Moving to Long Beach, CA? Here Are the Local Rules You Should Know

Long Beach is a mid-sized city in Los Angeles County, California, with about 467000 residents. Like most cities its size, it has a set of local rules that may differ significantly from neighboring municipalities. Here is an overview of 197 ordinances across 42 categories that affect daily life in Long Beach.

Fire Regulations

Smoke Detectors: Under CA H&S Code §13113.7 and LBMC fire code adoption, all Long Beach residential units require working smoke alarms in each bedroom, outside sleeping areas, and on every floor. Replacement alarms must be 10-year sealed-battery models since 2015..

Also covered: Backyard Fires (moderate), Propane Storage (moderate), Fireworks (strict). See the full fire regulations guide for Long Beach for details.

HOA Rules

CC&R Enforcement: Long Beach HOAs enforce CC&Rs under CA Davis-Stirling Common Interest Development Act (Civil Code §4000+). Violations typically trigger written notice, hearing opportunity, fines, and — as a last resort — lien and judicial foreclosure..

Also covered: Architectural Review (moderate). See the full hoa rules guide for Long Beach for details.

Animal Ordinances

Animal Hoarding: Long Beach Animal Care Services investigates suspected hoarding under LBMC Title 6 cruelty provisions and California Penal Code 597, removing animals when conditions threaten welfare or public health..

Also covered: Microchipping (moderate), Cat Rules (moderate), Mandatory Spay/Neuter (strict). See the full animal ordinances guide for Long Beach for details.

Building Safety

Elevator Maintenance: Elevators in Long Beach buildings fall under California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) Elevator Unit, which issues operating permits and conducts annual safety inspections..

Also covered: Pest Control (moderate), Fire Sprinkler Requirements (strict), Anti-Mansionization (moderate). See the full building safety guide for Long Beach for details.

Short-Term Rentals

Registration Rules: STR registration required under LBMC Chapter 5.77. Primary Residence ($400/yr) or Non-Primary Residence registration (limited to 800 citywide).

Also covered: Repeat Violator Strikes (strict), Primary-Residence-Only Rule (strict), Host Presence Rule (moderate). See the full short-term rentals guide for Long Beach for details.

Rental Property Rules

No-Fault Evictions: Long Beach Tenant Relocation Assistance Ordinance LBMC 8.97 lists permitted no-fault eviction grounds including owner move-in, withdrawal from rental market, government order, and substantial remodel, each requiring relocation payments to the displaced tenant..

Also covered: Relocation Assistance (strict), AB-1482 Notice Disclosure (moderate), Cash-for-Keys Agreements (moderate). See the full rental property rules guide for Long Beach for details.

Homelessness & Encampment Rules

Sit-Lie Rules: Long Beach Municipal Code Title 10 and Title 14 prohibit obstructing public sidewalks with personal property or seated bodies that block the pedestrian right-of-way, applied with offers of services through the city Health and Human Services Department..

Also covered: Encampment Sanitation (moderate), Bridge Housing Siting (permissive). See the full homelessness & encampment rules guide for Long Beach for details.

Public Health Rules

Restaurant Grade Cards: Long Beach Health Department inspects food facilities and posts color-coded letter grade placards (A, B, or C) at the entrance based on routine inspection scores, similar to but separate from Los Angeles County's program..

Also covered: Rodent Control (moderate), Syringe Disposal (moderate), Food Handler Certification (moderate). See the full public health rules guide for Long Beach for details.

Cannabis Regulations

Buffer Zones: Long Beach prohibits cannabis retail, manufacturing, and cultivation businesses from operating within 600 feet of K-12 schools, daycares, parks, libraries, and other licensed cannabis businesses, measured property line to property line..

Also covered: Social Equity Licensing (moderate), Cannabis Delivery Rules (moderate), Commercial Cannabis Zoning (moderate). See the full cannabis regulations guide for Long Beach for details.

