CO: Office Commercial District Regulations in Long Beach
The CO: Office Commercial district in the City of Long Beach is designed for mixed residential and commercial development primarily located along major arterial routes. This district requires a minimum lot size of 20,000 square feet and generally limits building height to 40 feet, while strictly prohibiting drive-thru lanes for certain professional services [Section 21.32.020.A.1, Table 32-2A].
Purpose and General Character
The CO: Office Commercial district is established by the City of Long Beach to permit a blend of residential and commercial uses. Its primary function is to support professional offices and service-oriented businesses that benefit from high-visibility locations along major transportation corridors. The CO: Office Commercial district specifically implements Land Use District No. 8M of the City of Long Beach General Plan [Section 21.32.020.A.1].
The character of the CO: Office Commercial district is defined by its larger lot requirements and moderate height limits, intended to ensure that developments are compatible with the surrounding urban fabric while providing essential professional services to the community.
Permitted Land Uses
Land uses in the CO: Office Commercial district are categorized by whether they are permitted by right, require administrative approval, or require a conditional use permit.
Commercial and Professional Services
- Permitted by Right (Y): Accounting, advertising, architecture, bookkeeping, consulting, engineering, law, marketing, medicine, medical offices, real estate, and general professional offices not otherwise listed [Table 32-1].
- Administrative Use Permit Required (AP): Banks, credit unions, and savings and loans [Table 32-1].
- Conditional Use Permit Required (C): Gasoline service stations (though generally restricted in the IG district, they may appear in CO under specific conditions) [Table 32-1].
Residential Uses
The CO: Office Commercial district allows for specific residential integrations, provided they meet the standards of the R-4-N (Medium-density Multiple Residential) zone [Table 32-3A].
- Permitted by Right (Y): Live-Work units [Table 32-1].
- Administrative Use Permit Required (AP): Artist studios with residences and caretaker residences [Table 32-1].
Retail and Hospitality
- Permitted by Right (Y): Basic retail sales, book and video stores, and restaurants without drive-through facilities [Table 32-1].
- Administrative Use Permit Required (AP): Bed and breakfast inns and hotels [Table 32-1].
Development Standards
The City of Long Beach enforces specific physical requirements for all new construction and additions within the CO: Office Commercial district to maintain a consistent streetscape.
| Development Standard | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Minimum Lot Size | 20,000 sq. ft. |
| Maximum Building Height | 40 ft. (High-rise overlay may apply in specific areas) |
| Maximum Flagpole Height | 25 ft. |
| Front Street Setback | 15 ft. (May be reduced to 10 ft. via site plan review) |
| Side Street Setback | 15 ft. |
| Setback: Adjacent to Residential Side Yard | 10 ft. |
| Setback: Adjacent to Residential Rear Yard | 20 ft. |
| Setback: Adjacent to Nonresidential District | 5 ft. |
[Table 32-2A].
Parking and Loading Requirements
The City of Long Beach requires that the CO: Office Commercial district provide adequate off-street parking to prevent congestion on major arterials.
| Use Type | Required Number of Parking Spaces |
|---|---|
| Professional/Medical Office | 4 per 1,000 sq. ft. GFA |
| Banks / Financial Services | 5 per 1,000 sq. ft. GFA |
| Basic Retail Stores | 4 per 1,000 sq. ft. SF-GFA |
| Ready to Eat Restaurant | 4 per 1,000 sq. ft. GFA |
| Off-site Parking Distance | Within 600 ft. of the use |
[Table 41-1C, Section 21.41.222].
Special Parking Setbacks
In the CO: Office Commercial district, parking areas must adhere to the following setbacks from property lines:
- Front Street: 30 ft.
- Side Street: 15 ft.
- Alley: 14 ft.
- Adjacent to Residential District: 5 ft.
- Adjacent to Nonresidential District: 5 ft. [Table 32-2A].
Sections Cited
- Section 21.15.110 - Adult entertainment business.
- Section 21.32.020 - Districts established (Commercial).
- Table 32-1 - Uses in All Other Commercial Zoning Districts.
- Table 32-2A - Commercial Development Standards.
- Table 32-3A - Residential Uses in Commercial Districts.
- Section 21.41.222 - Off-site parking.
- Table 41-1C - Required Number of Parking Spaces for Commercial, Industrial/Manufacturing and All Other Uses.