R-2-L Two-Family Residential Zoning Guide for Long Beach

The R-2-L: Two-family Residential, large lot district in the City of Long Beach is primarily designed to accommodate up to two housing units on parcels with a minimum area of 8,000 square feet. This designation allows for the development of single-family detached homes, single-family attached homes, and duplexes, while strictly prohibiting higher-density multi-family structures such as townhomes or apartment buildings.

Allowed Residential Uses

In the City of Long Beach, the R-2-L designation permits several primary residential types. These uses are generally allowed "by right" (Y) provided they meet the development standards of the district.

Single-family Detached: One unit per lot, physically separated from other structures [Table 31-1].
Single-family Attached: One unit per lot, connected to another unit via a shared wall [Table 31-1].
Duplex: A single building containing two dwelling units [Table 31-1].
Modular or Manufactured Housing: Prefabricated housing units placed on a permanent foundation [Table 31-1].
Group Home (6 or fewer persons): Small residential facilities providing non-medical care [Table 31-1].
Transitional and Supportive Housing: Housing linked to supportive services for individuals experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness [Section 21.45.153].

Accessory and Secondary Uses

Accessory uses (A) are permitted when they are subordinate to a primary residential use on the same lot in Long Beach.

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs): Only "Conforming ADUs" are allowed in the R-2-L district. "Limited ADUs" (those created solely within existing floor area without any expansion) are marked as not permitted (N) in this specific table [Table 31-1].
Home Occupations: Business activities conducted entirely within a dwelling unit by the residents [Section 21.51.235].
Child Daycare (1–14 persons): Small or large family daycare homes providing care for children within a residence [Section 21.51.230].
Room Rentals: The renting of individual rooms for long-term occupancy where the owner lives on-site [Section 21.51.270].
Safe Parking Sites: Programs providing a safe place for individuals and families with vehicles to park and sleep overnight [Section 21.45.163].
Storage of Chattel: The storage of personal property, excluding junk or salvage [Section 21.51.290].
Recreational Vehicle Parking/Storage: Subject to specific size and location limitations [Section 21.41.276].

Conditional and Specially Permitted Uses

Certain uses in the R-2-L district require either an Administrative Use Permit (AP), an Interim Park Use Permit (IP), or a Conditional Use Permit (C) to ensure they do not negatively impact the surrounding neighborhood.

Urban Agriculture (AP): Agricultural uses, which may be permitted through an administrative process [Section 21.52.260].
Recreational Parks (AP): Non-commercial parks intended for public use [Section 21.52.260].
Playgrounds (IP): Neighborhood serving play areas [Section 21.52.260].
Mobile Home Park (C): Allowed only regarding unsold spaces [Section 21.52.243].
Courtesy Parking (C): Parking provided for a nonresidential use on an adjacent lot [Section 21.52.221].
Daycare Center (C): Facilities providing care for 15 or more persons [Section 21.52.249].
Wireless Telecommunications Facilities (C): Subject to extensive design and screening requirements [Chapter 21.56].

Prohibited Uses

The City of Long Beach explicitly prohibits higher-density residential and commercial uses within the R-2-L district to preserve the large-lot residential character.

Multi-family Dwellings: Three-family dwellings, four-family dwellings, and any multi-family structures with more than two units [Table 31-1].
Townhouses: Attached residential units with shared walls that do not qualify as a duplex or single-family attached home [Table 31-1].
Commercial Uses: Retail sales, office commercial, and restaurants are prohibited [Table 31-1].
Institutional Uses: Churches, private schools (elementary), and medical clinics are generally not permitted in this specific zone [Table 31-1].
Emergency Shelters: Facilities providing short-term housing for the homeless are not allowed in R-2-L [Table 31-1].

Development Standards

Development in the R-2-L district of Long Beach must adhere to the following site standards to maintain the low-density, large-lot aesthetic.

Standard	Requirement
Minimum Lot Area	8,000 sq. ft.
Maximum Units Per Lot	2 units
Minimum Lot Width	50 ft.
Maximum Building Height	35 ft. / 2 Stories
Maximum Lot Coverage	40% of lot area
Minimum Front Setback	15 ft.
Minimum Side Setback	4 ft.
Minimum Rear Setback	10 ft.
Minimum Open Space	8% of lot area per unit

[Table 31-2A]

Sections Cited