Residential Density in Long Beach Commercial Districts
The CO (Office Commercial), CT (Tourist and Entertainment Commercial), and CCN (Community R-4-N) districts offer the highest residential density in Long Beach, as they all follow R-4-N 'Medium Density' standards. Other districts like CCR and CNR allow for lower 'moderate density' at R-4-R or R-3-T levels. Residential use is strictly prohibited in the CHW (Regional Highway) district.
In the City of Long Beach, residential density within commercial zoning districts is determined by cross-referencing specific commercial designations with residential zone standards. The highest residential densities are found in districts that permit development at R-4-N standards.
Highest Residential Density Districts
The commercial districts that allow for the highest residential density are those governed by the R-4-N (Medium Density) standards. According to the development standards tables, these districts include:
- CO (Office Commercial District): Permits mixed residential and commercial uses along major arterial routes at R-4-N densities [§ 21.32.020.A; Table 32-3A].
- CT (Tourist and Entertainment Commercial District): Designed for the tourist industry but permits residential development at R-4-N densities [§ 21.32.020.A; Table 32-3A].
- CCN (Community R-4-N District): A community commercial district specifically intended to permit medium-density residential development at R-4-N densities [§ 21.32.020.C.4; Table 32-3].
Moderate Residential Density Districts
Other commercial districts permit residential uses but at lower density tiers, described as "moderate density."
- CCR (Community R-4-R District): Permits residential development at R-4-R densities, which is categorized as moderate density [§ 21.32.020.C.3; Table 32-3].
- CNR (Neighborhood Commercial and Residential District): A mixed-use district permitting small-scale commercial and/or moderate-density residential development at R-3-T densities [§ 21.32.020.B.3; Table 32-3].
Comparison of Residential Standards by District
The following table outlines the residential density and basic building height limits for the primary mixed-use commercial districts:
| Commercial District | Density Standard | Max Building Height (Primary) |
|---|---|---|
| CO (Office Commercial) | R-4-N | 40 feet [§ Table 32-2A] |
| CT (Tourist & Entertainment) | R-4-N | 60 feet [§ Table 32-2A] |
| CCN (Community R-4-N) | R-4-N | 28 feet / 2 stories [§ Table 32-2] |
| CCR (Community R-4-R) | R-4-R | 28 feet / 2 stories [§ Table 32-2] |
| CNR (Neighborhood Commercial) | R-3-T | 28 feet / 2 stories [§ Table 32-2] |
Districts Prohibiting Residential Use
While most commercial districts allow for some form of residential development, the CHW (Regional Highway District) specifically prohibits residential uses. This district is reserved for mixed-scale commercial uses located along major arterial streets and regional traffic corridors [§ 21.32.020.D.1].
High-Rise Overlay Potential
While the density standard (units per acre) is tied to the R-4-N or R-4-R designations, the actual intensity of a site may be increased if it is located within a High-Rise Overlay District. The only commercial districts appropriate for this overlay are the CO (Office Commercial), CC (Commercial Corridor), CT (Tourist Commercial), and CS (Commercial Storage) districts [§ 21.39.030].