LONG BEACH >> It’s a rare government action you can toast — microbreweries may soon be coming to the city.

The City Council voted 8-0 Tuesday to amend the zoning code to allow alcoholic beverage manufacturers with tasting rooms, including craft breweries, distilleries and wineries, to operate in commercial districts, with restrictions.

Mayor Robert Garcia introduced the request for the changes along with Vice Mayor Suja Lowenthal in February 2014, when he was a councilman.

Garcia said other cities, such as Denver and Austin, are becoming known for their craft brewing industry, attracting significant investment and tourism.

“It’s become a lot like wine tasting,” Garcia said. “This policy will help us expand our reach.”

Until Tuesday, city code did not have a specific definition for alcohol beverage manufacturers or clear development standards regulating the use. The current law does permit beverage making in certain industrial zones and “brewpubs” near downtown.

Long Beach has three brewpubs: Beachwood BBQ and Brewing and Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery downtown and Belmont Brewing Co. in Belmont Shore.

According to city staff, the new regulations were developed by studying the alcoholic beverage manufacturing laws in San Diego, Culver City, Torrance, Anaheim, Santa Ana and other cities.

Long Beach’s rules place a 15,000 barrel annual cap on production. Other development standards stipulate an alcohol manufacturing business may not be located within 500 feet of the nearest property line of any preschool or K-12 school. Operators also may not charge an admission fee, cover charge or require a minimum purchase.

Production may take place from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, while tasting room hours are set at noon to 9 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Potential alcoholic beverage manufacturers wanting to locate near the city’s coastline will have to wait up to a year for approval because the California Coastal Commission must first consent to the amendment.

An official said applicants in other areas will not be affected.

Contact Eric Bradley at 562-499-1254.