Off-Street Parking Requirements for the R-3-T Townhouse District
In the R-3-T: Multi-family Residential, Townhouse district of the City of Long Beach, all residential parking must be provided within an enclosed garage at ratios ranging from 1.0 to 2.0 spaces per unit based on the number of bedrooms. Commercial or non-residential uses permitted within the R-3-T District, such as daycare centers or bed and breakfast inns, are subject to specific ratios based on floor area or capacity as defined in the City's comprehensive parking schedule.
Residential Parking Ratios
For residential projects in the R-3-T District, the City of Long Beach requires parking based on the size of the dwelling unit. These requirements apply to all new construction and established land uses within the City [Section 21.41.120].
| Unit Type/Bedrooms | Spaces Per Unit (Standard) | Coastal Zone Only |
|---|---|---|
| 0 Bedrooms (Studios ≤ 450 sq. ft.) | 1.00 | 1.00 |
| 0 Bedrooms (> 450 sq. ft.) or 1 Bedroom | 1.50 | 2.00 |
| 2 or more Bedrooms | 2.00 | 2.00 |
| Guest Parking | 1 space per 4 units | 1 space per 4 units |
Note: In the City of Long Beach, any room other than one living room, one dining room, one kitchen, and bathrooms is calculated as a bedroom for parking purposes [Table 41-1A, Note e].
Commercial and Special Use Parking Ratios
While the R-3-T District is primarily residential, certain non-residential uses are permitted via accessory or conditional use permits. The City of Long Beach mandates the following ratios for these project types [Table 41-1C]:
| Use Type | Required Number of Spaces |
|---|---|
| Bed and Breakfast Inn | 2 spaces for the operator plus 1 space per guestroom |
| Daycare Center | 1 space per every 10 children, plus 2 loading/unloading spaces |
| Home Occupation | Must not displace required garage parking for the residence |
| Religious Assembly | 1 per every 3.3 fixed seats |
| Professional Office | 1 space per 250 sq. ft. of Gross Floor Area (GFA) |
Garage and Access Requirements
The R-3-T District is subject to strict configuration standards to maintain the character of the City of Long Beach.
Enclosed Parking Mandate
In all residential districts, including the R-3-T District, all required parking spaces must be provided within an enclosed garage [Section 21.41.213]. Open parking is generally prohibited unless a specific exception is granted through a site plan review for projects exceeding 40 units per acre [Section 21.41.213.B].
Driveway and Curb Cut Standards
- Minimum Width: Driveways serving 0 to 4 spaces must be at least 9 feet wide. For 5 to 14 spaces, the minimum width increases to 12 feet [Table 41-4].
- Setbacks: If a garage takes direct access from a street, it must be set back at least 20 feet from the street property line to prevent sidewalk obstruction [Section 21.41.245.A.1].
- Tandem Parking: Tandem parking is generally prohibited in the City of Long Beach for required residential parking, except for specific low-income housing projects or Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) [Section 21.41.233].
Parking Space Dimensions
All parking areas in the R-3-T District must adhere to the City's standard size requirements to ensure functionality [Table 41-2].
| Space Type | Width | Length | Minimum Aisle Width (90°) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | 8 ft. 6 in. | 18 ft. | 24 ft. |
| Compact | 8 ft. | 15 ft. | 21 ft. |
| Handicapped | 14 ft. | 18 ft. | 24 ft. |
Note: Compact spaces are limited to a maximum of 50 percent of the total required parking for residential projects in the City of Long Beach [Table 41-2].
Special Provisions and Exemptions
The City of Long Beach provides certain reliefs for older structures and specific areas:
- Buildings Over 10 Years Old: No new parking is required for changes of use for square footage within a building more than ten years old, though this does not apply to hotels, motels, or event centers [Section 21.41.165].
- Site Plan Review: Any residential project in the R-3-T District with five or more units requires a formal Site Plan Review, which includes a detailed evaluation of the proposed parking and loading layout [Section 21.31.030].
Sections Cited
- Section 21.31.030 - Site plan review
- Section 21.41.120 - Applicability
- Section 21.41.165 - Change of use for building more than ten years old
- Section 21.41.213 - Parking—Garage required
- Section 21.41.216 - Parking—Required number of spaces
- Section 21.41.233 - Tandem parking—Residential uses
- Section 21.41.245 - Accessory structures
- 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 41-2 - Minimum Parking Space Sizes
- Table 41-4 - Minimum Driveway Widths