Long Beach, CA Building Setbacks & Zoning: Structure Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- 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
- Roof flagpole
- Up to 10 ft. above the building
- Chimney or vent pipe
- Up to 2 ft. over the limit when codes require
Summary
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.
R-1-S 1 2,400 2,400 30 8(i) 3 8 24 ft./28 ft. N/A 6%(o) 1.2 ... R-4-U(l) N/A See Table 31-2B 22,500 180 10 10% (q)(r) 20(r) 65 ft.(f) 5 St. ... (d) In general, height is measured to the midpoint of the roof (Section 21.15.1330 —Definitions). However, in some zones, the building height limit consists of 2 numbers. The first number indicates the height of the midpoint of roof, and second number indicates height of building measured to peak of roof. A project shall conform to both standards. ... A. Measurement. A measurement of height shall use the definition of height contained in Section 21.15.1330 . B. Exceptions. The height limitations specified in Table 31-2A shall apply to all elements and equipment on a building, except as follows: 1. Chimneys and vent pipes shall be allowed to exceed the applicable height limit by two feet (2′) (when required to exceed roof height by the Uniform Building, Plumbing and Mechanical Codes). 2. Flagpoles, when placed on the roof of a building, may exceed the height of the building by ten feet (10′). When placed on the ground, flagpoles shall not exceed sixty feet (60′) in height.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Municipal Code: Supplement 52 Update 1 | City Charter: Supplement 5).
Full Breakdown
Every structure in a Long Beach residential zone must meet the development standards in Tables 31-2A and 31-2B (Section 21.31.201), and the Maximum Height column of Table 31-2A sets the ceiling for each district. Section 21.31.220(A) measures height by the definition in Section 21.15.1330. Footnote (d) adds that height is measured to the midpoint of the roof, but where a district lists two numbers, the first is the roof midpoint, the second is the height to the peak, and the project must meet both.
The caps run district by district. R-1-S is 24 ft./28 ft. R-1-M, R-1-N, R-1-L and R-1-T are 25 ft. and 2 stories. R-2-S is 24 ft./28 ft. and 2 stories, and R-2-I is 32 ft./35 ft. and 3 stories, with footnote (e) allowing an additional 2 feet for roof access stairs. R-2-N and R-2-A are 25 ft. and 2 stories, R-2-L is 35 ft. and 2 stories, R-3-S and R-3-4 are 25 ft. and 2 stories, and R-3-T is 28 ft. and 2 stories. In the R-4 family, R-4-R is 28 ft. and 2 stories, R-4-N is 38 ft. and 3 stories, R-4-U is 65 ft. and 5 stories, RM is 30 ft. and 2 stories, and R-4-M is 20 ft. R-4-H points to Table 31-3A instead of a flat number.
Section 21.31.220(B) lets certain elements rise above those caps. Chimneys and vent pipes can exceed the limit by 2 ft. when the Uniform Building, Plumbing and Mechanical Codes require it. A flagpole on a roof can exceed the building by 10 ft., while a ground flagpole tops out at 60 ft. Antennas follow Section 21.46.060. Rooftop solar collectors and their supports can exceed the limit only when needed solely for solar collection, kept off occupiable roof areas, and consistent with the Certified Local Coastal Program. In the R-4 zones, stair and elevator penthouse enclosures, rooftop heating and air conditioning equipment and ducts, and safety rails, spas, tubs, barbecues, wet bars and patio covers can rise up to 10 ft. above the building height.
Violations & Fines
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do two-number limits like 24 ft./28 ft. work in Long Beach?
How tall can an R-4-H building be in Long Beach?
Can I put a cover over my roof deck?
What is the height limit for a garage or backyard building?
Does the 2 ft. chimney allowance cover any chimney?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Long Beach
California rules heatmap·Compare Long Beach to another location·View the California building setbacks & zoning overview
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