Long Beach R-2-S District Setback Requirements
In the City of Long Beach, the R-2-S (Two-family Residential, small lot) district requires a standard front setback of 15 feet, a side setback of 3 feet, and a rear setback of 10 feet. These requirements are subject to specific modifications such as front yard averaging based on neighboring properties and reductions for shallow lots to as little as 10% of the lot depth.
Standard Setbacks for the R-2-S District
The City of Long Beach established the R-2-S district to recognize existing subdivision and use patterns, particularly in the Coastal Zone [Section 21.31.020]. The basic yard requirements for this district are codified in the Residential Development Standards table [Table 31-2A].
| Setback Type | R-2-S District Standard | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Front Yard | 15 Feet | Subject to front yard averaging [Section 21.31.215.C.3]. |
| Side Yard | 3 Feet | Required for all side property lines [Table 31-2A]. |
| Rear Yard | 10 Feet | Measured from the centerline of an abutting alley if one exists [Table 31-2A, Note k]. |
Front Yard Adjustments and Averaging
The Long Beach Municipal Code provides specific exceptions for the R-2-S district front yard to ensure new development remains consistent with established neighborhood patterns:
Front Yard Averaging
If one or both adjoining lots encroach into the standard 15-foot front yard setback in the R-2-S district, the required setback for the subject lot is established by the average setback of those adjoining lots. If a subject lot adjoins a vacant lot, street, or alley, that side is treated as having no yard encroachment for the purposes of the calculation [Section 21.31.215.C.3].
Key Lot Exceptions
When a lot in the R-2-S district is a "key lot" (the first interior lot to the rear of a reversed corner lot) and the abutting corner lot is built to the side yard line, the front yard of the key lot is reduced to one-half of the setback required for the nearest interior lot on the same block facing the same street [Section 21.31.215.C.1].
Rear Yard Reductions for Shallow Lots
For properties in the R-2-S district with a depth of less than one hundred feet, the City of Long Beach allows for a reduction in the rear yard requirement. In these instances, the rear setback may be reduced to ten percent (10%) of the total lot depth, provided the resulting setback is at least five feet [Section 21.31.215.D.2.a].
Permitted Projections into Required Yards
The R-2-S district allows certain architectural features and structures to project into the required setbacks, provided they maintain minimum distances from property lines [Table 31-3].
| Structure | Front Projection | Side Minimum | Rear Minimum |
|---|---|---|---|
| Awnings | 2 ft. 6 in. | 2 ft. 6 in. | 3 ft. |
| Balconies | 5 ft. or 1/2 required setback* | 2 ft. 6 in. | 3 ft. |
| Chimneys | 2 ft. 6 in. | 2 ft. 6 in. | 3 ft. |
| Cornices/Eaves | 2 ft. 6 in. | 2 ft. 6 in. | 3 ft. |
*Whichever is less [Table 31-3].
Important Usage Restrictions
- Parking Prohibited: Parking is strictly prohibited within the required front yard setback of the R-2-S district [Section 21.41.281].
- Measurement: All yard areas must be measured after any required dedications or reservations for public rights-of-way have been made [Section 21.31.215.A].
- Clearance: Required yard areas must remain clear of all structures from the ground to the sky, except for the specifically permitted projections listed in the Long Beach Municipal Code [Section 21.32.220].
Sections Cited
- Section 21.30.040 - District boundary determination
- Section 21.31.020 - Districts established
- Section 21.31.215 - Yard requirements
- Section 21.32.220 - Yards
- Section 21.41.281 - Vehicle parking in residential setbacks
- Table 31-2A - Residential Development Standards
- Table 31-3 - Permitted Projections and Structures in Required Yards