R-1-M Single-Family Residential (Moderate Lot) Zoning Guide
The R-1-M District in the City of Long Beach is designed for detached single-family dwellings and modular homes situated on moderate-sized lots with a minimum area of 3,600 square feet. While the City of Long Beach permits secondary uses such as accessory dwelling units and home occupations by right, it strictly prohibits higher-density residential developments—including duplexes, townhomes, and apartments—as well as most commercial and institutional uses within this designation.
Purpose of the R-1-M District
The R-1-M District is one of twenty residential zones established by the City of Long Beach to create and preserve residential areas for specific housing types and lifestyles [Section 21.31.020]. Specifically, the R-1-M designation applies to single-family residential areas with moderate-sized lots, implementing Land Use District No. 1 of the City's General Plan [Section 21.31.020.B].
Allowed and Prohibited Uses
Use permissions in the R-1-M District are categorized by the City of Long Beach as permitted by right (Y), permitted as an accessory use (A), permitted as a temporary use (T), or requiring special permits such as a Conditional Use Permit (C) or Administrative Use Permit (AP) [Section 21.31.110].
Primary Residential and Public Uses
The following table outlines the status of various residential and public uses in the R-1-M District:
| Use Category | Status in R-1-M | Additional Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Single-family detached | Permitted (Y) | Primary residential use |
| Modular or manufactured housing | Permitted (Y) | Must be on a permanent foundation |
| Group home (6 or fewer persons) | Permitted (Y) | [Section 21.15.1200] |
| Transitional and Supportive Housing | Permitted (Y) | [Section 21.45.153] |
| Passive parks | Permitted (Y) | [Section 21.45.155] |
| Single-family attached | Prohibited (N) | |
| Duplex / Multi-family dwelling | Prohibited (N) | |
| Townhouse | Prohibited (N) | |
| Emergency Shelter | Prohibited (N) | |
| Church | Prohibited (N) | [Section 21.51.213] |
| Private school (Elementary) | Prohibited (N) |
Accessory and Temporary Uses
The City of Long Beach allows several uses that are subordinate to the primary residence or are allowed for a limited duration:
| Use Category | Status in R-1-M | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) | Accessory (A) | [Section 21.51.276] |
| Home occupation | Accessory (A) | [Section 21.51.235] |
| Safe parking site | Accessory (A) | [Section 21.45.163] |
| Storage of chattel | Accessory (A) | [Section 21.51.290] |
| Room rentals | Accessory (A) | [Section 21.51.270] |
| Construction trailer | Temporary (T) | During construction only |
| Temporary activating use | Temporary (T) | [Section 21.53.115] |
| Special events (Fiesta, etc.) | Temporary (T) | Max 10 days [Section 21.53.109] |
Uses Requiring Discretionary Permits
Certain uses may be established in the R-1-M District only after a public hearing or administrative review:
- Conditional Use Permit (C): Required for mobile home parks (unsold spaces), courtesy parking for nonresidential uses, daycare centers (15+ persons), and wireless telecommunications facilities [Table 31-1].
- Administrative Use Permit (AP): Required for recreational parks and urban agriculture [Section 21.52.260].
- Interim Park Use Permit (IP): Required for playgrounds [Section 21.52.260].
Development Standards for R-1-M
The City of Long Beach mandates specific physical requirements for all new construction and additions within the R-1-M District to ensure compatibility with the neighborhood character [Section 21.31.201].
| Standard | Requirement for R-1-M |
|---|---|
| Maximum Units Per Lot | 1 |
| Minimum Lot Area | 3,600 sq. ft. |
| Minimum Lot Width | 40 ft. |
| Minimum Front Yard Setback | 8 ft. |
| Minimum Side Yard Setback | 4 ft. |
| Minimum Rear Yard Setback | 8 ft. |
| Maximum Building Height | 25 ft. / 2 stories |
| Floor Area Ratio (FAR) | 0.67 |
| Minimum Usable Open Space | 6% of lot area per unit |
Prohibited Commercial Activities
Most commercial uses are strictly forbidden in the R-1-M District, including:
- Bed and breakfast inns [Table 31-1].
- Office commercial and retail commercial uses [Section 21.52.251].
- Repair shops, pawn shops, and secondhand stores [Table 32-1].
- Vehicle sales, rentals, or service stations [Section 21.52.206].
Sections Cited
- Section 21.15.1200 - Group home
- Section 21.30.010 - Districts designated
- Section 21.31.020 - Districts established
- Section 21.31.110 - Permitted uses
- Section 21.31.201 - General provisions
- Section 21.41.170 - Established uses
- Section 21.45.153 - Interim housing
- Section 21.45.155 - Interim passive parks
- Section 21.45.163 - Safe parking site
- Section 21.51.213 - Church
- Section 21.51.235 - Home occupations
- Section 21.51.270 - Room rental
- Section 21.51.276 - Accessory Dwelling Units
- Section 21.51.290 - Storage of materials
- Section 21.52.206 - Automobile related services
- Section 21.52.251 - Office uses in residential districts
- Section 21.52.260 - Interim Playgrounds, urban agriculture use, community gardens and recreational parks
- Section 21.53.109 - Special events
- Section 21.53.115 - Temporary activating uses