Off-Street Parking Regulations for Planned Development (PD) Districts in Long Beach
In the City of Long Beach, off-street parking requirements for the Planned Development (PD) District are primarily established by the specific ordinance adopted for each individual PD zone. For residential projects within the Residential Planned Unit Development (RP) classification, the City of Long Beach requires one guest parking space for every four dwelling units in addition to the standard ratios found in the general parking code [Section 21.31.340 and Section 21.37.150].
Determination of Parking Standards
The Planned Development (PD) District is designed to allow for flexible development plans that may not be possible under conventional zoning regulations [Section 21.37.110]. Consequently, the City of Long Beach handles parking requirements for these districts as follows:
- Specific Ordinances: The development standards, including parking and loading configurations, are those adopted by the City Council within the specific ordinance created for each unique PD zone [Section 21.37.150].
- Zoning Administrator Interpretation: If a specific PD zone ordinance is silent regarding a particular parking standard, the Zoning Administrator is authorized to determine the requirement that is closest to the overall intent of that Planned Development District [Section 21.37.150].
- Site Plan Review: All development proposals within a Planned Development District must undergo a Site Plan Review. The Site Plan Review Committee oversees the specific application of parking and off-street loading standards to ensure they meet the quality goals of the City of Long Beach [Section 21.37.160].
Residential Planned Unit Development (RP) Standards
When a project is located within a Residential Planned Unit Development (RP) district, it must adhere to specific base standards unless the individual project approval states otherwise.
| Parking Category | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Standard Unit Parking | Provided as required by Chapter 21.41 of the Long Beach Municipal Code [Section 21.31.340.G]. |
| Guest Parking | One space per every four (4) dwelling units, calculated based on the total units in the development [Section 21.31.340.G]. |
| Guest Parking Location | May be provided as open parking or on-street parking within the PUD at the discretion of the approval body [Section 21.31.340.G]. |
| Driveway Width | Minimum 20 feet for lengths over 20 feet; 6 feet or less for shorter driveways [Section 21.31.340.I]. |
Citywide Parking Ratios (Default Standards)
In cases where a Planned Development District defaults to the general City of Long Beach requirements, the following ratios from Chapter 21.41 apply to new construction.
Residential Ratios (Default)
| Number of Bedrooms | Required Spaces per Unit |
|---|---|
| 0 Bedrooms (not more than 450 sq. ft.) | 1.00 |
| 1 or more Bedrooms (or 0 BR > 450 sq. ft.) | 1.50 (2.00 in Coastal Zone) |
| 2 or more Bedrooms | 2.00 |
| Guest Parking (Standard) | 1 space per 4 units |
Source: [Table 41-1A]
Commercial Ratios (Default)
| Commercial Use Type | Required Number of Spaces |
|---|---|
| General Retail / Personal Service | 4 per 1,000 SF-GFA |
| Neighborhood Shopping Centers | 5 per 1,000 SF-GFA |
| Medical Offices / Urgent Care | 4 per 1,000 GFA |
| Professional Offices | 4 per 1,000 GFA up to 20,000 GFA; 2 per 1,000 GFA thereafter |
| Restaurant (Ready to Eat) | 4 per 1,000 GFA |
Source: [Table 41-1C]
Parking Exemptions and Reductions
The City of Long Beach provides several mechanisms to reduce or eliminate parking requirements within Planned Development Districts:
Parking Exempt Areas
No minimum number of vehicular parking spaces is required for any lot or parcel within a Planned Development District that is located within the "Parking Exempt Area," as established on the City's official maps [Section 21.41.175]. This exemption applies only to vehicular parking and does not waive other zoning development standards such as drive aisle widths or turning radii [Section 21.41.175.B].
Administrative Adjustments
A project in a Planned Development District may apply for an Administrative Use Permit (AUP) to reduce required parking if the developer provides a Parking Management Plan or a Shared Parking Agreement [Section 21.41.223]. Reductions may be granted based on:
- Shared Parking: If two or more uses have different peak hours of demand.
- TDM Measures: Implementation of Transportation Demand Management, such as providing bicycle parking (which can substitute for up to 20-30% of required auto spaces in some cases) or transit passes [Section 21.41.223.D].
Sections Cited
- Section 21.31.340 - PUD Development Standards
- Section 21.37.110 - Purpose (Planned Development Districts)
- Section 21.37.150 - Development standards
- Section 21.37.160 - Site plan review
- Section 21.41.175 - Exemption from parking minimums
- Section 21.41.223 - Adjustment of parking requirements
- Table 41-1A - Required Number of Parking Spaces for Residential Uses
- Table 41-1C - Required Number of Parking Spaces for Commercial, Industrial/Manufacturing and All Other Uses