Parking Standards for the IM: Medium Industrial District in the City of Long Beach
In the IM: Medium Industrial district of the City of Long Beach, off-street parking requirements are determined by the specific use of the project, with industrial manufacturing typically requiring 2 spaces per 1,000 square feet of gross floor area and commercial retail requiring 4 spaces per 1,000 square feet. Allowed residential components, such as live-work units or caretaker residences, must provide between 1 and 2 spaces per unit depending on the bedroom count and location within the Coastal Zone.
General Requirements for the IM District
The IM: Medium Industrial district is intended for intensive industrial operations and manufacturing processes that require larger-scale sites than light industrial zones [Section 21.33.020]. According to the City of Long Beach Municipal Code, all off-street parking and loading for projects within this district must be provided in accordance with the standards set forth in Chapter 21.41 [Section 21.33.190].
Commercial Parking Ratios
While the IM: Medium Industrial district primarily serves industrial uses, certain commercial activities are permitted by right, by administrative permit, or by conditional use permit [Table 33-2]. The City of Long Beach utilizes the following ratios to determine the number of required parking spaces for commercial projects in the IM district:
| Commercial Use Category | Required Number of Spaces |
|---|---|
| Retail & Service | |
| General Retail Trade (e.g., Book/Video stores) | 4 per 1,000 SF-GFA |
| Neighborhood Shopping Centers | 5 per 1,000 SF-GFA |
| Restaurants & Bars | |
| Eating Places (without drive-through) | 4 per 1,000 GFA |
| Eating Places (with drive-through) | 5 spaces plus 1 per 3 seats (dining area) or 10 per 1,000 GFA (whichever is greater) |
| Professional Services | |
| Banks, Savings & Loans | 5 per 1,000 GFA |
| Medical Offices or Clinics | 4 per 1,000 GFA |
| Professional Offices (general) | 4 per 1,000 GFA (up to 20,000 GFA) |
[Source: Table 41-1C]
Residential Parking Ratios
Residential uses are highly restricted in the IM: Medium Industrial district. However, the City of Long Beach permits specific residential types such as Live-Work units, Artist Studios with residences, and Caretaker Residences [Table 33-2]. These projects must meet the following parking requirements:
| Unit Type / Bedroom Count | Spaces Per Unit (Standard) | Spaces Per Unit (Coastal Zone Only) |
|---|---|---|
| 0 Bedrooms (up to 450 sq. ft.) | 1.00 | 1.00 |
| 1 or more Bedrooms (or 0 BR > 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]
Industrial and Manufacturing Parking
Because the IM: Medium Industrial district is the primary location for intensive manufacturing in the City of Long Beach, the following standards apply to the core industrial functions of the district:
| Industrial Use Type | Required Number of Spaces |
|---|---|
| Manufacturing, Processing, Packing | 2 per 1,000 SF-GFA |
| Service Yards or Contractor Yards | 1 space per 5,000 sq. ft. of yard area |
| Research Laboratories | 3 per 1,000 SF-GFA |
| Wholesale Sales & Distribution | 3 per 1,000 GFA |
[Source: Table 41-1C]
Accessory Office Parking
In the IM: Medium Industrial district, accessory office space is permitted up to 25% of the gross floor area for tenant spaces 5,000 square feet or larger, and up to 45% for smaller spaces [Table 33-3]. If the accessory office space exceeds 5,000 square feet, the City of Long Beach requires an additional three parking spaces beyond the requirements for the principal industrial use [Section 21.33.170].
Specialized Parking Provisions
Tandem Parking
Tandem parking is generally prohibited for residential uses in the City of Long Beach unless specific exceptions are met [Section 21.41.233]. However, for industrial and manufacturing uses in the IM: Medium Industrial district, tandem parking may be utilized for employee parking if approved. In these instances, no more than 25% of the total required parking spaces may be in a tandem configuration [Section 21.41.235].
Adjustments and Reductions
The Zoning Administrator of the City of Long Beach has the authority to grant an adjustment to the minimum required parking spaces for nonresidential projects in the IM: Medium Industrial district. To qualify, an applicant must obtain an Administrative Use Permit (AUP) and provide one of the following:
- Parking Management Plan: Detailing how alternative transportation modes will reduce vehicular demand [Section 21.41.223].
- Shared Parking Agreement: Providing evidence (via a signed affidavit) that the peak hours of demand for two or more uses do not overlap [Section 21.41.223].
- Parking Study: A study prepared by a licensed traffic engineer justifying the reduction [Section 21.41.223].
Sections Cited
- Section 21.15.1070 - Floor area, gross (GFA)
- Section 21.33.020 - Districts established
- Section 21.33.170 - Accessory office space in industrial buildings
- Section 21.33.190 - Off-street parking and loading
- Section 21.41.216 - Parking—Required number of spaces
- Section 21.41.223 - Adjustment of parking requirements
- Section 21.41.233 - Tandem parking—Residential uses
- Section 21.41.235 - Tandem parking—Industrial/manufacturing uses
- Table 33-2 - Uses in Industrial Districts
- Table 33-3 - General Development Standards (Industrial)
- 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