Off-Street Parking Requirements for the Long Beach R-1-L District
In the City of Long Beach R-1-L (Single-family Residential, large lot) district, residential projects require a minimum of 1.5 to 2.0 parking spaces per unit depending on the number of bedrooms, all of which must be provided within an enclosed garage. Additionally, any garage in the R-1-L district must be set back at least 50 feet from the street property line [Section 21.31.245]. While standard commercial uses are generally prohibited in this residential zone, specific non-residential uses such as daycare centers require 1 space per 10 children [Table 41-1C].
Residential Parking Ratios
For residential developments within the City of Long Beach R-1-L district, the required number of off-street parking spaces is determined by the size and bedroom count of the dwelling unit. Because the R-1-L district is primarily designated for the Coastal Zone, specific higher ratios apply for units with one or more bedrooms [Section 21.31.020].
Required Parking Spaces for Residential Uses
| Unit Type / Bedroom Count | Standard Requirement (per unit) | Coastal Zone Requirement (per unit) |
|---|---|---|
| 0 Bedrooms (450 sq. ft. or less) | 1.00 space | 1.00 space |
| 1 Bedroom (or 0 BR > 450 sq. ft.) | 1.50 spaces | 2.00 spaces |
| 2 or more Bedrooms | 2.00 spaces | 2.00 spaces |
| Guest Parking | 1 space per 4 units | 1 space per 4 units |
Note: In calculating required parking spaces, any room other than one living room, one dining room, one kitchen, and bathrooms is calculated as a bedroom [Table 41-1A, Note e].
Mandatory Garage Requirements
The Long Beach Municipal Code mandates that all required parking for residential uses in the R-1-L district be provided within an enclosed garage [Section 21.41.213].
- On-Site Requirement: All required off-street parking must be provided on the same project site as the dwelling unit [Section 21.41.221].
- Setbacks: Unique to the R-1-L district, any garage must be set back a minimum of 50 feet from the street property line [Section 21.31.245.A.1.c].
- Access: If the garage door faces the street, the 20-foot standard street setback applies; however, the R-1-L specific 50-foot rule for the structure itself takes precedence [Section 21.41.251].
Non-Residential and Commercial Exceptions
The R-1-L district is strictly residential, and most commercial uses (such as retail, offices, or restaurants) are prohibited [Table 31-1]. However, certain community-oriented or specialized "commercial" activities may be permitted as accessory or conditional uses, each with its own parking standards.
Parking for Permitted Non-Residential Uses
| Use Type | Required Off-Street Parking Spaces |
|---|---|
| Daycare Center (15+ persons) | 1 space per every 10 children, plus 2 loading/unloading spaces [Table 41-1C] |
| Child Daycare Home (1–14 persons) | Same as existing residential number of spaces [Table 31-1] |
| Professional Services (Only if approved in a Historic Landmark) | 4 spaces per 1,000 sq. ft. of Gross Floor Area (GFA) [Table 41-1C] |
| Religious Assembly (Accessory only) | 1 per every 3.3 fixed seats [Table 41-1C] |
Parking Lot and Driveway Standards
If a non-residential project is granted a permit in the R-1-L district, it must adhere to City of Long Beach design standards for its parking areas:
- Curb Cuts: For sites between 0 and 120 feet in width, one curb cut is permitted with a maximum width of 20 feet [Table 41-5].
- Paving: All parking and loading areas must be surfaced with at least 3.5 inches of asphaltic or concrete paving [Section 21.41.263].
- Screening: Any parking lot adjacent to a residential use must be screened by a solid masonry wall between 3 and 6 feet in height [Section 21.41.266].
Sections Cited
- Section 21.15.1070 - Floor area, gross (GFA)
- Section 21.31.020 - Districts established
- Section 21.31.245 - Accessory structures
- Section 21.41.140 - Building permit
- Section 21.41.213 - Parking—Garage required
- Section 21.41.216 - Parking—Required number of spaces
- Section 21.41.221 - On-site parking required—Residential uses
- Section 21.41.263 - Parking areas—Paving
- Section 21.41.266 - Parking areas—Screening
- Table 31-1 - Uses in Residential Zones
- Table 41-1A - Required Number of Parking Spaces for Residential Uses
- Table 41-1C - Required Number of Parking Spaces for Commercial, Industrial/Manufacturing and All Other Uses
- Table 41-5 - Maximum Number and Width of Driveways and Curb Cuts