1. The Planning Bureau is responsible for Zoning Code conformance review for plan checks for construction projects, discretionary land use decisions, business licenses and certificates of appropriateness for historic properties. In addition, the Planning Bureau works on initiatives and programs to inform amendments to the Zoning Code. To learn more about what the Planning Bureau does, check out our What in the World is City Planning Toolkit (English, Spanish, Tagalog, Khmer). Please contact the Planning Bureau early in the process for questions related to zoning, land use entitlements, and historic preservation. The Planning Bureau can help you understand if a proposed use is allowed in a specific zoning district or limitations on what you can or cannot build on your property.
2. The Building and Safety Bureau ensures the safety and integrity of buildings. Once you have confirmed a use or project is allowed based on zoning, the next step is to contact Building and Safety for questions on building code and permitting requirements, which include fees, modifying or establishing an address, calling or checking on building inspections and confirming the permit status.
3. Applicants for construction projects and business license applications are encouraged to contact the Planning Bureau early in the process of planning a project or entering into a lease. This is to ensure the zoning allows for the proposed project and/or use, and to understand if an entitlement is needed. You can reach a planner by phone, computer or in person. If your project has already been assigned to a staff member or you have already been in contact with a staff member about your project, please contact them directly to discuss or address any follow up questions you may have.

1. Please contact the Building and Safety Bureau to check if any blueprints are on file. A person requesting to duplicate the maintained building plans for a site should refer to Form-024 available on the Building and Safety Forms Page for the requirements to request plans on file.
2. For building permits, you can search for an address online on our Permit Records.

You can reach a planner by via phone, computer or in person. Please see below for instructions to reach a planner for each option. If your project has already been assigned to a staff member or you have already been in contact with a staff member about your project, please contact them directly to discuss or address any follow up questions you may have.

1. Via Phone: You can reach the Planning Bureau by calling the Planning and Zoning Phone Line at 562.570.6194. Staff is available from 8 am to 4 pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, or Thursdays or 9 am to 4 pm on Wednesdays. Please note we are closed for lunch from 12-1 pm.
2. Via Online Form: Contact a Planner through our Inquiries Form where staff will respond within three business days.
3. Via Virtual Appointment: You can schedule a virtual appointment that will be held via Microsoft Teams. Virtual Planning Appointments are available in the mornings (8 am to noon) Monday through Friday.
4. Via the Permit Center (City Hall 2^nd Floor): You can schedule an in-person appointment or walk in at the Permit Center at City Hall on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursday, and Fridays from 8 am to 4 pm and Wednesdays from 9 am to 4 pm. Please note we are closed for lunch from 12-1 pm.

Zoning guides the types of uses (such as commercial, residential or industrial) allowed for any given piece of property, the required development standards (such as maximum floor area, maximum number of dwelling units, required parking and building height, etc.) and the process for reviewing and approving development projects. A proposed use is required to be consistent with a location’s zoning and development standards prior to operation.

You can find out what your zoning designation is by accessing the zoning and land use GIS map that has layers to show Zoning Districts. PDF versions of the zoning map are also provided here: All Zoning & Land Use Maps. To learn more about what your zone means, review the Zoning Districts Established (including links to our Zoning Regulations).

Once you figure out your zoning district, you can review what uses are allowed per our Zoning Regulations. Below lists common zoning district sections or you can review our Zoning Districts Established with links to our municipal code:

1. Title 21.31: Residential Uses
2. Title 21.32: Commercial Uses
3. Title 21.33: Industrial Uses
4. Title 22.15: Mixed Use, Commercial and Neo-Industrial Uses
5. Title 22.25: Special Use Incentive (A-Series) Uses

1. In each zoning district, some land uses are permitted by right, meaning only a building permit and/or business license is needed with Planning Bureau approval. Some land uses require a public hearing and approval of a discretionary planning entitlement, such as an Administrative Use Permit or Conditional Use Permit.
2. For construction of new buildings, a Site Plan Review entitlement may be required depending on the size of the new building.
3. If your project requires an entitlement, the Planning Bureau has prepared a general flow chart for the planning entitlement process. The purpose of the entitlement process is to ensure that the proposed land use and/or project is consistent with the development standards and is designed and operated in a manner that is compatible with neighboring uses and the community. The first step to initiating a discretionary planning entitlement is to confirm the required approvals with the Planning Bureau and submit a complete Planning Permit Application.

