Off-Street Parking Requirements for the IL: Light Industrial District in Long Beach
In the IL: Light Industrial district of the City of Long Beach, off-street parking for residential uses generally ranges from 1.0 to 2.0 spaces per unit depending on size, while commercial retail uses typically require 4 spaces per 1,000 square feet of gross floor area (GFA). Projects in the IL: Light Industrial district involving industrial buildings with accessory office space under 5,000 square feet must provide 3 additional parking spaces if the office portion exceeds 25 percent of the total GFA [Section 21.33.170.B].
Residential Parking Requirements
Residential uses within the IL: Light Industrial district of the City of Long Beach are subject to the standards set forth in the general residential parking tables. These requirements are based on the number of bedrooms and the total square footage of the dwelling unit [Section 21.41.216].
| Number of Units/Bedrooms | Number of Spaces per Unit | Coastal Zone Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| 0 bedrooms (not more than 450 sq. ft.) | 1.00 | 1.00 |
| 1 or more bedrooms (or 0 bedrooms over 451 sq. ft.) | 1.50 | 2.00 |
| 2 bedrooms or more | 2.00 | 2.00 |
| Guest Parking | 1 space per 4 units | 1 space per 4 units |
Note: In calculating required parking spaces, all rooms other than one living room, one dining room, one kitchen, and bathrooms are calculated as bedrooms [Section 21.41.216, Table 41-1A, Note (e)].
Commercial and Retail Parking Requirements
The City of Long Beach requires commercial projects within the IL: Light Industrial district to provide parking based on the specific type of retail or service activity. If a project is located within a large shopping center (greater than 150,000 square feet), it may be eligible for a lower parking ratio through a parking demand study [Section 21.41.219].
| Commercial Use Type | Required Number of Spaces |
|---|---|
| General Retail or Personal Service | 4 per 1,000 sq. ft. GFA |
| Restaurants (without drive-through) | 4 per 1,000 sq. ft. GFA |
| Restaurants (with drive-through) | 5 spaces plus 1 per 3 seats (or 10 per 1,000 GFA, whichever is greater) |
| Professional Office (up to 20,000 GFA) | 4 per 1,000 sq. ft. GFA |
| Professional Office (over 20,000 GFA) | 2 per 1,000 sq. ft. GFA (for the portion over 20k) |
| Banks, Savings and Loans | 5 per 1,000 sq. ft. GFA |
Industrial and Accessory Office Parking
Because the IL: Light Industrial district primary allows for manufacturing and research, the City of Long Beach applies specific standards to industrial facilities that include office components.
Accessory Office Rules
For industrial buildings in the City of Long Beach IL: Light Industrial district, office space is permitted as an accessory use. However, if the office space is used for tenant spaces smaller than 5,000 square feet, the following applies:
- Threshold: If the office space exceeds 25 percent of the GFA of the individual tenant space.
- Requirement: An additional 3 parking spaces must be provided in addition to any parking required for the principal industrial use [Section 21.33.170.B].
Base Industrial Ratios
For primary industrial operations in the City of Long Beach, the following ratios apply:
| Industrial Use Type | Required Number of Spaces |
|---|---|
| Manufacturing, Processing, Packing | 2 per 1,000 sq. ft. GFA |
| Research Laboratories | 3 per 1,000 sq. ft. GFA |
| Service Yards / Contractor Yards | 1 per 5,000 sq. ft. of yard area (plus office area calculated separately) |
| Wholesale Sales and Distribution | 3 per 1,000 sq. ft. GFA |
Adjustments and General Provisions
The City of Long Beach allows for the reduction of required parking spaces for nonresidential uses through an Administrative Use Permit (AUP). The Zoning Administrator may approve such a reduction if the applicant submits a Parking Management Plan or a Shared Parking Agreement [Section 21.41.223].
Additionally, in the IL: Light Industrial district, all off-street parking must be provided on the same site as the use it serves. Off-site parking may be permitted for commercial or industrial uses if it is located within 600 feet of the use and is secured by a deed restriction [Section 21.41.222].
Sections Cited
- Section 21.33.020 - Districts established
- Section 21.33.170 - Accessory office space in industrial buildings
- Section 21.41.160 - New construction and uses
- Section 21.41.216 - Parking—Required number of spaces
- Section 21.41.219 - Parking requirements for uses not specified and for large shopping centers
- Section 21.41.222 - Off-site parking
- Section 21.41.223 - Adjustment of parking requirements