Yard and Setback Standards for the Institutional (I) District in Long Beach
Developments within the Institutional (I) district of Long Beach must maintain a 20-foot front yard setback and a 15-foot side/rear setback when adjoining a residential district. For properties adjoining nonresidential districts, the side/rear setback is reduced to 4 feet, while corner lots require a 10-foot yard area. Additionally, principal structures are limited to a height of 30 feet unless they are set back further from residential boundaries, following a 1:2 height-to-distance ratio [Table 34-2].
Required Yard Setbacks
The Long Beach Municipal Code requires specific yard areas for the Institutional (I) district to ensure these uses are buffered from surrounding properties, particularly residential zones. These setbacks are measured from the property line to the building, and the area must remain clear of structures from the ground to the sky, except for permitted projections [Section 21.34.220].
| Yard Location | Required Setback |
|---|---|
| Front Yard | 20 feet |
| Side or Rear Yard (Adjoining/Abutting Nonresidential District) | 4 feet |
| Side or Rear Yard (Adjoining/Abutting Residential District) | 15 feet |
| Corner Lot (Side/Rear) | 10 feet |
Source: [Table 34-3]
Building Separation and Footprint Standards
In addition to property line setbacks, the City of Long Beach mandates internal spacing and safety clearances for Institutional (I) district developments:
- Separation Between Buildings: Principal use buildings on the same site must be separated by a minimum of 8 feet [Section 21.34.230].
- Corner Cutoffs: At all intersections of streets, driveways, or alleys, a 6' x 6' corner cutoff is required. This area must be kept clear of any structures or vegetation higher than 8 feet that might obstruct visibility [Section 21.34.225].
- Parking in Yards: Off-street parking is prohibited within the first 10 feet of a front yard area that abuts a street [Section 21.34.255].
Height-Related Setbacks
The Institutional (I) district employs a sliding scale for building height based on the distance from residential districts. While the base maximum height for a principal structure is 30 feet, the building may be taller if it is set back further. Specifically, the height can be 1 foot for every 2 feet of distance from the abutting residential district, provided this results in a height greater than 30 feet [Table 34-2].
Permitted Structures and Projections
Not all structures are banned from the required yard areas. The Institutional (I) district allows certain projections—such as chimneys, awnings, and architectural protrusions—to extend into the setbacks. These projections must follow the same standards established for residential districts in Table 31-3 [Section 21.34.220].
Furthermore, any permitted open uses, including storage, must be screened by a solid wall at least 6 feet high, ensuring that stored materials are not visible from above the wall [Section 21.34.240].
Sections Cited
- Section 21.34.220 - Yards required.
- Section 21.34.225 - Corner cutoffs.
- Section 21.34.230 - Distance between principal use buildings.
- Section 21.34.240 - Screening required.
- Section 21.34.255 - Off-street parking and loading.
- Table 34-2 - Development Standards (Institutional).
- Table 34-3 - Yard Requirements (Institutional).
- Table 31-3 - Permitted Projections and Structures in Required Yards.