RP: Residential, Planned Unit Development District in Long Beach
The RP: Residential, Planned Unit Development District in the City of Long Beach is intended for high-quality, innovative residential projects that integrate various housing types with community amenities and unique design controls. This district requires a minimum contiguous site area of five acres and permits a range of residential densities from single-family to multi-family dwellings, provided the project adheres to a detailed development plan approved by the City Council. While residential uses are prioritized, the Long Beach Municipal Code explicitly prohibits commercial activities, manufactured housing, and accessory dwelling units within this specific designation.
Permitted Residential Uses
In the City of Long Beach, the RP: Residential, Planned Unit Development District allows for a variety of housing formats to encourage creative site planning. According to Table 31-1, the following residential uses are permitted by right (Y):
- Single-Family Dwellings: Both detached and attached units are permitted [Table 31-1].
- Two-to-Four Family Dwellings: Duplexes, three-family dwellings, and four-family dwellings are allowed [Table 31-1].
- Multi-Family Dwellings: Standard multi-family residential buildings and townhouses are permitted [Table 31-1].
- Special Residential Housing: Group homes serving six or fewer persons, as well as transitional and supportive housing, are allowed [Table 31-1].
- Live-Work Units: These units are permitted subject to the standards in Section 21.52.240.5 [Table 31-1].
Accessory and Interim Uses
The RP: Residential, Planned Unit Development District allows for specific accessory and interim uses that support the residential character of the neighborhood:
- Home Occupations: Permitted as an accessory use (A) within a dwelling unit, provided they meet the requirements of Section 21.51.235 [Table 31-1].
- Interim Parks: Community gardens, passive parks, playgrounds, and recreational parks are allowed subject to an Interim Park Use Permit (IP) [Table 31-1].
- Urban Agriculture: Permitted as an accessory use [Table 31-1].
- Temporary Events: Certain temporary events, such as carnivals or religious exhibitions, may be permitted for limited durations [Section 21.53.109].
Prohibited Uses in the RP District
The City of Long Beach strictly limits the RP: Residential, Planned Unit Development District to residential and open space uses. The following uses are specifically prohibited (N):
- Commercial Uses: This includes office commercial, retail services, restaurants, banks, and temporary lodging like hotels, motels, or bed and breakfast inns [Table 31-1].
- Industrial and Manufacturing: All industrial uses, including alcoholic beverage manufacturing, are prohibited [Table 31-1].
- Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs): While Table 31-1 contains conflicting data, Section 21.31.360.B explicitly states that "Accessory Dwelling Units shall be prohibited in a PUD" [Section 21.31.360].
- Manufactured and Mobile Homes: Modular or manufactured housing units and mobile home parks are not permitted in the RP district [Table 31-1].
- Institutional and High-Occupancy Uses: Emergency shelters, special group residences (such as dormitories or fraternity houses), and large-scale residential care facilities (7 or more persons) are prohibited [Table 31-1].
- Adult Entertainment: Any business classified as adult entertainment is prohibited [Section 21.34.030].
RP District Development Standards
All development within the RP: Residential, Planned Unit Development District must comply with specific standards intended to ensure a higher quality of design than traditional subdivisions.
| Standard | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Minimum Site Area | 5 acres (4.5 acres may be allowed at the discretion of the Zoning Administrator) [Section 21.31.340.A] |
| Minimum Unit Size | 1,200 sq. ft. of habitable floor area [Section 21.31.340.E] |
| Minimum Unit Width | 16 feet [Section 21.31.340.E] |
| Floor Area Ratio (FAR) | 1.3 [Table 31-8] |
| Maximum Building Height | 38 ft. / 3 stories (General); 25 ft. / 2 stories if within 50 ft. of R-1, R-2, or R-3 districts [Table 31-8] |
| Common Open Space | Minimum 15% of the site area [Section 21.31.340.F] |
| Guest Parking | 1 space per 4 dwelling units [Section 21.31.340.G] |
| Front Yard Setback | 6 ft. from edge of private common street or inner edge of sidewalk, whichever is greater [Table 31-8] |
Sections Cited
- Section 21.31.020 - Districts established
- Section 21.31.310 - Purpose (PUD)
- Section 21.31.340 - PUD Development Standards
- Section 21.31.360 - Additional Land Use Restrictions
- Section 21.34.030 - Adult entertainment business
- Section 21.51.235 - Home occupations
- Section 21.52.240.5 - Live-work unit
- Section 21.53.109 - Special events
- Table 31-1 - Uses in Residential Zones
- Table 31-8 - PUD Building Development Standards