.37.110)
• ADU rules and references inside Chapter 21.31 (see ADU subsection). (Chapter 21.31)
• Off‑street parking reference inside district chapters — e.g., **§ 21.33.190** referencing Chapter 21.41 (Off‑Street Parking and Loading Requirements). (§ 21.33.190)
• LongBeach_ZoningCode.md

• Official Long Beach code library