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 building height by zoning district under Table 31-2A, from 24-28 feet in the small-lot R-1-S zone to 65 feet and five stories in the R-4-U high-density zone, with Section 21.31.220 setting separate exceptions for chimneys, flagpoles, antennas and rooftop equipment.
Long Beach Residential Structure Height Limits
Some RestrictionsLong Beach Municipal Code §§ 21.31.220, 21.31.201 (Table 31-2A)
21.31.220 - Height limits. 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′)...2.Flagpoles, when placed o...
Lot Coverage Limits
Long Beach caps building footprint in its industrial zones through Table 33-3: 55% in IL, 60% in IM, 80% in IG (60% in the Westside Redevelopment Project Area), and no restriction in IP. LBMC § 21.33.120 bars construction beyond these district-specific ceilings.
Long Beach Industrial District Lot Coverage
Some RestrictionsLong Beach Municipal Code § 21.33.120; Table 33-3
21.33.120 - Maximum lot coverage. No building or structure shall be constructed to exceed the lot coverage standards indicated in Table 33-3. ... Table 33-3 General Development Standards: Maximum Lot Coverage (see 21.33.120) — IL: 55%; IM: 60%; IG: 80% (b); IP: No restriction. ... Notes: (b) City redevelopment plans may establish an alternative standard which supersedes this standard. For the W...
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County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Long Beach city rules.
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