Setback Requirements for the Long Beach R-1-M Residential District

In the City of Long Beach, the R-1-M (Single-family Residential, moderate lot) district requires a standard front setback of 8 feet, side setbacks of 4 feet, and a rear setback of 8 feet. These requirements are subject to specific modifications based on lot depth, lot width, and the presence of alleys or unique lot configurations such as key lots or shallow lots [Table 31-2A].

R-1-M District Standard Setbacks

The following table outlines the base yard requirements for development within the City of Long Beach R-1-M district.

Yard Type	Standard Setback Requirement
Front Yard	8 feet
Side Yard	4 feet
Rear Yard	8 feet

Front Yard Setback Adjustments

The standard 8-foot front setback in the R-1-M district may be modified under the following conditions:

Front Yard Averaging: An average setback may be applied if one or both adjoining lots encroach into the standard front yard setback, allowing the new structure to align more closely with existing neighborhood patterns [Section 21.31.215.C.3].
Key Lots: If a lot in the R-1-M district is a "key lot" (an interior lot located to the rear of a reversed corner lot) and the abutting corner lot is built to the side yard line, the required front yard for the key lot is reduced to one-half of that required for the nearest interior lot on the same block [Section 21.31.215.C.1].
Parking Prohibitions: Parking is strictly prohibited within the required front yard setback of any lot in the R-1-M district [Section 21.31.215.C.5].

Side Yard Setback Adjustments

While the R-1-M district generally requires 4-foot side yards, specific lot widths trigger different standards:

Narrow Lots: For lots in the R-1-M district that are less than 27 feet in width, the minimum required side yard is reduced to 3 feet [Section 21.31.215.F.2].
Corner Cutoffs: At all intersections of streets, driveways, or alleys, a triangular corner cutoff area of 6 feet by 6 feet must remain clear of any structures or vegetation higher than 3 feet to ensure visibility [Section 21.31.215.G].

Rear Yard Setback Adjustments

The 8-foot rear yard requirement in the R-1-M district is subject to several interpretive rules:

Alley Measurement: If the R-1-M district lot abuts a paved alley, the rear setback is measured from the centerline of that alley [Section 21.31.215.D.1].
Shallow Lots: On lots in the R-1-M district that are less than 100 feet in depth, the rear setback may be reduced to ten percent (10%) of the total lot depth, provided the resulting setback is at least 5 feet [Section 21.31.215.D.2.a].

Permitted Projections into Required Yards

Certain architectural features are permitted to extend into the required setbacks of the R-1-M district, as defined in the Long Beach Municipal Code.

Structure Type	Permitted Projection
Awnings & Cornices	Up to 2 feet, 6 inches
Chimneys	Up to 2 feet, 6 inches (max. 5-foot width)
Balconies	Up to 2 feet, 6 inches
Bay Windows	Up to 2 feet, 6 inches

[Table 31-3]

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