RP: Residential, Planned Unit Development District in Long Beach
The RP District in Long Beach is designed for large-scale, innovative residential projects on sites typically requiring a minimum of five contiguous acres and a default Floor Area Ratio (FAR) of 1.3. While this district permits a diverse range of housing types from detached single-family homes to high-density multi-family structures, it explicitly prohibits the construction of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) within these planned developments.
Purpose of the RP District
The Residential Planned Unit Development (RP) District is established by the City of Long Beach to provide flexibility in design that is often not possible under conventional zoning regulations. The primary objectives of the RP District include:
- Encouraging innovative residential design and the recycling of unused or underutilized land [Section 21.31.310.B].
- Integrating creative land use with efficient site planning, including a mixture of housing densities and on-site community facilities [Section 21.31.310.C].
- Promoting sustainable land development and high-quality architectural themes that are compatible with the surrounding Long Beach neighborhoods [Section 21.31.310.E].
- Ensuring the preservation of historic value or cultural merit where applicable [Section 21.31.310.G].
Permitted Land Uses
The RP District allows for a broad spectrum of residential uses, provided they are part of a unified, detailed development plan approved by the City. According to the Long Beach Residential Use Table, the following uses are permitted:
| Use Category | Permission Level |
|---|---|
| Single-family detached | Permitted (Y) |
| Single-family attached | Permitted (Y) |
| Duplex | Permitted (Y) |
| Three-family and Four-family dwellings | Permitted (Y) |
| Multi-family dwellings | Permitted (Y) |
| Townhouses | Permitted (Y) |
| Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) | Prohibited (N) |
| Urban Agriculture | Permitted (Y) |
| Community Gardens/Playgrounds | Interim park use permit required (IP) |
Note on ADUs: Within the RP District, individual dwelling units are intended to be part of the traditional planned environment; therefore, accessory dwelling units are specifically prohibited [Section 21.31.360.B].
Development Standards
The City of Long Beach mandates specific standards to ensure the RP District maintains a high level of design quality compared to traditional subdivisions.
General Site Standards
| Standard | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Minimum Site Area | 5 acres (4.5 acres at Director's discretion) |
| Default Floor Area Ratio (FAR) | 1.3 |
| Minimum Unit Size | 1,200 sq. ft. of habitable floor area |
| Minimum Common Open Space | 15% of the total site area |
| Minimum Lot Area (Individual) | 2,400 sq. ft. |
| Minimum Lot Width (Individual) | 30 ft. |
Setbacks and Building Placement
The RP District uses specific setbacks to ensure internal integration and compatibility with adjacent zones.
| Setback Location | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Front Yard | 6 ft. from edge of private street or inner edge of sidewalk |
| Interior Side Yard | 3 ft. to property line (0 ft. if built to zero lot line) |
| Side/Rear (adj. to private street) | 5 ft. |
| Abutting PUD Edge | 8 ft. to property line |
| Adj. to Local Street | 15 ft. |
| Adj. to Major Avenue/Boulevard | 30 ft. |
Height Restrictions
Building heights in the RP District are tiered based on their proximity to other residential zones.
| Condition | Maximum Height |
|---|---|
| Within 50 ft. of R-1, R-2, or R-3 | 25 ft. and 2 stories |
| All other areas within the PUD | 38 ft. and 3 stories |
General Character and Design Guidelines
The general character of an RP District in Long Beach is defined by high-quality architecture and integrated landscaping. Unlike standard residential zones, the RP District requires:
- Internal Integration: The site must be internally connected and cannot be divided by public streets, highways, or railroads [Section 21.31.340.B].
- Architecture: Developments must employ "four-sided architecture," meaning all elevations of a building must have consistent design treatments and visual interest [Section 21.31.350.G].
- Connectivity: There is a strong emphasis on pedestrian and bicycle connectivity, often requiring separate entrances for non-motorized travel and links to nearby public trails or parks [Section 21.31.350.F].
- Parking: To maintain the aesthetic character, guest parking is required at a ratio of one space per four units. Furthermore, while residential garages are required, they are restricted in their placement to avoid dominating the streetscape [Section 21.31.340.G].
Sections Cited
- Section 21.31.020 - Districts established
- Section 21.31.310 - Purpose
- Section 21.31.340 - PUD Development Standards
- Section 21.31.350 - PUD Design Guidelines
- Section 21.31.360 - Additional Land Use Restrictions
- Table 31-1 - Uses in Residential Zones
- Table 31-8 - PUD Building Development Standards