Off-Street Parking Standards for the R-2-A District in Long Beach
In the R-2-A: Two-family Residential, accessory second unit district of the City of Long Beach, residential projects require a minimum of 1.0 to 2.0 parking spaces per unit based on the number of bedrooms, and all required spaces must be located within an enclosed garage. Standalone commercial projects are generally prohibited in the R-2-A district, though permitted home-based businesses are required to operate without displacing or blocking any required residential parking spaces. For Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), one additional parking space is typically required unless the project meets specific proximity criteria to public transit or is located within a designated historic district.
Residential Parking Requirements in the R-2-A District
In the City of Long Beach, the R-2-A district is intended to maintain the character of a community by allowing a primary single-family dwelling while permitting one small accessory second unit [Section 21.31.020.I]. All residential developments in the R-2-A district must provide off-street parking on the same site as the dwelling units [Section 21.41.140.A].
Required Number of Spaces
The number of required spaces in the R-2-A district is determined by the "bedroom" count of each unit. For these calculations, the City of Long Beach defines a "bedroom" as any room other than one living room, one dining room, one kitchen, and any bathrooms [Table 41-1A, Note (e)].
| 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 | 1 space per 4 units (Required only if 4+ detached or attached units are on one site) |
Garage and Site Standards
Specific construction and layout standards apply to all parking in the R-2-A district:
- Enclosure Required: All required parking spaces in the R-2-A district must be provided within an enclosed garage [Section 21.41.213.A].
- Garage Setbacks: If a garage takes direct access from a street, it must be set back at least 20 feet from the street property line. In the rear half of a lot, a garage may be located directly on the rear or side property lines, provided a 3-foot clearance is maintained from other structures [Section 21.31.245.A].
- Turning Radii: For 90-degree parking, the City of Long Beach requires a minimum turning radius of 23 feet within the R-2-A district [Table 41-3].
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Parking
The R-2-A district allows for the permitting of Accessory Dwelling Units, which have modified parking requirements compared to primary dwellings.
| Unit Category | Parking Spaces Required |
|---|---|
| Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) | 1.0 |
| Primary Dwelling | Same as existing number of spaces |
ADU Parking Exemptions
An ADU in the City of Long Beach is exempt from its one-space parking requirement if any of the following are true:
- The ADU is located within one-half mile of public transit.
- The ADU is located within an architecturally and historically significant historic district.
- The ADU is part of the proposed or existing primary residence or an existing accessory structure.
- There is a car share vehicle located within one block of the ADU [Section 21.51.276, Table 51.276-2].
Commercial and Home Occupation Limitations
The R-2-A district is primarily a residential zone, and standalone commercial uses (such as retail or professional offices) are prohibited [Table 31-1]. However, some accessory commercial activities are permitted with strict parking limitations.
Home Occupations
Home enterprises are permitted as an accessory activity in the R-2-A district of the City of Long Beach. A mandatory condition of a Home Occupation Permit is that the business activity shall not displace or block the use of parking spaces required for the residential use, including any business storage required in garage parking areas [Section 21.51.235.B.10].
Childcare Facilities
Small and large family daycare homes are permitted in the R-2-A district. All required parking for the residential use must be maintained as required for all residents, and the facility must comply with all City noise regulations [Section 21.51.230].
Sections Cited
- Section 21.31.020 - Districts established
- Section 21.31.245 - Accessory structures
- Section 21.41.140 - Building permit
- Section 21.41.213 - Parking—Garage required
- Section 21.41.221 - On-site parking required—Residential uses
- Table 31-1 - Uses in Residential Zones
- Table 41-1A - Required Number of Parking Spaces for Residential Uses
- Table 41-3 - Required Turning Radii
- Section 21.51.230 - Childcare—Small and large family daycare homes
- Section 21.51.235 - Home occupations
- Section 21.51.276 - Accessory Dwelling Units
- Table 51.276-2 - Required Parking for Limited and Conforming Accessory Dwelling Units and Primary Dwellings