Off-Street Parking Standards for the Long Beach R-1-T District
In the City of Long Beach, the R-1-T (Single-family Residential, townhomes) district requires that all permanent off-street parking be provided within an enclosed garage. Residential parking ratios range from 1.0 to 2.0 spaces per unit depending on the number of bedrooms, and the majority of commercial uses are prohibited within this specific zoning designation.
Residential Parking Requirements
Residential developments in the R-1-T district of Long Beach must provide off-street parking based on the size of the dwelling units. These requirements apply to single-family detached and attached dwellings, as well as permitted duplexes.
Residential Parking Ratios
The number of required spaces is determined by the bedroom count of each unit. Guest parking is additionally required for multi-unit projects [Section 21.41.216].
| Unit Type/Bedroom Count | Required Spaces Per Unit | Coastal Zone Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| 0 Bedrooms (Studio up to 450 sq. ft.) | 1.00 space | 1.00 space |
| 1 or more Bedrooms (or Studio > 450 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, any room other than one living room, one dining room, one kitchen, and bathrooms is calculated as a bedroom [Table 41-1A].
Enclosed Garage Requirement
In the R-1-T district, all required parking spaces for residential uses must be located within an enclosed garage [Section 21.41.213]. If a garage door faces a street, it must be set back at least 20 feet from the property line to allow for adequate driveway depth [Section 21.41.251].
Duplex Accessibility Rule
While duplexes are permitted in the R-1-T district under certain conditions, they are subject to a specific restriction: unless the site can provide four independently accessible parking spaces, one of the units is limited to a maximum of 450 square feet as a zero-bedroom unit [Table 31-1, Note b].
Commercial Parking Requirements
The R-1-T district is established by the Long Beach Municipal Code primarily for single-family townhouses and is intended to protect the residential environment from incompatible uses [Section 21.31.010].
- Prohibited Uses: Standard commercial projects, including retail stores, restaurants, and professional offices, are prohibited ("N") in the R-1-T district [Table 31-1].
- Permitted Exceptions: Very limited non-residential uses, such as home occupations or child daycare homes, may be permitted as accessory uses. These must comply with the parking standards for the primary residential use [Section 21.51.235].
Parking Design and Dimensions
The City of Long Beach enforces specific dimensions for all off-street parking stalls and access aisles within the R-1-T district to ensure safety and functionality [Section 21.41.231].
| Parking Component | Dimensions / Requirement |
|---|---|
| Standard Stall Size | 8 feet 6 inches wide by 18 feet deep |
| Compact Stall Size | 8 feet wide by 15 feet deep |
| Maximum Compact Percentage | 50% of total residential spaces |
| Aisle Width (90° Parking) | 24 feet |
| Minimum Driveway Width | 9 feet (for 0–4 spaces) |
Tandem parking is generally prohibited for required residential parking in the R-1-T district, except when approved for specific programs such as low-income housing or through a site plan review for valet parking [Section 21.41.233].
Sections Cited
- Section 21.31.010 - Purpose of Residential Districts
- Section 21.31.020 - Districts Established
- Table 31-1 - Uses in Residential Zones
- Table 41-1A - Required Number of Parking Spaces for Residential Uses
- Section 21.41.213 - Parking—Garage Required
- Section 21.41.216 - Parking—Required Number of Spaces
- Section 21.41.231 - Parking—Size of Spaces
- Table 41-2 - Minimum Parking Space Sizes
- Section 21.41.233 - Tandem Parking—Residential Uses
- Section 21.41.251 - Driveways and Curb Cuts