Off-Street Parking Requirements for the R-1-S District in Long Beach
Residential projects in the City of Long Beach R-1-S: Single-family Residential, small lot district must provide all required parking within an enclosed garage, with ratios typically ranging from 1.0 to 2.0 spaces per unit based on the number of bedrooms. While commercial uses are generally prohibited in the R-1-S district, permitted residential developments of four or more units must provide guest parking at a ratio of one space per every four units. Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) in the City of Long Beach generally require one additional off-street parking space, though they may be exempt if located within one-half mile of public transit.
Permitted Uses and Parking Mandates
The R-1-S: Single-family Residential, small lot district is primarily intended for single-family detached dwellings [Section 21.31.020.A]. According to the City of Long Beach use tables, most commercial activities—including retail, office, and restaurant uses—are not permitted in the R-1-S district [Table 31-1].
In all residential districts within the City of Long Beach, including the R-1-S district, all required parking spaces must be provided within an enclosed garage [Section 21.41.213.A].
Residential Parking Ratios
The number of required off-street parking spaces for residential projects in the R-1-S district is determined by the size and type of the dwelling unit.
Table 1: Parking Ratios for Residential Units
| Unit Type / Bedroom Count | Required Spaces per Unit |
|---|---|
| 0 Bedrooms (not more than 450 sq. ft.) | 1.00 |
| 1 or more Bedrooms (or 0 bedrooms > 450 sq. ft.) | 1.50 |
| 2 or more Bedrooms | 2.00 |
| Guest Parking (required for projects of 4+ units) | 1 space per 4 units |
Source: [Table 41-1A]
Guest Parking and Calculations
For the R-1-S district, guest parking is specifically required when four or more detached or attached units are proposed as part of a single development [Table 41-1A, Note c]. When calculating required spaces, any fractional results must be rounded up to the nearest whole number [Section 21.41.216].
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Parking
If an Accessory Dwelling Unit is added to a primary residence in the R-1-S district, it requires one parking space in addition to the spaces required for the primary dwelling [Table 51.276-2]. However, the ADU is exempt from parking requirements if it is located within one-half mile of public transit or within an architecturally and historically significant historic district [Section 21.51.276.E.1.b].
Parking Space and Aisle Dimensions
The City of Long Beach enforces specific dimensions for parking stalls and the aisles serving them to ensure maneuverability.
Table 2: Parking Space Dimensions
| Space Type | Minimum Width | Minimum Length |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | 8 feet, 6 inches | 18 feet |
| Compact | 8 feet | 15 feet |
| Handicapped | 14 feet | 18 feet |
Source: [Table 41-2]
Aisle Width and Turning Radii
The R-1-S district has unique aisle width requirements compared to higher-density zones.
Table 3: Aisle and Turning Standards for R-1-S
| Standard Category | Required Distance |
|---|---|
| Aisle Width (Standard and Compact spaces) | 23 feet |
| Aisle Width (Handicapped spaces) | 24 feet |
| Turning Radius (90° Standard Parking) | 23 feet |
| Turning Radius (90° Compact Parking) | 19 feet |
Source: [Table 41-2] and [Table 41-3]
Driveway and Access Standards
Driveway widths in the R-1-S district are regulated based on the number of spaces served. For a typical single-family project (serving 0–4 spaces), the minimum driveway width is 9 feet [Table 41-4].
Additionally, the City of Long Beach prohibits vehicles from backing into the street for any project containing three or more units [Table 31-7, Note *].
Sections Cited
- Section 21.31.020 - Districts established.
- Table 31-1 - Uses in Residential Zones.
- Table 31-7 - Garages in R-3 and R-4 Zone Districts.
- 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 41-2 - Minimum Parking Space Sizes.
- Table 41-3 - Required Turning Radii.
- Table 41-4 - Minimum Driveway Widths.
- Section 21.51.276 - Accessory Dwelling Units.
- Table 51.276-2 - Required Parking for Limited and Conforming Accessory Dwelling Units and Primary Dwellings.