IM: Medium Industrial District Regulations in Long Beach
The IM: Medium Industrial District in the City of Long Beach is designed for intensive industrial and manufacturing operations, requiring a minimum lot size of 20,000 square feet and permitting a maximum lot coverage of 60 percent. This district allows for building heights up to 45 feet and mandates a significant 45-foot setback when industrial properties abut residential districts to mitigate environmental and noise impacts.
Purpose and General Character
The primary purpose of the IM: Medium Industrial District is to provide and enhance areas within the City of Long Beach for a broad range of industrial uses that support the local tax base and provide employment opportunities [Section 21.33.010].
The general character of the IM: Medium Industrial District is defined by intensive industrial processes that go beyond the "clean" or "non-nuisance" characteristics of light industrial zones. The district typically accommodates larger-scale operations, including:
- Intensive Manufacturing: Facilities such as factories that may generate significant truck traffic.
- Outdoor Storage: Uses that require extensive outdoor storage yards.
- Process-Oriented Uses: Industrial activities where the creation of the product is the primary focus of the site [Section 21.33.020.B].
Permitted Land Uses
In the City of Long Beach, land uses in the IM: Medium Industrial District are generally governed by the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes. The district allows for a mix of industrial, wholesale, and limited commercial activities.
Industrial and Manufacturing
Most manufacturing activities are permitted by right in the IM: Medium Industrial District, provided they are not within 300 feet of a residential zone. If a project is within this 300-foot buffer, it may require an Administrative Use Permit (AP) or a Conditional Use Permit (C) [Section 21.33.080].
- Manufacturing: Permitted for most SIC codes, including apparel, lumber, chemicals, and fabricated metal products [Table 33-2].
- Food Processing: Generally permitted, though some specific meat or canned goods processes may require a Conditional Use Permit [Table 33-2, Item 3].
- Construction-Related: Contractor's offices and limited outdoor storage are permitted [Table 33-2, Item 2].
- Wholesale Trade: Permitted for both durable and nondurable goods [Table 33-2, Item 6].
Commercial and Professional
While primarily industrial, the City of Long Beach allows specific commercial uses to serve the industrial workforce:
- Eateries: Restaurants without drive-through facilities are permitted by right [Table 33-2, Item 7.1].
- Professional Offices: Permitted subject to an Administrative Use Permit [Table 33-2, Item 9].
- Retail: Limited to uses that serve nearby employees, such as basic retail or automotive parts sales [Table 33-2, Item 7].
Institutional and Other Uses
- Public Services: Police stations and government offices are permitted or require an Administrative Use Permit [Table 33-2, Items 17 & 32].
- Cannabis: Cannabis cultivation is permitted by right in the IM: Medium Industrial District [Table 33-2, Item 1.2].
- Urban Agriculture: Permitted via an Administrative Use Permit [Table 33-2, Item 1.1].
General Development Standards
The City of Long Beach enforces specific dimensional and intensity standards to ensure that development within the IM: Medium Industrial District remains compatible with the surrounding infrastructure.
| Standard | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Minimum Lot Size | 20,000 sq. ft. |
| Maximum Lot Coverage | 60% |
| Maximum Building Height | 45 ft. |
| Maximum Non-Building Structure Height | 45 ft. |
| Maximum Accessory Office Space | 25% of Gross Floor Area |
[Source: Table 33-3]
Setbacks and Yard Requirements
Setbacks in the IM: Medium Industrial District are determined by the classification of the adjacent street or the nature of the neighboring property.
| Required Setback/Yard Area | IM District Requirement |
|---|---|
| Yard Fronting on Minor Arterial/Major Street | 10 ft. |
| Yard Fronting on Local or Collector Street | 0 ft. |
| Parking Lot Setback from a Street | 5 ft. |
| Yards Abutting Alleys | 10 ft. from centerline |
| Yards Abutting Residential District | 45 ft. |
| Yards Abutting Nonresidential District | 0 ft. |
[Source: Table 33-4]
Performance and Maintenance Standards
The City of Long Beach requires all industrial operations in the IM: Medium Industrial District to adhere to performance standards to protect public health and safety. These include:
- Noise: Must comply with Long Beach Municipal Code Chapter 8.80 [Section 21.33.090.C].
- Outdoor Storage: Permitted in side and rear yards but must be screened by a solid wall or fence at least as high as the material stored (up to 12 feet) [Section 21.33.150.B.1].
- Vibration and Emissions: Land uses must be controlled so that no noise, vibration, smoke, or particulate matter becomes a nuisance to adjacent properties [Section 21.10.020.N].
- Rooftop Equipment: All mechanical equipment must be screened from view on all sides [Section 21.33.180].
Sections Cited
- Section 21.10.020 - Purpose
- Section 21.30.040 - District boundary determination
- Section 21.33.010 - Purpose
- Section 21.33.020 - Districts established
- Section 21.33.060 - Permitted uses
- Section 21.33.080 - Meaning of the Y/AP and Y/C designations
- Section 21.33.090 - Performance standards
- Section 21.33.150 - Outdoor storage and activities
- Section 21.33.180 - Rooftop equipment screening
- Table 33-2 - Uses In Industrial Districts
- Table 33-3 - General Development Standards
- Table 33-4 - Minimum Required Setbacks/Yards Areas