Long Beach R-2-A Two-Family Residential Zoning Guide

In the City of Long Beach, the R-2-A Two-family Residential, accessory second unit district permits a maximum of two units per lot, provided that one unit is restricted to a small accessory unit not exceeding 800 square feet or 12 percent of the lot area. The R-2-A district requires a minimum lot size of 6,000 square feet and a lot width of at least 50 feet to maintain the established single-family character of the neighborhood while allowing for a second unit in the rear. Development in this Long Beach zone is strictly limited to low-density residential uses, and most commercial or multi-family structures are prohibited.

Permitted Residential Uses in the R-2-A District

The R-2-A district in Long Beach is primarily designed to facilitate a single-family environment with an additional small unit. According to Table 31-1, the following residential uses are allowed:

Single-Family Detached: Permitted by right [Table 31-1].
Single-Family Attached: Permitted by right [Table 31-1].
Duplex: Permitted, provided that one of the units is limited to a maximum of 800 square feet or 12 percent of the total lot area, whichever is greater [Table 31-1, Note (c)].
Modular or Manufactured Housing: Permitted if placed on a permanent foundation [Table 31-1].
Transitional and Supportive Housing: Permitted by right [Table 31-1].
Group Home (6 or fewer persons): Permitted by right [Table 31-1].

Accessory and Other Allowed Uses

Various secondary or temporary uses are permitted within the R-2-A district in the City of Long Beach:

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs): Conforming ADUs are allowed as an accessory use [Table 31-1].
Home Occupations: Permitted as an accessory use, subject to specific performance standards [Section 21.51.235].
Child Daycare: Small or large family daycare homes (serving 1–14 persons) are permitted as an accessory use [Table 31-1].
Passive Parks: Permitted by right [Table 31-1].
Safe Parking Sites: Permitted as an accessory use for vehicles, though recreational vehicles (RVs) are not permitted to be oversized in these lots [Section 21.45.163].
Temporary Events: Activities like carnivals or religious exhibitions are permitted for up to 10 days with approval [Table 31-1].

Prohibited Uses in the R-2-A District

To protect the residential integrity of Long Beach neighborhoods, the R-2-A district explicitly prohibits higher-density residential and commercial activities:

Higher-Density Housing: Three-family dwellings, four-family dwellings, multi-family dwellings, and townhouses are strictly prohibited [Table 31-1].
Commercial Operations: Standard office, retail, and restaurant uses are not allowed [Table 31-1].
Industrial Uses: All industrial activities are prohibited [Table 31-1].
Adult Entertainment: Adult bookstores, theaters, and similar businesses are not permitted in this residential zone [Section 21.45.110].
Vehicle Storage: Storage of inoperative, wrecked, or dismantled vehicles is prohibited if it exceeds two vehicles or is not fully screened from view [Section 21.41.283].

R-2-A Development Standards

The City of Long Beach enforces specific dimensional and density standards for the R-2-A district to ensure compatibility with surrounding single-family homes.

Standard	Requirement
Minimum Lot Area	6,000 sq. ft. [Table 31-2A]
Minimum Lot Width	50 ft. [Table 31-2A]
Maximum Density	1 unit per 3,000 sq. ft. [Table 31-2A]
Maximum Building Height	25 ft. and 2 stories [Table 31-2A]
Maximum Lot Coverage	60% of lot area [Table 31-2A]
Floor Area Ratio (FAR)	0.60 [Table 31-2A]
Front Yard Setback	15 ft. [Table 31-2A]
Side Yard Setback	4 ft. [Table 31-2A]
Rear Yard Setback	20 ft. [Table 31-2A]

Specific Unit Size Restrictions

In the R-2-A district, the "accessory second unit" is subject to a strict size cap. This unit cannot exceed 800 square feet or 12 percent of the lot area, whichever is greater. If a lot contains two units that both exceed this limit, the rear unit is considered a legal nonconforming unit [Section 21.31.205 and Table 31-2A, Note (n)].

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