Long Beach Community Commercial Automobile-Oriented (CCA) Zoning District Guide
The Community Commercial Automobile-Oriented (CCA) district in the City of Long Beach is established to provide a wide range of retail and service uses intended to serve the needs of an entire community, specifically focusing on locations along major or minor arterial streets. Key development standards for the Long Beach CCA district include a minimum lot size of 10,000 square feet and a maximum building height of 28 feet or two stories. This zoning designation emphasizes convenience and comparison shopping for goods and services, often located on larger lot sizes buffered from smaller-scale residential neighborhoods [Section 21.32.020].
Purpose and General Character
The primary purpose of the Community Commercial Automobile-Oriented (CCA) district is to manage the compatible and mutually beneficial interaction between commercial businesses, residential consumers, and industrial suppliers within the City of Long Beach [Section 21.32.010]. As a "Community Commercial" designation, the Long Beach CCA district serves an entire community rather than just a single neighborhood.
The character of the CCA district is defined by its orientation toward the automobile. It is typically situated on major or minor arterials where higher traffic volumes can support comparison shopping and regional services. These areas are characterized by larger lots and are designed to provide adequate buffering when they sit adjacent to residential zones [Section 21.32.020.C].
Permitted Land Uses
The City of Long Beach allows a diverse range of activities in the CCA district, spanning commercial, industrial, and limited residential uses.
Commercial and Automobile Uses
The CCA district is heavily focused on retail, financial, and vehicle-related services. Permitted uses include:
- Retail and Dining: Gasoline sales, limousine services, and restaurants with or without drive-through facilities [Section 21.32.110, Table 32-1].
- Automobile Services: Parking services (as a principal use), rental agencies, and car washes (subject to a conditional use permit) [Section 21.32.110, Table 32-1].
- Financial Services: Banks, credit unions, and escrow offices. Check cashing and payday loan businesses require a conditional use permit [Section 21.32.110, Table 32-1].
Public and Institutional Uses
The Long Beach CCA district permits several community-focused institutional uses:
- Assembly and Education: Religious assembly, public libraries, and tutoring centers (up to 2,500 square feet). Larger tutoring centers may require an administrative use permit [Section 21.32.110, Table 32-1].
- Health and Safety: Police stations, fire stations, and medical offices or outpatient surgical centers [Section 21.32.110, Table 32-1].
Residential Uses
While primarily commercial, the Long Beach CCA district does allow for certain residential integrations:
- Live-Work Units: Permitted by right [Section 21.32.110, Table 32-1].
- Caretaker Residences: Permitted as an accessory use via an administrative use permit [Section 21.32.110, Table 32-1].
- Artist Studios: Permitted with a residence via an administrative use permit [Section 21.32.110, Table 32-1].
Development Standards
Construction and site layout in the Long Beach CCA district must adhere to specific intensity and setback requirements to ensure compatibility with the surrounding urban fabric.
Site and Building Requirements
| Standard | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Minimum Lot Size | 10,000 square feet [Section 21.32.205] |
| Maximum Building Height | 28 feet and 2 stories [Section 21.32.210] |
| Maximum Flagpole Height | 25 feet [Section 21.32.201, Table 32-2] |
| Minimum Setback (Front Street) | 10 feet [Section 21.32.220, Table 32-2] |
| Minimum Setback (Side Street) | 10 feet [Section 21.32.220, Table 32-2] |
| Setback (Adjacent to Residential Side Yard) | 10 feet [Section 21.32.220, Table 32-2] |
| Setback (Adjacent to Residential Rear Yard) | 20 feet [Section 21.32.220, Table 32-2] |
Parking and Loading Standards
All off-street parking must be designed to avoid interfering with public right-of-way circulation [Section 21.41.110].
- Parking Setbacks: Parking areas in the CCA district must be set back 10 feet from front streets and 6 feet from side streets [Section 21.32.201, Table 32-2].
- Screening: If a parking lot abuts a residential district, a solid masonry wall between 3 feet and 6 feet 6 inches in height is required [Section 21.32.225].
- Driveways: For lots with 125 feet or more of frontage, two-way driveways must be located at least 90 feet from any intersection [Section 21.41.251].
Design and Performance Standards
The City of Long Beach requires all new or remodeled buildings in the CCA district to follow specific architectural guidelines:
- Architectural Themes: Themes, modules, and materials used on the main facade must be continued on all other facades [Section 21.32.230].
- Material Changes: Every side of a building must include both a primary and an accent material. Each must cover at least 10% of the facade [Section 21.32.230].
- Mechanical Equipment: All rooftop equipment, including air conditioning units and solar collectors, must be screened from public view on all sides [Section 21.32.225].
- Noise: Industrial or high-intensity commercial operations must discontinue activities producing noise higher than those permitted for residential districts between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. [Section 21.33.090].
Sections Cited
- Section 21.30.010 - Districts designated
- Section 21.32.010 - Purpose
- Section 21.32.020 - Districts established
- Section 21.32.110 - Permitted uses
- Section 21.32.205 - Lot size
- Section 21.32.210 - Building height
- Section 21.32.220 - Yards
- Section 21.32.225 - Screening required
- Section 21.32.230 - Design of buildings
- Section 21.33.090 - Performance standards
- Section 21.41.110 - Purpose
- Section 21.41.251 - Driveways and curb cuts