Off-Street Parking Requirements for the Long Beach R-4-N District
In the R-4-N: Medium-density Multiple Residential district of Long Beach, residential projects require between 1.0 and 2.0 parking spaces per unit depending on the number of bedrooms, plus one guest space for every four units. While the R-4-N district is primarily residential, any conditionally permitted commercial uses, such as professional offices, must provide parking at a standard rate of 4 spaces per 1,000 square feet of gross floor area (GFA). All required residential parking in the City of Long Beach R-4-N district must be provided within an enclosed garage [Section 21.41.213].
Residential Parking Requirements
The City of Long Beach calculates residential parking for the R-4-N district based on the size of the units and the number of bedrooms. R-4-N residential projects located within the Coastal Zone are subject to higher requirements for one-bedroom units [Table 41-1A].
Table 1: R-4-N Residential Parking Ratios
| Unit Type / Bedrooms | Standard Requirement (per unit) | Coastal Zone Requirement (per unit) |
|---|---|---|
| 0 Bedrooms (450 sq. ft. or less) | 1.00 space | 1.00 space |
| 1 or more Bedrooms (or 0 BR > 451 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, all rooms other than one living room, one dining room, one kitchen, and bathrooms are calculated as bedrooms [Table 41-1A, Note (e)].
Commercial and Institutional Parking Requirements
Commercial uses are highly restricted in the R-4-N district but may be allowed through a Conditional Use Permit (CUP), such as professional or medical offices [Table 31-1]. These uses must adhere to the standard Long Beach parking ratios for non-residential developments [Table 41-1C].
Table 2: R-4-N Common Non-Residential Ratios
| Type of Use | Required Number of Spaces |
|---|---|
| Professional Office | 4 per 1,000 sq. ft. GFA |
| Medical Office | 4 per 1,000 sq. ft. GFA |
| Religious Assembly | 1 per every 3.3 fixed seats |
| Daycare Center | 1 per every 10 children, plus 2 loading spaces |
Garage and Parking Location Standards
In the City of Long Beach R-4-N district, the following infrastructure standards apply to all parking facilities:
- Enclosure Required: All required parking spaces for residential uses must be provided within an enclosed garage [Section 21.41.213].
- Garage Setbacks: In the R-4-N district, on-grade garages must be set back at least 30 feet from the street property line and must be screened from the street by residential use [Table 31-7].
- Tandem Parking: Tandem parking is generally prohibited for required residential parking unless specifically approved for valet parking through a site plan review or for specific low-income housing projects [Section 21.41.233].
- Unbundled Parking: For residential buildings containing 16 or more units with an initial Certificate of Occupancy issued on or after January 1, 2025, parking must be "unbundled," meaning it is rented or leased separately from the rent for the dwelling unit [Section 21.41.170.B].
Special Adjustments and Exemptions
The Long Beach Municipal Code allows for certain reductions in the R-4-N district under specific circumstances:
- Building Age: No new parking is required for changes of use involving existing square footage within a building that is more than ten years old, though this does not apply to hotels, motels, or event centers [Section 21.41.165].
- Bicycle Parking Substitution: For non-residential uses, one short-term on-site bicycle parking space may be substituted for one auto parking space, up to 20% of the required auto parking [Section 21.41.223.D].
- Parking Exempt Area: Projects located within the designated "Parking Exempt Area" may be exempt from vehicular parking minimums under the provisions of the Housing Crisis Act of 2019 [Section 21.41.175].
Sections Cited
- Section 21.15.2332 (Definitions - Ready-to-eat food)
- Section 21.31.020 (Residential Districts Established)
- Table 31-1 (Uses in Residential Zones)
- Table 31-7 (Garages in R-3 and R-4 Zone Districts)
- Section 21.41.165 (Change of use for building more than ten years old)
- Section 21.41.170 (Established uses)
- Section 21.41.175 (Exemption from parking minimums)
- Section 21.41.213 (Parking—Garage required)
- Section 21.41.216 (Parking—Required number of spaces)
- 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)
- Section 21.41.223 (Adjustment of parking requirements)
- Section 21.41.233 (Tandem parking—Residential uses)