Allowed and Prohibited Uses in the Long Beach R-1-S Zoning District

In the City of Long Beach, the R-1-S: Single-family Residential, small lot district is primarily intended for single-family detached dwellings and manufactured homes on lots with a minimum area of 2,400 square feet [Section 21.31.020]. While the district allows for residential-adjacent activities like home occupations and small-scale child daycare, it strictly prohibits higher-density residential types such as duplexes or townhomes, as well as most commercial and institutional uses like churches or offices [Table 31-1].

Overview of the R-1-S District

The R-1-S District is established within the Municipality of Long Beach to accommodate the requirements of modern homes on existing small lots. This specific designation is considered most appropriate for areas with high open space amenities, particularly within the Long Beach Coastal Zone, and it serves to implement Land Use District No. 1 of the City's General Plan [Section 21.31.020].

Allowed Primary and Residential Uses

The following uses are permitted by right or through specific permitting processes within the R-1-S District of Long Beach:

Permitted by Right (Y)

• Single-family detached dwellings: The primary intended use for the district [Table 31-1].
• Modular or manufactured housing: Provided the unit is placed on a permanent foundation [Table 31-1].
• Group homes: Serving six (6) or fewer persons [Table 31-1].
• Transitional and Supportive Housing: Allowed as defined by the Long Beach Municipal Code [Table 31-1].

Permitted via Administrative or Special Permits

• Residential historic landmark buildings (AP): Requires an Administrative Use Permit [Table 31-1].
• Recreational parks (AP): Permitted with an Administrative Use Permit [Table 31-1].
• Urban Agriculture (AP): Subject to standards in Section 21.52.260 and requires an Administrative Use Permit [Table 31-1].
• Playgrounds (IP): Requires an Interim Park Use Permit [Table 31-1].

Conditional Use Permits (C)

The following uses require a discretionary review and the issuance of a Conditional Use Permit (CUP):

• Mobile home parks: Specifically regarding unsold spaces [Table 31-1].
• Courtesy parking: For nonresidential uses [Table 31-1].
• Daycare centers: Facilities serving fifteen (15) or more persons [Table 31-1].
• Wireless telecommunications facilities: Subject to the requirements of Chapter 21.56 [Table 31-1].

Accessory and Temporary Uses

Long Beach identifies specific secondary activities that are allowed when they are subordinate to a primary residential use in the R-1-S District.

Accessory Uses (A)

• Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs): Both "Limited" and "Conforming" ADUs are permitted as accessory uses [Table 31-1].
• Child daycare homes: Small or large facilities serving between one (1) and fourteen (14) persons [Table 31-1].
• Home occupations: Subject to the performance standards in Section 21.51.235 [Table 31-1].
• Recreational vehicle parking and storage: Subject to specific residential district limitations [Table 31-1].
• Room rentals: Permitted as an accessory use [Table 31-1].
• Safe parking sites: Subject to the standards in Section 21.45.163 [Table 31-1].
• Vehicle parking and storage: General storage of personal vehicles [Table 31-1].

Temporary Uses (T)

• Carnivals, fiestas, and outdoor exhibitions: Allowed for up to ten (10) days with approval [Table 31-1].
• Construction trailers: Permitted during the period of an active construction project [Table 31-1].
• Temporary activating uses: Community-serving uses intended to reduce visual blight on vacant lots [Table 31-1].

Prohibited Uses in the R-1-S District

To preserve the character of the small-lot single-family neighborhood, the Long Beach Municipal Code explicitly prohibits the following in the R-1-S District:

• Higher-Density Residential: Single-family attached units, duplexes, three-family dwellings, four-family dwellings, multi-family dwellings, and townhouses [Table 31-1].
• Institutional Uses: Churches and most other religious assembly facilities, private schools (elementary or secondary), and emergency shelters [Table 31-1].
• Commercial Uses: Office commercial, retail commercial, restaurants (with or without drive-throughs), and bed and breakfast inns [Table 31-1].
• Industrial/Utility: Electrical distribution stations and through-block commercial developments [Table 31-1].
• Miscellaneous: Community gardens and "sandwiched lot" developments [Table 31-1].

R-1-S Development Standards

Development within the R-1-S District must adhere to the following technical requirements:

Standard	Requirement
Minimum Lot Area	2,400 sq. ft.
Minimum Lot Width	30 ft.
Maximum Height (Principal Structure)	24 ft. to 28 ft.
Front Yard Setback	8 ft. (Average setback may apply)
Side Yard Setback	3 ft.
Rear Yard Setback	8 ft.
Floor Area Ratio (FAR)	1.2
Minimum Usable Open Space	6% of lot area per unit

[Table 31-2A].

Sections Cited

• Section 21.30.010 - Districts designated
• Section 21.31.020 - Districts established
• Table 31-1 - Uses in Residential Zones
• Table 31-2A - Residential Development Standards
• Section 21.51.235 - Home occupations
• Section 21.52.260 - Interim Playgrounds, urban agriculture use, community gardens and recreational parks
• Chapter 21.56 - Wireless Telecommunications Facilities