Setback Requirements for the R-4-U Dense Multiple Residential, Urban District in Long Beach

In the City of Long Beach R-4-U: Dense Multiple Residential, urban district, developments generally require a 10-foot front setback, a side setback equivalent to 10% of the lot width, and a 20-foot rear setback. These requirements increase significantly when the R-4-U district property adjoins a lower-density residential zone (R-1, R-2, or R-3), where setbacks can reach up to 40 feet depending on the height of the building.

Purpose of the R-4-U District

The R-4-U: Dense Multiple Residential, urban district is established by the City of Long Beach to provide high-density multifamily housing opportunities. It is specifically intended for use in an urban context with design styles that support downtown activity center employment with adjoining housing [Section 21.31.020.R].

Standard Setback Requirements

The primary development standards for the R-4-U district are found in the City’s residential development standards table. These standards apply to all new construction and additions within the district [Table 31-2A].

Yard Type	R-4-U District Requirement
Front Yard	10 feet
Side Yard (Interior)	10% of lot width (Minimum 3 ft; Maximum 10 ft)
Side Yard (Street Side)	15% of lot width (Minimum 3 ft; Maximum 15 ft)
Rear Yard	20 feet

Note on Side Yards: According to footnote (q) of Table 31-2A, the interior side yard setback is calculated as 10 percent of the lot width but is capped at a maximum requirement of 10 feet. For street-side yards, the requirement is 15 percent of the lot width, capped at 15 feet. In no instance shall any side yard be less than 3 feet [Table 31-2A, Note q].

Special Buffer Setbacks (Adjoining Lower Density Zones)

The City of Long Beach requires increased setbacks, known as "buffers," when a high-density R-4-U district property adjoins, abuts, or is adjacent to R-1, R-2, or R-3 residential districts. These setbacks are measured from the property line or the centerline of an abutting alley [Section 21.31.215.D.3 and E.3].

Building Story	Required Buffer Setback
Two-story or less (Excluding 2nd-story mezzanine; max 25’ height)	20 feet
Third story (Including 2nd-story mezzanine)	30 feet
Fourth story or more	40 feet

Additional Buffer Requirements:

If a building in the R-4-U district exceeds 25 feet in height and 50 feet in length while facing a low-density residential zone, at least half of that building facade must be set back 40 feet from the property line [Section 21.31.215.D.3.b].
A 5-foot wide planter strip containing a solid screen of trees must be provided within this required setback area along the property line [Section 21.31.215.D.3.c].

Permitted Projections into Required Yards

While setbacks must generally remain clear from the ground to the sky, the City of Long Beach allows certain architectural features and structures to project into the required R-4-U district yards [Section 21.41.215.B].

Architectural Protrusions (e.g., chimneys, cornices): May project up to 2 feet 6 inches into the front and side yards.
Awnings: May project up to 2 feet 6 inches into the front and side yards.
Balconies: May project 5 feet into the front and street side yards, or half the required setback, whichever is less [Table 31-3].
Basements: Permitted to have the same setback as the principal structure [Table 31-3].

Exceptions and Variations

Through Lots: On through lots (lots with frontage on two parallel streets), if the adjoining lots face opposite street frontages, the lot is considered to have two front yards. If all lots in the block front the same direction, only one front yard is required, typically the one providing primary pedestrian access [Section 21.31.215.C.2].
Corner Cutoffs: A triangular area at the intersection of two streets or an alley and a street must be maintained for visibility. No structures or vegetation higher than 3 feet are permitted in this area [Section 21.31.215.G].

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