Long Beach · Land use · Church or place of worship
Where is a church or other place of worship allowed in Long Beach?
In Long Beach, a church or other place of worship is allowed in 17 base zones (CNP, CNA, CNR, CCA, CCP and 12 more, 9 with a condition), needs an administrative use permit in 2 (RMU3 and MFR-L, 1 with a condition) and not allowed in 2 (Long Beach use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Allowed: CNP, CNA, CNR, CCA, CCP, CCR, CCN, CHW and 9 more
- Needs a permit: RMU3 and MFR-L
- Not allowed: CS and NI-1
Find your lot's zone on the city zoning map, then read its row. Every status below was read from the Long Beach Municipal Code use tables (read October 2026). Base zones only. General information, not legal advice — check with the city before you apply.
Zones where a church or other place of worship can go
Long Beach's code calls this use “Religious assembly uses with 1) up to 2,500 sq. ft. of GFA; and 2) 100 or fewer occupants”. Each row links to the use table it comes from. A zone marked “see note” has a condition in the code, for example upper floors only or a larger lot.
| Zone | Status | Code |
|---|---|---|
| CNP | Allowed — see note Note Additional Regulations: See Section 21.52.219.8. Religious Assembly Uses shall be permitted (Y) in the PD-30 Downtown Plan Area (excluding Neighborhood Overlay), subject to Section 21.52.219.8. | Division I — PERMITTED USES |
| CNA | Allowed — see note Note Additional Regulations: See Section 21.52.219.8. Religious Assembly Uses shall be permitted (Y) in the PD-30 Downtown Plan Area (excluding Neighborhood Overlay), subject to Section 21.52.219.8. | Division I — PERMITTED USES |
| CNR | Allowed — see note Note Additional Regulations: See Section 21.52.219.8. Religious Assembly Uses shall be permitted (Y) in the PD-30 Downtown Plan Area (excluding Neighborhood Overlay), subject to Section 21.52.219.8. | Division I — PERMITTED USES |
| CCA | Allowed — see note Note Additional Regulations: See Section 21.52.219.8. Religious Assembly Uses shall be permitted (Y) in the PD-30 Downtown Plan Area (excluding Neighborhood Overlay), subject to Section 21.52.219.8. | Division I — PERMITTED USES |
| CCP | Allowed — see note Note Additional Regulations: See Section 21.52.219.8. Religious Assembly Uses shall be permitted (Y) in the PD-30 Downtown Plan Area (excluding Neighborhood Overlay), subject to Section 21.52.219.8. | Division I — PERMITTED USES |
| CCR | Allowed — see note Note Additional Regulations: See Section 21.52.219.8. Religious Assembly Uses shall be permitted (Y) in the PD-30 Downtown Plan Area (excluding Neighborhood Overlay), subject to Section 21.52.219.8. | Division I — PERMITTED USES |
| CCN | Allowed — see note Note Additional Regulations: See Section 21.52.219.8. Religious Assembly Uses shall be permitted (Y) in the PD-30 Downtown Plan Area (excluding Neighborhood Overlay), subject to Section 21.52.219.8. | Division I — PERMITTED USES |
| CHW | Allowed — see note Note Additional Regulations: See Section 21.52.219.8. Religious Assembly Uses shall be permitted (Y) in the PD-30 Downtown Plan Area (excluding Neighborhood Overlay), subject to Section 21.52.219.8. | Division I — PERMITTED USES |
| RMU4 | Allowed | § 22.15.030 |
| MU-1 | Allowed | § 22.15.030 |
| MU-2 | Allowed | § 22.15.030 |
| MU-M | Allowed | § 22.15.030 |
| MU-3 | Allowed | § 22.15.030 |
| C3 | Allowed | § 22.15.030 |
| C-M | Allowed | § 22.15.030 |
| MFR-M | Allowed — see note Note Additional Regulations: Row in this table is a different size class: GFA of 3,000 sq. ft. or less (more than 3,000 sq. ft.: C in both zones). | § 22.15.030 |
| NI-2 Neo-Industrial + Commercial (flexible designation) | Allowed | § 22.15.030 |
| RMU3 | Needs an administrative use permit | § 22.15.030 |
| MFR-L | Needs an administrative use permit — see note Note Additional Regulations: Row in this table is a different size class: GFA of 3,000 sq. ft. or less (more than 3,000 sq. ft.: C in both zones). | § 22.15.030 |
Zones where it is not allowed
What else applies
- Standards for this use: § 21.52.219.8 Community assembly uses.
- Commercial Table 32-1 also has 2,501-25,000 sq ft or more than 100 occupants (CNP AP, CNA AP, CNR AP, CCA Y, CCP AP, CCR Y, CCN Y, CHW Y, CS N) and over 25,000 sq ft (C C C AP AP AP AP AP N). Title 22 mixed-use tables split the same way (2,501-25,000: RMU3 AP, RMU4 AP, MU-1 Y, MU-2 AP, MU-M Y, MU-3 Y; over 25,000: C C AP AP AP AP). MFR zones use a 3,000 sq ft split. C3 and C-M are Y in every size class.
- State law: Federal law (RLUIPA) bars zoning rules that treat religious assembly worse than other assembly uses.
- Not covered here: Residential districts (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4 families): Table 31-1 in 21.31.110 (S2) is not in the text, only its intro; Institutional district (I): Table 34-1 in 21.34.110 (S5) is not in the text; Public right-of-way district: Table 36-1 (S7) is not in the text; Planned development districts and specific plans (PD-x, SP): use rules are in each plan. Overlay zones and specific plans can also change the answer.
Other uses in Long Beach
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I have a church or other place of worship in the RMU3 zone in Long Beach?
Only with an administrative use permit. Long Beach's use table lists it that way in RMU3 (§ 22.15.030).
Can I have a church or other place of worship in the CS zone in Long Beach?
No. Long Beach's use table does not allow it in CS (Division I — PERMITTED USES).
Can I have a church or other place of worship in the CNP zone in Long Beach?
Yes, with a condition. Long Beach's use table lists it as allowed in CNP (Division I — PERMITTED USES). The code adds a condition: “See Section 21.52.219.8. Religious Assembly Uses shall be permitted (Y) in the PD-30 Downtown Plan Area (excluding Neighborhood Overlay), subject to Section 21.52.219.8.”
General information, not legal advice.
Ask about a church or other place of worship at an address in Long Beach
Ask GoCodebook what the zoning at a specific address allows and get an answer that cites the section.
Ask your question