Long Beach IG: General Industrial District Allowed and Prohibited Uses
The IG: General Industrial District in the City of Long Beach is designated as an "industrial sanctuary" intended to preserve land for heavy manufacturing, chemical plants, and large-scale operations. While the City of Long Beach permits a wide array of industrial and wholesale uses by right, any building or outdoor activity located 300 feet or less from a residential district triggers a requirement for discretionary review through an Administrative or Conditional Use Permit [Section 21.33.020.C, Section 21.33.080].
Purpose and Character of the IG District
The City of Long Beach establishes the IG: General Industrial District to provide a location for industries that may not be desirable in other districts due to their operating characteristics, such as noise, vibration, or odors. The district is intended to protect these industrial uses from non-industrial users who might object to such activities. Common operations in the Long Beach IG district include rail yards, construction yards with heavy equipment, and state-of-the-art manufacturing plants [Section 21.33.020.C].
The 300-Foot Discretionary Review Rule
A critical factor for any use in the Long Beach IG district is its proximity to residential property. The City of Long Beach utilizes a "threshold of distance" to determine if a use is permitted by right or requires a permit.
Table 1: Long Beach IG District Review Thresholds
| Distance from Residential District | Review Category | Permit Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| More than 300 Feet | Permitted by Right | No discretionary permit required (Y) |
| 300 Feet or Less | Discretionary Review | Administrative Use Permit (AP) or Conditional Use Permit (C) |
Note: This distance is measured from the building housing the use or the area of outdoor activity to the nearest residential property line [Section 21.33.080].
Allowed Uses in the IG District
The following table outlines the permissions for various categories of use within the City of Long Beach IG district.
Table 2: Use Regulations for the Long Beach IG District
| Use Category | Permission Status in IG District | Notes and Exceptions |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing (SIC 23, 27, 283, 284, 36, 38, 39) | Permitted (Y) | Includes apparel, printing, and electronics. |
| Manufacturing (SIC 25, 26, 30) | Permitted (Y) | Includes furniture, paper, and rubber. |
| Manufacturing (SIC 22, 24, 289, 32, 34, 35) | By-Right or Conditional (Y/C) | Subject to the 300-foot rule. |
| Manufacturing (SIC 21, 29, 33, 492, 4932) | Conditional (C) | Includes tobacco, petroleum, and primary metals. |
| Wholesale Trade (SIC 50, 51, 422) | Permitted (Y) | General warehousing is allowed. |
| Construction-Related (Outdoor Storage) | Permitted (Y) | Includes heavy equipment and material storage. |
| Alcoholic Beverage Manufacturing (ABM) | Permitted (Y) | Includes accessory tasting rooms. |
| Cannabis Cultivation | Administrative (AP) | Subject to specific local regulations. |
| Adult-Use Cannabis Dispensary | Permitted (Y) | Subject to 750 sq. ft. GFA limit and Title 5.92. |
| Professional Office/Institutional | Administrative (AP) | Intended to serve nearby industries/employees. |
| Repair Services (Enclosed) | Permitted (Y) | SIC codes 75 and 76. |
| Repair Services (Outdoor) | Permitted (Y) | Subject to screening and performance standards. |
| Gasoline Service Stations | Permitted (Y) | Allowed by right in the IG district. |
| Eating Places (No Drive-Through) | Permitted (Y) | Intended to serve the industrial workforce. |
| Recycling Collection (Containers) | Permitted (Y) | Accessory to primary use. |
[Table 33-2]
Prohibited Uses in the IG District
The City of Long Beach explicitly prohibits certain uses within the IG: General Industrial District to maintain its industrial character or for public welfare reasons.
- Tattoo and Massage Parlors: These service uses are not permitted within the IG district [Table 33-2, Item 8.3].
- Outdoor Recreation: Facilities such as drive-in theaters, racetracks, and shooting ranges are prohibited [Table 33-2, Item 13.1].
- Health Clubs: Gyms and athletic clubs are not allowed in the IG district [Table 33-2, Item 13.4].
- Depository Banking (Specific): Functions related to depository banking that are not elsewhere classified (SIC 6099) are prohibited in all Long Beach industrial districts [Section 21.33.080.a].
- Correctional Institutions: Standard correctional institutions (SIC 9223) are prohibited, though "Community Correctional Re-entry Centers" may be considered via a Conditional Use Permit [Section 21.33.080.a].
- Residential - Multiple-Family: Standard residential apartments or multiple-family dwellings are not permitted in the IG district [Table 33-2, Item 36].
Performance Standards
All uses in the Long Beach IG district must adhere to strict performance standards. The City of Long Beach mandates that no use shall generate noise, vibration, smoke, dust, or heat to an extent that creates a nuisance or substantial risk to public health. Between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., industrial operations must discontinue activities that produce noise levels higher than those permitted at the nearest residential district [Section 21.10.020, Section 21.33.090].
Sections Cited
- Section 21.10.020 - Purpose
- Section 21.33.020 - Districts established
- Section 21.33.080 - Meaning of the Y/AP and Y/C designations
- Section 21.33.090 - Performance standards
- Table 33-2 - Uses In Industrial Districts