Off-Street Parking Requirements for the R-4-U District in Long Beach
In the R-4-U: Dense Multiple Residential, Urban District of the City of Long Beach, residential projects generally require between 1.0 and 2.0 parking spaces per unit based on the number of bedrooms, plus guest parking at a ratio of 1 space per 4 units. Commercial projects permitted within the R-4-U District are primarily governed by the ratios found in Chapter 21.41, though significant exemptions exist for any project located within a designated "Parking Exempt Area" where minimum vehicular parking requirements may be removed entirely [Section 21.41.175]. For residential developments utilizing the City's Enhanced Density Bonus, off-street parking requirements are further reduced to as low as 1 space per unit for smaller dwellings [Table 21.68-6].
Residential Parking Standards in the R-4-U District
Residential developments in the R-4-U District must provide off-street parking based on the size of the dwelling units and their location relative to the Coastal Zone. In the R-4-U District, if a project contains more than five units, guest parking must be provided on-site at a ratio of one space for every four units [Table 41-1A].
Basic Residential Parking Ratios
The following table outlines the standard requirements for residential uses in the R-4-U District within the City of Long Beach:
| Unit Type / Bedrooms | Standard Area (Spaces per Unit) | Coastal Zone Only (Spaces per Unit) |
|---|---|---|
| 0 bedrooms (not more than 450 sq. ft.) | 1.00 | 1.00 |
| 1 or more bedrooms (or 0 bedrooms > 451 sq. ft.) | 1.50 | 2.00 |
| 2 or more bedrooms | 2.00 | 2.00 |
| Guest Parking | 1 space / 4 units | 1 space / 4 units |
Note: For the purpose of these calculations, any room other than one living room, one dining room, one kitchen, and bathrooms is calculated as a bedroom [Table 41-1A, Note (e)].
Special Residential Use Ratios
Certain specialized housing types allowed in the R-4-U District have adjusted requirements to support affordability and specific needs:
| Use Type | Required Parking Spaces |
|---|---|
| Handicapped (Low-rent) | 1 space per each 2 bedrooms |
| Senior Citizen (Low-rent) | 1 space per each 2 bedrooms |
| Residential Care Facility | 1 space per bed |
| Fraternity, Sorority, or Dormitory | 1 space per bed |
Commercial Parking Standards in the R-4-U District
While the R-4-U District is primarily residential, certain commercial and professional office uses may be permitted, often subject to a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) or as an accessory component [Table 31-1]. In the City of Long Beach, these uses must meet the parking standards defined for their specific category.
| Commercial Use Type | Required Number of Spaces |
|---|---|
| Professional Office (Unspecified) | 4 per 1,000 sq. ft. GFA |
| Medical Office or Clinic | 4 per 1,000 sq. ft. GFA |
| Retail (General) | 4 per 1,000 sq. ft. GFA |
| Restaurant (Ready to Eat) | 4 per 1,000 sq. ft. GFA |
| Bank, Savings and Loan | 5 per 1,000 sq. ft. GFA |
Parking Exemptions and Reductions
The City of Long Beach provides several mechanisms to reduce or eliminate the burden of off-street parking, particularly in dense urban areas like the R-4-U District.
Parking Exempt Areas
Pursuant to Section 21.41.175, no minimum number of vehicular parking spaces is required for any lot or parcel located within the "Parking Exempt Area," provided the project is not a hotel, motel, or other transient lodging. This exemption applies only to vehicular parking; requirements for electric vehicle (EV) charging and ADA accessibility remain mandatory [Section 21.41.175].
Enhanced Density Bonus (EDB) Reductions
Residential projects in the R-4-U District that qualify for an Enhanced Density Bonus may utilize a significantly reduced parking schedule:
| Number of Bedrooms | EDB Parking Ratio |
|---|---|
| 0 — 1 Bedrooms | 1 space / unit |
| 2 — 3 Bedrooms | 1.25 spaces / unit |
| 4+ Bedrooms | 2 spaces / unit |
Note: EDB projects outside the Coastal Zone comprised of 100% affordable units are not required to provide any on-site parking [Section 21.68.090].
Tandem Parking
In the R-4-U District, tandem parking is generally prohibited for required residential parking except in specific circumstances, such as for valet parking approved through site plan review or for low-income units where at least 10% of the units are designated as on-site low-income housing [Section 21.41.233].
Sections Cited
- Section 21.15.1070 - Floor area, gross (GFA).
- Section 21.31.020 - Districts established.
- Table 31-1 - Uses in Residential Zones.
- Table 31-2A - Residential Development Standards.
- Section 21.41.175 - Exemption from parking minimums.
- Section 21.41.229 - Parking—Residential uses in commercial zones.
- Section 21.41.233 - Tandem parking—Residential uses.
- Table 41-1A - Required Number of Parking Spaces for Residential Uses.
- Table 41-1B - Required Number of Parking Spaces for Special Residential Uses.
- Table 41-1C - Required Number of Parking Spaces for Commercial, Industrial/Manufacturing and All Other Uses.
- Section 21.68.090 - Parking requirements (Enhanced Density Bonus).
- Table 21.68-6 - EDB Parking Ratio Table.