Long Beach Zoning Regulations for Short-Term Rentals and Bed and Breakfast Inns

In the City of Long Beach, Bed and Breakfast Inns are permitted via an Administrative Use Permit in high-density residential districts (R-3-T through R-4-U) and most commercial districts, provided the operator resides on-site. Short-term rentals (Airbnbs) are specifically defined as residential dwelling units or portions thereof offered for 30 or fewer consecutive nights and are regulated separately from hotels, motels, and bed and breakfast establishments. The City of Long Beach prohibits these uses in low-density residential areas like the R-1 and R-2 districts.

Bed and Breakfast Inn Permissions

A Bed and Breakfast Inn is defined by the City of Long Beach as a house or portion thereof where short-term stay lodging rooms and meals are provided, and where the operator of the inn lives on the premises or an adjacent property [Section 21.15.360]. These uses are classified as commercial activities that may be allowed in specific residential and commercial zones through an Administrative Use Permit (AP).

Allowed Districts for Bed and Breakfast Inns

The following table outlines the permissions for Bed and Breakfast Inns across various zoning districts in the City of Long Beach:

Zoning Category	Specific Long Beach Districts	Requirement / Permission
Low-Density Residential	R-1-S, R-1-M, R-1-L, R-1-N, R-2-S, R-2-I, R-2-L, R-2-N, R-2-A	Not Permitted (N)
Multi-Family Residential	R-3-S, R-3-4, RM, R-4-M	Not Permitted (N)
High-Density Residential	R-3-T, R-4-R, R-4-N, R-4-H, R-4-U	Administrative Use Permit (AP)
Commercial	CNP, CNA, CNR, CCA, CCP, CCR, CCN, CHW	Administrative Use Permit (AP)
Industrial / Storage	CS, IL, IM, IG, IP	Not Permitted (N)

[Table 31-1, Table 32-1]

Short-Term Rentals (Airbnbs)

The City of Long Beach defines a "Short-term rental" as a residential dwelling unit, or a portion of one, that is offered or provided to a paying guest for thirty (30) or fewer consecutive nights [Section 21.15.2487].

The Long Beach Municipal Code clarifies that short-term rentals are distinct from other transient lodging types. Specifically, a short-term rental shall not include:

Hotels
Motels
Inns
Bed and Breakfast Inns

Applications for short-term rentals in the City of Long Beach must comply with the provisions and procedures outlined in Chapter 5.77 of the Municipal Code [Section 21.11.050]. In the Coastal Zone, any application for the restriction of short-term rentals must conform to the requirements of the certified Local Coastal Program (LCP) [Section 21.25.904].

Special Development Standards for Bed and Breakfast Inns

For a Bed and Breakfast Inn to be approved in the City of Long Beach, it must adhere to several strict operational and physical standards:

Structure Age and Type: The use is allowed only in older residential structures recognized as architecturally, historically, or culturally significant [Section 21.52.209].
Meals: Meals may be served only to registered guests. No cooking facilities are permitted in individual guestrooms [Section 21.52.209].
Residency: The property owners must live at the inn or on an adjoining property [Section 21.52.209].
Duration: Only short-term lodging is permitted; monthly rentals are prohibited [Section 21.52.209].
Events: No receptions, private parties, or activities for which a fee is paid are permitted [Section 21.52.209].

Parking Requirements

Bed and Breakfast Inns in the City of Long Beach must provide specific off-street parking as detailed below:

Personnel / Unit Type	Required Parking Spaces
Inn Operator	Two (2) spaces
Guestrooms	One (1) space per each guestroom

Tandem parking is permitted for Bed and Breakfast Inns provided that no more than two cars are parked in a tandem arrangement [Section 21.52.209].

Sections Cited