Childcare and Daycare Facility Regulations in the City of Long Beach
In the City of Long Beach, small and large family daycare homes (serving 1 to 14 persons) are permitted as accessory uses in nearly all residential districts, provided the provider resides in the home. Daycare centers designed for 15 or more individuals are permitted by right in high-density residential and most commercial districts, while requiring a Conditional Use Permit in low-density residential, industrial, and park zones. All daycare centers in the City of Long Beach must provide a minimum of 75 square feet of outdoor play area per child and maintain a parking ratio of one space per ten children plus two dedicated loading zones [Section 21.52.249, Table 41-1C].
Classifications of Childcare in Long Beach
The Long Beach Municipal Code distinguishes between three primary types of childcare services based on the number of children served and the setting of the facility:
- Small Family Daycare Home: A home providing accessory daytime care for eight or fewer children, including children of the daycare provider who are under ten years of age [Section 21.15.490].
- Large Family Daycare Home: A home providing accessory daytime care for seven to 14 children, including children of the daycare provider who are under ten years of age [Section 21.15.480].
- Daycare Center: Any facility providing nonmedical care for an individual on less than a 24-hour basis. This category includes all daycare uses that do not qualify as a "child daycare home," such as preschools, nursery schools, and day nurseries [Section 21.15.720].
Permitted Districts for Childcare Facilities
The following table outlines the permissions for daycare facilities across the various zoning districts established by the City of Long Beach.
| Zoning District Category | Small/Large Family Daycare Home (1-14 Persons) | Daycare Center (15+ Persons) |
|---|---|---|
| Residential Districts (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, RM, RP) | Accessory Use (A) | Permitted (Y) in R-3 and R-4; Conditional (C) in R-1, R-2, and RM |
| Commercial Districts (CNP, CNA, CNR, CCA, CCP, CCR, CCN, CHW) | Not Listed | Permitted (Y) |
| Commercial Storage (CS) | Not Listed | Conditional Use (C) |
| Industrial Districts (IL, IM, IG, IP) | Not Listed | Conditional Use (C) |
| Institutional District (I) | Not Listed | Permitted (Y) |
| Park District (P) | Not Listed | Permitted (Y) for City/Co-ops; Conditional (C) for Nonprofits |
Note: In the R-4-M (Mobile Home Park) and RP (Planned Development) districts, daycare centers are generally prohibited (N) [Table 31-1].
Development and Operational Standards
The City of Long Beach imposes specific technical and operational standards to ensure daycare facilities are compatible with surrounding land uses.
Parking and Loading Requirements
All daycare centers must meet the off-street parking standards defined in the Long Beach Municipal Code to prevent traffic congestion during drop-off and pick-up periods.
| Facility Type | Required Number of Spaces |
|---|---|
| Daycare Centers | 1 space per every 10 children |
| Loading/Unloading | 2 dedicated spaces |
| Family Daycare Homes | Same as existing residential requirement [Table 51.276-2] |
Operational Conditions for Daycare Centers
Pursuant to the Long Beach Municipal Code, daycare centers (including nursery schools and preschools) must adhere to the following site and operational requirements:
- Outdoor Space: A minimum of 75 square feet of outdoor play area must be provided on-site for every child [Section 21.52.249].
- Hours of Operation: In residential districts, hours are restricted to between 6:00 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. [Section 21.52.249].
- Proximity: In residential districts, no other similar facility may be located within 2,640 feet (one-half mile) of the proposed center [Section 21.52.249].
Requirements for Family Daycare Homes
For a family daycare home to operate as an accessory use in the City of Long Beach, it must meet these criteria:
- Residency: The prime daycare provider must reside in the dwelling unit [Section 21.51.230].
- Signage: No signs are permitted for the daycare use other than those allowed for standard residential identification [Section 21.51.230].
- Licensing: The provider must obtain and maintain all required State of California licenses [Section 21.51.230].
- Noise: The use must comply with all City noise regulations as specified in Chapter 8.80 of the Long Beach Municipal Code [Section 21.51.230].
Sections Cited
- Section 21.15.480 - Child care—Large family daycare home
- Section 21.15.490 - Child care—Small family daycare home
- Section 21.15.720 - Daycare center
- Section 21.31.110 - Permitted uses (Residential)
- Section 21.32.110 - Permitted uses (Commercial)
- Section 21.33.060 - Permitted uses (Industrial)
- Section 21.34.110 - Permitted uses (Institutional)
- Section 21.35.110 - Permitted uses (Park)
- Section 21.41.216 - Parking—Required number of spaces
- Section 21.51.230 - Childcare—Small and large family daycare homes
- Section 21.52.249 - Nursery schools, day nurseries, preschools, childcare centers, daycare centers