Planned Development (PD) and Residential Planned Unit Development (RP) Districts in Long Beach
The Planned Development (PD) District in the City of Long Beach is designed to provide flexible development plans and design controls for sites generally no smaller than five (5) acres in size that occupy a full block face [Section 21.37.110, Section 21.37.130]. These districts allow for a compatible mix of land uses, including residential, commercial, and business parks, governed by specific ordinances that establish unique goals and development standards for each designated area [Section 21.37.110, Section 21.37.120].
Purpose of the Planned Development District
The primary purpose of the Planned Development (PD) District is to enable the formal recognition of unique or special land uses and the establishment of specific design policies that would not be possible under the City of Long Beach’s conventional zoning regulations [Section 21.37.110].
The City of Long Beach establishes these districts to:
- Encourage a compatible mix of land uses [Section 21.37.110].
- Promote the development of planned commercial areas and business parks [Section 21.37.110].
- Facilitate a variety of housing styles and densities [Section 21.37.110].
- Allow for flexible development plans in specific geographic areas [Section 21.25.701].
For the specific category of Residential Planned Unit Development (RP or PUD), the objectives include encouraging innovative residential design, integrating amenities and natural features, and facilitating the recycling of unused or underutilized parcels of land [Section 21.31.310].
Permitted Land Uses
In any Planned Development (PD) District, the permitted uses are established by the specific ordinance adopted by the Long Beach City Council for that unique zone [Section 21.37.150].
General Use Provisions
- Mix of Uses: PD Districts typically allow for a compatible mix of residential, commercial, and industrial uses [Section 21.37.110].
- Alcoholic Beverage Sales: In these districts, on-premises and off-premises alcoholic beverage sales are permitted only as conditional uses unless a specific PD ordinance expressly exempts them [Section 21.37.170].
- Residential PUD (RP) Restrictions: In Residential PUDs, dwelling units may be detached or attached single-family dwellings, duplexes, triplexes, or units within a multi-family building. However, accessory dwelling units are explicitly prohibited within a PUD [Section 21.31.360].
Designated Planned Development Districts
The City of Long Beach has established various PD districts, identified by number and common name, including but not limited to:
- PD-2: Belmont Pier
- PD-6: Downtown Shoreline
- PD-9: Long Beach Airport Business Park
- PD-10: Willmore City
- PD-30: Downtown Long Beach
- PD-32: Douglas Park [Section 21.37.120].
General Character and Qualifying Standards
A Planned Development (PD) District must meet specific size and configuration criteria to be established within the City of Long Beach.
Site Requirements
| Requirement | Standard |
|---|---|
| Minimum Site Area | 5 acres (4.5 acres may be allowed at the Zoning Administrator's discretion) |
| Configuration | Must be a full block face surrounded on all sides by public right-of-way |
| Maximum Density | Indicated by the number following the symbol (e.g., RP-12 for 12 units/acre) |
| Affordable Unit Term | Minimum of 55 years for deed-restricted units |
[Section 21.31.340, Section 21.37.130, Section 21.68.040]
Development Standards for Residential PUDs (RP)
When the City of Long Beach designates a Residential PUD, it applies specific building development standards to ensure high-quality urban design.
| Standard Type | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Front Yard Setback | 6 ft. from edge of private common street or inner edge of sidewalk (whichever is greater) |
| Interior Side Yard | 3 ft. to property line; minimum 6 ft. between buildings |
| Garage Setback | Minimum 20 ft. for front-facing doors; no more than 6 ft. encouraged for side/rear |
| Minimum Unit Size | 1,200 sq. ft. of habitable floor area |
| Minimum Unit Width | 16 feet |
| Common Open Space | 15% of the total site area |
| Floor Area Ratio (FAR) | 1.3 (Higher may be approved by the Approval Body) |
| Building Height (Near R-1/R-2/R-3) | 25 ft., 2 stories |
| Building Height (Other RP Areas) | 38 ft., 3 stories |
[Table 31-8, Section 21.31.340]
Design and Maintenance
The City of Long Beach requires that all Planned Developments adhere to high standards of architecture and site integration.
- Internal Integration: PUDs must be internally integrated and connected. The site area cannot be divided by public streets, highways, or flood control channels [Section 21.31.340.B].
- Architecture: Buildings must use high-quality materials and adhere to a common architectural theme. Facades must be designed to avoid exposing utility structures or uninteresting elevations to the public view [Section 21.31.350].
- Homeowner's Association (HOA): Each PUD must establish an HOA responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of all commonly owned improvements [Section 21.31.340.K].
Sections Cited
- Section 21.25.701 - Purpose (Planned Development)
- Section 21.31.020 - Districts established (Residential)
- Section 21.31.310 - Purpose (Residential PUD)
- Section 21.31.340 - PUD Development Standards
- Section 21.31.350 - PUD Design Guidelines
- Section 21.31.360 - Additional Land Use Restrictions
- Section 21.37.110 - Purpose (PD Districts)
- Section 21.37.120 - Districts established (PD)
- Section 21.37.130 - Qualifying standards
- Section 21.37.150 - Development standards
- Section 21.37.170 - Alcoholic beverage sales uses
- Section 21.68.040 - Procedures (Density Bonus)