Minor Modifications and Administrative Deviations in the City of Long Beach
The Zoning Administrator of the City of Long Beach possesses the authority to grant minor modifications to zoning standards in cases where strict application of the code is impractical due to practical difficulties or special circumstances. These administrative adjustments are strictly prohibited for any property located within the Coastal Zone of the City of Long Beach. If a deviation is deemed significant or "not minor in nature" by the Zoning Administrator, the applicant must instead apply for a formal Standards Variance Permit [Section 21.10.047].
Minor Modifications by the Zoning Administrator
The City of Long Beach provides an administrative pathway for projects to deviate slightly from established development standards without a full public hearing, provided specific criteria are met. The Zoning Administrator evaluates these requests based on the spirit and purpose of the City of Long Beach Zoning Regulations.
Required Findings for Minor Modifications
To approve a minor modification, the Zoning Administrator must make the following determinations:
- There are practical difficulties involved in carrying out the strict provisions of the City of Long Beach Zoning Regulations.
- A special reason or circumstance makes the strict application of the Title impractical for the specific case.
- The proposed minor modification is in conformity with the overall spirit and purpose of the City of Long Beach Municipal Code [Section 21.10.047].
Procedural Standards for Minor Modifications
| Feature | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Approval Authority | Zoning Administrator |
| Geographic Restriction | Prohibited in the Coastal Zone |
| Application Fee | Equal to a zoning confirmation letter |
| Fallback Procedure | Standards Variance Permit (if not minor) |
| Decision Timeline | Generally within 60 days of a completed application |
[Section 21.10.047, Section 21.25.309]
Waivers Granted During Site Plan Review
In addition to the general minor modification process, the City of Long Beach Site Plan Review Committee has the authority to waive specific development standards for larger projects or signage. These waivers are typically granted to improve the overall quality of a development or to allow for creative design [Section 21.25.508].
Standards Eligible for Administrative Waiver
| Standard Subject to Waiver | Conditions or Applicability |
|---|---|
| Privacy | Applicable to Development Projects |
| Open Space | Applicable to Development Projects |
| Pedestrian Access | Applicable to Development Projects |
| Landscaping | Applicable to Development Projects |
| Wrought Iron Fence Height | Applicable to Development Projects |
| Guest Parking | Only in parking-impacted areas; cannot reduce below one space per 6 units |
| Tandem Parking | Allowed when used as valet parking |
| Required Garage | For residential projects of 40+ units at densities of 29+ units per acre |
| Subterranean Parking | Allowed within the front setback |
| Courtyard Dimensions | When alternative design improves development quality |
| Commercial Setbacks | May be reduced to 10 feet for single-story buildings adjacent to residential |
[Section 21.25.508]
Standards Variance for Major Deviations
When a requested adjustment is not considered "minor" or is located in a zone where administrative modifications are restricted, the City of Long Beach requires a Standards Variance. This process is more rigorous and requires a public hearing [Section 21.25.305].
Eligibility and Restrictions
A Standards Variance is intended to grant relief from specific development standards such as height, bulk, or setbacks. However, a variance cannot be used to:
- Intensify the permitted use of a property.
- Increase the density of a lot beyond what is allowed in the City of Long Beach Zoning Regulations.
- Authorize a use that is not permitted in the specific zone [Section 21.15.2890, Section 21.25.303].
Necessary Findings for a Variance
The City of Long Beach hearing body must analyze and adopt the following findings before a variance can be approved:
- Physical Uniqueness: The site or improvements are physically unique compared to other sites in the same City of Long Beach zone.
- Hardship: The unique situation causes a hardship that deprives the applicant of rights enjoyed by other properties in the same zone.
- No Adverse Effect: The variance will not cause substantial adverse effects upon the surrounding community.
- Coastal Zone Compliance: For projects in the Coastal Zone, the variance must carry out the local coastal program and not interfere with the psychological or physical aspects of coastal access [Section 21.25.306].
Sections Cited
- Section 21.10.047 - Granting of minor modification.
- Section 21.15.2890 - Standards variance.
- Section 21.25.303 - Applicability (Standards Variance).
- Section 21.25.305 - Jurisdiction (Standards Variance).
- Section 21.25.306 - Required findings (Standards Variance).
- Section 21.25.309 - Timely action.
- Section 21.25.508 - Waiver of development standards.