Setback Requirements for the IL: Light Industrial District in Long Beach
In the IL: Light Industrial district of the City of Long Beach, front yard setbacks are determined by street classification, requiring 10 feet for minor arterials or larger streets and 6 feet for local or collector streets. A significant 20-foot setback is required when a property in the IL: Light Industrial district abuts a residential district, whereas no setback (0 feet) is required when abutting other nonresidential districts. All required setback areas in the IL: Light Industrial district must remain clear of structures from the ground to the sky and be maintained with landscaping [Section 21.33.140].
Minimum Setback and Yard Requirements
Development within the IL: Light Industrial district must adhere to specific yard setbacks based on the orientation of the lot and the nature of the adjacent properties. These standards ensure proper circulation, safety, and buffering between industrial and sensitive uses within the City of Long Beach.
| Required Setback/Yard Area | IL: Light Industrial District Standard |
|---|---|
| Yard Fronting on Minor Arterial or Greater Street | 10 feet |
| Yard Fronting on Local or Collector Street | 6 feet |
| Parking Lot Setback (from fronting street) | 5 feet (a) |
| Yards Abutting Alleys | 10 feet from centerline |
| Yards Abutting Residential District | 20 feet |
| Yards Abutting Nonresidential District | 0 feet (b) |
(a) As specified in Section 21.33.145, a five-foot wide landscaped strip must be provided between the parking area and the property line abutting a public right-of-way. (b) While a 0-foot setback is permitted, separation between buildings on adjacent lots must still be provided as required by the Fire Code and Uniform Building Code [Table 33-4].
Specific Yard Regulations for the IL: Light Industrial District
General Yard Conditions
In the IL: Light Industrial district, all required building setbacks and yards must be clear of all structures from the ground to the sky, except for specific permitted projections. These areas must be landscaped and maintained in a neat and healthy condition according to the landscaping provisions of the City of Long Beach [Section 21.33.140.A].
Corner Cutoffs
The City of Long Beach requires a corner cutoff at all intersections of streets, driveways, and alleys in the IL: Light Industrial district. This area must be a minimum of six feet by six feet (6' x 6') and must remain free of any structure or vegetation that obstructs visibility up to a height of eight feet [Section 21.33.140.B].
Permitted Projections into Required Yards
Certain architectural and functional features are permitted to project into the required yards of the IL: Light Industrial district, provided they do not exceed specific limits:
- Architectural elements: May project up to two feet.
- Awnings and Bay Windows: May project up to two feet.
- Roof Eaves: May project up to two feet, six inches (2' 6") from the property line.
- Other features: Lamp posts, porte cocheres, and on-premises signs are also permitted within these areas subject to specific code regulations [Section 21.33.140.C].
Outdoor Storage and Activity Limitations
The IL: Light Industrial district has strict regulations regarding where industrial activities can occur relative to setbacks:
- Outdoor Storage: Permitted only in side and rear yards. It is explicitly prohibited within any required street side yard setback. Storage areas must be screened by a solid fence or wall of the same height as the materials stored, which cannot exceed eight feet [Section 21.33.150.A.1].
- Production Activities: No outdoor production, processing, or manufacturing is permitted in the IL: Light Industrial district. All such activities must be conducted within an entirely enclosed structure [Section 21.33.150.A.2].
Sections Cited
- Section 21.15.660 - Corner cutoff.
- Section 21.33.140 - Setbacks and yards.
- Section 21.33.145 - Parking areas abutting streets.
- Section 21.33.150 - Outdoor storage and activities.
- Table 33-4 - Minimum Required Setbacks/Yards Areas.