CNP Neighborhood Pedestrian-Oriented Commercial District in Long Beach
The CNP District in the City of Long Beach is designed to foster high-quality, walkable urban environments by requiring buildings to be placed at the front property line with all parking situated to the rear. This district prioritizes neighborhood-serving retail, professional services, and dining while strictly prohibiting drive-through facilities and requiring extensive ground-floor window transparency to engage pedestrians. In specific coastal areas like Second Street, the Long Beach CNP District applies specialized parking reductions to maintain its unique commercial character.
Purpose and General Character
The Neighborhood Pedestrian (CNP) District is established by the City of Long Beach to serve the daily retail and service needs of surrounding residents while encouraging active pedestrian movement. The primary characteristic of the Long Beach CNP District is the placement of buildings directly along the primary street frontage to create a continuous "street wall" [Section 21.32.020.B.1]. To maintain a safe and inviting walking environment, the City of Long Beach mandates that all parking areas be located behind the buildings, away from the street view [Section 21.32.020.B.1].
Permitted Land Uses
The Long Beach CNP District permits a variety of commercial and service-oriented uses, provided they do not interfere with the pedestrian-oriented goals of the zone.
Key Permitted Uses (Y)
- Retail: Basic retail sales, including books, video rentals, apparel, and accessory stores [Table 32-1].
- Services: Professional offices (accounting, law, medical), tutoring centers up to 2,500 sq. ft., and shoe repair [Table 32-1].
- Dining: Restaurants and ready-to-eat food establishments [Table 32-1].
- Residential: Live-work units are permitted to allow for mixed-use functionality [Table 32-1].
Uses Requiring Administrative or Conditional Permits (AP/C)
- Alcohol Sales: On-premises and off-premises sales generally require a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) if located within 500 feet of a residential district [Table 32-1].
- Financial Institutions: Banks, credit unions, and savings and loans require an Administrative Use Permit (AUP) and must feature interior/exterior lighting and window displays that provide interest during non-operational hours [Section 21.52.208].
- Urban Agriculture: Permitted through an AUP [Table 32-1].
Prohibited Uses (N)
- Drive-Throughs: All drive-thru lanes and facilities are strictly prohibited in the Long Beach CNP District [Section 21.52.247.C].
- Automotive: General auto repair and vehicle sales are not permitted [Table 32-1].
- Billboards: Major billboards are prohibited in the CNP zone [Table 44-1].
Development and Design Standards
The City of Long Beach enforces specific construction standards to ensure that the CNP District remains human-scaled and visually permeable.
Technical Building Standards
| Standard | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Minimum Lot Size | 5,000 square feet |
| Maximum Building Height | 28 feet and 2 stories |
| Building Setback (Front/Side Street) | 0 feet |
| Parking Setback (Front Street) | 30 feet |
| Parking Setback (Side Street) | 6 feet |
| Maximum Flagpole Height | 25 feet |
[Source: Table 32-2]
Special Design Requirements
- Street Wall: At least two-thirds (2/3) of the front building facade must be located at the front property line to maintain the pedestrian enclosure [Section 21.32.230.D.2].
- Transparency: Ground floor windows must comprise at least two-thirds (2/3) of the area of the ground floor front facade. This glass must be clear with an exterior daylight reflectance of no more than 8 percent [Section 21.32.230.D.3].
- Entrances: Building entrances must be no more than one-third (1/3) of the width of the ground floor facade and must be recessed at least five feet (5') in depth [Section 21.32.230.D.4].
- Curb Cuts: Existing curb cuts from the primary pedestrian thoroughfare must be closed, and vehicular access must be taken from alleys or secondary streets [Section 21.52.247.D].
Parking Requirements in the Coastal Zone
In the City of Long Beach, "Area D" of the coastal zone (Second Street between Livingston Drive and Bayshore Avenue) is subject to a 50 percent reduction in the standard parking requirements for the CNP District [Section 21.41.226.A]. However, this reduction does not apply to new or converted restaurant spaces, which must meet full parking standards [Section 21.41.226.A.1].
Sections Cited
- Section 21.32.020 - Districts established
- Section 21.32.230 - Design of buildings
- Section 21.41.226 - Special parking requirements for CNP district
- Section 21.52.208 - Bank, credit union, savings and loan
- Section 21.52.247 - Building design in the CNP zone
- Table 32-1 - Uses in Other Commercial Zoning Districts
- Table 32-2 - Commercial Development Standards
- Table 44-1 - Zoning Districts for Major Signs