Long Beach Sustainability

Projects - Buildings & Neighborhoods

Municipal Green Building Policies

The City of Long Beach adopted a Green Building Policy for Municipal Buildings in 2003, which states that all new construction of municipally owned and operated buildings will meet the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standard. In November 2006, the City Council implemented an interim green building policy for private development.  In October 2007, the City Council approved the creation of a permanent green building policy for private development, which will be released in early 2009.  

Long Beach 2030

Long Beach 2030, the update of the City's General Plan, is a major step towards sustainability with the comprehensive approach to land use, mobility, urban design, historic preservation and economic development.  This comprehensive approach represents a new way of thinking about accommodating growth with well-designed, efficient new development linked to public transit options and jobs while maintaining and enhancing all the things that we value about Long Beach today.

Port of Long Beach Green Buildings

The Port completed their LEED Silver Command and Control Center for security operations and is designing two LEED Gold fire stations. In November 2008, the Port approved the LEED Silver rated Administration and Operations Buildings (76,000 Square Feet) and the is designing the first Maintenance and Repair complex buildings to Silver LEED (100,000 Square Feet). This will be a first set of industrial open-bay buildings designed to this rating.

Community Gardens

There are 9 community gardens located across the City that help foster a green community within the gardens and the neighborhoods they are found in. Many of these gardens open their gates to the public for festivals and educational events, and they serve as an example for small scale, sustainable farming in an urban setting.

Tree City USA and Tree Grants

In April 2008, the City became a Tree City USA by creating a Tree Advisory Committee, a Tree Maintenance policy and Urban Forest Master Plan; establishing a Public Works Tree Care budget of $3.7 million; and observing Arbor Day with tree plantings. Additionally, Neighborhood Services partnered with neighborhood associations, community service groups, individual volunteers, the Conservation Corps of Long Beach, and the Street Trees Division to plant 605 trees with a $56,986 State grant.