Long Beach spans two California climate zones: zone 6 for most of the city, and zone 8 in north Long Beach. Plans go to the Building & Safety Bureau, which takes construction documents as digital PDFs at an appointment. We prepare the Title 24 report (CF1R) as PDF sheets ready to bring with your set.
What climate zone is my Long Beach address in?
On the California Energy Commission's ZIP code list:
| Zone | Area | ZIP codes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | Most of the city: downtown, central, east and the coast | 90802, 90803, 90804, 90806, 90810, 90813, 90814, 90815, 90822 |
| 8 | North Long Beach | 90805, 90807, 90808 |
Zone lines do not follow ZIP code lines exactly. The CEC says a local building department may assign one zone to a ZIP code that crosses a line. If your address is near the north-south boundary, check it in the CEC's EZ Building Climate Zone Search Tool and confirm with the Bureau.
What changes between zone 6 and zone 8?
A few prescriptive requirements differ. From the CEC's 2025 compliance manual:
- Ceiling insulation for additions: R-30 in zone 6, R-38 in zone 8.
- Refrigerant charge testing for new air conditioners: required in zone 8, not zone 6. Heat pumps need it in both.
Window limits are the same in both zones. The maximum U-factor for additions and alterations is 0.30.
Who reviews plans in Long Beach?
The Building & Safety Bureau of the Long Beach Community Development Department. The city says the Bureau "ensures that buildings are designed and constructed to safeguard occupants and the public."
How do I submit plans in Long Beach?
By appointment, with digital files. The Bureau's plan review page says to bring the permit application and construction documents "as a digital PDF file or on a USB device to your appointment." The Permit Center page says applications and materials are accepted as digital PDF files on a USB device.
Plan review is one of two types:
- Over-the-Counter (OTC) Plan Review. The Permit Center lists accessory dwelling units among plans reviewed over the counter.
- Submitted Plan Review, for projects that need more time.
The city's online permitting page covers only submittals "that do not require plan review," such as solar panels, energy storage and EV chargers. ADU plan check is not on that list.
Put the CF1R in the same PDF set as your plans.
Does Long Beach have an ADU program?
Yes. The city's ADU page says:
- Consider the Pre-Approved Accessory Dwelling Unit Program, "available for new construction only (not for conversions of existing space)."
- Projects in a Historic District, within the Coastal Zone, or involving major structural engineering are not eligible for over-the-counter review.
What will my Long Beach ADU's report need?
- New detached ADU: a new home under the 2025 Energy Code. It usually needs new solar PV.
- Attached ADU or garage conversion: an addition. No solar required.
- Conversion of already-conditioned space: an alteration.
See Title 24 for ADUs and ECC rater testing for ADUs.
Need a report for a Long Beach project? See our flat prices.
Frequently asked questions
What climate zone is Long Beach in?
Two zones. On the California Energy Commission's ZIP code list, most of Long Beach is zone 6, and north Long Beach (ZIP codes 90805, 90807 and 90808) is zone 8.
How do I submit plans in Long Beach?
The Building & Safety Bureau's plan review page asks you to bring the application and construction documents as a digital PDF file or on a USB device to your appointment. The online permitting page covers only submittals that do not need plan review, such as solar panels, energy storage and EV chargers.
Can a Long Beach ADU get over-the-counter review?
The city's Permit Center lists ADUs among plans reviewed over the counter. Its ADU page says projects in a Historic District, the Coastal Zone, or with major structural engineering are not eligible for that option.
Does Long Beach have pre-approved ADU plans?
Yes. The city's Pre-Approved Accessory Dwelling Unit Program is available for new construction only, not for conversions of existing space.
Related
Sources
- energy.ca.gov/programs-and-topics/programs/building-energy-efficiency-standards/climate-zone-tool-maps-and
- energy.ca.gov/sites/default/files/2020-04/BuildingClimateZonesByZIPCode_ada.xlsx
- longbeach.gov/lbcd/building/
- longbeach.gov/lbcd/building/plan-review-service/
- longbeach.gov/lbcd/building/permit-center/
- longbeach.gov/lbcd/adus/
- longbeach.gov/lbcd/building/permit-center/online/
- energy.ca.gov/filebrowser/download/8641?fid=8641