DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS

Long Beach Municipal Code tit. 21, ch. 21.33, div. II

in effect

Long Beach Municipal Code § 21.33.100 General provisions.

21.33.100 - General provisions. This Division II establishes development standards applicable to all new construction and additions to existing development in the industrial districts. (Ord. C-7360 § 3, 1995)

Long Beach Municipal Code § 21.33.110 Minimum lot size.

21.33.110 - Minimum lot size. All new subdivisions of land shall comply with the minimum lot size requirements indicated in Table 33-3. (Ord. C-7360 § 3, 1995)

Long Beach Municipal Code § 21.33.120 Maximum lot coverage.

21.33.120 - Maximum lot coverage. No building or structure shall be constructed to exceed the lot coverage standards indicated in Table 33-3. (Ord. C-7360 § 3, 1995)

Long Beach Municipal Code § 21.33.130 Maximum building and structure height.

21.33.130 - Maximum building and structure height. A. No building or other structure shall be constructed to exceed the height limitations indicated in Table 33-3, except for signs, which are subject to the standards set forth in Chapters 21.44 (On-Premises Signs) and 21.54 (Billboards). B. Flagpoles, when placed on the roof of a building, may exceed the height limit for a principal building by ten feet (10′). When placed on the ground, flagpoles shall not exceed a height of sixty feet (60′). C. Television or radio receiving or transmitting antennas may exceed the applicable height limit as provided for in Section 21.46.060 (Special Development Standards). D. The following rooftop elements and equipment may extend up to ten feet (10′) above the building height: 1. Rooftop stair and elevator penthouse enclosures. 2. Rooftop heating and air conditioning equipment and ducts. 3. Rooftop safety rails. E. Exceptions. 1. Rooftop solar collectors and associated supporting structures may exceed the applicable height limit only if necessary for the sole purpose of solar collection, and not otherwise installed on any occupiable areas of the roof, and when located in the coastal zone, public views of the beach, bay, or ocean (as identified in the certified Local Coastal Program) are not adversely impacted. (ORD-21-0028 § 6, 2021; ORD-19-0028 § 33, 2019; Ord. C-7360 § 3, 1995)

Long Beach Municipal Code § 21.33.140 Setbacks and yards.

21.33.140 - Setbacks and yards. A. Setbacks and Yards Required. Building setbacks and yards shall be provided as indicated in Table 33-4. Yard areas shall be clear of all structures from the ground to the sky, except for permitted projections, and shall be landscaped in accordance with the landscaping provisions (Chapter 21.42) of this Title. B. Corner Cutoff Required. Corner cutoffs, as defined in Section 21.15.660 of this Title, shall be required in all industrial districts at the intersections of streets, driveways, and alleys. The corner cutoff shall be free of any structure or vegetation which impedes or obstructs access or visibility up to eight feet (8′) in height. C. Permitted Projections. No appurtenances, projections, or other building features may project into required yards, except: 1. Architectural elements not more than two feet (2′) into the required yard area; 2. Awnings; 3. Bay windows projecting not more than two feet (2′) into the required yard area; 4. Lamp posts; 5. A porte cochere; 6. Roof eaves projecting no closer than two feet, six inches (2′ 6″) from the property line; and 7. Signs, as specified in Chapter 21.44 (On-Premises Signs) of this Title. D. Permitted uses. The following uses and accessory structures shall be the only uses and structures permitted in required yard areas: driveways, automobile surface parking lots, landscaping, and on-premises signs. All other uses shall be prohibited. (ORD-19-0028 § 18, 2019; Ord. C-7360 § 3, 1995)

Long Beach Municipal Code § 21.33.145 Parking areas abutting streets.