Please find all applications on our Forms page. Entitlements, such as Administrative Use Permits, Conditional Use Permits, Site Plan Review, Local Coastal Development Permits, and Sign Programs, require a Planning Permit Application that can be submitted to planningsubmittal@longbeach.gov. All submittals are conducted by email; in-person submittals are not accepted. All required documentation listed under Filing Requirements must be submitted along with your completed, signed and dated application. Incomplete submittals will not be processed until all required documentation is received.

Environmental reports can be found on our website and are divided into pending and approved/certified categories.

Operating a business from your home depends on what the home occupation or enterprise is. Please review Section 21.51.235 Home Occupations of the Zoning Regulations for the requirements and prohibited home occupation uses. If you are interested in starting a home business, please contact the Business License Department and fill out a Home Occupations Form.

What you can build on your property is dictated by zoning, which includes Specific Plan Districts and Planned Development Districts. In addition, development is required to be consistent with the General Plan Land Use Element and a property’s Land Use PlaceType. Once you find out what your zone is using our zoning and land use GIS map, you can find the zoning development standards, such as density, setbacks, height and maximum floor area, using our Zoning Regulations and Design Guidelines page.

The City does not maintain survey drawings for private property. Please consult with a licensed land surveyor to determine where your property lines are located.

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units (JADUs) are allowed in residential zoning districts allowing single-family and/or multi-family residential uses and where residential uses are allowed in mixed-use zoning districts, planned development districts and specific plans. A principal residential use (the primary dwelling) must be present on the lot where an ADU/JADU is proposed. ADUs/JADUs are not allowed in zones, PDs or SPs that do not allow residential uses, even if a nonconforming residential use is present, unless residential uses are allowed by the underlying Land Use Element district (PlaceType). If you are located in a zone that allows ADUs/JADUs, refer to the Long Beach ADU Summary Zoning Regulations to understand the development standards, including how many ADUs are permitted on a property.

1. The Planning Bureau must review and approve the location, height, and material used to construct any wall or fence. The height limits for fences are determined by the Zoning Regulations.
   1. If your property is located in a historic district or is a designated historic landmark, you may be subject to additional restrictions or requirements outlined in the Historic District Design Guidelines. Please contact historicpreservation@longbeach.gov to inquire about the fence requirements for your historic property.
2. Fences and walls constructed of wood, chain link, wrought iron and other similar materials measuring six feet six inches or less in height, or walls constructed of concrete, masonry, brick or other similar materials measuring four feet (4') or less in height do not require a building permit, but still require Planning Review. Please fill out a fence or curb cut diagram to show where the proposed fence or wall will go and visit us at the Permit Center at City Hall to receive stamped approval.
3. If your proposed fence or wall requires a building permit and is on a common property line, you must fill out the common property line wall/fence agreement and have the form signed and notarized by both property owners.

1. Find out if your property is in a historic district by reviewing our citywide historic district map or our interactive GIS map where you can search your address.
2. Any exterior changes to a historic landmark or property located within a historic district must be approved through a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) before starting any work, even if a building permit is not required. Common projects requiring a COA include changes to windows and/or doors, re-painting, re-roofing and building repairs and additions. Any proposed projects shall take into account Historic Design Guidelines both based on historic district and architectural style.

