Long Beach, CA Zoning Districts
Long Beach, CA is divided into several primary zoning categories: Residential (R-1 through R-4, RM, RP), Commercial (CO, CH, CT, CS, CN, CC, CHW), Industrial (IL, IM, IG, IP), and special districts like Institutional (I), Park (P), and Planned Development (PD). There are currently 32 established PD districts and 4 Specific Plans (SP) that regulate unique areas of the city.
In the City of Long Beach, a "zoning district" or "zone" is a specific section of the City delineated on the official zoning map. These districts are governed by uniform requirements and regulations regarding the use, placement, spacing, and size of land and buildings [§ 21.15.840, § 21.15.3370].
Residential Zoning Districts
Residential districts are categorized by the density and type of housing permitted, ranging from single-family homes to high-rise multi-family developments [§ 21.30.040].
Single-Family Residential
- R-1-S: Single-family Residential, small lot
- R-1-M: Single-family Residential, moderate lot
- R-1-T: Single-family Residential, townhomes
- R-1-N: Single-family Residential, standard lot
- R-1-L: Single-family Residential, large lot
Two-Family Residential
- R-2-S: Two-family Residential, small lot
- R-2-I: Two-family Residential, intensified development
- R-2-N: Two-family Residential, standard lot
- R-2-A: Two-family Residential, accessory second unit
- R-2-L: Two-family Residential, large lot
Multi-Family and Other Residential
- R-3-S: Low-density Multi-family Residential, small lot
- R-3-4: Low-density Multi-family Residential
- R-3-T: Multi-family Residential, Townhouse
- R-4-H: Dense Multiple Residential, high-rise
- R-4-N: Medium-density Multiple Residential
- R-4-R: Moderate-density Multiple Residential
- R-4-U: Dense Multiple Residential, urban
- RM: Mobile homes, modular and manufactured residential
- RP: Residential, Planned Unit Development
Commercial Zoning Districts
Commercial districts are established to facilitate various business activities and are categorized by their scale and orientation [§ 21.32.010, § 21.32.020].
General Applicability
- CO (Office Commercial): Permits mixed residential and commercial uses along major arterial routes.
- CH (Highway Commercial): Automobile-oriented uses requiring high visibility.
- CT (Tourist and Entertainment Commercial): Areas for major tourist and entertainment industries.
Neighborhood Commercial
These districts serve daily retail needs and are designed for compatibility with residential areas.
- CNP: Neighborhood Pedestrian-Oriented Commercial
- CNA: Neighborhood Commercial Automobile-Oriented
- CNR: Neighborhood Commercial and Residential (Mixed-use)
Community Commercial
These districts provide medium-scale uses serving an entire community.
- CCA: Community Commercial Automobile-Oriented (includes former CR and CC references)
- CCP: Community Commercial Pedestrian-Oriented
- CCR: Community R-4-R Commercial
- CCN: Community R-4-N Commercial
Regional and Storage Commercial
- CHW (Regional Highway): Large-scale mixed commercial uses on major traffic corridors; residential use is prohibited.
- CS (Commercial Storage): Encourages storage uses in areas difficult to develop for other purposes.
Industrial Zoning Districts
Industrial districts regulate various levels of manufacturing and port-related activities [§ 21.30.040].
- IL: Light Industrial
- IM: Medium Industrial
- IG: General Industrial
- IP: Port-related Industrial
Institutional, Park, and Public Districts
- I (Institutional): Areas for public and institutional land uses [§ 21.34.010].
- P (Park): Publicly owned natural and open areas for recreation and community service [§ 21.35.010].
- PR (Public Right-of-Way): Land designated for public transit and infrastructure.
Planned Development Districts (PD)
Planned Development districts are indicated by the "PD" designation followed by a number and common name [§ 21.37.120].
| Designation | District Name |
|---|---|
| PD-2 | Belmont Pier |
| PD-4 | Long Beach Marina |
| PD-5 | Ocean Boulevard |
| PD-6 | Downtown Shoreline |
| PD-7 | Long Beach Business Center |
| PD-9 | Long Beach Airport Business Park |
| PD-10 | Willmore City |
| PD-11 | Rancho Estates |
| PD-12 | Long Beach Airport Terminal |
| PD-15 | Redondo Avenue |
| PD-17 | Alamitos Land |
| PD-18 | Kilroy Airport Center |
| PD-19 | Douglas Aircraft |
| PD-20 | All Souls |
| PD-21 | Queensway Bay |
| PD-22 | Pacific Railway |
| PD-23 | Douglas Center |
| PD-25 | Atlantic Avenue |
| PD-26 | West Long Beach Business Park |
| PD-27 | Willow Street Center |
| PD-28 | Pacific Theaters |
| PD-30 | Downtown Long Beach |
| PD-31 | CSU Research and Technology Center |
| PD-32 | Douglas Park (North and South) |
Note: PD-1, PD-13, and PD-29 have been repealed and superseded by Specific Plans.
Specific Plans (SP)
Specific plans are indicated by the "SP" designation [§ 21.37.210].
- SP-1: Midtown
- SP-2: Southeast Area
- SP-3: Globemaster Corridor
- SP-4: Century Villages at Cabrillo
Overlay Districts
Overlay districts provide additional regulations that apply in conjunction with the base zoning district [§ 21.30.040].
- (H): Horse Overlay
- (HR): High-Rise Overlay (Applicable only to CO, CC, CT, CS, and I districts) [§ 21.39.030]
- (HL): Height-Limit Overlay