Long Beach R-2-S Two-family Residential Small Lot District Overview
The R-2-S District in the City of Long Beach permits a maximum of two residential units per lot on parcels with a minimum area of 2,400 square feet and a minimum lot width of 40 feet. Primarily intended for the Long Beach Coastal Zone, this district regulates development to prevent overcrowding and congestion by maintaining a floor area ratio (FAR) of 1.3 and a maximum building height generally capped at 24 to 28 feet.
General Character and Purpose
The R-2-S District is a two-family residential district characterized by small lots and established subdivision patterns. The City of Long Beach established the R-2-S District to accommodate modern home requirements while respecting existing small lot configurations. This specific zoning is deemed most appropriate for high open space amenity areas, particularly within the Coastal Zone, to help manage population density and prevent neighborhood crowding [Section 21.31.020.F].
The district serves to maintain the residential character of Long Beach neighborhoods by requiring that all primary dwelling units are provided within enclosed garages to ensure adequate off-street parking and reduce street-level congestion [Section 21.41.213].
Permitted Land Uses
The R-2-S District focuses almost exclusively on low-density residential habitation and associated accessory uses. The following land uses are established for the R-2-S District in the Long Beach Municipal Code:
Residential Uses
- Single-Family Dwellings: Both detached and attached single-family units are permitted by right [Table 31-1].
- Duplexes: Permitted by right, provided that if the site cannot provide four independently accessible parking spaces, one of the units must be limited to a "zero bedroom" unit not exceeding 450 square feet [Table 31-1, Note (b)].
- Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs): Both limited and conforming ADUs are permitted as accessory uses [Table 31-1].
- Group Homes: Facilities serving six or fewer persons are permitted [Table 31-1].
- Transitional and Supportive Housing: These uses are permitted to provide stable housing for those transitioning out of homelessness [Table 31-1].
Public and Accessory Uses
- Home Occupations: Permitted as an accessory use within a dwelling unit, subject to strict performance standards regarding noise, traffic, and neighborhood appearance [Section 21.51.235].
- Interim Parks: Community gardens and passive parks are permitted, while playgrounds and recreational parks require an Administrative Use Permit or are designated via City processes [Table 31-1].
- Child Daycare: Small and large family daycare homes are permitted as accessory uses [Table 31-1].
Development Standards
The City of Long Beach applies specific "small lot" standards to the R-2-S District to ensure that the scale of new construction is compatible with the surrounding environment.
| Standard | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Minimum Lot Area | 2,400 sq. ft. [Table 31-2A] |
| Minimum Lot Area Per Unit | 1,200 sq. ft. [Table 31-2A] |
| Minimum Lot Width | 40 ft. [Table 31-2A] |
| Maximum Floor Area Ratio (FAR) | 1.3 [Table 31-2A] |
| Maximum Height | 24 ft. to midpoint / 28 ft. to peak [Table 31-2A] |
| Front Yard Setback | 15 ft. (Averaging may apply) [Section 21.31.215.C] |
| Side Yard Setback | 3 ft. [Table 31-2A] |
| Rear Yard Setback | 10 ft. [Table 31-2A] |
| Usable Open Space | 2% of lot area per unit [Table 31-2A, Note (o)] |
Off-Street Parking Requirements
Parking in the R-2-S District is strictly regulated to maintain neighborhood character and accessibility. Most residential units must be served by a garage [Section 21.41.213].
| 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 |
Note: In the Coastal Zone, the 1-bedroom requirement increases to 2.00 spaces per unit [Table 41-1A].
Sections Cited
- Section 21.30.040 - District boundary determination
- Section 21.31.020 - Districts established (Residential)
- Section 21.31.110 - Permitted uses (Residential)
- Section 21.31.215 - Yard requirements
- Section 21.41.213 - Parking—Garage required
- Section 21.51.235 - Home occupations
- Table 30-1 - Zoning Districts Established
- Table 31-1 - Uses in Residential Zones
- Table 31-2A - Residential Development Standards
- Table 41-1A - Required Number of Parking Spaces for Residential Uses