Long Beach Detached Garage and Accessory Building Setback Requirements
In the City of Long Beach, detached accessory structures and garages located in the rear half of a residential lot may generally be built directly on the rear property line and one side property line (a 0-foot setback), provided the opposite side yard maintains a minimum width of three feet. However, if the garage door faces a street and provides direct vehicular access, the City of Long Beach requires a minimum setback of 20 feet from the street property line. In the specific R-1-L zone, any garage must be set back at least 50 feet from the street property line.
General Setback Standards for Detached Garages
The City of Long Beach established specific setback requirements for detached garages to ensure proper safety and neighborhood consistency. These requirements vary based on where the structure is positioned on the lot and whether it provides direct access to a public street.
| Condition or Location | Minimum Required Setback |
|---|---|
| Garage with direct street access (door facing street) | 20 feet from street property line [Section 21.31.245.A.1.a] |
| Garage door NOT facing street | Same as principal use structures [Section 21.31.245.A.1.a] |
| Rear half of lot (Rear Property Line) | 0 feet (may be built on the line) [Section 21.31.245.A.1.b] |
| Rear half of lot (Side Property Line) | 0 feet on one side; 3 feet minimum on the other [Section 21.31.245.A.1.b] |
| Within the R-1-L Zone | 50 feet from street property line [Section 21.31.245.A.1.c] |
| Street side yard of a corner lot | Not permitted [Section 21.31.245.A.1.b] |
Setbacks for Non-Garage Accessory Buildings
In Long Beach, other detached accessory structures—such as workshops or storage sheds used for noncommercial hobbies—are subject to similar spatial restrictions. These buildings are strictly limited to the rear half of the lot and must not contain bathing or cooking facilities [Section 21.31.245.C.1].
| Accessory Building Location | Minimum Required Setback |
|---|---|
| Rear Property Line | 0 feet [Section 21.31.245.C.2] |
| Side Property Line | 0 feet on one side; 3 feet minimum on the other [Section 21.31.245.C.2] |
| Front Half of Lot | Not permitted [Section 21.31.245.C.2] |
| Street Side Yard (Corner Lot) | Not permitted [Section 21.31.245.C.2] |
Multi-Family District (R-3 and R-4) Specifics
For residential projects in the R-3 and R-4 zoning districts with three or more units, the City of Long Beach applies more stringent standards for detached garages. These structures must often be screened and maintain larger gaps from property lines compared to single-family residential lots.
| Type of Garage in R-3/R-4 | Front/Side Street Setback | Side/Rear Setback |
|---|---|---|
| On Grade | 30 feet (must be screened) | Front half: No projections; Rear half: 5 feet [Table 31-7] |
| Semi-subterranean | Required yard area | Same as on-grade garage [Table 31-7] |
| Subterranean | None | None [Table 31-7] |
Additional Placement Regulations
The Long Beach Municipal Code also mandates that these structures adhere to safety and visibility rules:
- Corner Cutoffs: At any intersection of streets, driveways, or alleys, the City of Long Beach requires a triangular "corner cutoff" area. No detached building or fence may exceed a height of three feet within a 6-foot by 6-foot (or sometimes 10-foot) area at these corners to maintain lines of sight for drivers [Section 21.31.215.G].
- Definition of Detached: To qualify for these specific accessory setbacks, the building must be "detached," meaning it shares less than four feet of common wall with any other structure [Section 21.15.780].
- Prohibited Zones: Detached accessory buildings (excluding garages) are entirely prohibited in the R-1-S, R-1-M, R-2-S, and R-2-I zones [Section 21.31.245.C.5].
Sections Cited
- Section 21.15.780 - Detached
- Section 21.31.215 - Yard requirements
- Section 21.31.245 - Accessory structures
- Table 31-3 - Permitted Projections and Structures in Required Yards
- Table 31-7 - Garages in R-3 and R-4 Zone Districts