Off-Street Parking Standards for the R-3-S District in Long Beach
Residential projects in the City of Long Beach R-3-S: Low-density Multi-family Residential, small lot district require between 1.00 and 2.00 parking spaces per unit based on the number of bedrooms, along with one guest space for every four units. While the R-3-S District primarily prohibits standard commercial developments, permitted non-residential uses like religious assembly or schools must provide parking at specific ratios, such as one space per 3.3 fixed seats or two spaces per classroom. Under recent City of Long Beach regulations, projects located within designated "Parking Exempt Areas" may be exempt from all minimum vehicular parking requirements [Section 21.41.175].
Residential Parking Requirements in the R-3-S District
The City of Long Beach establishes off-street parking requirements for the R-3-S District based on the size of the dwelling unit and its location relative to the Coastal Zone. All residential units in this district are required to provide parking in an enclosed garage [Section 21.41.213].
Standard Residential Parking Ratios
For most residential developments in the R-3-S District, the following ratios apply:
| Unit Size / Bedrooms | Spaces Required (General) | Spaces Required (Coastal Zone Only) |
|---|---|---|
| 0 Bedrooms (not more than 450 sq. ft.) | 1.00 per unit | 1.00 per unit |
| 1 Bedroom (or 0 bedrooms > 450 sq. ft.) | 1.50 per unit | 2.00 per unit |
| 2 or more Bedrooms | 2.00 per unit | 2.00 per unit |
| Guest Parking | 1 space per 4 units | 1 space per 4 units |
Note: In calculating required spaces, any room other than one living room, one dining room, one kitchen, and bathrooms is calculated as a bedroom [Table 41-1A, Note (e)].
Specialized Residential Uses
If the R-3-S District project involves specialized housing types, the City of Long Beach applies the following adjusted ratios:
| Specialized Use | Required Number of Spaces |
|---|---|
| Senior Citizen (Low Rent) | 1 space per each 2 bedrooms |
| Senior Citizen (Market Rent) | 1 space per each 1 bedroom |
| Handicapped (Low Rent) | 1 space per each 2 bedrooms |
| Fraternity, Sorority, or Dormitory | 1 space per bed |
[Source: Table 41-1B]
Commercial and Non-Residential Parking in the R-3-S District
The R-3-S District is intended for low-density multi-family use. Most standard commercial "Retail Trade" and "Professional Services" are prohibited ("N") in this zone [Table 31-1]. However, certain community-serving non-residential uses are permitted or allowed via Conditional Use Permit (CUP). These must follow the City of Long Beach general parking standards:
| Use Type | Required Number of Spaces |
|---|---|
| Religious Assembly / Movie Theater (Fixed Seats) | 1 space per 3.3 fixed seats |
| Meeting/Banquet Hall (No Fixed Seats) | 20 spaces per 1,000 sq. ft. of Gross Floor Area (GFA) |
| Elementary/Secondary School | 2 per classroom, plus loading/unloading and auditorium requirements |
| Daycare Center | 1 space per every 10 children, plus 2 loading/unloading spaces |
| Home Occupation | Must not displace required residential parking [Section 21.51.235] |
[Source: Table 41-1C]
Parking Exemptions and Adjustments
Parking Exempt Areas (AB 2097)
The City of Long Beach does not require a minimum number of vehicular parking spaces for any residential or commercial project that is located within a "Parking Exempt Area," as defined on the official City map [Section 21.41.175]. This exemption applies only to vehicular parking; requirements for electric vehicle (EV) charging and ADA-accessible spaces still apply.
Administrative Use Permit (AUP) Adjustments
An applicant in the R-3-S District may seek a reduction in the required number of parking spaces through an Administrative Use Permit if they implement a Parking Management Plan or Transportation Demand Management (TDM) measures [Section 21.41.223]. These measures may include:
- Substituting auto parking for bicycle parking (up to a 20-30% reduction).
- Shared parking agreements between different uses with different peak hours.
- Provision of transit passes or subsidized ridesharing for residents/employees.
Access and Design Standards
Driveway and Garage Requirements
- Garages: In the R-3-S District, all required residential parking must be provided within an enclosed garage [Section 21.41.213].
- Tandem Parking: Generally prohibited in the R-3-S District except for specific circumstances, such as valet parking approved through site plan review or for certain low-income housing projects [Section 21.41.233].
- Driveway Width: For residential projects with 0-4 spaces, the minimum driveway width is 9 feet. For projects with 5-14 spaces, the minimum is 12 feet [Table 41-4].
Sections Cited
- Section 21.15.260 (Definitions - Attic)
- Section 21.31.020 (Districts Established)
- Section 21.31.213 (Parking—Garage required)
- Section 21.41.175 (Exemption from parking minimums)
- Section 21.41.216 (Parking—Required number of spaces)
- Section 21.41.223 (Adjustment of parking requirements)
- Section 21.41.233 (Tandem parking—Residential uses)
- Section 21.51.235 (Home occupations)
- Table 31-1 (Uses in Residential Zones)
- 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, and All Other Uses)
- Table 41-4 (Minimum Driveway Widths)