Authorized Hotel, Motel, and Lodging Districts in Long Beach
In the City of Long Beach, hotels and motels are primarily permitted within Community and Regional commercial districts, such as the CCA, CCR, and CHW Districts, typically requiring a Conditional Use Permit. Bed and breakfast inns are allowed as accessory uses in higher-density residential zones (R-3-T and R-4) and most commercial zones, while the Port-Related Industrial (IP) District permits hotels as support businesses. All lodging uses in the City of Long Beach are restricted to transient occupancy not exceeding 30 consecutive days and must meet strict off-street parking requirements, generally calculated at one space per guestroom [Section 21.15.1380, Section 21.52.235].
Permitted Districts for Lodging and Transient Occupancy
The Long Beach Zoning Regulations categorize lodging into several types, including hotels, motels, inns, and bed and breakfast establishments. The level of permission (Permitted, Accessory, or Conditional) varies significantly across the different zones of the City of Long Beach.
Commercial District Permissions
In the City of Long Beach commercial districts, lodging is generally viewed as a major commercial use. While some smaller types like inns require an Administrative Use Permit (AP), full-scale hotels and motels often require a Conditional Use Permit (C) to ensure compatibility with the surrounding neighborhood.
| Use Type | Neighborhood (CNP, CNA, CNR) | Community (CCA, CCP) | Community (CCR, CCN) | Regional (CHW) | Storage (CS) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hotel | Not Permitted | Conditional (C) | Conditional (C) | Conditional (C) | Not Permitted |
| Motel | Not Permitted | Not Permitted | Conditional (C) | Conditional (C) | Not Permitted |
| Inn | Not Permitted | Administrative (AP) | Administrative (AP) | Administrative (AP) | Not Permitted |
| Bed & Breakfast | Administrative (AP) | Administrative (AP) | Administrative (AP) | Administrative (AP) | Not Permitted |
[Table 32-1]
Residential District Permissions
The City of Long Beach strictly limits transient lodging in residential zones. While standard hotels and motels are prohibited, the City of Long Beach allows Bed and Breakfast inns and room rentals in specific high-density or townhouse-oriented residential districts.
- Bed and Breakfast Inns: These are permitted as an Accessory Use (AP) in the R-3-T, R-4-R, R-4-N, R-4-H, and R-4-U Districts. They are prohibited in all R-1, R-2, and low-density R-3 districts [Table 31-1].
- Room Rentals: The City of Long Beach allows room rentals as an Accessory Use (A) in all residential districts, provided they comply with standard accessory use conditions [Table 31-1].
Industrial and Port Permissions
In the Port-Related Industrial (IP) District, the City of Long Beach identifies hotels as an allowable "Ancillary Port Facility" or "Commercial/Recreational Facility" intended to support port operations and tourism, such as those near the Queen Mary [Section 21.33.020.D]. These are classified as Permitted (Y) uses within the IP District [Table 33-2].
Definitions and Occupancy Limits
To maintain the distinction between transient lodging and permanent residential housing, the City of Long Beach applies the following definitions:
- Hotel: A commercial land use providing six or more guestrooms for a period not more than 30 consecutive days. Entry must be from a common interior corridor [Section 21.15.1380].
- Motel: Similar to a hotel (six or more rooms, max 30 days) but distinguished by having entries that may be individual/independent from the outside [Section 21.15.1800].
- Inn: A commercial land use providing five or fewer guestrooms for a period not more than 30 consecutive days [Section 21.15.1465].
Off-Street Parking Standards
The City of Long Beach mandates specific parking ratios for lodging uses to prevent traffic congestion in commercial and residential areas.
| Lodging Type | Required Number of Parking Spaces |
|---|---|
| Hotel | 1 space per guestroom + additional spaces for banquet/meeting rooms or restaurants [Table 41-1C]. |
| Motel | 1 space per guestroom + 2 spaces for the motel manager's unit [Table 41-1C]. |
| Bed & Breakfast | 2 spaces for the operator + 1 space per guestroom [Section 21.52.209]. |
Special Development Standards
The City of Long Beach imposes additional conditions on hotels and motels through Section 21.52.235:
- Transient Occupancy: Facilities must not be converted to permanent housing without meeting all residential zoning requirements [Section 21.52.235.B].
- Design: Buildings should contribute to an active retail frontage by providing stores or cafes on the ground story of major streets [Section 21.52.235.E].
- Open Space: Facilities must provide at least 125 square feet of usable open space per guestroom. For buildings taller than three stories, common open space may be used to meet this requirement [Section 21.52.235.F].
Sections Cited
- Section 21.15.360 - Bed and Breakfast Inn
- Section 21.15.1380 - Hotel
- Section 21.15.1465 - Inn
- Section 21.15.1800 - Motel
- Section 21.31.110 - Permitted Uses (Residential)
- Section 21.32.110 - Permitted Uses (Commercial)
- Section 21.33.020 - Districts Established (Industrial)
- Section 21.41.216 - Parking—Required number of spaces
- Section 21.52.209 - Bed and breakfast inn (Special Conditions)
- Section 21.52.235 - Hotels/motels (Special Conditions)