Long Beach Public Hearing and Notification Requirements for Zoning Procedures
In the City of Long Beach, public notice for discretionary zoning procedures must be provided between 14 and 45 days prior to the scheduled hearing date. The required mailing radius for these notifications is generally 300 feet for residential and commercial projects and 1,000 feet for industrial, institutional, or City-led projects. Additionally, the City of Long Beach requires physical on-site posting of signs and, in cases of building height variances, the erection of story poles to illustrate the proposed structure's extent.
Discretionary Review Responsibilities
The Long Beach Municipal Code assigns specific hearing bodies to different types of zoning and land use permits. The requirement for public notice varies by the type of procedure being requested.
| Type of Procedure | Responsible Hearing Body | Notice Required |
|---|---|---|
| Zoning Regulations Amendment | Planning Commission (Initial) / City Council (Final) | Yes |
| Zone Change | Planning Commission (Initial) / City Council (Final) | Yes |
| Conditional Use Permit | Planning Commission (Initial) | Yes |
| Variance | Zoning Administrator (Initial) | Yes |
| Administrative Use Permit | Zoning Administrator (Initial) | Yes |
| Site Plan Review | Site Plan Review Committee (Initial) | No |
| Local Coastal Permit | Zoning Administrator or Planning Commission | Yes |
| Classification of Uses | Zoning Administrator | No |
[Table 21-1]
Public Notification Methods and Radii
The City of Long Beach utilizes multiple methods to ensure the public is informed of pending zoning decisions. These methods include direct mailing, publication in local newspapers, and physical posting on the subject property.
Mailing Requirements
Notice of a public hearing must be mailed or delivered to the owner of the subject property (or their authorized agent), as well as each tenant household or commercial tenant on the property [Section 21.21.302.B.1]. For properties within the surrounding area, the City of Long Beach follows specific radius standards:
| Project Type | Notification Radius Requirement |
|---|---|
| Residential or Commercial Projects | Owners and tenants within 300 feet of the property. |
| Industrial, Institutional, or City Projects | Owners and tenants within 1,000 feet of the property. |
| Projects Outside 300' of a Residential Zone | Radius extended by the distance to the closest residential zone. |
| Reduced or Shared Parking Requests | Radius extended by 450 feet (Total 750 feet). |
| Uses with Buffer Requirements | Radius increased to match the specific buffer requirement (e.g., 500'). |
[Section 21.21.302.B.4]
Physical Posting and Signs
The applicant or owner of the real property must post a sign on each street face of the property at least 14 days prior to the hearing. The sign must be at least 30 inches by 40 inches in size and must be placed in a location where the content is clearly visible to the public [Section 21.21.302.B.5.a].
Story Poles for Height Variances
If a project involves a building height variance, the applicant must erect "story poles" that accurately represent the full extent of the proposed structure, including decks and eaves. These poles must be installed at least 14 calendar days prior to the first public hearing and remain in place until the end of the appeal period [Section 21.21.302.B.5.b].
Content of Public Notices
Under the Long Beach Municipal Code, all hearing notices must contain the following minimum information:
- The applicant's name and the filing date.
- The project's case number.
- The location of the project, including an indication of whether it is within the Long Beach Coastal Zone.
- A description of the project and the reason for the public hearing.
- The date, time, and location of the hearing.
- General procedures for the hearing and the receipt of public comments.
- Procedures for appeals, including potential appeals to the California Coastal Commission where applicable.
- A specific legal disclaimer stating that challenges in court may be limited to issues raised at the public hearing or in written correspondence delivered to the hearing body [Section 21.21.304].
Noticing in the Long Beach Coastal Zone
Projects located within the Long Beach Coastal Zone are subject to additional requirements. Notice for any matter in the Coastal Zone must be mailed to the California Coastal Commission. Furthermore, notice must be provided to all residents and owners within 100 feet of the site for all coastal zone hearings [Section 21.21.302.B.6].
Appeals and Timing
Decisions made by the Zoning Administrator or the Planning Commission may be appealed by an "aggrieved person" (defined as someone who testified or informed City staff of their interest in writing prior to the hearing) [Section 21.15.120].
- Time to File: Appeals must be filed within 10 days after the decision for which a public hearing was required [Section 21.21.502].
- Hearing Window: In cases of appeals to the Planning Commission, a public hearing must be held within 60 days of the filing of the appeal [Section 21.21.504].
Sections Cited
- Section 21.15.120 - Aggrieved person.
- Section 21.21.101 - Hearings—General.
- Section 21.21.105 - Hearing bodies.
- Section 21.21.302 - Noticing requirements for hearings.
- Section 21.21.304 - Content of notices.
- Section 21.21.502 - Time to file appeal.
- Section 21.21.504 - Time for conducting hearing of appeals.
- Table 21-1 - Discretionary Review Responsibilities.