Long Beach Zoning Guide for Automobile Services and Gas Stations
In the City of Long Beach, automobile repair shops, body shops, and gasoline stations are primarily permitted in auto-oriented commercial districts such as Community Automobile-Oriented (CCA) and Regional Highway Commercial (CHW), as well as within Light (IL), Medium (IM), and General Industrial (IG) districts. While gasoline sales are permitted by right in many community commercial zones, minor auto repairs often require an Administrative Use Permit (AP), and major bodywork is generally restricted to the CHW district or industrial zones [Table 32-1, Table 33-2].
Permitted Districts for Automobile Services
The City of Long Beach distinguishes between various types of automotive services, ranging from fuel sales to heavy mechanical repair and bodywork. Each is assigned specific permissions across the City's commercial and industrial zoning districts.
Gasoline and Fuel Sales
Gasoline and diesel sales are restricted to districts designed for high-volume vehicle traffic.
- Permitted by Right (Y): Community Automobile-Oriented (CCA), Community Pedestrian-Oriented (CCP), Community R-4-R Commercial (CCR), Community R-4-N Commercial (CCN), and Regional Highway Commercial (CHW) [Table 32-1].
- Permitted in Industrial Zones: Gasoline service stations (SIC 5541) are specifically permitted in the General Industrial (IG) district [Section 21.33.080].
- Conditional Use (C): Neighborhood Automobile-Oriented (CNA) [Table 32-1].
- Administrative Use Permit (AP): Required for diesel fuel sales in CCA, CCP, CCR, CCN, and CHW districts [Table 32-1].
Minor Automobile Repair
Minor repair includes tune-ups, lubrication, brake work, and electrical repairs [Section 21.15.290].
- Permitted by Right (Y): Regional Highway Commercial (CHW), Light Industrial (IL), Medium Industrial (IM), and General Industrial (IG) [Table 32-1, Table 33-2].
- Administrative Use Permit (AP): Required in Community Commercial districts (CCA, CCP, CCR, CCN) [Table 32-1].
Major Auto Repair and Body Shops
Major repair includes a full range of maintenance, while bodywork specifically involves body repair, painting, and upholstery [Section 21.15.280].
- Commercial Zones: "General auto repair" including bodywork and painting is only allowed in the Regional Highway Commercial (CHW) district and requires a Conditional Use Permit (C) [Table 32-1].
- Industrial Zones: Repair services within an enclosed structure are permitted (Y) in IL, IM, and IG districts. Repair services with outdoor operations are permitted (Y) in IG and may be permitted (Y/C) in IM [Table 33-2].
Special Development Standards for Auto Uses
The Long Beach Municipal Code imposes specific requirements on these uses to mitigate impacts on surrounding properties, particularly regarding noise, odors, and aesthetics [Section 21.52.206].
Operating Requirements
- Enclosure: In the CHW, CT, or CB zones, all repair work must occur within a fully enclosed building [Section 21.52.283].
- Open Storage: Open storage of vehicles or parts is generally prohibited unless the site complies with specific screening standards, such as a solid masonry wall at least six feet high [Section 21.32.225].
- Prohibited Locations: Auto repair and fuel uses are generally prohibited in the Neighborhood Pedestrian (CNP) and Neighborhood Commercial and Residential (CNR) districts to maintain a pedestrian-friendly environment [Table 32-1].
Parking Requirements
Automobile service providers must meet minimum off-street parking ratios based on the intensity of the use.
| Use Type | Required Number of Parking Spaces |
|---|---|
| Service Station or Service Garage | 1 space per pump island. Plus 4 spaces per 1,000 GFA for auto repair area and 1 space per pump island plus 4 per 1,000 GFA for accessory retail [Table 41-1C]. |
| Car Wash (Full-Service) | 1 space per wash bay (conveyor length divided by 18), plus retail and office space calculated separately [Table 41-1C]. |
| Car Wash (Self-Service) | 2 spaces per wash bay [Table 41-1C]. |
| Automobile Sales | 2 spaces per 1,000 GFA of interior showroom, 1 per 1,000 GFA of outdoor display, plus 4 per 1,000 GFA for accessory office/repair [Table 41-1C]. |
Setbacks and Landscaping
Commercial districts allowing auto uses must maintain specific building and parking setbacks.
| District | Front Street Setback (Building) | Side Street Setback (Building) | Parking Setback (Front Street) |
|---|---|---|---|
| CCA/CCP/CCR/CCN | 10 feet | 10 feet | 10 feet |
| CHW | 15 feet | 10 feet | 5 feet |
| CNA | 10 feet | 5 feet | 10 feet |
Note: In all cases, a minimum setback of 10 ft. from the curb face is required [Section 21.32.220].
Sections Cited
- Section 21.15.280 - Auto repair, major
- Section 21.15.290 - Auto repair, minor
- Section 21.15.300 - Automobile service station
- Section 21.32.020 - Districts established
- Section 21.32.220 - Yards
- Section 21.32.225 - Screening required
- Section 21.33.080 - Meaning of the Y/AP and Y/C designations
- Section 21.52.206 - Automobile related services
- Section 21.52.283 - Vehicle rental services
- Table 32-1 - Uses In All Other Commercial Zoning Districts
- Table 32-2 - Commercial Development Standards
- Table 33-2 - Uses In Industrial Districts
- Table 41-1C - Required Number of Parking Spaces