21.33.145 - Parking areas abutting streets. Wherever a parking area abuts a property line adjacent to a street, a five foot (5') wide landscaped strip shall be provided between the parking area and the property line abutting the public right-of-way. See Chapter 21.42 for additional requirements. Table 33-3 General Development Standards Standard | Zone District IL | IM | IG | IP Minimum Lot Size (a) (see 21.33.110) | 15,000 sq. ft. | 20,000 sq. ft. | 20,000 sq. ft. | No restriction Maximum Lot Coverage (see 21.33.120) | 55% | 60% | 80% (b) | No restriction Maximum Building Height (see 21.33.130) | 4 stories or 60 ft., whichever is more restrictive | 45 ft. | 65 ft. | 65 ft. Maximum Non-Building Structure Height | 45 ft. | 45 ft. | No restriction | No restriction Maximum Accessory Office Space (see also 21.33.170) | • 25% of gross floor area for tenant spaces ≥5,000 sq. ft. | • 25% of gross floor area | • 25% of gross floor area | No restriction • 45% of gross floor area for tenant spaces < 5,000 sq. ft. | • 45% of gross floor area for tenant spaces < 5,000 sq. ft. | • 45% of gross floor area for tenant spaces < 5,000 sq. ft. Minimum Landscaped Area | see Chapter 21.42 | see Chapter 21.42 | see Chapter 21.42 | see Chapter 21.42 Fence Regulations | see Chapter 21.43 | see Chapter 21.43 | see Chapter 21.43 | see Chapter 21.43 Notes: (a) The minimum lot size standards shall apply only to new subdivision of land. They do not apply to new construction or remodeling on existing lots or to air space subdivisions of existing lots. Lot lines of existing lots may be adjusted per Chapter 20.20 (Subdivision Regulations). (b) City redevelopment plans may establish an alternative standard which supersedes this standard. For the Westside Redevelopment Project Area, the maximum lot coverage standard is 60 percent for new buildings. Table 33-4 Minimum Required Setbacks/Yards Areas Required Setback/Yard Area | IL | IM | IG | IP Yard Fronting on Minor Arterial or Greater Street Classification | 10 ft. | 10 ft. | 10 ft. | 10 ft. Yard Fronting on Local or Collector Street | 6 ft. | 0 ft. | 0 ft. | 0 ft. Parking Lot Setback for Yard Fronting on a Street | 5 ft. (a) | 5 ft. (a) | 5 ft. (a) | 5 ft. (a) Yards Abutting Alleys | 10 ft. from centerline | 10 ft. from centerline | 10 ft. from centerline | 10 ft. from centerline Yards Abutting Residential District | 20 ft. | 45 ft. | 45 ft. | No restriction Yards Abutting Nonresidential District | 0 ft. (b) | 0 ft. (b) | 0 ft. (b) | 0 ft. (b) Notes: (a) See also Section 21.33.145. (b) Separation between buildings on adjacent lots shall be provided as required by the Fire Code and Uniform Building Code, or any successor Code. (ORD-10-0031 § 3, 2010; Ord. C-7360 § 3, 1995) (ORD-10-0031 § 4, 2010)

Long Beach Municipal Code § 21.33.150 Outdoor storage and activities.

21.33.150 - Outdoor storage and activities. A. IL District Regulations. 1. Outdoor Storage. Accessory outdoor storage of goods, materials, or equipment shall be permitted only in the side and rear yards. However, no materials shall be stored within any required street side yard setback. All outdoor storage areas shall be completely screened from view from public rights-of-way and adjacent properties with screening the same height as the materials being stored. Stored goods and materials shall not exceed a stacking height of eight feet (8′). 2. Activities. Except as otherwise permitted by Table 33-2, no outdoor production, processing, or manufacturing activities associated with a business shall be permitted at any time. All such activities must be conducted within an entirely enclosed structure. This restriction shall not apply to loading operations or other necessary support functions of a business. B. IM District Regulations. 1. Outdoor Storage. Outdoor storage shall be permitted except in required front street and side street yard setbacks, and required parking and loading areas. Such storage shall be fully screened from view with solid screening materials at least the same height as the materials being stored, or at least twelve feet (12′), whichever is less. Stored goods and materials shall not exceed a stacking height of fifteen feet (15′), with the exception of container storage, which shall not be stacked higher than two (2) containers. 2. Activities. The following are permitted outdoor activities, provided all such activities meet the performance standards contained in Section 21.33.090 of this Chapter: processing, assembly, and fabrication of goods; and the maintenance, repair, and salvage of equipment associated with a business. C. IG District Regulations. 1. Outdoor Storage. Outdoor storage shall be permitted except in required front street and side street setbacks, and in required parking and loading areas. Such storage shall be fully screened from view from a public right-of-way and any adjacent or abutting residential use. Stored goods and materials shall not exceed a stacking height of fifteen feet (15′). 2. Transport Containers. Transport containers used for storing goods, materials, or equipment to be transported by truck, train, or marine vessel may be stored anywhere on a lot, with the exception of any required corner cutoff area. No more than two (2) containers shall be stacked atop one another. 3. Activities. The following are permitted outdoor activities, provided all such activities meet the performance standards contained in Section 21.33.090 of this Chapter: processing, assembly, and fabrication of goods; and the maintenance, repair, and salvage of equipment associated with a business. D. IP District Regulations. 1. Outdoor Storage. Outdoor storage, including the storage of transport containers used for storing goods, materials, or equipment to be transported by truck, train, or marine vessel, may occur anywhere on a lot, with the exception of any required corner cutoff area. Such storage shall be subject to any screening or security requirements established by the Long Beach Harbor Department. 2. Activities. All activities ordinarily associated with port and port-related businesses shall be permitted to occur out of doors consistent with regulations established by the Harbor Department. E. Surfacing of Outdoor Storage and Activity Areas. In all industrial districts, all outdoor storage and activity areas shall be surfaced with paving materials as required by the Director of Planning and Building, and all such surfaced areas shall be maintained in good condition. (Ord. C-7360 § 3, 1995)

Long Beach Municipal Code § 21.33.160 Accessory structures.

