Building Setbacks & Zoning in Long Beach, CA (2026)
3 verified building setbacks & zoning rules for Long Beach, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
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.
Long Beach Yard Setback Minimums by Zone
Some RestrictionsLong Beach Municipal Code § 21.31.201, Table 31-2A
District Units Per Lot Lot Area Per Unit (Sq. Ft.) Minimum Lot Area (Sq. Ft.)(a, c) Minimum Lot Width (Ft.)(a, c) Minimum Yard Setbacks (Ft.)(j, l) Front / Side / Rear(k) Maximum Height(d, h) R-1-S 1 2,400 2,400 30 8(i) / 3 / 8 24 ft./28 ft. R-1-N 1 6,000 6,000 50 20 / 4(b) / 1st St. 10, 2nd St. 30 25 ft. 2 St. R-1-L 1 12,000 12,000(s) 60 25 / 6 / 30 25 ft. 2 St.
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.
Long Beach Residential Building Height Limits
Some RestrictionsLong Beach Municipal Code §§ 21.31.220, 21.31.201 (Table 31-2A)
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 i...
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.
Long Beach Industrial Lot Coverage Limits
Some RestrictionsLong Beach Municipal Code § 21.33.120; Table 33-3
No building or structure shall be constructed to exceed the lot coverage standards indicated in Table 33-3. ... Table 33-3 General Development Standards Standard Zone District IL IM IG IP ... Maximum Lot Coverage (see 21.33.120 ) 55% 60% 80% (b) No restriction ... (b) City redevelopment plans may establish an alternative standard which supersedes this standard. For the Westside Redevelopment Pr...
Looking for Los Angeles County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Long Beach city rules.
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