Off-Street Parking Requirements for the CCR District in Long Beach
In the City of Long Beach, the Community R-4-R Commercial (CCR) district requires off-street parking for residential projects based on bedroom counts, typically ranging from 1.0 to 2.0 spaces per unit plus guest parking. Commercial developments in the City of Long Beach CCR district generally require 4 to 5 spaces per 1,000 square feet of gross floor area, depending on the specific use such as retail or professional office [Section 21.32.235].
General Applicability
The City of Long Beach Municipal Code establishes that the Community R-4-R Commercial (CCR) district is intended for community-scale auto-oriented commercial uses while also permitting moderate-density residential development at R-4-R densities [Section 21.32.020]. All residential and commercial projects within the City of Long Beach CCR district must comply with the parking and loading standards set forth in Chapter 21.41 [Table 32-3].
Residential Parking Requirements
Residential uses in the City of Long Beach CCR district are permitted at the same density as the R-4-R zone. Parking for these units is calculated based on the number of bedrooms. Per the City of Long Beach regulations, a "bedroom" includes any room other than one living room, one dining room, and one kitchen [Table 41-1A, Note e].
| Number of Units / Bedrooms | Spaces Required per Unit (General) | Spaces Required (Coastal Zone Only) |
|---|---|---|
| 0 Bedrooms (under 450 sq. ft.) | 1.00 | 1.00 |
| 1 Bedroom (or 0 BR over 450 sq. ft.) | 1.50 | 2.00 |
| 2 or more Bedrooms | 2.00 | 2.00 |
| Guest Parking | 1 space per 4 units | 1 space per 4 units |
Source: [Table 41-1A]
Commercial Parking Requirements
Commercial parking requirements in the City of Long Beach CCR district vary by the specific land use. For mixed-use projects or shopping centers, the ratio is calculated based on the Gross Floor Area (GFA) or Gross Leasable Area (GLA).
| Use Type | Required Number of Spaces |
|---|---|
| Community Shopping Centers | 5 per 1,000 sq. ft. GFA |
| Professional Office | 4 per 1,000 sq. ft. GFA |
| Ready to Eat Restaurant | 4 per 1,000 sq. ft. GFA |
| Banks, Savings and Loans | 5 per 1,000 sq. ft. GFA |
| Medical or Dental Office | 4 per 1,000 sq. ft. GFA |
| Retail / Commercial Clusters | 4 per 1,000 sq. ft. GFA |
Source: [Table 41-1C]
Parking Space Design and Dimensions
The City of Long Beach defines specific dimensions for parking stalls and drive aisles within the CCR district. Residential projects may utilize compact spaces for up to 50 percent of the required parking, whereas nonresidential projects are prohibited from using compact spaces [Table 41-2].
| Parking Type | Stall Size | Required Aisle Width |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | 8 ft. 6 in. by 18 ft. | 24 ft. |
| Compact | 8 ft. by 15 ft. | 21 ft. |
| Handicapped | 14 ft. by 18 ft. | 24 ft. |
Source: [Table 41-2]
Important Exemptions and Modifications
Parking Exempt Areas
Under the City of Long Beach "No Net Loss" and "Housing Crisis Act" implementations, certain lots within designated "Parking Exempt Areas" may have no minimum vehicular parking requirement [Section 21.41.175]. This exemption applies only to vehicular parking and does not remove requirements for bicycle parking, ADA compliance, or electric vehicle (EV) charging [Section 21.41.175].
Buildings Over Ten Years Old
In the City of Long Beach, no new parking is required for changes of use involving existing square footage within a building that is more than ten years old [Section 21.41.165]. This rule does not apply to specific uses such as hotels, motels, inns, or event centers [Section 21.41.165].
Unbundled Parking
Effective January 1, 2025, for City of Long Beach residential buildings containing 16 or more units, parking must be "unbundled," meaning it is rented or sold separately from the rent of the dwelling unit [Section 21.41.170.B].
Sections Cited
- Section 21.32.020 - Districts established.
- Section 21.32.235 - Residential uses in commercial districts.
- Table 32-3 - Development Standards (Residential Uses in Commercial Districts).
- Section 21.41.165 - Change of use for building more than ten years old.
- Section 21.41.170 - Established uses.
- Section 21.41.175 - Exemption from parking minimums.
- 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.
- Table 41-2 - Minimum Parking Space Sizes.