Setback Requirements for Long Beach CNP Neighborhood Pedestrian-Oriented Commercial District
In the City of Long Beach, the CNP: Neighborhood Pedestrian-Oriented Commercial district generally allows for a 0-foot setback from front and side streets to encourage a continuous pedestrian-oriented street wall. However, all buildings in the CNP district must maintain a minimum 10-foot setback from the curb face regardless of the property line location. When CNP properties are adjacent to residential districts, they must adhere to larger buffering setbacks, including a 10-foot side yard and a 20-foot rear yard [Table 32-2].
Building Setback Requirements
The City of Long Beach establishes specific yard requirements for the CNP district to ensure that commercial buildings interact appropriately with the public right-of-way and neighboring land uses. For buildings in the CNP district, the "Street Wall" regulation requires that at least two-thirds (2/3) of the front building facade be located at the front property line to support a pedestrian-friendly environment [Section 21.32.230].
| Required Yard Area | CNP District Requirement |
|---|---|
| Front Street | 0 ft (but must be at least 10 ft from curb face) |
| Side Street | 0 ft (but must be at least 10 ft from curb face) |
| Adjacent to side yard of residential district | 10 ft |
| Adjacent to rear yard of residential district | 20 ft (may be reduced to 10 ft for single-story through site plan review) |
| Adjacent to nonresidential district | 5 ft (may be reduced to 0 ft if attached to a building on an abutting lot) |
Parking and Loading Setbacks
In addition to building placement, the City of Long Beach regulates the location of parking areas within the CNP district. To maintain the pedestrian focus of the Neighborhood Pedestrian-Oriented Commercial district, parking is typically required to be located behind the buildings rather than in front of them [Section 21.32.020].
| Required Yard Area for Parking | CNP District Requirement |
|---|---|
| Front Street | 30 ft |
| Side Street | 6 ft |
| Alley | 14 ft (measured from centerline) |
| Adjacent to residential district | 5 ft |
| Adjacent to nonresidential district | 0 ft |
Special Design Considerations for CNP
The Long Beach CNP district contains several additional standards that influence how setbacks and facades are managed:
- Landscaping: All required yard areas in the Long Beach CNP district, except those used for outdoor dining or abutting an alley, must be planted with trees, shrubs, or groundcover [Section 21.32.225].
- Window Placement: For the ground floor of CNP buildings, windows must comprise at least two-thirds (2/3) of the area of the front facade [Section 21.32.230].
- Curb Cuts: In the CNP district, drive-thru lanes are strictly prohibited, and existing curb cuts from primary pedestrian thoroughfares must be closed and replaced with access from alleys or secondary streets where possible [Section 21.52.247].
Sections Cited
- Section 21.32.020 - Districts established
- Section 21.32.220 - Yards
- Section 21.32.225 - Screening required
- Section 21.32.230 - Design of buildings
- Section 21.52.247 - Building design in the CNP zone
- Table 32-2 - Commercial Development Standards