Single-Use Items

Plastic Bag Rules: Long Beach was an early adopter, banning single-use plastic carryout bags at large retailers in 2011 under LBMC Chapter 8.103. The ordinance now operates alongside California's statewide ban (SB 270) requiring 10-cent fees for paper or reusable bags..

Also covered: Polystyrene Foam Rules (strict), Utensils-On-Request (moderate). See the full single-use items guide for Long Beach for details.

Tobacco & Vaping

Flavored Tobacco Bans: California Senate Bill 793, upheld by voters as Proposition 31 in 2022, bans the retail sale of most flavored tobacco products including menthol cigarettes and flavored vape liquids. Long Beach enforces the ban through tobacco retailer licensing..

Also covered: Vape Retail Rules (moderate). See the full tobacco & vaping guide for Long Beach for details.

Environmental Rules

Vehicle Idling Restrictions: Diesel trucks serving the Port of Long Beach are bound by California Air Resources Board five-minute idling limits and Port Clean Air Action Plan rules, which restrict heavy-duty engine idling near terminals, schools, and residential receptors throughout the city..

Also covered: Climate Emergency Mobilization (moderate), Cool Roof Requirements (moderate), Heat Island Mitigation (moderate). See the full environmental rules guide for Long Beach for details.

Water Use Rules

Lawn Watering Restrictions: The Long Beach Water Department restricts outdoor irrigation to assigned days and limits sprinkler runtime, mirroring Metropolitan Water District drought rules. Watering is generally banned during the heat of the day and within forty-eight hours of measurable rainfall..

Also covered: Turf Replacement Rebates (permissive), Leak Reporting Duty (moderate). See the full water use rules guide for Long Beach for details.

Zoning Overlays & Bonuses

Coastal Zone Permits: Most development in Long Beach's Coastal Zone, including the Peninsula, Belmont Shore, Naples, Alamitos Bay, and downtown shoreline, requires a Coastal Development Permit under Title 17 of the Municipal Code, implementing the California Coastal Act through the Local Coastal Program..

Also covered: Transit-Oriented Communities (TOC) (moderate), Density Bonus Law (moderate). See the full zoning overlays & bonuses guide for Long Beach for details.

Tree Protection

Protected Tree Species: Long Beach Municipal Code Title 14 chapter 14.04 protects designated heritage trees and certain species on public and private property. Removing, topping, or seriously damaging a protected tree without a permit can trigger significant fines and replacement requirements..

Also covered: Parkway Planting (moderate), Heritage & Protected Trees (strict), Tree Removal Permits (strict). See the full tree protection guide for Long Beach for details.

Hotels & Lodging

Hotel Worker Retention: Measure WW, passed by Long Beach voters in 2018, requires hotels with 50+ rooms to provide panic buttons, daily room-cleaning workload caps, and worker-retention rights when hotels change ownership..

Also covered: Transient Occupancy Tax (moderate), Hotel Living Wage (moderate). See the full hotels & lodging guide for Long Beach for details.

Employment Preemption

Minimum Wage Preemption: Long Beach follows the California statewide minimum wage of $16.50 per hour for most employers, indexed annually to inflation. The city has no general citywide wage above the state floor..

Also covered: Grocery Worker Wage (permissive), Paid Leave Preemption (moderate). See the full employment preemption guide for Long Beach for details.

Business Licensing & Operations

Tobacco Retail License: Long Beach requires every retailer selling tobacco, vapor products, or e-cigarettes to hold a city Tobacco Retail License in addition to the state retailer license, with strict location and compliance rules..

Also covered: Massage Establishments (strict), Towing Companies (moderate). See the full business licensing & operations guide for Long Beach for details.

Immigration Policy

E-Verify Mandates: Long Beach does not mandate E-Verify for private employers. California restricts mandatory E-Verify outside federal contractors, leaving the program voluntary for most Long Beach businesses..

Also covered: Sanctuary Policy Preemption (permissive). See the full immigration policy guide for Long Beach for details.

