Setbacks & Height Limits in Long Beach

This guide explains the basic setback and height rules that apply to residential construction in Long Beach. These numbers come from Title 21 (Zoning) of the Long Beach Municipal Code and depend on your exact zoning district, overlay zones, and lot geometry — always confirm with Long Beach Development Services before finalizing plans.

What Are Setbacks?

A setback is the minimum required distance between a building and a lot line. Setbacks are measured from the property line to the nearest point of the building (typically the wall, but eaves, bay windows, and chimneys have their own encroachment rules).

Long Beach's zoning code specifies front, side, and rear setbacks separately for each zoning district. Corner lots have two "front" setbacks (one per street frontage) and typically one interior side and one rear.

Typical Residential Setbacks

For Long Beach's most common single-family and low-density residential zones, Title 21 requires approximately:

Long Beach also uses R-1-L and R-1-M variants, which follow similar setback patterns with adjusted minimum lot sizes. Higher-density residential, mixed-use, and commercial zones have separate setback schedules in Title 21.

Height Limits

Maximum residential building height in Long Beach is 28 ft or 2 stories in R-1-N and R-2-N, and 38 ft or 3 stories in R-3, measured from average grade to the highest point of the roof. Height rules get more complicated in:

• Coastal Zone Overlay — Coastal Commission review can restrict height and massing, and view corridors may lower the cap
• Planned Development (PD) districts — PD ordinances set custom height limits that supersede the base zone
• Airport Influence Area (Long Beach Airport) — FAA Part 77 and the Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan may cap height well below zoning limits
• Historic districts and design review — height may be capped by context and neighborhood character

Lot Coverage

Beyond setbacks and height, lot coverage shapes how much footprint you can build:

• R-1-N — up to 50% of the lot
• R-2-N — up to 55% of the lot
• R-3 — up to 60% of the lot

Coverage is the percentage of the lot covered by buildings. Pools, uncovered decks, driveways, and open landscape features are generally excluded — check the Title 21 definition for your specific district. The R-3 zone also uses a Floor Area Ratio (FAR) of 1.0, meaning total floor area may not exceed the lot area.

Common Exceptions and Encroachments

Title 21 allows certain features to project into required setbacks. Typical allowances include:

• Eaves and gutters (usually up to 2 ft)
• Chimneys (up to 2 ft)
• Uncovered porches, stoops, and steps
• Air conditioning condensers (subject to sound limits)
• Bay windows (limited projection)

Fences, retaining walls, and accessory structures have separate rules — see the Title 21 chapter on accessory structures and fences.

State ADU Overrides

If your project is an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU), California state law overrides local setback and height rules. Under AB 68, SB 13, AB 881, and AB 2221, Long Beach must permit:

• 4 ft side and rear setbacks for detached ADUs regardless of the underlying zone
• 16 ft height minimum for detached ADUs (with allowances up to 18–25 ft near transit or for two-story ADUs on multi-family lots)
• No front-setback encroachment into existing primary-dwelling front setbacks
• Ministerial (non-discretionary) review within 60 days

See the ADU rules page for the full Long Beach ADU framework.

How to Look Up Your Specific Requirements

1. Find your zoning district — use the Long Beach GIS / zoning map linked in the sources above
2. Read the district regulations — your zone chapter in Title 21 lists setbacks, height, lot coverage, and FAR
3. Check for overlays — Coastal Zone, PD districts, airport influence area, and historic districts can modify the base rules
4. Ask Development Services — Long Beach offers zoning counter appointments where staff can confirm your base zone and overlays before you commit to design

Variances

If your project cannot meet the strict letter of Title 21, you may apply for a variance — a formal request to deviate from the rules based on hardship specific to your lot. Variances in Long Beach are discretionary and typically require public hearings before the Zoning Administrator or Planning Commission. See the Variance Application Guide for the general process.

Official Sources

See the sources linked in the frontmatter for Long Beach Development Services, Title 21 Zoning on Municode, and the California HCD ADU Handbook. This guide is informational and is not a substitute for direct confirmation from Long Beach Development Services planning staff.