Long Beach Cannabis Dispensary and Delivery Service Zoning Regulations
In the City of Long Beach, Adult-Use Cannabis Dispensaries are permitted as a retail use within most Commercial Districts, while Adult-Use Delivery-Only Dispensaries are permitted in both Commercial and Industrial Districts (IL, IM, and IG). In several commercial zones, delivery-only services are restricted to the second floor or above, and facilities exceeding 750 square feet in any allowed district require a Conditional Use Permit [Table 32-1, Table 33-2]. All cannabis businesses are strictly prohibited within the City of Long Beach Residential, Institutional, Park, and Port-Related Industrial (IP) districts [Table 31-1, Table 34-1, Table 35-1, Section 21.33.060].
Permitted Districts for Cannabis Businesses
The City of Long Beach Municipal Code distinguishes between storefront retail dispensaries and delivery-only services. The following table outlines the specific permissions by district.
Zoning Permission Table
| District Type | District Name | Storefront Dispensary | Delivery-Only (<750 sq. ft.) | Delivery-Only (>750 sq. ft.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial | CNP, CNA, CNR, CCP, CCR, CCN | Permitted (Y) | 2nd Floor Only (Y*) | 2nd Floor Only (C*) |
| Commercial | CCA, CHW | Permitted (Y) | Permitted (Y) | Conditional (C) |
| Commercial | CS (Commercial Storage) | Prohibited (N) | Prohibited (N) | Prohibited (N) |
| Industrial | IL, IM, IG | Prohibited (N) | Permitted (Y) | Conditional (C) |
| Industrial | IP (Port-Related) | Prohibited (N) | Prohibited (N) | Prohibited (N) |
| Other | Residential, Park, Institutional | Prohibited (N) | Prohibited (N) | Prohibited (N) |
*Subject to floor-level restrictions in specific sub-districts [Table 32-1].
Specific District Designations
Commercial Districts
In the City of Long Beach, "Adult-Use Cannabis Dispensaries" (Storefront) are classified under SIC Code 59. These are permitted by right in the following commercial zones:
- Neighborhood Districts: CNP, CNA, and CNR.
- Community Districts: CCA, CCP, CCR, and CCN.
- Regional Districts: CHW [Table 32-1].
For "Adult-Use Cannabis Delivery-Only Dispensaries," the City of Long Beach permits them in the same districts listed above. However, in the CNP, CNA, CNR, CCP, CCR, and CCN zones, the use is restricted to the second floor and above [Table 32-1].
Industrial Districts
Storefront retail dispensaries are not listed as a permitted use in the City of Long Beach Industrial Districts. However, "Adult-Use Cannabis Delivery-Only Dispensaries" are permitted in the IL (Light Industrial), IM (Medium Industrial), and IG (General Industrial) zones [Table 33-2]. These businesses are explicitly prohibited in the IP (Port-Related Industrial) zone [Section 21.33.060, Note 10.b].
Special Development Standards for Delivery-Only Dispensaries
All Adult-Use Cannabis Delivery-Only Dispensaries in the City of Long Beach must adhere to the performance and design standards established in the zoning code to mitigate impacts on the surrounding environment.
| Feature | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Building Facades | Blank walls exceeding 20 feet are prohibited on street-facing elevations. |
| Articulation | Facades must include building plane breaks or three-dimensional elements. |
| Window Coverage | Windows must comprise at least 25% of the street-facing elevation. |
| Glass Transparency | Windows must be transparent with a daylight reflectance of no more than 8%. |
| Entrances | Main entrance must be clearly visible from the public right-of-way and locked at all times. |
| Distribution Area | A specific area must be designated for the secure transfer of products to vehicles. |
| Access Control | Lobbies must be used to retrieve persons and verify access privileges. |
[Section 21.45.700]
Prohibited Locations and Operational Restrictions
Cannabis businesses in the City of Long Beach are subject to the following location and operational prohibitions:
- Floor Restrictions: Delivery-only services are prohibited on the ground floor in Neighborhood Pedestrian (CNP), Neighborhood Automobile (CNA), Neighborhood Commercial/Residential (CNR), Community Pedestrian (CCP), Community R-4-R (CCR), and Community R-4-N (CCN) districts [Table 32-1].
- Noise and Nuisance: All facilities must comply with City of Long Beach noise ordinances and performance standards [Section 21.33.090, Section 21.57.020].
- Parking: All cannabis businesses must comply with the specific parking and loading requirements set forth in Titles 5.90 and 5.92 of the Long Beach Municipal Code [Section 21.15.113, Table 32-1].
Sections Cited
- Section 21.15.113 (Adult-Use Cannabis Dispensary)
- Section 21.15.114 (Adult-Use Cannabis Delivery-Only Dispensary)
- Section 21.33.060 (Permitted Uses, Industrial)
- Section 21.33.090 (Performance Standards)
- Section 21.45.700 (Adult-use cannabis delivery-only dispensaries)
- Table 31-1 (Uses in Residential Zones)
- Table 32-1 (Uses in All Other Commercial Zoning Districts)
- Table 33-2 (Uses in Industrial Districts)
- Table 34-1 (Uses in the Institutional District)
- Table 35-1 (Uses in Park Districts)