Commercial Storage (CS) District Use and Development Standards in Long Beach
In the City of Long Beach, the Commercial Storage (CS) District is specifically designated for areas where parcel shape, access, or environmental conditions make standard commercial development difficult. The City of Long Beach utilizes this zoning to encourage storage-based uses that serve as buffers between incompatible land uses, generally allowing for self-storage and vehicle storage by conditional permit while prohibiting most retail and residential activities [Section 21.32.020].
Permitted and Accessory Uses
Within the City of Long Beach, certain uses are allowed by right (Y) or as an accessory to a primary use (A) in the Commercial Storage (CS) District. These uses are typically low-intensity or serve the primary storage function of the site.
Allowed by Right or as Accessory
- Alcoholic Beverage Manufacturing: Permitted by right, though accessory tasting rooms are classified as an accessory use [Table 32-1].
- Public and Institutional Uses: Public libraries, publicly run post-secondary schools, and group homes (6 or fewer persons) are permitted by right [Table 32-1].
- Recreation and Temporary Uses: Amusement machines (4 or fewer), shoeshine stands, and vending machines are allowed as accessory uses. Carnivals, exhibitions, and construction trailers are permitted as temporary uses [Table 32-1].
- Agricultural Uses: Urban agriculture and news/flower carts are permitted by right [Table 32-1].
- Other Accessory Uses: Unattended donation boxes and safe parking sites (when accessory to an existing institutional use) are permitted [Table 32-1].
Conditional and Administrative Uses
Many primary functions in the Commercial Storage (CS) District require a higher level of review. These are designated as requiring either a Conditional Use Permit (C) or an Administrative Use Permit (AP) in the City of Long Beach.
Uses Requiring Discretionary Permits
- Primary Storage Uses: Indoor-only self-storage and recreational vehicle storage are permitted only with a Conditional Use Permit [Table 32-1].
- Automotive Services: Car washes, auto detailing (hand-held or accessory), and principal-use parking services require a Conditional Use Permit [Table 32-1].
- Lodging: Hotels are allowed in the CS district subject to a Conditional Use Permit [Table 32-1].
- Institutional: Daycare centers and preschools require a Conditional Use Permit [Table 32-1].
- Infrastructure: Communication facilities (monopoles) and wireless telecommunications facilities require a Conditional Use Permit [Table 32-1].
- Special Services: Primary-use massage establishments and caretaker residences require an Administrative Use Permit [Table 32-1].
Prohibited Uses
The City of Long Beach strictly prohibits most high-traffic or high-intensity commercial and residential uses within the Commercial Storage (CS) District to maintain the district's intended buffer function.
Strictly Prohibited Activities
- Retail and Finance: Basic retail sales, grocery stores, pharmacies, banks, credit unions, and all forms of check cashing or payday loans are prohibited [Table 32-1].
- Residential: Single-family detached/attached dwellings, duplexes, triplexes, and standard multi-family developments are not allowed [Table 32-1].
- Auto-Related: General auto repair, gasoline sales, diesel fuel sales, and vehicle sales are prohibited [Table 32-1].
- Cannabis: Adult-use cannabis dispensaries and delivery-only dispensaries are prohibited in the CS district [Table 32-1].
- High-Intensity Entertainment: Restaurants (with or without drive-throughs), bars, nightclubs, theaters, and dance halls are prohibited [Table 32-1].
Technical Development Standards
Development within the City of Long Beach Commercial Storage (CS) District must adhere to specific spatial and intensity requirements.
| Standard | Requirement in CS District |
|---|---|
| Minimum Lot Size | 10,000 square feet |
| Maximum Building Height | 28 feet (not to exceed 2 stories) |
| Front Street Setback | 15 feet |
| Side Street Setback | 15 feet |
| Setback Adjacent to Nonresidential District | 5 feet |
| Setback Adjacent to Residential (Side Yard) | 10 feet |
| Setback Adjacent to Residential (Rear Yard) | 20 feet |
[Source: Table 32-2]
Parking Requirements for Storage Uses
The City of Long Beach mandates specific parking ratios for the primary uses intended for this district:
| Use | Required Parking Spaces |
|---|---|
| Self-storage (Indoor Only) | 3 spaces plus 1 space per 100 storage units |
| Service/Storage Yards | 1 space per 5,000 sq. ft. of yard area (min. 2 spaces) |
| Wholesale Sales/Distribution | 3 spaces per 1,000 sq. ft. GFA |
[Source: Table 41-1C]
Sections Cited
- Section 21.15.020 - Definitions
- Section 21.30.010 - Districts Designated
- Section 21.32.020 - Commercial Districts Established
- Table 32-1 - Uses in All Other Commercial Zoning Districts
- Table 32-2 - Commercial Development Standards
- Table 41-1C - Required Number of Parking Spaces