Residential Development Standards
In addition to building, plumbing, mechanical and electrical codes, the City of Long Beach has adopted zoning regulations. These standards generally regulate areas of "compatibility" and aesthetics such as minimum building setbacks, maximum building height and maximum number of dwelling units per lot.
The City is divided into zoning "districts", each of which has a specific set of development standards. The residential districts begin with the "R" prefix such as the "R-1-N" (single-family residential), "R-2-N" (two-family residential) or "R-4-N" (multi-family residential) districts. Check the Zoning Map to determine which zoning district is applicable.
The following, summarizes some of the basic zoning regulations. If you have detailed questions, Zoning information may be obtained at either the Zoning Counter in the Development Services Center or by telephone at (562) 570-6194, between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday – Friday.
(The zoning information telephone line is equipped with a message machine if the line is busy. If you call and get the machine, leave a specific message, including the property address, your name and phone number, and a planner will return your call.)
Table 31-2A Residential Development Standards
|
District |
Units Per Lot |
Lot Area Per Unit (sq. ft.) |
Min. Lot Area
(sq. ft.)(a, c) |
Min. Lot Width
(sq. ft.)(a, c) |
Min. Yard Setbacks
(ft.)(j, i) |
Max. Height
(d,h) |
Max. Lot Coverage
(% of lot) |
Min. Usable Open Space |
Floor Area Ratio |
|
Front |
Side |
Rear
(k) |
| R-1-S |
1 |
2,400 |
2,400 |
30 |
8(i) |
3 |
8 |
24 ft./28 ft. |
N/A |
6%(o) |
1.2 |
| R-1-M |
1 |
3,600 |
3,600 |
40 |
8 |
4 |
8 |
25 ft.,
2 Story |
N/A |
6%(o) |
0.67 |
| R-1-N |
1 |
6,000 |
6,000 |
50 |
20 |
4(b) |
1st
Story 10 |
25 ft.,
2 Story |
50% |
16%(o) |
0.6 |
2nd
Story 30 |
| R-1-L |
1 |
12,000 |
12,000 |
60 |
20 |
6 |
30 |
25 ft.,
2 Story |
40% |
23%(o) |
0.6 |
| R-1-T |
1 |
3,000 |
3,000 |
25(g) |
10 |
5 |
8 |
25 ft.,
2 Story |
N/A |
6%(o) |
1.2 |
| R-2-S |
2 |
1,200 |
4,800 |
40 |
15(i) |
3 |
10 |
24 ft./28 ft. |
N/A |
2%(o) |
1.3 |
| R-2-I |
2 |
1,000 |
4,800 |
40 |
3(i) |
3 |
8 |
32 ft./35ft.
(e) 3 Story |
N/A |
2%(o) |
N/A |
| R-2-N |
2 |
3,000 |
6,000 |
50 |
15 |
4(b) |
20 |
25 ft.,
2 Story |
60% |
6%(o) |
0.6 |
R-2-A
(n) |
2 |
3,000 |
6,000 |
50 |
15 |
4(b) |
20 |
25 ft.,
2 Story |
60% |
6%(o) |
0.6 |
| R-2-L |
2 |
4,000 |
8,000 |
50 |
15 |
4 |
10 |
35 ft.,
2 Story |
40% |
8%(o) |
N/A |
R-3-S
(l) |
3 |
2,100 |
6,300 |
50 |
15 |
10%
(q) |
20 |
25 ft.,
2 Story |
N/A |
250(p) |
N/A |
| R-3-4 |
4 |
1,700 |
4,500 |
50 |
15 |
10%
(q) |
20 |
25 ft.,
2 Story |
N/A |
200(p) |
N/A |
R-3-T
(l) |
N/A |
See Table
31-2B |
3,000 |
25(g) |
15 |
10%
(q) |
20 |
28 ft.(f),
2 Story |
N/A |
250(p) |
N/A |
R-4-R
(l) |
N/A |
See Table
31-2B |
18,000 |
120 |
15 |
10%
(q) |
20 |
28 ft.(f),
2 Story |
N/A |
150(p) |
N/A |
R-4-N
(l) |
N/A |
See Table
31-2B |
18,000 |
120 |
15 |
10%
(q)(r) |
20(r) |
38 ft.(f),
3 Story |
N/A |
150(p) |
N/A |
R-4-H
(l) |
N/A |
See Table
31-2B |
18,000 |
120 |
10
(m) |
10%
(q)(r) |
20(r) |
See Table
31-3A |
50% |
150(p) |
N/A |
| RM |
N/A |
2,400 |
18,000 |
120 |
10 |
4 |
10 |
30 ft.,
2 Story |
65% |
200(p) |
N/A |
R-4-U
(l) |
N/A |
See Table
31-2B |
22,500 |
180 |
10 |
10%
(q)(r) |
20(r) |
65 ft.(f),
5 Story |
N/A |
150(p) |
3.0 |
Notes: Table 31-2A, LONG BEACH MUNICIPAL CODE, Residential Development Standards
- If this lot size exceeds the standards for the neighborhood (as defined in the subdivision regulations), the standard of the neighborhood may be used.