1. Find out if your property is in the coastal zone by reviewing our coastal zone map.
2. All development in the coastal zone shall be required to obtain either a Local Coastal Development Permit pursuant to Long Beach Municipal Code Section 21.25.904 or a Coastal Permit Categorical Exclusion pursuant to Long Beach Municipal Code Section 21.25.906. Such approval must be issued prior to the start of development and shall be required in addition to any other permits or approvals required by the City. Find out more information on Coastal Planning.
   1. Addresses located in the green areas are in the permit jurisdiction of the City of Long Beach and are not appealable to the California Coastal Commission. Addresses in the yellow areas are in the permit jurisdiction of the City of Long Beach but are appealable to the California Coastal Commission. Areas in the red are in the California Coastal Commission permit jurisdiction.

In order to subdivide your property, a Tentative Map will be required. Please make sure you meet the minimum lot width, lot size and other applicable Zoning and Subdivision regulations. You can access these code sections by visiting the Zoning Regulations and Design Guidelines page.  Please note that public improvements and dedications to the City may be required as a condition of approval with the Tentative Map. Subdivision information can be found in Title 20 of the Long Beach Municipal Code (Chapter 20.08 – Design Standards and Chapter 20.12 – Tentative Maps).

1. In order to qualify for SB9 (Senate Bill 9), a property must be a single-family zoned lot,  contain no more than one single family dwelling, be located outside of a Historic District and not be a designated historic landmark and meet the additional requirements subject to SB9. A complete checklist is available on the ADU and SB9 Development webpage.
2. A property does not need to be subdivided (Urban Lot Split) in order to qualify for SB9. If you are interested in subdividing your property via an Urban Lot Split, please visit Chapter 20.18 of the Subdivision regulations.

Several factors influence the number of dwelling units allowed on a parcel, including the applicable zoning and development standards outlined in the City’s Zoning Regulations (Title 21 and Title 22) and City’s Land Use Element. First, start by determining your Zoning District and Land Use PlaceType by looking at our zoning map or use our zoning and land use GIS map. Once you know your Zoning District, you can find out how many units are allowed by looking up your Zoning District in the Zoning Regulations or by contacting a planner. The Land Use Element provides densities in the form of dwelling units/acre for several, but not all PlaceTypes (pages 65 and 86 of the Land Use Element).

1. The City of Long Beach has two parallel pathways for permitting density bonus projects: State Density Bonus (Gov. Code 65915) and the City of Long Beach’s Local Enhanced Density Bonus (Chapter 21.68 of the Zoning Regulations). Both are optional programs, not mandatory for multifamily projects with affordable housing components, and cannot be used at the same time. This means, if you are using the Local Enhanced Density Bonus Law, you cannot use the State Density Bonus law, and vice versa. 
2. The City of Long Beach’s Inclusionary Housing Ordinance, found in Chapter 21.67 of the Zoning Regulations, applies Citywide and requires all new housing projects proposing ten (10) or more units set aside percentage of units at affordable levels. To learn more about the Inclusionary Housing requirements, refer to Chapter 21.67 of the Zoning Regulations, "Inclusionary Housing Implementation Guidelines: Rental Residential Development," and "Inclusionary Housing Implementation Guidelines: Ownership Residential Development".
3. To apply for a project that includes affordable housing, please submit a Planning Permit application to planningsubmittal@longbeach.gov. Any request for an entitlement that includes housing shall include a completed Housing Supplemental Application form. This form will help you determine the base density for the parcel(s). The form must include the desired density bonus and incentives/waivers, if applicable.

1. To find out about new projects filed with the Planning Bureau, visit the monthly case filings.
2. In addition to the monthly case filings, larger development projects in the city can be found on our Major Development Projects map. This tool allows for filtering projects that are residential or commercial, affordability, and/or what the status is such as under review, approved, or under construction.

1. If you are interested in a specific project scheduled for a public hearing, please plan to attend the public hearing on the scheduled day. The information for the location and format of the hearing is found on the public hearing notice. Public hearing notices for planning items can be accessed on the hearings pages for Zoning Administrator , Planning Commission and City Council.
2. If you are interested in receiving notifications of upcoming public hearings, you can sign up to receive notifications using LinkLB.