Long Beach · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Long Beach public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
2027 Commission Workplan Priorities
Commissioners brainstormed what the Technology and Innovation Commission should tackle in 2027, with AI governance, cybersecurity, data sovereignty, vendor data requirements, and public GIS dashboards emerging as leading themes. A new ad hoc committee will turn these ideas into a formal workplan by December.
Strengthening Long Beach's just-cause eviction ordinance
Tenant advocates want the city to eliminate substantial remodel as an eviction ground, set a two-month non-payment threshold, raise relocation assistance to LA County levels, and cover all renters including those in single-family homes. The current ordinance meets only the state minimum and sunsets in 2030. The committee will develop recommendations for the full council.
Proposed FAIR Act ethics ordinance
Long Beach wants to consolidate ethics, gift, conflict-of-interest, and lobbying rules into one ordinance instead of having them scattered across the municipal code. The study session let council members weigh in before drafting continues — big open questions include how calendar disclosures work and how violations get enforced.
BEAC Dissolution
The council adopted an ordinance dissolving the Board of Examiners, Appeals and Condemnation and moving its duties to the Planning Commission.
Objective Design Standards for ADUs on historic properties
New draft rules will spell out exactly how backyard ADUs must look in historic districts — covering height, placement, roof forms, and materials. Public comment is open through July 31, with a study session July 28.
Enhanced Density Bonus update
The city's local density bonus is barely used — only five projects in years — so staff proposed a simpler, more generous program with bonuses for parks-adjacent, senior, and community-benefit housing to help meet RHNA goals.
Zone In Bixby Knolls rezoning and housing capacity
The city is rezoning Bixby Knolls corridors to allow mixed-use housing and new main street districts, partly to meet state RHNA housing obligations and fair-housing requirements to add capacity in high-resource areas. Neighbors fiercely opposed one parcel — the former Boy Scouts lot at 401 East 37th Street — saying it would bring dense townhomes into an intact single-family block.
Battery energy storage systems citywide policy
The city's zoning code doesn't mention battery storage facilities, so the commission affirmed they'll be treated like electrical substations — requiring conditional use permits in most zones. Commissioners added requirements for project-specific risk analyses and early coordination with fire and other departments, especially for applicants using the state's opt-in program that bypasses local zoning.
Inclusionary housing in the coastal zone
The council accepted Coastal Commission-required changes to the inclusionary housing ordinance so affordable housing rules can finally take effect in the coastal zone — a process that takes another year or two of state review.
Just Cause ordinance reform — substantial remodel loophole
Dozens of tenants and organizers demanded a 150-day eviction moratorium and a ban on substantial-remodel evictions, citing families displaced during ICE enforcement. The council took no action but the mayor offered to meet with a small group of organizers.
Hoff's Hut full liquor license upgrade
A 70-year-old family restaurant on Bellflower Boulevard can now serve cocktails, matching its Torrance and Seal Beach locations. The area already has more on-sale liquor licenses than the state recommends, but this upgrade doesn't add a net new license.