Long Beach R-3-4 District Setback Requirements
In the Long Beach R-3-4 (Low-density Multi-family Residential) district, primary residential structures must maintain a minimum front yard setback of 15 feet and a rear yard setback of 20 feet. Side yard setbacks for the R-3-4 district are calculated based on a percentage of the lot width, generally requiring 10 percent of the width for interior sides and 15 percent for street sides, with a universal minimum of 3 feet [Table 31-2A].
R-3-4 Primary Setback Standards
The Long Beach Zoning Regulations establish specific numerical requirements for yards in the R-3-4 district. These setbacks ensure adequate light, air, and privacy for multi-family developments while maintaining consistency with the character of the surrounding neighborhood [Section 21.31.010].
| Setback Type | R-3-4 District Requirement |
|---|---|
| Front Yard | 15 feet |
| Side Yard (Interior) | 10% of lot width (3 ft minimum; 10 ft maximum) |
| Side Yard (Street Side) | 15% of lot width (3 ft minimum; 15 ft maximum) |
| Rear Yard | 20 feet |
Front Yard Requirements
In the R-3-4 district of Long Beach, the standard front yard setback is 15 feet [Table 31-2A]. However, the City of Long Beach applies special rules for specific lot configurations:
- Through Lots: If an R-3-4 district lot has frontage on two parallel streets, it is considered to have two front yards. If the surrounding houses on the block face opposite directions, the through lot must provide two front yards at the standard 15-foot depth. If all houses on the block face the same direction, only one front yard is required, determined by the primary pedestrian access [Section 21.31.215.C.2].
- Prohibited Activities: Parking of vehicles is strictly prohibited within the required front yard setback of the R-3-4 district, except as specifically allowed for residential driveways [Section 21.31.215.C.5].
Side Yard Requirements
Side yard setbacks in the Long Beach R-3-4 district are flexible based on the actual width of the parcel. According to the development standards, the following rules apply:
- Interior Side Yards: The setback must be 10 percent of the lot width. Regardless of how wide the lot is, the interior side yard is never required to exceed 10 feet, but it must never be less than 3 feet [Table 31-2A, Note q].
- Street Side Yards: For corner lots in the R-3-4 district, the side yard facing the street must be 15 percent of the lot width. This is capped at a maximum of 15 feet and must also meet the minimum 3-foot requirement [Table 31-2A, Note q].
- Corner Cutoffs: At every intersection of streets, driveways, or alleys in the R-3-4 district, a triangular corner cutoff of 6 feet by 6 feet is required. No structures or vegetation that impede visibility are permitted within this area [Section 21.31.215.G].
Rear Yard Requirements and Exceptions
While the standard rear yard for the R-3-4 district is 20 feet, Long Beach provides relief for "shallow lots."
- Shallow Lot Exception: If a lot in the R-3-4 district is less than 100 feet in depth, the required rear setback may be reduced. In these cases, the setback is calculated as 20 percent of the total lot depth, provided the resulting yard is at least 10 feet deep [Section 21.31.215.D.2.d].
- Reverse Corner Lots: On a reversed corner lot in the R-3-4 district, the rear yard setback must be the same as the required side yard setback of the adjacent lot [Section 21.31.215.D.1].
Sections Cited
- Section 21.31.010 (Purpose)
- Section 21.31.020 (Districts Established)
- Table 31-2A (Residential Development Standards)
- Section 21.31.215 (Yard Requirements)
- Section 21.31.215.C (Front Yards)
- Section 21.31.215.D (Rear Yards)
- Section 21.31.215.G (Corner Cutoffs)