Accessory Structures in Long Beach, CA (2026)
5 verified accessory structures rules for Long Beach, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
ADU Rules
Accessory dwelling units in Long Beach must meet the same zoning standards as the underlying district, parking, height, setbacks, lot coverage and floor area ratio, under LBMC § 21.51.276(D), plus ADU-specific caps in Table 51.276-1: height tops out at 25 feet and two stories, side yards can shrink to 5 feet, and unit size is capped at 50% of the primary home's floor area or 800 square feet, whichever is less.
Long Beach ADU Zoning & Size Standards
Some RestrictionsLong Beach Municipal Code § 21.51.276(D); Table 51.276-1
An accessory dwelling unit shall conform to all development standards of the zone in which the property is located, including but not limited to, parking, height limits, setbacks, projections, lot coverage, landscape, open space, and floor area ratio (FAR), except as specifically provided by this Section, and shall be subject to the following standards, and the provisions of Tables 51.276-1 and...
ADU Owner Occupancy
Long Beach requires the property owner to live in either the primary dwelling or the accessory dwelling unit under Municipal Code § 21.51.276.E.1.a, unless both units are leased to the same tenant who is barred in writing from subletting either unit to anyone else. The City records a deed restriction and can force removal of the ADU at the owner's expense for violations.
Long Beach ADU Owner-Occupancy Requirement
Significant RestrictionsLong Beach Municipal Code § 21.51.276.E.1.a
The owner of the property shall reside either in the primary dwelling or the accessory dwelling unit, unless both the primary dwelling unit and the accessory dwelling unit are rented to the same tenant and such tenant is prohibited in writing by lease or other written instrument from subleasing or otherwise renting the primary dwelling unit or ADU to any other person or entity.
ADU Rental Restrictions
Long Beach bars short-term rental of accessory dwelling units: Municipal Code § 21.51.276.E.1.d requires that any rental of the ADU or the primary dwelling run longer than thirty (30) days, and subsection (b) blocks selling the ADU off from the main house altogether, keeping both restrictions tied to a single parcel and deed.
Long Beach ADU 30-Day Minimum Rental Term
Some RestrictionsLong Beach Municipal Code § 21.51.276.E.1.b, d
The accessory dwelling unit shall not be sold separately from the primary dwelling. ... The accessory dwelling unit or the primary dwelling may be rented. All rentals shall be for terms of longer than thirty (30) days.
Shed & Carport Rules
Long Beach bars carports outright from the required front yard and street-side yard setbacks citywide. Where the zoning code allows a carport in an interior side or rear yard, LBMC Table 31-3 requires the support column to clear the property line by three feet, with the eave or roof overhang permitted to come only within two feet six inches of the line.
Long Beach Carport Setback Rules
Some RestrictionsLong Beach Municipal Code § 21.31.215, Table 31-3
Structure Front(a) Maximum Projection Into the Required Front Yard Side(b) Minimum Distance to Interior Side Property Line Rear(c) Minimum Distance to Rear Property Line Street Side(b) Maximum Projection into Street Side Yard Carports Not permitted 3 ft. to column, 2 ft. 6 in. to eave or roof overhang 3 ft. to column, 2 ft. 6 in. to eave or roof overhang Not permitted
Garage Conversions
Converting a Long Beach garage into an ADU means losing the garage door for good: LBMC § 21.51.276(D)(3)(b) requires the opening to be removed and finished to match the house, while § 21.51.276(E)(3) lets the converted structure be rebuilt as needed for building, fire and life-safety code compliance without losing its existing nonconforming setback rights.
Long Beach Garage-to-ADU Conversion Rules
Some RestrictionsLong Beach Municipal Code § 21.51.276(D)(3)(b), (E)(3)
Any garage door(s) shall be removed from a garage or other accessory structure that is converted to an ADU, and the opening shall be treated and finished to match the building per Subsection 21.51.276.D.3.a ... An existing garage or other accessory structure that is converted to an ADU, or above which a new ADU is constructed, may be rebuilt as necessary to comply with building, fire, and other...
Looking for Los Angeles County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Long Beach city rules.
Accessory Structures in Los Angeles County →