CHW: Regional Highway Commercial District Allowed and Prohibited Uses in Long Beach
The CHW: Regional Highway Commercial district in Long Beach provides for mixed-scale commercial activities along major arterial streets and regional traffic corridors. Residential dwellings, including single-family and multi-family units, are strictly prohibited in the Long Beach CHW: Regional Highway Commercial zone. Most commercial operations in this district require specific lot sizes and are subject to height restrictions to maintain the character of regional thoroughfares.
Purpose of the CHW: Regional Highway Commercial District
The City of Long Beach established the CHW: Regional Highway Commercial district to accommodate large-scale, mixed commercial uses located specifically on major arterial streets and regional traffic corridors [Section 21.32.020]. The primary goal of the Long Beach CHW: Regional Highway Commercial designation is to facilitate high-intensity commercial activity that serves both local and regional consumers, while explicitly excluding any form of residential development [Section 21.32.020.D.1].
Development Standards for the CHW: Regional Highway Commercial District
Before reviewing specific uses, developers in Long Beach must adhere to the following site development standards for the CHW: Regional Highway Commercial zone:
| Development Standard | CHW: Regional Highway Commercial Requirement |
|---|---|
| Minimum Lot Size | 20,000 square feet |
| Maximum Building Height | 28 feet (2 stories) |
| Minimum Front Street Setback | 10 feet |
| Minimum Side Street Setback | 10 feet |
| Minimum Setback (Adjacent to Residential Side Yard) | 10 feet |
| Minimum Setback (Adjacent to Residential Rear Yard) | 20 feet |
| Minimum Parking Setback (Front Street) | 6 feet |
| Minimum Parking Setback (Side Street) | 6 feet |
| Alley Setback (Measured from Centerline) | 14 feet |
| Maximum Flagpole Height | 25 feet |
Note: In all cases, a minimum setback of 10 feet from the curb face is required [Table 32-2, Note (a)].
Allowed Uses (Permitted by Right)
In the City of Long Beach, the following uses are permitted by right (designated as "Y") or as accessory uses (designated as "A") within the CHW: Regional Highway Commercial district [Table 32-1]:
Retail and Service Uses
- Basic Retail Sales: Includes general merchandise, clothing, and books [Section 21.15.2340].
- Building Supply/Hardware: Permitted provided they do not involve large-scale lumber or masonry yards (which are considered industrial) [Table 32-1].
- Professional Services: Accounting, legal, medical, architecture, and engineering offices [Table 32-1].
- Restaurants: Eating places without drive-through facilities [Table 32-1].
- Banks and Financial Services: Includes credit unions, escrow, and money transfer services [Table 32-1].
- Personal Services: Barber/beauty shops, dry cleaners, and locksmiths [Table 32-1].
- Tattoo Parlors: Subject to special performance standards in Section 21.45.166 [Table 32-1].
Automobile and Transportation Uses
- Gasoline Sales: Retail fuel stations [Table 32-1].
- Limousine Service: Operation of professional transportation services [Table 32-1].
- Parking Services: Commercial parking lots as a principal use [Table 32-1].
- Rental Agencies: Automobile and vehicle rental offices [Table 32-1].
Institutional and Public Uses
- Community Assembly: Facilities for public or private meetings (<25% of GFA) [Table 32-1].
- Religious Assembly: Houses of worship [Table 32-1].
- Public Libraries and Parks: Passive parks and municipal library facilities [Table 32-1].
Uses Requiring Discretionary Permits
Many high-intensity uses in Long Beach require either an Administrative Use Permit (AP) or a Conditional Use Permit (C) within the CHW: Regional Highway Commercial district to ensure they do not negatively impact traffic or surrounding neighborhoods [Table 32-1].
Uses Requiring Administrative Use Permits (AP)
- Minor Auto Repair: Routine maintenance such as tune-ups and oil changes [Section 21.15.290].
- Motorcycle/Jet Ski Sales and Repair: Sales and maintenance of power sports equipment [Table 32-1].
- Live or Movie Theaters: Specifically those with 100 fixed seats or fewer [Table 32-1].
- Veterinary Clinics: Medical facilities for animals (without outdoor boarding) [Table 32-1].
Uses Requiring Conditional Use Permits (C)
- Drive-Through Facilities: Any retail or restaurant use with a drive-up window [Section 21.45.130].
- Car Washes: Full-service or self-service vehicle cleaning facilities [Table 32-1].
- General Auto Repair: Major repair work including bodywork and engine replacement [Section 21.15.280].
- Alcoholic Beverage Sales: Both on-premises and off-premises sales require a CUP [Section 21.52.201].
- Check Cashing and Payday Loans: High-interest lending and financial services [Section 21.52.212].
- Hospitals: General medical and surgical centers [Table 32-1].
Prohibited Uses
The City of Long Beach explicitly prohibits several uses in the CHW: Regional Highway Commercial district to preserve the area for mixed-scale commercial development [Table 32-1]:
- Residential Dwellings: This includes single-family detached homes, duplexes, multi-family apartments, and condominiums [Section 21.32.020.D.1].
- Supportive and Transitional Housing: Facilities providing long-term housing for vulnerable populations are not allowed in this zone [Table 32-1].
- Recreational Vehicle Storage: The long-term storage of RVs as a principal business [Table 32-1].
- Drive-in Theaters: Outdoor movie venues where patrons remain in vehicles [Table 32-1].
- Self-Storage Facilities: Mini-warehouse or personal storage businesses [Table 32-1].
- Commercial Laundries: Large-scale industrial laundry operations (unlike neighborhood laundromats) [Table 32-1].
- Recycling Centers: Facilities for the processing of recycled materials (not including small collection containers) [Table 32-1].
Sections Cited
- Section 21.15.280 (Auto repair, major)
- Section 21.15.290 (Auto repair, minor)
- Section 21.15.2340 (Retail sales)
- Section 21.32.020 (Districts established)
- Section 21.32.205 (Lot size)
- Section 21.45.130 (Drive-through facilities)
- Section 21.45.166 (Tattoo parlors)
- Section 21.52.201 (Alcoholic beverage sales uses)
- Section 21.52.212 (Check cashing and payday loans)
- Table 32-1 (Uses In All Other Commercial Zoning Districts)
- Table 32-2 (Commercial Development Standards)