Long Beach's Building Setbacks & Zoning: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles building setbacks & zoning a little differently. In Long Beach, California, there are 3 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Structure Height Limits

Long Beach caps residential buildings by zoning district in Table 31-2A: 24 ft./28 ft. in R-1-S, 25 ft. and 2 stories in the other R-1 districts, 35 ft. in R-2-L, 38 ft. and 3 stories in R-4-N, and 65 ft. and 5 stories in R-4-U. Section 21.31.220 adds exceptions for chimneys, flagpoles, solar collectors and R-4 rooftop equipment.

Key details: R-1-S and R-2-S: 24 ft. to roof midpoint, 28 ft. to peak. R-1-M, R-1-N, R-1-L, R-1-T: 25 ft. and 2 stories. R-4-N: 38 ft. and 3 stories. R-4-U: 65 ft. and 5 stories. Ground flagpole: 60 ft. maximum.

A building taller than its district's Table 31-2A figure violates the standard, and so does one that meets the roof-midpoint number but runs past the peak number, because a project must conform to both. Rooftop items that outrun their allowance also fail: a ground flagpole over 60 ft., a roof flagpole more than 10 ft. above the building, a chimney more than 2 ft. over the limit, or R-4 rooftop equipment more than 10 ft. above building height. Section 21.31.220 prints no fine amount or penalty.

Lot Coverage Limits

Long Beach caps how much of an industrial lot a building can cover: 55 percent in the IL district, 60 percent in IM, 80 percent in IG, and no limit in the port-related IP district. Section 21.33.120 sets the rule and Table 33-3 holds the numbers. City redevelopment plans can replace the IG figure, and the Westside Redevelopment Project Area holds new buildings to 60 percent.

Key details: IL (Light Industrial) maximum coverage: 55%. IM (Medium Industrial) maximum coverage: 60%. IG (General Industrial) maximum coverage: 80%, unless a redevelopment plan sets another. IP (Port-Related Industrial) maximum coverage: No restriction. Westside Redevelopment Project Area: 60 percent for new buildings.

Section 21.33.120 is a flat prohibition: no building or structure shall be constructed to exceed the Table 33-3 percentage for its district. The section carries no penalty clause of its own, and the 1995 ordinance that created it adds none. The practical consequence is that a plan over 55, 60 or 80 percent, depending on the district, does not conform and has to be redesigned. Encroaching on required yards under Section 21.33.140 is a separate violation.

Setback Rules

Table 31-2A sets a front, side and rear yard setback for every residential zoning district in Long Beach, from an 8-foot front yard in the compact R-1-S zone up to a 25-foot front yard in the R-1-L single-family zone, with side and rear minimums scaled to lot depth and story count.

Key details: R-1-S front yard: 8 ft minimum (Table 31-2A). R-1-N front yard: 20 ft minimum. R-1-L front yard: 25 ft minimum. R-2-N/R-2-A side yard: 4 ft minimum. Rear yards: 8-30 ft depending on district.

Building or maintaining a structure inside a required yard setback violates LBMC § 21.31.215 and Table 31-2A, punishable under the Chapter 1.32 general penalty: a misdemeanor carrying up to a $1,000 fine and six months in jail, or a lesser infraction, with each day of the encroachment a separate offense. The City may also issue an administrative citation under Section 9.65.060 and declare the encroaching structure a public nuisance subject to abatement.

The Bottom Line

Long Beach's building setbacks & zoning rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Long Beach is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Long Beach can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, which shows when its source was last checked.