City of Long Beach Zoning and Site Plan Review Timelines
In the City of Long Beach, standard Site Plan Reviews are typically processed within 60 days of a completed application, while conceptual reviews are completed within 30 days. Most discretionary actions, including Conditional Use Permits and Standards Variances, require a public hearing to be scheduled or held within 60 days of the application being deemed complete. Larger legislative actions, such as Zone Changes or Development Agreements, generally require a Planning Commission hearing within 120 days of the initial request.
Standard Review Timelines by Procedure
The Long Beach Municipal Code establishes specific "Timely Action" deadlines for various planning and zoning procedures. These timelines generally begin once the Department of Development Services has determined an application is complete [Section 21.21.201].
| Procedure Type | Required Action Timeline |
|---|---|
| Site Plan Review (Standard) | 60 days from acceptance of complete application |
| Site Plan Review (Conceptual) | 30 days from acceptance of complete application |
| Administrative Land Use Review | 30 days for written notice of determination |
| Conditional Use Permit (CUP) | 60 days to set the matter for public hearing |
| Standards Variance | 60 days to hold a public hearing |
| Administrative Use Permit (AUP) | 60 days to set the matter for decision |
| Zone Change / Zoning Amendment | 120 days to enable a Planning Commission hearing |
| Development Agreement | 120 days for Planning Commission hearing |
| Classification of Uses | 60 days to hold a public hearing |
| Determination of Applicable Law | 60 days to set for Planning Commission hearing |
Site Plan Review Process
The City of Long Beach utilizes two levels of Site Plan Review. A Conceptual Site Plan Review is required for major projects prior to a formal filing and must be processed by the City within 30 days [Section 21.25.507]. A Standard Site Plan Review, which applies to residential projects of five or more units and commercial buildings over 1,000 square feet, must be completed within 60 days of the City's acceptance of a complete application [Section 21.25.507].
Discretionary Permits and Public Hearings
For projects requiring discretionary approval from the Zoning Administrator or the Planning Commission, the City of Long Beach adheres to the following hearing schedules:
Noticing Requirements
Whenever a public hearing is required in Long Beach, notice must be provided between 14 and 45 days prior to the hearing date [Section 21.21.302]. This notice is distributed to owners and occupants within a specific radius (typically 300 to 1,000 feet depending on the project type) [Section 21.21.302].
Permit Specifics
- Conditional Use Permits: The City of Long Beach Zoning Administrator must set the matter for a public hearing within 60 days of receiving a completed application [Section 21.25.207].
- Standards Variances: The responsible hearing body is required to hold a public hearing within 60 days of application completion [Section 21.25.309].
- Administrative Use Permits: The City must set the matter for decision within 60 days, though this may involve either the Zoning Administrator or the Planning Commission [Section 21.25.409].
Legislative Actions and Agreements
The City of Long Beach requires a longer lead time for actions that change the underlying zoning of a property. For a Zone Change or a Zoning Regulation Amendment, the Department of Development Services must take the necessary steps to enable the Planning Commission to hear the proposal within 120 days of the request [Section 21.25.108]. Similarly, for Development Agreements, the Director of Planning and Building has 120 days from a complete application to set the matter for a Planning Commission hearing [Section 21.29.030].
Appeals Timeline
If a decision is appealed in the City of Long Beach, the following timelines apply:
- Filing: An appeal must be filed within 10 days of the original decision [Section 21.21.502].
- Hearing: A public hearing for the appeal must be held within 60 days of the date the appeal was filed with the Planning Commission or City Clerk [Section 21.21.504].
- Extension: The Director of Development Services may provide a one-time extension of up to 90 days for the adjudication of an appeal [Section 21.21.504].
Sections Cited
- Section 21.21.201 - Application
- Section 21.21.302 - Noticing requirements for hearings
- Section 21.21.502 - Time to file appeal
- Section 21.21.504 - Time for conducting hearing of appeals
- Section 21.25.108 - Timely action
- Section 21.25.207 - Timely action
- Section 21.25.309 - Timely action
- Section 21.25.409 - Timely action
- Section 21.25.507 - Timely action
- Section 21.25.605 - Timely action
- Section 21.25.905 - Administrative Land Use Review
- Section 21.25.1105 - Timely action
- Section 21.29.030 - Public hearings