Guide to Allowed and Prohibited Uses in the CO: Office Commercial District of Long Beach
In the City of Long Beach, the CO: Office Commercial District is primarily designated for professional offices and mixed residential developments at high densities. Under current regulations, land uses in the CO: Office Commercial District are governed by the same permissions as the CCN (Community R-4-N Commercial) district, allowing for a blend of service-oriented businesses and multi-family housing while prohibiting heavy industrial and high-impact automotive uses [Section 21.32.130].
Overview of the CO: Office Commercial District
The CO: Office Commercial District in the City of Long Beach was established to permit mixed residential and commercial uses specifically along major arterial routes [Section 21.32.020]. For the purposes of determining allowed and prohibited uses, the City of Long Beach utilizes a transition hierarchy where the CO: Office Commercial District follows the use regulations of the CCN (Community R-4-N Commercial) designation [Table 32-0].
Allowed Residential Uses
The CO: Office Commercial District permits a wide array of residential types, provided they meet the density requirements equivalent to the R-4-N district [Table 32-3A].
- Permitted by Right (Y): Single-family detached and attached dwellings, duplexes, three-family and four-family dwellings, multi-family dwellings, townhouses, and transitional or supportive housing [Table 31-1].
- Permitted as Accessory (A): Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and home occupations [Table 31-1].
- Conditional Use Permit Required (C): Mobile home parks and special group residences (such as fraternities or sororities) [Table 31-1].
Allowed Commercial and Professional Uses
As the name suggests, the CO: Office Commercial District is centered on professional services.
- Permitted by Right (Y): Accounting, advertising, architecture, bookkeeping, business headquarters, computer programming, engineering, law, marketing, medicine, real estate, and financial offices [Table 32-1].
- Financial Services: Banks, savings and loans, credit unions, and money transfer services are permitted by right [Table 32-1].
- Retail: Basic retail sales, including clothing, antiques, and books, are permitted by right. Secondhand stores are also permitted [Table 32-1].
- Dining: Restaurants and eating places without drive-through facilities are permitted by right [Table 32-1].
Allowed Institutional and Other Uses
- Institutional: Government offices, libraries, and museums are permitted by right. Daycare centers are also permitted by right [Table 32-1].
- Public/Semi-Public: Religious assembly uses up to 2,500 square feet are permitted by right; larger facilities require an Administrative Use Permit or Conditional Use Permit [Table 32-1].
- Recreation: Health clubs, gyms, and dance studios are permitted by right or via Administrative Use Permit depending on size [Table 32-1].
Prohibited Uses
To protect the professional and residential character of the CO: Office Commercial District, the City of Long Beach prohibits high-intensity or incompatible industrial and automotive activities.
- Prohibited (N): General auto repair (bodywork, painting), motorcycle or jet ski sales and repair, recreational vehicle storage, and general automobile sales [Table 32-1].
- Industrial: All manufacturing, resource extraction, and wholesaling that does not have a retail component are prohibited [Section 21.15.1460].
- Specific Exclusions: Adult entertainment businesses are prohibited unless they meet strict locational standards [Section 21.32.035]. Emergency shelters are generally not permitted in the standard CO/CCN use table [Table 32-1].
Development Standards for the CO: Office Commercial District
While uses follow the CCN district, the City of Long Beach maintains specific physical standards for the CO: Office Commercial District.
Physical Limits and Setbacks
| Development Standard | CO: Office Commercial District Requirement |
|---|---|
| Maximum Building Height | 40 feet [Table 32-2A] |
| Minimum Lot Size | 20,000 square feet [Table 32-2A] |
| Front Street Setback | 15 feet [Table 32-2A] |
| Side Street Setback | 15 feet [Table 32-2A] |
| Setback Adjacent to Residential (Side) | 10 feet [Table 32-2A] |
| Setback Adjacent to Residential (Rear) | 20 feet [Table 32-2A] |
Off-Street Parking Requirements
| Use Type | Required Number of Spaces |
|---|---|
| Professional Office | 4 per 1,000 GFA (up to 20,000 GFA) [Table 41-1C] |
| Banks/Financial | 5 per 1,000 GFA [Table 41-1C] |
| Retail Stores | 4 per 1,000 SF-GFA [Table 41-1C] |
| Medical Office/Clinic | 4 per 1,000 GFA [Table 41-1C] |
Sections Cited
- Section 21.15.1460 - Industrial
- Section 21.32.020 - Districts established
- Section 21.32.035 - Adult entertainment business
- Section 21.32.130 - Transition between defunct and new commercial zones
- Table 31-1 - Uses in Residential Zones
- Table 32-0 - CO, CH, and CT Uses in other Commercial Districts
- Table 32-1 - Uses In All Other Commercial Zoning Districts
- Table 32-2A - Commercial Development Standards
- Table 32-3A - Development Standards (Residential Uses in Commercial Districts)
- Table 41-1C - Required Number of Parking Spaces for Commercial, Industrial/Manufacturing and All Other Uses