Long Beach · Land use · Emergency shelter
Where is an emergency shelter allowed in Long Beach?
In Long Beach, an emergency shelter is allowed in 6 base zones (CHW, IL, IM, IP, MU-M and 1 more, all with a condition), needs a permit in 13 (CNR, CCR, CCN, IG, RMU3 and 8 more, all with a condition) and not allowed in 6 (Long Beach use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Allowed: CHW, IL, IM, IP, MU-M and NI-1
- Needs a permit: CNR, CCR, CCN, IG, RMU3, RMU4, MU-1, MU-2 and 5 more
- Not allowed: CNP, CNA, CCA, CCP, CS and MFR-L
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 an emergency shelter can go
Long Beach's code calls this use “Emergency Shelters / Emergency shelters (SIC code 8322*) / Emergency Shelter”. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CHW | Allowed — see note Note Additional Regulations: See Section 21.45.132 | Division I — PERMITTED USES |
| IL | Allowed — see note Note Additional Regulations: Row 9.1 Emergency shelters (SIC code 8322*). Special standards apply (see Section 21.45.132). | Division I — PERMITTED USES |
| IM | Allowed — see note Note Additional Regulations: Row 9.1 Emergency shelters (SIC code 8322*). Special standards apply (see Section 21.45.132). | Division I — PERMITTED USES |
| IP | Allowed — see note Note Additional Regulations: Row 9.1 Emergency shelters (SIC code 8322*). Special standards apply (see Section 21.45.132). | Division I — PERMITTED USES |
| MU-M | Allowed — see note Note Additional Regulations: Subject to 21.45.132. | § 22.15.030 |
| NI-1 Neo-Industrial Focused | Allowed — see note Note Additional Regulations: Row: Emergency Shelter (Interim Housing) | § 22.15.030 |
| CNR | Needs a conditional use permit — see note Note Additional Regulations: See Section 21.45.132 | Division I — PERMITTED USES |
| CCR | Needs a conditional use permit — see note Note Additional Regulations: See Section 21.45.132 | Division I — PERMITTED USES |
| CCN | Needs a conditional use permit — see note Note Additional Regulations: See Section 21.45.132 | Division I — PERMITTED USES |
| IG | Needs an administrative use permit — see note Note Additional Regulations: Row 9.1 Emergency shelters (SIC code 8322*). Special standards apply (see Section 21.45.132). | Division I — PERMITTED USES |
| RMU3 | Needs a conditional use permit — see note Note Additional Regulations: Subject to 21.45.132. | § 22.15.030 |
| RMU4 | Needs a conditional use permit — see note Note Additional Regulations: Subject to 21.45.132. | § 22.15.030 |
| MU-1 | Needs a conditional use permit — see note Note Additional Regulations: Subject to 21.45.132. | § 22.15.030 |
| MU-2 | Needs a conditional use permit — see note Note Additional Regulations: Subject to 21.45.132. | § 22.15.030 |
| MU-3 | Needs a conditional use permit — see note Note Additional Regulations: Subject to 21.45.132. | § 22.15.030 |
| C3 | Needs a conditional use permit — see note Note Additional Regulations: Subject to 21.45.132. | § 22.15.030 |
| C-M | Needs a conditional use permit — see note Note Additional Regulations: Subject to 21.45.132. | § 22.15.030 |
| MFR-M | Needs a conditional use permit — see note Note Additional Regulations: Subject to 21.45.132. | § 22.15.030 |
| NI-2 Neo-Industrial + Commercial (flexible designation) | Needs an administrative use permit — see note Note Additional Regulations: Row: Emergency Shelter (Interim Housing) | § 22.15.030 |
Zones where it is not allowed
What else applies
- Standards for this use: § 21.45.132 (special standards, in Chapter 21.45; not in the text).
- State law: State law (Gov. Code § 65583, SB 2) requires every city to allow emergency shelters by right in at least one zone.
- 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 an emergency shelter in the CNR zone in Long Beach?
Only with a conditional use permit. Long Beach's use table lists it that way in CNR (Division I — PERMITTED USES). The code adds a condition: “See Section 21.45.132”
Can I have an emergency shelter in the CNP zone in Long Beach?
No. Long Beach's use table does not allow it in CNP (Division I — PERMITTED USES).
Can I have an emergency shelter in the CHW zone in Long Beach?
Yes, with a condition. Long Beach's use table lists it as allowed in CHW (Division I — PERMITTED USES). The code adds a condition: “See Section 21.45.132”
General information, not legal advice.
Ask about an emergency shelter 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