- If a lot is twenty-seven feet or less in width, see Section 21.31.215(F), special narrow lot standards.
- These standards apply only to new subdivisions of land area. They do not apply to new construction on existing lots or to air space divisions of existing lots.
- In general, height is measured to the midpoint of the roof Section 21.15.1330(Definitions). However, in some zones, the building height limit consists of two numbers. The first number indicates the height of the midpoint of roof, and second number indicates height of building measured to peak of roof. A project shall conform to both standards.
- An additional two feet may be permitted to accommodate access stairs to the roof.
- See Section 21.31.220 for special height provisions.
- New subdivisions, including corner lots, shall orient the lots to the side street.
- For garages and other accessory structures, refer to Section 21.31.245 (Accessory structures).
- Average setback may apply as outlined in Section 21.31.215(C) (Front yard averaging).
- Special standards apply for reverse corner lots as specified in Section 21.31.215 (D) (Rear yard).
- The setback shall be measured from the centerline of an abutting alley where such exists. For shallow lots, see Special Standards in Section 21.31.215(D).
- If the garage takes direct access from the street, the garage shall be set back pursuant to Section 21.31.245.
- Commercial uses-see Special Development Standard, Section 21.45.160(F).
- One unit is limited to not more than eight hundred square feet or twelve percent of lot area, whichever is greater.
- Percent of lot area per unit.
- Square foot per unit. See Sections 21.31.230 (Usable Open Space) and 21.31.240 (Privacy Standards) for detailed standards.
- The side yard setback is ten percent of lot width on each side, but in no case shall the interior side yard setback be required to exceed ten feet (be required to exceed except as specified in footnote(s)). The side street side yard setback shall be fifteen percent of lot width, but in no case shall it be required to exceed fifteen feet. Neither setback shall ever be less than five feet.
- See Subsections 21.31.215.D.3 and 21.31.215.E.3, Special Side and Rear Yard Setback Restrictions.
Table 31-2B Residential Densities for Multi-Family Districts
The density allowed should be that provided in the row corresponding to the site width and area. If the site width and area are in ranges located in different rows, then the higher of the two (2) densities is allowed.
| District |
Site Area (sq. ft.) |
Site Width (ft.) |
Permitted Density sq. ft. of Site Area Per Unit |
| R-3-T |
0-3,200
3,201-15,000
15,001 or more |
0-25
26-120
121 or more |
1 unit per lot
1 unit per 3,000 sq. ft.
1 unit per 2,400 sq. ft. |
| R-4-R |
0-3,200
3,201-15,000
15,001 or more |
0-25
26-120
121 or more |
1 unit per lot
1 unit per 1,500 sq. ft.
1 unit per 1,450 sq. ft. |
| R-4-N |
0-3,200
3,201-15,000
15,001-22,500
22,501 or more |
0-25
26-120
121-180
181 or more |
1 unit per lot
1 unit per 1,500 sq. ft.
1 unit per 1,200 sq. ft.
1 unit per 975 sq. ft. |
| R-4-H |
0-3,200
3,201-15,000
15,001-22,500
22,501 or more |
0-25
26-120
121-180
181 or more |
1 unit per lot
1 unit per 1,500 sq. ft.
1 unit per 1,200 sq. ft.
See Table 31.3A |
| R-4-U |
0-3,200
3,201-15,000
15,001-22,500
22,501-30,000
30,001 or more
|
0-25
26-120
121-180
181-240
241 or more
|
1 unit per lot
1 unit per 1,500 sq. ft.
1 unit per 975 sq. ft.
1 unit per 500 sq. ft.
1 unit per 400 sq. ft.
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