Allowed and Prohibited Uses in the CH: Highway Commercial District of Long Beach
In the City of Long Beach, the CH: Highway Commercial district is intended to preserve and enhance automobile-oriented commercial uses that require high visibility and large frontages along major highways [Section 21.32.020]. Under the current Long Beach Zoning Regulations, properties designated as CH are regulated by the same use permissions as the CHW (Regional Highway Commercial) district, which strictly prohibits permanent residential uses such as single-family or multi-family dwellings [Section 21.32.130, Table 32-0].
Overview of the CH District
The CH District implements Land Use District No. 8A of the Long Beach General Plan. It focuses on mixed-scale commercial uses located along major arterial streets and regional traffic corridors [Section 21.32.020]. For administrative purposes, the City of Long Beach treats CH zoning as equivalent to the CHW (Regional Highway Commercial) classification for determining permitted, accessory, and prohibited uses [Table 32-0].
Permitted and Prohibited Uses
Uses are classified as Permitted by Right (Y), subject to an Administrative Use Permit (AP), subject to a Conditional Use Permit (C), allowed as an Accessory Use (A), or Not Permitted (N).
Commercial and Industrial Uses
| Use Category | Permission Level | Additional Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Alcoholic Beverage Manufacturing (ABM) | Y | Subject to Section 21.45.114 |
| Gasoline Sales | Y | |
| Minor Auto Repair | Y | |
| Basic Retail Sales | Y | Includes clothing, books, etc. |
| Adult-Use Cannabis Dispensary | Y | Subject to Title 5.92 |
| Car Wash | AP | |
| Diesel Fuel Sales | AP | |
| Motorcycle or Jet Ski Sales/Repair | AP | |
| Drive-Through Facilities | C | |
| General Auto Repair | C | |
| Hotel or Motel | C | |
| Self-Storage | N | Not permitted in CHW/CH |
| Commercial Laundry | N | Not permitted for commercial customers |
Entertainment and Recreation
| Use Category | Permission Level | Additional Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurant with Entertainment | Y | |
| Indoor Amusement Facility (<6,000 sq. ft.) | Y | Arcades, bowling, etc. |
| Dancing (as an accessory use) | Y | Requires City Council hearing for license |
| Live/Movie Theater (<100 seats) | AP | |
| Live/Movie Theater (>100 seats) | C | |
| Outdoor Amusement Facility | AP | |
| Drive-in Theater | N |
Institutional and Public Uses
| Use Category | Permission Level | Additional Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Daycare or Pre-school | Y | |
| Religious Assembly | Y | Up to 25,000 sq. ft. of GFA |
| Public Library | Y | |
| Hospital | C | Subject to Section 21.34.020 |
| Private Elementary/Secondary School | C | |
| Social Service Facility (with food) | C |
Residential Uses
The CH (CHW) District strictly limits residential activity to specific configurations.
- Prohibited (N): Single-family dwellings, multi-family dwellings, senior housing, and disabled housing are explicitly not permitted [Table 32-1].
- Allowed: Live-Work units are permitted (Y). Artist studios with residences and caretaker residences are allowed via an Administrative Use Permit (AP). Special group residences and transitional housing may be allowed via a Conditional Use Permit (C) [Table 32-1].
Development Standards for the CH District
Developments in the Long Beach CH District must adhere to specific site and building requirements to ensure compatibility with the regional highway environment [Table 32-2A].
| Development Standard | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Minimum Lot Size | 10,000 square feet |
| Maximum Building Height | 40 feet |
| Front Street Setback (Building) | 10 feet |
| Side Street Setback (Building) | 5 feet |
| Setback adjacent to Residential District | 10 feet (side) / 20 feet (rear) |
| Front Street Setback (Parking) | 5 feet |
Off-Street Parking Requirements
Parking requirements in Long Beach are calculated based on the Gross Floor Area (GFA) or specific units of the use [Table 41-1C].
| Use Type | Required Number of Parking Spaces |
|---|---|
| Basic Retail or Personal Service | 4 spaces per 1,000 sq. ft. GFA |
| Professional Office | 4 spaces per 1,000 sq. ft. GFA |
| Restaurant (Ready-to-Eat) | 4 spaces per 1,000 sq. ft. GFA |
| Bank / Financial Service | 5 spaces per 1,000 sq. ft. GFA |
| Automobile Sales | 2 spaces per 1,000 sq. ft. GFA (interior showroom) |
Sections Cited
- Section 21.32.020 (Commercial Districts Established)
- Section 21.32.110 (Permitted Uses)
- Section 21.32.130 (Transition between defunct and new commercial zones)
- Table 32-0 (CO, CH, and CT Uses in other Commercial Districts)
- Table 32-1 (Uses in All Other Commercial Zoning Districts)
- Table 32-2A (Commercial Development Standards)
- Table 41-1C (Required Number of Parking Spaces for Commercial Uses)