CNP: Neighborhood Pedestrian-Oriented Commercial District in Long Beach
The CNP District in the City of Long Beach is a commercial designation specifically designed to foster active, pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods by requiring buildings to be located at the primary street frontage with parking situated to the rear [Section 21.32.020]. Development in this district is limited to a maximum height of 28 feet and two stories, and all projects must prioritize serving the local community and ensuring pedestrian orientation [Section 21.32.220, Section 21.52.247]. While various retail, personal service, and professional office uses are permitted by right, drive-through facilities and most automobile-related services are strictly prohibited to maintain the pedestrian character of the area [Table 32-1].
Purpose and Characteristics
The Neighborhood Pedestrian (CNP) District is established to serve the daily retail and service needs of surrounding residents in Long Beach. The district’s primary orientation is towards pedestrians, which is achieved by [Section 21.32.020]:
- Locating buildings along the primary street frontage.
- Placing parking areas behind the buildings.
- Encouraging pedestrian activity through specific architectural and site design requirements.
Allowed Uses (Permitted by Right)
The City of Long Beach allows the following uses within the CNP District as "Permitted" (Y), though some may be subject to specific development standards [Table 32-1]:
Retail and Personal Services
- Basic Retail Sales: General retail shops, including those selling used clothing, antiques, art, and books [Section 21.52.270.1].
- Restaurants: Eating places without drive-through facilities.
- Secondhand Stores: Shops selling used goods through consignment or direct sale.
- Personal Services: Barber/beauty shops, dry cleaners, locksmiths, shoe repair, and tailoring.
- Specific Specialized Retail: Book and video stores, flower/news carts, and pharmacies.
Professional and Financial Services
- Professional Offices: Including accounting, legal, medical, dental, architecture, and real estate services.
- Financial Services: Banks (ATM and walk-up services), escrow services, and money order services.
- Tutoring Centers: Facilities up to 2,500 square feet of gross floor area (GFA).
Public and Institutional
- Public Facilities: Public libraries and publicly run post-secondary schools.
- Recreation: Passive parks, urban agriculture, and live/movie theaters with 100 or fewer fixed seats.
- Religious Assembly: Facilities with up to 2,500 square feet of GFA and 100 or fewer occupants.
Conditionally Allowed Uses
Certain uses in the CNP District require either an Administrative Use Permit (AP) or a Conditional Use Permit (CUP). These permits are granted following a discretionary review to ensure the use is compatible with the surrounding Long Beach neighborhood [Section 21.52.100].
| Use Category | Permit Type | Specific Conditions/Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Alcoholic Beverage Sales | CUP | Required for off-premises or on-premises sales within 500 ft. of residential uses [Table 32-1]. |
| Cannabis Dispensaries | Y*/CUP* | Allowed only on the 2nd floor and above for certain dispensary types [Table 32-1]. |
| Fitness Facilities | AP | Required for facilities between 2,501 and 25,000 sq. ft. [Table 32-1]. |
| Hospital / Convalescent Home | CUP | Subject to specific institutional standards [Table 32-1]. |
| Indoor Amusement Facility | AP/CUP | AP for up to 6,000 sq. ft.; CUP for over 6,000 sq. ft. [Table 32-1]. |
| Artist Studio with Residence | AP | Permitted only as a mixed-use residential component [Table 32-1]. |
| Wireless Telecommunications | CUP | Includes monopoles and other freestanding facilities [Section 21.56.030]. |
Prohibited Uses
To protect the pedestrian-oriented environment of the CNP District, the City of Long Beach prohibits the following uses [Table 32-1]:
- Automobile Uses: Car washes, gasoline sales, general auto repair, tire stores, and vehicle sales/rentals.
- Drive-Through Facilities: All drive-through windows or lanes for any use (banks, restaurants, etc.) are strictly prohibited [Section 21.52.247].
- Industrial Uses: Manufacturing, assembly, and wholesale trade.
- Residential (Standalone): Standalone single-family or multi-family residential developments are not permitted; however, residential units may be part of a mixed-use project (e.g., Live-Work units).
- Specific Services: Pawnshops, car title loans, and payday loan businesses.
- Other: Billboards, cemeteries, and drive-in theaters.
Technical Development Standards
New construction and remodels in the CNP District must adhere to the following dimensional and site standards to ensure consistency with Long Beach pedestrian goals [Table 32-2]:
| Standard | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Minimum Lot Size | 5,000 square feet |
| Maximum Building Height | 28 feet / 2 stories |
| Front Street Setback | 0 feet (Buildings must be at the property line) |
| Side Street Setback | 0 feet |
| Interior Side Setback | 10 feet (if adjacent to a residential district) |
| Rear Yard Setback | 20 feet (if adjacent to a residential district) |
| Minimum Landscaping | 5-foot wide strip required where parking abuts a street [Section 21.33.145] |
Sections Cited
- Section 21.15.045 - Accessory Dwelling Unit
- Section 21.15.2530 - Sign Area
- Section 21.15.2770 - Signable Area
- Section 21.32.020 - Districts Established
- Section 21.32.220 - Yards
- Section 21.32.247 - Building Design in the CNP Zone
- Section 21.45.114 - Alcohol Beverage Manufacturing
- Section 21.52.100 - General Provisions (Conditional Uses)
- Section 21.52.201 - Alcoholic Beverage Sales Uses
- Section 21.52.247 - Building Design in the CNP Zone
- Section 21.52.270.1 - Secondhand Shops
- Section 21.56.030 - Permit Requirements for Wireless Facilities
- Table 32-1 - Uses in Other Commercial Zoning Districts
- Table 32-2 - Commercial Development Standards