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Setback Requirements for the CCA: Community Commercial Automobile-Oriented District

Jurisdiction: Long BeachCode Version: April 2026

In the City of Long Beach, the CCA: Community Commercial Automobile-Oriented district requires a minimum building setback of 10 feet from both front and side streets. When a property in the CCA district is adjacent to a residential district, the rear yard setback increases to 20 feet, and the side yard setback is 10 feet. However, building setbacks may be reduced to 0 feet if the structure is attached to a building on an abutting lot [Table 32-2].

Building Setback Requirements

The Long Beach Municipal Code establishes specific yard requirements for buildings within the Community Commercial Automobile-Oriented (CCA) district. These distances ensure proper separation between commercial structures, public rights-of-way, and neighboring residential zones.

Location or Adjacency Minimum Building Setback Requirement
Front Street 10 feet (must be at least 10 feet from curb face)
Side Street 10 feet (must be at least 10 feet from curb face)
Adjacent to side yard of residential district 10 feet
Adjacent to rear yard of residential district 20 feet (may be reduced to 10 feet for single-story buildings)
Adjacent to nonresidential district 5 feet (may be reduced to 0 feet under certain conditions)

Parking Area Setback Requirements

In the CCA district of Long Beach, the positioning of parking lots and garages is also subject to specific setbacks. These requirements are intended to shield the public right-of-way and adjacent residential properties from the visual and environmental impacts of vehicle storage.

Parking Area Location Minimum Setback Requirement
Front Street 10 feet
Side Street 6 feet
Alley 14 feet (measured from the centerline of the alley)
Adjacent to residential district 5 feet
Adjacent to nonresidential district 5 feet

Specific Exceptions and Reductions

The Long Beach Municipal Code provides for specific instances where the standard setbacks in the CCA district may be modified:

Abutting Structures

The setback adjacent to a nonresidential district may be reduced to 0 feet if the proposed structure is attached to a building on the abutting lot. This also applies if there is no building on the abutting lot within 5 feet of the property line [Table 32-2, Footnote c].

Single-Story Building Reduction

For single-story commercial buildings in the CCA district, the 20-foot setback required when adjacent to the rear yard of a residential district may be reduced to 10 feet. This reduction is subject to the site plan review process [Table 32-2, Footnote d].

Ground-Floor Residential

While the CCA district primarily focuses on automobile-oriented commercial uses, if the project involves ground-floor residential units, an 8-foot front street setback and a 5-foot side street setback are required [Table 32-2, Footnote e].

Sections Cited

  • Chapter 21.32 - Commercial Districts
  • Section 21.32.220 - Yards
  • Table 32-2 - Commercial Development Standards

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Setback Requirements for the CCA: Community Commercial Automobile-Oriented District | Long Beach Zoning Guide