The Zoning Code guides the types of uses (such as commercial, residential, or industrial) allowed for any given piece of property, the required development standards (such as required parking and building height), and the process for reviewing and approving development projects. New uses emerge in response to economic, social, and technological changes, both locally and globally. In Long Beach, the Zoning Code has not been comprehensively updated since 1989 after the previous Land Use Element Update, and since then, our community and economy have changed significantly. Through the Zoning Code updates, the City seeks to engage the community to develop zoning tools that implement the community’s vision, address existing and projected community needs such as for housing and jobs, respond to evolving community needs and priorities, and simplify and improve the code for everyone.
Development Services
The City of Long Beach is undertaking efforts to implement the General Plan Land Use Element, which was adopted by the City Council in 2019, as well as the 6th Cycle General Plan Housing Element, which was adopted by the City Council and certified by the State in 2022. This systematic rezoning throughout Long Beach is taking place to update zoning regulations to implement this newly adopted city General Plan policy guidance pursuant to state law. Among other things, the rezoning will help ensure sufficient zoned capacity to meet existing and future housing needs and support the creation of more complete communities where housing, jobs and shopping are located more closely together and focused near the highest quality public transportation within the city.
The City already has two major rezoning efforts underway: the Uptown Planning Land Use and Neighborhood Strategy (UPLAN), a collaborative effort between the City and the North Long Beach community to guide future development in North Long Beach through updated zoning; and Zone In: City Core, a collaboration between the City and the community to update zoning regulations in the “City Core” area bounded by Pacific Coast Highway, 10th Street, Magnolia and Ximeno Avenues. The next rezoning effort is focused on West Willow St and Santa Fe Ave in West Long Beach and is known as Zone In: WestLB.
All of these efforts build upon previous city plans, goals, objectives and strategies to ensure that the City meets the housing needs of current and future Long Beach residents and provides fair housing options, neighborhood services, and business opportunities for all.
