Long Beach, CA Special Events & Permits: Parklets (2026)
Key Facts
- Base permit authority
- Department of Public Works, § 14.15.020(A)
- City Council review trigger
- >10% of nearby parking spaces used
- Speed limit ceiling
- 25 mph without traffic calming
- Coastal zone
- Requires separate Local Coastal Permit
- Compliance deadline after Council OK
- 180 days
Summary
Long Beach requires a written Public Works permit for any parklet occupying the public walkway or right-of-way, escalating to a City Council permit if the parklet exceeds ten percent of nearby parking spaces, faces opposition, or serves uses beyond dining and seating. Parklets are barred on streets faster than 25 mph absent traffic calming.
No person shall use or occupy the public walkway or other right-of-way with any obstruction for providing a parklet without first obtaining a written permit from the City through its Department of Public Works; provided, however, the permit shall be obtained from the City Council if (1) the proposed parklet will occupy more than ten percent (10%) of the available parking spaces within a two-block radius, (2) is opposed as described in Section 14.15.030 of this Chapter, or (3) will be for uses other than dining, entertainment, seating, planting, landscaping, lighting, shade, bicycle parking and/or artwork.
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
020(A) requires anyone occupying a public walkway or other right-of-way with a parklet obstruction to first obtain a written Public Works permit. 030 noticing process, or if it's proposed for uses other than dining, entertainment, seating, planting, landscaping, lighting, shade, bicycle parking or artwork. 020(C), may not be issued inside the coastal zone unless a separate Local Coastal Permit has also been obtained. 030 public notice process. Like walkway occupancy permits, parklet permits run up to one year, renew annually, can be terminated on thirty days' notice by the City Engineer, and can be suspended immediately if the Director of Public Works, City Engineer or Fire Marshal determines the obstruction interferes with City operations or threatens public health or safety.
Where a hearing is triggered, the City Council can attach operating conditions and the applicant then has a maximum of 180 days after Council approval to satisfy them before the approval lapses.
Violations & Fines
Occupying the right-of-way with a parklet without the required permit, or exceeding permit conditions such as the 25 mph speed threshold or the ten-percent parking-space cap without escalating to City Council review, exposes the applicant to permit suspension or cancellation by the Director of Public Works, and unresolved City Council conditions that go unmet within 180 days void the underlying approval.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does every Long Beach parklet need City Council approval?
Can I put a parklet on a fast street in Long Beach?
Do coastal-zone parklets need anything extra?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Long Beach
California rules heatmap·Compare Long Beach to another location·View the California special events & permits overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Parklets in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Los Angeles County handle parklets.