Off-Street Parking Requirements for the R-2-I District in Long Beach
In the City of Long Beach, the R-2-I: Two-family Residential, intensified development district requires between 1.0 and 2.0 off-street parking spaces per dwelling unit based on the number of bedrooms, plus one guest parking space for every four units. All required residential parking in the R-2-I district must be provided within an enclosed garage, and tandem parking is generally prohibited for meeting these requirements [Section 21.41.213 and Section 21.41.233]. Standard commercial retail and office projects are not permitted in the R-2-I district, though specific accessory or conditional non-residential uses may be allowed subject to general off-street parking standards [Table 31-1].
Residential Parking Ratios
The number of required spaces in the R-2-I district depends on the size of the dwelling unit and its location relative to the Coastal Zone. For the purposes of these calculations, the City of Long Beach defines "bedrooms" as all rooms in a unit except for one living room, one dining room, one kitchen, and bathrooms [Section 21.41.216].
Required Off-Street Parking for Residential Uses
| Unit Type / Bedroom Count | Standard Requirement (Spaces per Unit) | Coastal Zone Requirement (Spaces per Unit) |
|---|---|---|
| 0 Bedrooms (450 sq. ft. or less) | 1.00 | 1.00 |
| 1 Bedroom (or 0 BR > 450 sq. ft.) | 1.50 | 2.00 |
| 2 or more Bedrooms | 2.00 | 2.00 |
| Guest Parking | 1 space per 4 units | 1 space per 4 units |
[Table 41-1A]
Garage and Access Requirements
In the City of Long Beach, the R-2-I district is strictly regulated to ensure parking does not negatively impact the intensified residential character of the neighborhood.
- Enclosure Requirement: All required parking spaces for residential uses in the R-2-I district must be located within an enclosed garage [Section 21.41.213].
- Tandem Parking: Tandem parking (where one car blocks another) is prohibited for required parking in the R-2-I district. Exceptions are only granted for specific scenarios, such as valet parking approved through site plan review or for specific low-income housing projects [Section 21.41.233].
- Surface Parking: While required spaces must be garaged, any additional "open" or surface parking provided on a residential lot must be located behind the front yard setback, except on a legal driveway [Section 21.41.281].
- Curb Cuts: For lots between 0 and 120 feet in width with no paved alley, the City of Long Beach permits one curb cut with a maximum width of 20 feet [Table 41-5].
Non-Residential and "Commercial" Parking
The R-2-I district is primarily intended for residential use. According to the Long Beach Municipal Code, standard commercial developments—such as retail stores, restaurants, and professional offices—are prohibited in this district [Table 31-1].
However, certain non-residential uses are allowed as accessory or conditional uses. Their parking requirements are as follows:
- Home Occupations: These are permitted as accessory uses but must not displace or block the required garage parking for the primary residential use. No additional parking is required for the home business itself [Section 21.51.235].
- Family Daycare Homes: Small and large family daycare homes (serving up to 14 persons) are allowed as accessory uses. They must maintain all required residential parking for the dwelling [Section 21.51.230].
- Religious Assembly: If allowed by a Conditional Use Permit (CUP), these facilities must provide one space for every 3.3 fixed seats in the assembly area [Table 41-1C].
- Group Homes (6 or fewer residents): These are treated as residential uses and follow the standard residential parking ratios listed in the table above [Table 31-1].
Technical Layout Standards
All parking facilities in the R-2-I district must adhere to specific dimensions to ensure functionality.
Parking Facility Dimensions
| Feature | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Standard Space Size | 8 feet 6 inches by 18 feet |
| Compact Space Size | 8 feet by 15 feet (Max 50% of residential total) |
| Turning Radius (90-degree parking) | 23 feet |
| Minimum Driveway Width (0-4 spaces) | 9 feet |
[Table 41-2, Table 41-3, and Table 41-4]
Sections Cited
- Section 21.31.020 (Districts Established)
- Table 31-1 (Uses in Residential Zones)
- 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, and All Other Uses)
- Table 41-2 (Minimum Parking Space Sizes)
- Section 21.41.233 (Tandem Parking—Residential Uses)
- Table 41-3 (Required Turning Radii)
- Table 41-4 (Minimum Driveway Widths)
- Table 41-5 (Maximum Number and Width of Driveways and Curb Cuts)
- Section 21.41.281 (Vehicle Parking in Residential Setbacks)
- Section 21.51.230 (Childcare—Small and Large Family Daycare Homes)
- Section 21.51.235 (Home Occupations)