Fitness Center and Gymnasium Zoning Regulations in Long Beach
In the City of Long Beach, fitness centers and gymnasiums are primarily permitted in Neighborhood and Community Commercial districts, with facilities under 2,500 square feet allowed by right (Y) in most cases. Larger facilities between 2,501 and 25,000 square feet typically require an Administrative Use Permit (AP), while those exceeding 25,000 square feet may require a Conditional Use Permit (C) or are prohibited in certain zones like CNP and CNA. The Light Industrial (IL) district also allows health clubs subject to an Administrative Use Permit, while they are generally prohibited in the IM, IG, and IP industrial zones.
Authorized Zoning Districts for Fitness Facilities
The City of Long Beach classifies gymnasiums and fitness centers under several categories, including "Fitness Facility," "Health Club," and "Assembly Use." According to the City of Long Beach Municipal Code, the following permissions apply based on the facility size and the specific zoning district.
Commercial Zoning Districts
Most commercial districts in the City of Long Beach allow fitness facilities, but the level of discretionary review increases with the size of the building area.
| Facility Size | CNP, CNA, CNR, CCA, CCP, CCR, CCN, CHW | CS (Commercial Storage) |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 2,500 sq. ft. | Permitted (Y) | Not Permitted (N) |
| 2,501 to 25,000 sq. ft. | Administrative Use Permit (AP) | Not Permitted (N) |
| Over 25,000 sq. ft. | Conditional Use Permit (C) or AP* | Not Permitted (N) |
*Note: In the CNR and CHW districts, facilities over 25,000 square feet require an Administrative Use Permit (AP). In the CCA, CCP, CCR, and CCN districts, they require a Conditional Use Permit (C). They are not permitted (N) in the CNP and CNA districts [Table 32-1].
Industrial Zoning Districts
In industrial areas of the City of Long Beach, fitness centers (listed as "Health clubs and the like") are significantly more restricted to protect industrial sanctuaries.
- Light Industrial (IL): Allowed subject to an Administrative Use Permit (AP) [Table 33-2].
- Medium Industrial (IM), General Industrial (IG), and Port-Related Industrial (IP): Not permitted (N) [Table 33-2].
Park and Institutional Districts
- Park (P) District: "Athletic facilities including sports fields, swimming pools, courts and the like" are permitted (Y) [Table 35-1]. General recreational facilities are allowed as an accessory use (A) [Table 35-1].
- Institutional (I) District: Recreational facilities are permitted only as an accessory use (A) [Table 34-1].
Development and Performance Standards
The City of Long Beach imposes specific standards on fitness facilities to ensure they do not negatively impact surrounding properties.
Definitions and Use Characteristics
A "Fitness Facility" is defined as a primarily indoor establishment that may include weight training, swimming pools, sport courts, exercise rooms, yoga or martial arts classes, saunas, and spas [Section 21.15.1054].
Parking Requirements
The City of Long Beach requires specific parking ratios for fitness-related uses to prevent traffic congestion in the public right-of-way.
| Use Type | Required Parking Spaces |
|---|---|
| Health Club / Ready to Eat Restaurant | 4 spaces per 1,000 sq. ft. of Gross Floor Area (GFA) |
| Athletic Club | 5 spaces + 4 spaces per 1,000 sq. ft. GFA; or 1 per 3 spectator seats (whichever is greater) |
| Exercise Floors (within Athletic Club) | 20 spaces per 1,000 sq. ft. GFA |
[Table 41-1C]
Special Conditions for Approval
For any fitness facility or health club requiring a permit, the City of Long Beach requires the applicant to demonstrate that the use provides adequate parking for peak demand [Section 21.52.232]. Additionally, in neighborhood-oriented commercial zones (CNP, CNA, and CNR), these facilities are generally limited to a maximum of 5,000 square feet of gross usable floor area unless otherwise specified [Section 21.52.232].
Sections Cited
- Section 21.15.1054 (Definitions - Fitness Facility)
- Section 21.15.245 (Definitions - Assembly Use)
- Table 31-1 (Uses in Residential Zones)
- Table 32-1 (Uses in Commercial Zones)
- Table 33-2 (Uses in Industrial Districts)
- Table 34-1 (Uses in Institutional District)
- Table 35-1 (Uses in Park Districts)
- Section 21.52.232 (Special Conditions - Fitness or health club)
- Table 41-1C (Required Number of Parking Spaces)