Public Conduct

Outdoor Smoking Restrictions: Long Beach prohibits smoking and vaping at all city parks, beaches, the bike path, outdoor dining, and within 20 feet of public buildings, with limited designated smoking areas..

Also covered: Public Alcohol Use (moderate), Public Marijuana Use (strict). See the full public conduct guide for Long Beach for details.

Local Taxes & Fees

Business Tax Classification: Long Beach taxes businesses through a classification-based business license fee schedule. Rates vary by business type, with port-related, professional, retail, and rental classifications each having distinct formulas..

Home Business

Signage Rules: Home occupations in Long Beach cannot have any signage visible from outside the dwelling. No exterior advertising identifying the business is permitted.

Also covered: Home Occupation Permits (moderate), Zoning Restrictions (moderate), Home Daycare (moderate). See the full home business guide for Long Beach for details.

Mobility & Curb Rules

Bike Lane Rules: Long Beach maintains an extensive bike network, including protected lanes, buffered lanes, and sharrows on streets like Broadway, Third, Pine, and the beach path. California Vehicle Code rules govern lane use, while the city enforces obstruction and parking restrictions in bike facilities..

Also covered: Shared E-Scooter Rules (moderate). See the full mobility & curb rules guide for Long Beach for details.

Swimming Pools & Spas

Fencing Requirements: Swimming pool fencing in Long Beach must be at least 60 inches per CA Building Code Title 24. Gates must be self-closing and self-latching.

Also covered: Above-Ground Pools (moderate), Pool Permits (moderate), Safety Rules (strict). See the full swimming pools & spas guide for Long Beach for details.

Trash & Recycling

Recycling Requirements: Long Beach mandates recycling under LBMC §8.60.370 (effective Jan 2022) and SB 1383. All accounts are auto-enrolled in organics and recycling.

Also covered: Bulk Item Disposal (moderate), Pickup Rules & Schedules (moderate), Bin Placement Rules (moderate). See the full trash & recycling guide for Long Beach for details.

Outdoor Cooking

BBQ & Propane Rules: Long Beach prohibits open-flame cooking devices and LP-gas containers over 1 pound on combustible balconies of multi-family buildings under California Fire Code Section 308.1.4, adopted by reference in LBMC Chapter 18.48..

Also covered: Outdoor Kitchen Permits (moderate), Smoker Rules (moderate). See the full outdoor cooking guide for Long Beach for details.

Holiday Decorations

Inflatable Display Rules: Long Beach has no city ordinance regulating residential holiday inflatables. Size, lighting, and motor noise are not separately regulated, though general LBMC noise rules and front-yard setback rules in LBMC Section 21.31 still apply..

Also covered: Holiday Light Rules (permissive), Lawn Ornament Rules (permissive). See the full holiday decorations guide for Long Beach for details.

Accessory Structures

ADU Rental Restrictions: Long Beach prohibits short-term rental of ADUs under LBMC Section 21.45.400 and California Government Code Section 65852.2(a)(6), which require ADU rentals to be 30 days or longer. Long Beach's overall STR ordinance LBMC 5.79 also restricts STRs to primary residences..

Also covered: ADU Permits (permissive), ADU Owner Occupancy (permissive), ADU Impact Fees (permissive). See the full accessory structures guide for Long Beach for details.

Noise Ordinances

Decibel Limits: Long Beach enforces exterior noise limits by district under LBMC 8.80.150. Residential areas (District 1) are limited to 50 dBA daytime (7 AM-10 PM) and 45 dBA nighttime (10 PM-7 AM).

Also covered: Quiet Hours (moderate), Barking Dogs (moderate), Leaf Blower Rules (moderate). See the full noise ordinances guide for Long Beach for details.

Fence Regulations

Pool Barriers: Pool barriers in Long Beach must be at least 60 inches (5 ft) per CA Building Code Title 24 and the Swimming Pool Safety Act. Self-closing, self-latching gates required.

