Long Beach Setbacks & Height Limits — Residential Zones
Fact-checked against City of Long Beach Table 31-2A revised July 25, 2025 and listed by the City as the current residential-development-standard reference in 2026, plus current California ADU law.
Long Beach uses a detailed residential district table rather than one generic R-1/R-2/R-3 pattern. The previous page contained several incorrect setback, height, coverage, and district descriptions.
Current R-1-N and R-2-N Standards
Current Table 31-2A provides:
| Standard | R-1-N | R-2-N |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum lot size for new subdivisions | 6,000 sq ft | 6,000 sq ft |
| Minimum lot width | 50 ft | 50 ft |
| Front setback | 20 ft | 15 ft |
| Interior side setback | 4 ft | 4 ft |
| Rear setback | 10 ft first story / 30 ft second story | 20 ft |
| Maximum height | 25 ft / 2 stories | 25 ft / 2 stories |
| Maximum lot coverage | 50% | 60% |
| FAR | 0.60 | 0.60 |
The table notes that minimum lot-size/width standards apply to new subdivisions, not ordinary new construction on an existing lot.
The previous page listed R-1-N as 20/5/15 with 28-ft height and R-2-N as 20/5/15 with 28-ft height. Those values do not match the current City table.
Other Residential Districts
Current Long Beach residential districts include R-1-S, R-1-M, R-1-T, R-1-N, R-1-L; multiple R-2 districts; R-3-S, R-3-4, R-3-T; several R-4 districts; and RM.
The previous page referred simply to an “R-3” zone, but the current zoning framework uses specific R-3 designators with distinct standards.
For example, current Table 31-2A lists:
- R-3-S: 15-ft front, 20-ft rear, 25-ft / 2-story height;
- R-3-4: 15-ft front, 20-ft rear, 25-ft / 2-story height;
- R-3-T: 15-ft front, 20-ft rear, 28-ft / 2-story height.
Side yards in those districts use percentage-of-lot-width provisions subject to minimum/maximum rules.
Height Measurement
The City's table notes that height is generally measured to the midpoint of the roof. Where two height figures are shown, the first applies to the midpoint and the second to the roof peak, and a project must satisfy both.
Do not interpret a slash-format height such as 24/28 as a single 28-ft limit.
Front-Yard Averaging and Special Lots
Table 31-2A cross-references:
- front-yard averaging;
- reverse-corner-lot rules;
- shallow-lot rules;
- alley measurement;
- narrow-lot standards;
- special garage setbacks.
Those provisions can change the result from the headline district table.
California State ADU Law
Current State ADU Law is in Government Code §§66310–66342. Older §65852.2 citations are no longer the current numbering.
New-construction ADUs generally cannot be required to provide more than 4 ft of side or rear setback under current state law. Height depends on the statutory ADU type and site conditions.
See the Long Beach ADU rules page for local implementation.
How to Check a Property
- Confirm the precise residential district in the City's zoning GIS.
- Use current Table 31-2A.
- Read all applicable footnotes for lot width, front-yard averaging, rear yards, alleys, and garage access.
- Check coastal, PD, specific-plan, historic, airport, and other special controls.
- Apply current state housing-law overrides separately where relevant.
- Confirm unusual parcel conditions with Long Beach Planning.
Official Sources
- City of Long Beach — Zoning Maps and Table 31-2A
- City of Long Beach — Zoning Districts Established
- California HCD — Accessory Dwelling Units
This guide is informational only. Current Title 21 standards, table footnotes, state law, and parcel-specific controls govern.
More about Long Beach Zoning
Sources
- City of Long Beach Development Services·longbeach.gov·Accessed 2026-04-14·Direct link
- Long Beach Municipal Code, Title 21 — Zoning (Municode)·library.municode.com·Accessed 2026-04-14·Direct link
- California HCD — Accessory Dwelling Unit Handbook·hcd.ca.gov·Accessed 2026-04-14·Direct link