Setback Standards for the RP Residential, Planned Unit Development District in Long Beach

In the City of Long Beach, the RP: Residential, Planned Unit Development district requires a minimum front setback of 6 feet from private common streets and interior side setbacks of at least 3 feet to the property line. When a project in the RP: Residential, Planned Unit Development district abuts a different zoning district, a mandatory 8-foot setback must be maintained from the boundary line to ensure proper transition between different land uses.

Overview of RP District Setbacks in Long Beach

The City of Long Beach established the RP: Residential, Planned Unit Development district to allow for flexible development plans that benefit from unique land use and design controls [Section 21.25.701]. While standard residential zones follow rigid yard requirements, the RP: Residential, Planned Unit Development district utilizes a specific set of building development standards to ensure internal integration and compatibility with the surrounding environment [Section 21.31.340].

The following table outlines the specific setback requirements for buildings within the City of Long Beach RP: Residential, Planned Unit Development district as defined by the municipal code:

Location Type	Minimum Setback Requirement
Front Yard	6 feet from the edge of the private common street or the inner edge of the sidewalk, whichever is greater.
Interior Side Yard	3 feet to the property line, or 0 feet if buildings maintain a minimum 6-foot separation.
Side or Rear Yard (Adjacent to Private Street)	5 feet from the edge of the private common street or the inner edge of the sidewalk, whichever is greater.
PUD Edge (Abutting Other Zoning District)	8 feet to the property line.
Interior Rear Yard	No fixed distance; buildings and wall openings must be sited to maximize privacy between units.

[Table 31-8]

Specific Conditions and Variations

Interior Side Yard and Zero Lot Line Provisions

Within the RP: Residential, Planned Unit Development district in the City of Long Beach, developers may utilize zero lot line construction for interior side yards. If a building is constructed on a zero lot line on one side, the opposite side yard of that same building must remain clear of any architectural projections to maintain adequate fire safety and access [Table 31-8].

PUD Boundary and Street Frontage Requirements

The City of Long Beach mandates that all exterior edges of an RP: Residential, Planned Unit Development district project present attractive views to the surrounding community. For this reason, the 8-foot setback at the edge of the district is strictly enforced where the property line abuts a different zoning classification [Table 31-8]. Furthermore, porches or covered entryway features within the RP: Residential, Planned Unit Development district are restricted to a maximum height of 15 feet [Section 21.31.255].

Exceptions for Irregular Lots

The Zoning Administrator for the City of Long Beach has the authority to allow deviations from the standard setbacks in specific cases. For irregular corner lots or gore-shaped lots within the RP: Residential, Planned Unit Development district, front, interior side/rear, and private street side/rear setbacks may be modified at the discretion of the approval body [Table 31-8, Note (a)].

Sections Cited