Long Beach R-1-T Single-family Residential, Townhomes District Guide
The R-1-T district in the City of Long Beach is a residential zone primarily dedicated to single-family townhouses with a minimum lot width of 25 feet and a minimum lot area of 3,000 square feet. Development in the R-1-T district is limited to a maximum height of 25 feet (two stories) and a Floor Area Ratio of 1.2, while requiring 6 percent of the lot area to be dedicated to usable open space per unit.
Purpose and General Character
The R-1-T district is established by the City of Long Beach to serve as a single-family district specifically for townhouses. This district implements Land Use District No. 3A of the Long Beach General Plan [Section 21.31.020.E]. The general character of the R-1-T district is defined by its ability to accommodate narrower lots than standard single-family zones, facilitating an attached or detached townhouse style of living while maintaining the residential scale of the neighborhood.
The R-1-T district is governed by regulations intended to minimize conflicts between housing types and to ensure that new housing remains an asset to the existing Long Beach neighborhood [Section 21.31.010].
Permitted Land Uses
The City of Long Beach permits a variety of residential and compatible civic uses within the R-1-T district. While primarily focused on single-family dwellings, certain other uses are allowed as accessory or conditional uses.
Residential and Institutional Uses
| Land Use | Permission Level |
|---|---|
| Single-family detached | Permitted (Y) |
| Single-family attached | Permitted (Y) |
| Duplex | Permitted with parking/size limits (Y) |
| Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) | Accessory (A) |
| Transitional and Supportive Housing | Permitted (Y) |
| Religious Assembly (up to 2,500 sq. ft. GFA) | Permitted (Y) |
| Home Occupation | Accessory (A) |
| Child Daycare Home (1-14 persons) | Accessory (A) |
[Table 31-1]
Note: Duplexes are permitted in the R-1-T district provided the site can accommodate four independently accessible parking spaces; otherwise, one of the units is limited to a 450-square-foot zero-bedroom unit [Table 31-1, Note b].
Open Space and Recreation
| Land Use | Permission Level |
|---|---|
| Passive Parks | Permitted (Y) |
| Playgrounds | Interim Permit (IP) |
| Community Gardens | Interim Permit (IP) |
| Urban Agriculture | Administrative Permit (AP) |
[Table 31-1]
Development Standards
The City of Long Beach enforces specific density, height, and area requirements for the R-1-T district to maintain consistent urban form.
| Standard | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Max Units per Lot | 1 |
| Minimum Lot Area | 3,000 sq. ft. |
| Minimum Lot Width | 25 ft. |
| Maximum Building Height | 25 ft. (2 Stories) |
| Floor Area Ratio (FAR) | 1.2 |
| Minimum Usable Open Space | 6% of lot area per unit |
[Table 31-2A]
Setback Requirements
The R-1-T district utilizes specific setbacks to ensure adequate light, air, and separation between structures in the City of Long Beach.
| Setback Location | Minimum Distance |
|---|---|
| Front Yard | 10 ft. |
| Side Yard (Interior) | 5 ft. |
| Side Yard (Street Side) | 10 ft. |
| Rear Yard | 8 ft. |
[Table 31-2A]
Zero Side Yard Provisions
In the R-1-T district, the City of Long Beach permits the use of "Zero Side Yards," where one side of a building is sited on the side property line. This is allowed provided the opposite side yard is at least 10 feet wide (double the standard requirement) and no structure on the adjoining property is closer than 8 feet to the zero-lot-line wall [Section 21.31.215.E.1].
Parking Requirements
Residential uses in the R-1-T district must provide off-street parking based on the number of bedrooms in the dwelling unit.
| Unit Type | Required Parking Spaces |
|---|---|
| 0 Bedrooms (up to 450 sq. ft.) | 1.00 space per unit |
| 1 or more Bedrooms | 1.50 spaces per unit |
| 2 or more Bedrooms | 2.00 spaces per unit |
| Guest Parking | 1 space per 4 units |
[Table 41-1A]
Architectural and Access Standards
The City of Long Beach requires that all buildings in the R-1-T district maintain a design style consistent with the existing character of the adjoining neighborhood [Section 21.31.255.D]. Additionally, specific pedestrian access requirements apply to the R-1-T district:
- Front Entry: Every building must have a covered front entryway [Section 21.31.250.A].
- Orientation: The front entry must face the front property line or, on a corner lot, the side street property line [Section 21.31.250.A.1].
- Entry Size: The entry must be at least eight feet wide [Section 21.31.250.A.2].
Sections Cited
- Section 21.31.010 - Purpose
- Section 21.31.020 - Districts established
- Section 21.31.215 - Yard requirements
- Section 21.31.250 - Pedestrian access
- Section 21.31.255 - Design, treatment and finish
- Table 31-1 - Uses in Residential Zones
- Table 31-2A - Residential Development Standards
- Table 41-1A - Required Number of Parking Spaces for Residential Uses