Planned Development (PD) and Residential Planned Unit Development (RP) Uses in Long Beach

Planned Development (PD) districts in the City of Long Beach are specialized zones for areas of at least five acres that allow for a unique mix of land uses and design controls established by individual site-specific ordinances. While most PD uses are defined by their specific adoption ordinance, the Residential Planned Unit Development (RP) designation generally permits various residential types from single-family homes to multi-family dwellings, while expressly prohibiting accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in certain PUD contexts. Use permissions for alcoholic beverage sales and large-scale signage within these districts typically require discretionary approval, such as a Conditional Use Permit [Section 21.37.110, 21.31.360].

General Use Framework for PD Districts

The City of Long Beach maintains 32 distinct Planned Development districts (PD-1 through PD-32). Because each PD is established by a unique ordinance, the allowed uses are primarily governed by the specific goals, objectives, and development standards adopted for that named district [Section 21.37.120].

Use Interpretations

If a specific PD ordinance is silent regarding a particular land use, the Zoning Administrator for the City of Long Beach is authorized to determine if use regulations from other districts (such as Residential, Commercial, or Industrial) apply. This determination depends on whether the proposed use is consistent with the categories and characteristics of uses already permitted in that specific subarea of the PD [Section 21.37.180].

Allowed and Conditionally Allowed Uses (RP District)

The Residential Planned Unit Development (RP) district is a specific type of PD focused on residential communities. The following table details the standard use permissions for the RP district as defined in the City of Long Beach residential use tables [Table 31-1].

Use Category	Permission Status in RP District
Single-family detached	Y (Permitted by right)
Single-family attached	Y (Permitted by right)
Duplex	Y (Permitted by right)
Three-family dwelling	Y (Permitted by right)
Four-family dwelling	Y (Permitted by right)
Multi-family dwelling	Y (Permitted by right)
Townhouse	Y (Permitted by right)
Modular or manufactured housing	Y (Permitted by right)
Mobile home park (unsold spaces)	C (Conditional Use Permit required)
Community gardens	IP (Interim Park Use Permit required)
Passive parks	IP (Interim Park Use Permit required)
Playgrounds	IP (Interim Park Use Permit required)
Recreational parks	IP (Interim Park Use Permit required)
Home occupation	A (Allowed as accessory use)
Transitional Housing	Y (Permitted by right)
Supportive Housing	Y (Permitted by right)

Prohibited Uses in PD and RP Districts

The City of Long Beach identifies several specific use prohibitions within its Planned Development framework:

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs): ADUs are expressly prohibited within a Residential PUD (Planned Unit Development) [Section 21.31.360]. However, for other PD districts, an ADU may be allowed if the subarea permits residential use at single-family density and the Zoning Administrator authorizes it [Section 21.51.276.B.2.a].
Non-Residential Uses in RP: In the RP district, all uses other than the specific residential types and approved community facilities/parks are prohibited [Section 21.31.360.A].
Unpermitted Signs: Any sign not explicitly exempted or permitted by the specific PD ordinance or the general City of Long Beach sign regulations is prohibited [Section 21.44.410.F].
Alcoholic Beverage Sales: On-premises and off-premises alcoholic beverage sales are prohibited as a "by-right" use and are only allowed as conditional uses unless a specific PD ordinance provides an exemption [Section 21.37.170].

Development Standards for PD Projects

Projects within the PD designation must adhere to strict site-level standards to ensure high-quality design and community integration.

Standard	Requirement
Minimum Site Area	5 acres (4.5 acres at Director's discretion) [Section 21.31.340]
Floor Area Ratio (FAR)	1.3 [Table 31-8]
Private Open Space	6% of lot area per unit [Table 31-8]
Common Open Space	15% of the total site area [Section 21.31.340]
Min. Unit Size	1,200 square feet of habitable floor area [Section 21.31.340]
Min. Unit Width	16 feet [Section 21.31.340]
Max Height (near R-1, R-2, R-3)	25 feet / 2 stories [Table 31-8]
Max Height (General)	38 feet / 3 stories [Table 31-8]

Sections Cited