Long Beach R-1-N Single-Family Residential Setback Guide

In the City of Long Beach, the R-1-N: Single-family Residential, standard lot district requires a minimum front yard setback of 20 feet and a standard side yard setback of 4 feet. The rear yard setbacks for the R-1-N district are tiered by building level, requiring 10 feet for the first story and 30 feet for the second story, with specific reductions available for shallow lots.

R-1-N District Development Standards

The following table outlines the primary yard requirements for a standard lot within the Long Beach R-1-N residential district [Table 31-2A].

Setback Location	Requirement (First Story)	Requirement (Second Story)
Front Yard	20 Feet	20 Feet
Side Yard (Standard)	4 Feet	4 Feet
Rear Yard	10 Feet	30 Feet

Front Yard Setback Requirements

The standard front yard depth for the R-1-N district is 20 feet, measured after any required dedications for public rights-of-way [Table 31-2A]. However, the Long Beach Municipal Code provides for the following exceptions:

Key Lots: If an R-1-N lot is a key lot and the abutting corner lot is built to its side yard line, the required front yard for the key lot is reduced to one-half of the requirement for the nearest interior lot in the same block [Section 21.31.215.C.1].
Through Lots: If an R-1-N lot has frontage on two parallel streets, requirements vary. If adjoining lots face opposite street frontages, the through lot must provide two front yards. If all lots in the block front the same direction, only one front yard is required from the side of primary pedestrian access [Section 21.31.215.C.2].

Side Yard Setback Requirements

While the standard interior side yard in the R-1-N district is 4 feet, special regulations apply to narrow parcels:

Narrow Lot Provisions: In specific areas of Long Beach, if an R-1-N lot is less than 27 feet in width, the minimum side yard may be reduced to 3 feet. Such developments require a Site Plan Review to ensure the project does not negatively impact light, air, or privacy of neighboring properties [Section 21.31.215.F].
Corner Cutoffs: A triangular area at the intersection of streets or alleys must remain clear of obstructions. For residential districts like the R-1-N, these cutoffs must be a minimum of 6 feet by 6 feet [Section 21.31.215.G].

Rear Yard Setback Requirements

The R-1-N district utilizes a graduated rear setback to preserve open space and privacy, requiring 10 feet for the first floor and 30 feet for the second floor [Table 31-2A].

Shallow Lot Reductions: For R-1-N lots that are less than 100 feet in depth, the rear setback may be reduced to ten percent (10%) of the total lot depth for the first story and thirty percent (30%) of the lot depth for the second story [Section 21.31.215.D.2.c].
Alley Measurements: If the rear property line abuts an alley, the setback is measured from the centerline of the abutting alley [Section 21.31.215.D, Note (k)].

Permitted Encroachments

Certain structures are allowed to project into the required R-1-N setbacks, provided they maintain minimum distances from property lines:

Architectural Protrusions: May project 2 feet 6 inches into the front and side yards [Table 31-3].
Awnings: May project 2 feet 6 inches into the front and side yards [Table 31-3].
Chimneys: Limited to a 5-foot width and a 2 foot 6 inch projection into the front or side yards [Table 31-3].

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