21.33.160 - Accessory structures. A. Use Restrictions. The use of accessory buildings and structures shall conform to the requirements contained in Chapter 21.51 (Accessory Uses) of this Title. B. Trash Receptacles. Adequate trash receptacles shall be provided to accommodate the refuse generated on a site. If visible from a public street, receptacles shall conform to the applicable development standards contained in Chapter 21.45 (Special Development Standards) of this Title. (Ord. C-7663 § 20, 1999; Ord. C-7360 § 3, 1995)

Long Beach Municipal Code § 21.33.170 Accessory office space in industrial buildings.

21.33.170 - Accessory office space in industrial buildings. A. Maximum Area Permitted. Office space is permitted as an accessory use within an industrial building. The accessory office space is limited to the percent of gross floor area indicated in Table 33-3. B. Requirements For Tenant Spaces Containing Less than Five Thousand Square Feet. As indicated in Table 33-3, tenant spaces which are less than five thousand (5,000) square feet of gross floor area in size may use a maximum of forty-five percent (45%) of gross floor area for office purposes. However, wherever such office space exceeds twenty-five percent (25%) of the gross floor area of an individual tenant space, an additional three (3) parking spaces shall be provided in addition to any parking required for the principal use. C. Office Space in Excess of Maximum Allowable. If office space in excess of the maximum allowable is proposed, the office space shall be considered the principal use, and such use shall be subject to all use regulations and development standards applicable to that principal use. (Ord. C-7360 § 3, 1995)

Long Beach Municipal Code § 21.33.180 Rooftop equipment screening.

21.33.180 - Rooftop equipment screening. A. Purpose. The City recognizes that mechanical equipment on rooftops can be unattractive and can facilitate unauthorized access into buildings. Therefore, the screening requirements contained in this Section shall be applied to improve the aesthetic quality of the City and to improve the security of buildings. B. Applicability. This Section applies to all development in the industrial districts for all rooftop equipment visible from an adjacent street, highway or abutting residential district. C. Materials and Design. All screening devices shall be of a material consistent with the color and style of the building, and shall be well-integrated into the building design through such features as parapet walls, false roofs, or equipment rooms. Louvered designs are acceptable if consistent with the building style. All screening materials shall be of a type requiring limited maintenance. Wood lattice shall not be permitted. D. Secured. All rooftop mechanical equipment shall be secured from unauthorized entry to the satisfaction of the Director of Planning and Building. E. Approval Required. Prior to issuance of a mechanical permit for rooftop equipment, the Director of Planning and Building shall review the proposed screening plan for compliance with the provisions of this Section. (Ord. C-7378 § 17, 1995; Ord. C-7360 § 3, 1995)

Long Beach Municipal Code § 21.33.190 Off-street parking and loading.

21.33.190 - Off-street parking and loading. Off-street parking and loading shall be provided as required by Chapter 21.41 (Off-Street Parking and Loading Requirements) of this Title. (Ord. C-7360 § 3, 1995)

Long Beach Municipal Code § 21.33.200 Landscaping requirements.

21.33.200 - Landscaping requirements. Landscaping shall be provided as required by Chapter 21.42 (Landscaping Standards) of this Title. (Ord. C-7360 § 3, 1995)

Long Beach Municipal Code § 21.33.210 Fences and garden walls.

21.33.210 - Fences and garden walls. Fences and garden walls, other than those required by this Title for parking lot and outdoor storage screening, are permitted accessory structures subject to the development standards contained in Chapter 21.43 (Fences and Garden Walls) of this Title. (Ord. C-7360 § 3, 1995)

Long Beach Municipal Code § 21.33.220 On-premises signs.

21.33.220 - On-premises signs. On-premises signs are permitted accessory structures subject to the development standards contained in Chapter 21.44 (On-Premises Signs) of this Title. (Ord. C-7360 § 3, 1995)

Long Beach Municipal Code § 21.33.230 Right-of-way dedications and improvements.

21.33.230 - Right-of-way dedications and improvements. Public right-of-way shall be reserved, dedicated, and/or improved as required by Chapter 21.47 (Dedication, Reservation and Improvement of Public Rights-of-Way) of this Title. (Ord. C-7360 § 3, 1995)

Source: City of Long Beach, Municipal Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/ca/long_beach/codes/municipal_code?nodeId=TIT21ZO_CH21.33INDI_DIVIIDESTFetched: 10/28/2026