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R-1-N District: Single-Family Residential Standard Lot Zoning in Long Beach

Jurisdiction: Long BeachCode Version: April 2026

The R-1-N District in the City of Long Beach is established to provide for single-family detached housing on standard lots with a minimum area of 6,000 square feet. This zoning designation primarily permits residential uses, transitional housing, and small-scale care facilities while strictly prohibiting multi-family dwellings and most commercial operations to maintain a low-density neighborhood character [Section 21.31.020].

Allowed Uses in the R-1-N District

Uses in the R-1-N District of the City of Long Beach are categorized by their level of permission: Permitted (Y), Accessory (A), Temporary (T), Conditional Use Permit required (C), Administrative Use Permit required (AP), or Interim Park Use Permit required (IP).

Residential and Institutional Uses

The R-1-N District focuses on detached primary dwellings and specific forms of communal living that maintain a residential scale.

Use Type Permission Level
Single-family detached dwelling Y
Limited Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) A
Conforming Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) A
Group home (care of 6 or fewer persons) Y
Transitional Housing Y
Supportive Housing Y
Caretaker residence AP
Residential historic landmark buildings AP

Service and Recreation Uses

The City of Long Beach allows limited non-residential uses within the R-1-N District, often requiring specific permits to ensure they do not disrupt the neighborhood.

Use Type Permission Level
Child daycare home (1—14 persons) A
Daycare center (15 or more persons) C
Passive parks Y
Recreational parks AP
Playgrounds IP
Urban Agriculture AP
Safe parking site A

Temporary and Other Accessory Uses

Incidental activities and temporary structures are permitted in the R-1-N District under the following designations:

Use Type Permission Level
Home occupation A
Carnival, fiesta, or outdoor exhibition T
Construction trailer T
Trailer or dwelling unit used as home sales office T
Temporary activating use T
Detached accessory room A
Recreational vehicles - parking and storage A
Vehicle parking and storage A
Room rentals A
Storage of chattel A
Courtesy parking for nonresidential use C

Prohibited Uses in the R-1-N District

The City of Long Beach explicitly prohibits any use not listed as allowed in the R-1-N District. Key prohibited uses include, but are not limited to:

  • Multi-Family Housing: Single-family attached units, duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, townhomes, and apartment buildings are strictly prohibited [Table 31-1].
  • Commercial and Industrial: Office commercial, retail commercial, restaurants, and industrial manufacturing are not allowed in the R-1-N District [Table 31-1].
  • Specific Institutions: Emergency shelters and community gardens (unless categorized as urban agriculture or passive parks) are prohibited in this zone [Table 31-1].
  • Specific Structures: Sandwiched lot developments and common recreational facilities for large-scale multi-family developments are prohibited [Table 31-1].
  • Occupancy Restrictions: It is prohibited to use a recreational vehicle as a dwelling unit within the R-1-N District [Section 21.31.120].

R-1-N Technical Development Standards

The City of Long Beach enforces specific dimensional requirements for the R-1-N District to ensure standard lot sizes and adequate open space.

Standard Requirement
Minimum Lot Area 6,000 sq. ft.
Minimum Lot Width 50 ft.
Maximum Building Height 25 ft. (2 stories)
Maximum Lot Coverage 50%
Minimum Front Setback 20 ft.
Minimum Side Setback (Interior) 4 ft.
Minimum Rear Setback (1st Story) 10 ft.
Minimum Rear Setback (2nd Story) 30 ft.
Floor Area Ratio (FAR) 0.6
Minimum Usable Open Space 16% of lot

[Table 31-2A]

Sections Cited

  • Section 21.15.045 - Accessory dwelling unit.
  • Section 21.15.063 - Accessory use, residential.
  • Section 21.15.930 - Dwelling, one-family.
  • Section 21.15.1200 - Group home.
  • Section 21.31.020 - Districts established.
  • Section 21.31.110 - Permitted uses.
  • Section 21.31.120 - Prohibited uses.
  • Section 21.31.205 - Units per lot and lot area per unit.
  • Section 21.31.215 - Yard requirements.
  • Section 21.31.220 - Height limits.
  • Section 21.31.230 - Usable open space.
  • Section 21.31.235 - Floor area ratio.
  • Section 21.31.276 - Accessory Dwelling Units.
  • Section 21.51.235 - Home occupations.

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