Long Beach, CA Animal Ordinances: Pet Groomer Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- LBMC § 21.45.133
- Zoning table
- Table 32-1, § 21.32.110
- Residential adjacency
- Site may not abut residential district
- Boarding/adoption cap
- 50% of gross floor area
- Animal density minimum
- 75 sq ft floor area per animal
- Cats exemption
- Cat-only operations skip floor drains
Summary
Long Beach zones animal grooming shops under LBMC Table 32-1 as an "indoor animal related use," permitted by right in most commercial districts. Any such business must meet the § 21.45.133 development standards for location, noise control, flooring, ventilation, and animal density regardless of whether it also boards animals.
The following special development standards shall apply to businesses involving indoor animal adoption and boarding uses by right or requiring an Administrative Use Permit: A.Location. The site shall not adjoin or abut a residential use district. Planned Development Districts allowing ground floor mixed-use commercial and residential are exempt from this requirement.B.Size. Adoption and boarding areas shall remain an accessory component of the established primary operation and shall not exceed fifty percent (50%) of the gross floor area.C.Building Improvements.1.The facility shall be improved with sound abatement measures to ensure compliance with the noise ordinance, Chapter 8.80 of the Long Beach Municipal Code. Written documentation by a licensed acoustical engineer shall be provided to demonstrate compliance with the noise ordinance, subject to the approval of the Director of Development Services or designated staff.2.Impervious flooring surfaces and floor drains shall be incorporated in the areas dedicated for recreation or boarding of animals. Operations involving the care of cats are exempt from providing floor drains.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Municipal Code: Supplement 52 Update 1 | City Charter: Supplement 5).
Full Breakdown
110, Permitted Uses) lists "indoor animal related uses with animal adoption and boarding not exceeding 25% of gross floor area (such as but not limited to animal grooming, veterinary clinic, animal lounge, animal daycare, pet shop)" as permitted by right (Y) across the CNP, CNA, CNR, CCA, CCP, CCR, CCN and CHW commercial districts, but not in CS. If the adoption/boarding component exceeds 25% of gross floor area, the use drops to Administrative Use Permit (AP) status. 133's special development standards. The site cannot adjoin or abut a residential use district, unless it sits in a Planned Development District with ground-floor mixed-use commercial and residential.
80 noise ordinance, and grooming/boarding areas need impervious flooring and floor drains: except operations limited to cats, which are exempt from the floor-drain requirement. 36. Any adoption or boarding space is capped at 50% of gross floor area and must allow at least 75 square feet per animal, with daily cleanup of waste. The Director of Development Services reviews and approves the acoustical documentation before occupancy.
Violations & Fines
A grooming shop that skips the acoustical engineer's noise documentation, exceeds the 25%/50% adoption-boarding floor-area caps, or sites within a prohibited residential-adjacent lot can be denied its business license or Administrative Use Permit, or ordered to correct the deficiency by Development Services before opening. Separate noise-ordinance citations under Chapter 8.80 apply if barking or equipment noise from the shop disturbs neighboring uses after occupancy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a pet grooming shop open next to a house in Long Beach?
Does a Long Beach grooming shop need soundproofing?
Is a permit required to open a grooming business in Long Beach?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Long Beach
California rules heatmap·Compare Long Beach to another location·View the California animal ordinances overview
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