Setback Requirements for Long Beach R-1-L Single-Family Residential District
In the City of Long Beach, the R-1-L: Single-family Residential, large lot district requires a minimum front yard setback of 25 feet, side yard setbacks of 6 feet, and a rear yard setback of 30 feet. These requirements are intended to maintain the open, uncrowded living environment characteristic of the R-1-L district. Specific exceptions apply to garages, which must be set back 50 feet from the street property line, and to shallow lots where the rear setback may be reduced.
Standard Setback Requirements
The City of Long Beach establishes the primary development standards for the R-1-L: Single-family Residential, large lot district to ensure low-density residential character [Section 21.31.020]. The following table outlines the mandatory minimum yard setbacks for primary structures within the R-1-L district.
| Setback Type | Minimum Requirement in the R-1-L District |
|---|---|
| Front Yard | 25 feet |
| Side Yard (Interior) | 6 feet |
| Rear Yard | 30 feet |
| Garage (from Street) | 50 feet |
[Table 31-2A]
Special Conditions and Setback Adjustments
While the standard setbacks apply to most parcels, the Long Beach Municipal Code provides specific adjustments for unique lot configurations and detached structures within the R-1-L district.
Shallow Lot Adjustments for Rear Yards
For properties in the R-1-L district that have a lot depth of less than one hundred feet (100'), the mandatory rear yard setback may be adjusted. In these cases, the rear setback may be reduced to thirty percent (30%) of the total lot depth, provided the resulting setback is not less than fifteen feet (15') [Section 21.31.215.D.2.b].
Garage Placement in R-1-L
The City of Long Beach maintains strict standards for the placement of vehicle storage in the large lot district. In the R-1-L Zone, any garage must be set back at least fifty feet (50') from the street property line [Section 21.31.245.A.1.c]. If a garage takes direct access from the street and the garage door does not face the street, the setback must be the same as required for the principal use structure (25 feet) [Section 21.31.245.A.1.a].
Setbacks for Accessory Structures
Detached accessory structures in the R-1-L district, such as workshops or storage sheds, are generally restricted to the rear half of the lot. They may be located directly on the rear property line and on one interior side property line, provided the other side yard remains at least three feet (3') wide [Section 21.31.245.C.2]. However, these structures are prohibited in the R-1-S, R-1-M, R-2-S, and R-2-I zones, though they are permitted in the R-1-L district [Section 21.31.245.C.5].
Projections into Required Yards
The Long Beach Zoning Regulations allow certain architectural and functional elements to project into the required R-1-L setbacks, provided specific distances are maintained [Section 21.31.215.B].
- Architectural Protrusions: May project up to 2 feet 6 inches into the required front, side, and street side yards [Table 31-3].
- Awnings: May project 2 feet 6 inches into the front, side, and rear yards [Table 31-3].
- Chimneys: May project 2 feet 6 inches into any required yard, provided they do not exceed a 5-foot width [Table 31-3].
- Balconies: In single-family districts like R-1-L, balconies may project 5 feet or one-half of the required setback (whichever is less) into the front yard or street side yard [Table 31-3].
Sections Cited
- Section 21.31.020 - Districts established.
- Section 21.31.215 - Yard requirements.
- Section 21.31.245 - Accessory structures.
- Table 31-2A - Residential Development Standards.
- Table 31-3 - Permitted Projections and Structures in Required Yards.