Community Commercial Automobile-Oriented (CCA) District Land Use Regulations
The City of Long Beach Community Commercial Automobile-Oriented (CCA) District is a zoning designation primarily intended to provide a wide range of retail and service uses for the entire community, specifically focused on areas along major or minor arterial roadways. In the City of Long Beach, the CCA District typically requires a minimum lot size of 10,000 square feet and limits building height to 28 feet and 2 stories. While the City of Long Beach allows diverse commercial and financial activities by right in this zone, many automotive-related services require Administrative Use Permits or Conditional Use Permits to ensure compatibility with surrounding neighborhoods.
Purpose and Intent of the CCA District
The Community Commercial Automobile-Oriented (CCA) District is established to support retail and service uses that serve the broader community and often involve customers arriving by vehicle. These districts are located on major or minor arterials and are generally characterized by larger lot sizes. The Long Beach Municipal Code requires these districts to be buffered when they are located adjacent to smaller-scale residential neighborhood uses [Section 21.32.020].
Technical Development Standards
The City of Long Beach mandates specific standards for buildings and parking lot placement within the Community Commercial Automobile-Oriented (CCA) District to maintain public safety and aesthetic consistency.
Building and Site Standards
| Standard | Requirement in CCA District |
|---|---|
| Minimum Lot Size | 10,000 square feet |
| Maximum Building Height | 28 feet and 2 stories |
| Maximum Flagpole Height | 25 feet |
| Front Street Setback (Building) | 10 feet |
| Side Street Setback (Building) | 10 feet |
| Setback Adjacent to Residential Side Yard | 10 feet |
| Setback Adjacent to Residential Rear Yard | 20 feet |
| Setback Adjacent to Nonresidential District | 5 feet |
Parking and Loading Setbacks
| Parking Setback Area | Requirement in CCA District |
|---|---|
| Front Street | 10 feet |
| Side Street | 6 feet |
| Alley | 14 feet |
| Adjacent to Residential District | 5 feet |
| Adjacent to Nonresidential District | 5 feet |
[Table 32-2]
Permitted and Prohibited Uses
The City of Long Beach uses Table 32-1 to define specific permissions for the Community Commercial Automobile-Oriented (CCA) District. Uses are categorized as Permitted (Y), Not Permitted (N), Conditional Use Permit required (C), Administrative Use Permit required (AP), or Accessory Use (A).
Permitted Uses (Y)
The following uses are allowed by right in the City of Long Beach CCA District:
- Retail/Commercial: Basic retail sales, building supply or hardware stores (without lumber/drywall/masonry), flower or news carts, and secondhand stores [Table 32-1].
- Automotive: Gasoline sales, limousine service, and parking services (as a principal use) [Table 32-1].
- Professional Services: Accounting, legal, medical, and dental offices; tutoring centers up to 2,500 square feet; and escrow or stock brokers [Table 32-1].
- Food and Lodging: Restaurants without drive-through facilities and Live-Work units [Table 32-1].
- Institutional: Public libraries, religious assembly (up to 25,000 square feet), and daycare or preschool facilities [Table 32-1].
Administrative Use Permit Required (AP)
The following activities require a higher level of staff review in the City of Long Beach CCA District:
- Minor auto repair (including tune-ups and smog tests).
- Vehicle parts sales (with or without installation).
- Motorcycle or jet ski sales and repair.
- Outdoor sales events and thrift stores (used merchandise).
- Indoor amusement or entertainment facilities exceeding 6,000 square feet.
- Funeral, mortuary, and social service offices (without food distribution).
Conditional Use Permit Required (C)
The City of Long Beach requires a public hearing and conditional approval for uses with higher neighborhood impacts in the CCA District:
- Alcoholic Beverage Sales: Both off-premises and on-premises sales generally require a CUP [Table 32-1].
- Automotive: Car washes and drive-through facilities for any use (including restaurants and banks) [Table 32-1].
- Financial: Car title loans, check cashing, payday loans, and signature loans [Table 32-1].
- Institutional: Hospitals, convalescent homes, and private schools [Table 32-1].
- Entertainment: Private clubs, social clubs, or nightclubs (especially if within 500 feet of residential uses) [Table 32-1].
Prohibited Uses (N)
The following uses are explicitly not permitted within the City of Long Beach CCA District:
- Automotive: General auto repair (including bodywork and painting) and recreational vehicle storage [Table 32-1].
- Residential: Single-family dwellings, duplexes, multi-family dwellings, and senior/disabled housing (unless part of a Live-Work or specific historic landmark conversion) [Table 32-1].
- Entertainment: Drive-in theaters and mock boxing or wrestling [Table 32-1].
- Industrial: Manufacturing (except for products sold on-site), industrial laundry services, and self-storage (indoor or outdoor) [Table 32-1].
Special Performance Standards
Any industrial or manufacturing use that may be permitted via the "manufacture of products sold on-site" category must adhere to strict performance standards. These include the requirement that no noise, vibration, smoke, or odor is generated that creates a risk to public health or becomes a nuisance to adjacent Long Beach properties [Section 21.10.020.N]. Furthermore, all businesses in the CCA District must comply with Long Beach noise regulations and shield lighting so it is not visible from any adjoining residential district [Section 21.33.090].
Sections Cited
- Section 21.10.020 - Purpose
- Section 21.32.020 - Districts established
- Section 21.32.110 - Permitted uses
- Section 21.32.120 - Prohibited uses
- Section 21.32.205 - Lot size
- Section 21.32.210 - Building height
- Section 21.32.220 - Yards
- Section 21.33.090 - Performance standards
- Section 21.41.223 - Adjustment of parking requirements
- Section 21.44.035 - Discretionary processes
- Table 32-1 - Uses In All Other Commercial Zoning Districts
- Table 32-2 - Commercial Development Standards