Also covered: Height Limits (moderate), Neighbor Fence Rules (moderate), Material Restrictions (moderate). See the full fence regulations guide for Long Beach for details.

Property Maintenance

Vacant Lot Maintenance: Vacant lots in Long Beach must be maintained free of weeds, debris, and nuisance conditions under LBMC Ch. 9.37.

Also covered: Trash Bin Storage (moderate), Snow & Sidewalk Clearing (permissive), Garage Sale Rules (moderate). See the full property maintenance guide for Long Beach for details.

Building Setbacks & Zoning

Lot Coverage Limits: Lot coverage in Long Beach varies by zoning district under LBMC Title 21 Chapter 21.31. R-1 zones typically allow 50-60% lot coverage.

Also covered: Structure Height Limits (moderate), Setback Rules (moderate). See the full building setbacks & zoning guide for Long Beach for details.

Landscaping Rules

Tree Trimming: Trimming or removing public/street trees in Long Beach requires a permit from the Director of Public Works under LBMC Ch. 14.28.

Also covered: Grass Height Limits (moderate), Native Plants (permissive), Water Restrictions (moderate). See the full landscaping rules guide for Long Beach for details.

Curfew Laws

Park Curfew: Long Beach parks and beaches close between 10 PM and one hour before sunrise under LBMC Ch. 16.16.

Also covered: Juvenile Curfew (moderate). See the full curfew laws guide for Long Beach for details.

Garage & Yard Sales

Frequency Limits: Long Beach limits garage sales to one permit per quarter, maximum 4 per year under LBMC Ch. 5.40.

Also covered: Time Restrictions (moderate), Garage Sale Permits (moderate). See the full garage & yard sales guide for Long Beach for details.

Outdoor Lighting

Dark Sky Rules: Long Beach does not have a standalone dark sky ordinance. Outdoor lighting is regulated through the zoning code Ch.

Also covered: Light Trespass (moderate). See the full outdoor lighting guide for Long Beach for details.

Parking Rules

Commercial Vehicle Restrictions: Long Beach Municipal Code §10.50 prohibits parking commercial vehicles exceeding 10,000 lbs GVWR or 22 feet in length on residential streets between 2 AM and 6 AM; trailers, semi-tractors, and for-hire vehicles subject to additional restrictions citywide..

Also covered: RV & Boat Parking (moderate), Driveway Rules (moderate), Street Parking Limits (moderate). See the full parking rules guide for Long Beach for details.

Sign Regulations

Garage Sale Signs: Garage sale signs in Long Beach must be no more than 4 ft tall and 6 sq ft in area under LBMC Ch. 5.40.

Also covered: Holiday Displays (permissive), Political Signs (permissive). See the full sign regulations guide for Long Beach for details.

Solar Energy

Panel Permits: Long Beach offers streamlined online permitting for rooftop solar PV systems. Express electrical permits for flush-mounted systems up to 38.4 kW.

Also covered: HOA Restrictions (permissive). See the full solar energy guide for Long Beach for details.

Soliciting & Door-to-Door

Solicitor Permits: Solicitors and peddlers in Long Beach must comply with LBMC Ch. 5.66.

Also covered: No-Knock Registry (moderate). See the full soliciting & door-to-door guide for Long Beach for details.

Drone Rules

Recreational Drones: Recreational drone use in Long Beach requires FAA registration for drones over 0.55 lbs. LAANC authorization is required due to proximity to Long Beach Airport (LGB).

Also covered: Commercial Drones (moderate). See the full drone rules guide for Long Beach for details.

Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors

Food Truck Permits: Food trucks in Long Beach need a city business license and LA County Health Permit per LBMC Ch. 5.37.

Also covered: Vending Zones (moderate). See the full food trucks & mobile vendors guide for Long Beach for details.

What to Do With This Information

Whether you are renting, buying, or renovating in Long Beach, knowing the local rules upfront saves headaches later. Dig into the individual ordinance pages linked above for the complete picture, including fines and exemptions.