Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in Long Beach

Each rule below links to the section of the Long Beach Municipal Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What Long Beach's code says

Long Beach code What Long Beach's code adds
Maximum height	Maximum height is 13′. Applies: For an on-grade garage in an R-3 or R-4 Zone District with 3 or more units on a lot, projecting into required yard area. § 21.31.245 · code text Projecting into required yard area—13′. Maximum height is the same as the principal structure. Applies: For an on-grade garage in an R-3 or R-4 Zone District with 3 or more units on a lot, outside the required yard area. § 21.31.245 · code text Outside of required yard area—same as principal structure Must not exceed 4′ above grade. Applies: Applies to semi-subterranean garages in R-3 or R-4 Zone Districts for projects with 3 or more units on a lot; may be increased through site plan review. § 21.31.245 · code text Not to exceed 4′ above grade*** Detached accessory buildings may be no more than 1 story and 13 feet high. Applies: Applies to detached accessory buildings other than garages in Title 21 residential districts; prohibited in R-1-S, R-1-M, R-2-S and R-2-I Zones; not ADUs. § 21.31.245 · code text No detached accessory building shall exceed one-story and thirteen feet (13') in height. Garage height may not exceed 1 story and 13 feet. Applies: In Title 21 residential districts; no mezzanines or lofts. For projects with 3 or more units in R-3/R-4 zones, Table 31-7 applies instead. § 21.31.245 · code text No garage shall exceed one-story and thirteen feet (13') in height.
Size or lot coverage	A garage may be no more than 1,100 square feet. Applies: For a two-family residence. § 21.31.245 · code text for two-family residences, shall not exceed one thousand one hundred (1,100) square feet in size. Common recreational rooms or buildings are limited to 500 square feet. Applies: Only in multifamily residential developments containing 21 or more dwelling units, unless otherwise permitted by site plan review. Larger sizes may be approved through site plan review. § 21.31.245 · code text The size of such rooms shall be limited to five hundred (500) square feet. Accessory buildings, excluding garages, may not exceed 25% of the gross floor area of the primary building(s). Applies: Only in Title 22 multifamily residential (MFR) zones in specified “Zone In” areas; accessory dwelling units are excluded. § 22.40.050 · code text The square footage of all accessory buildings, excluding garages, shall not exceed 25% of the gross floor area of the primary building(s). Accessory buildings may not exceed 300 square feet or 5% of the lot area, whichever is smaller. Applies: Applies to accessory buildings other than garages in Title 21 residential districts, located only in the rear half of the lot. § 21.31.245 · code text Such buildings shall not exceed three hundred (300) square feet or five percent (5%) of the lot area in size, whichever is smaller; No more than 5% of the lot area. Applies: For other permitted attached or detached accessory buildings, when 5% is smaller than 300 square feet. § 21.31.245 · code text Such buildings shall not exceed three hundred (300) square feet or five percent (5%) of the lot area in size, whichever is smaller; Garage size may not exceed 700 square feet. Applies: Applies to garages for single-family residences. § 21.31.245 · code text Garages for single-family residences shall not exceed seven hundred (700) square feet in size
Side and rear setback	An accessory building may sit on the rear property line and 1 side property line if the other side yard is at least 3 feet wide. Applies: Accessory buildings other than garages in Title 21 residential districts, in the rear half of the lot only. The 3-foot side yard must have no structures or projections. Not allowed in the street side yard of a corner lot. § 21.31.245 · code text The building may be built directly on the rear property line and on one (1) side property line, provided the other side yard is at least three feet (3′) wide A garage may sit on the rear property line and 1 side property line. Applies: Only in the rear half of a lot, if the other side yard is at least 3 feet (3′) wide. § 21.31.245 · code text a garage may be located directly on the rear property line and on one (1) side property line, provided the other side yard is at least three feet (3′) wide On-grade garages must be 5′ from the property line. Applies: In the rear half of the lot in an R-3 or R-4 Zone District for projects with 3 or more units on a lot. § 21.31.245 · code text In the rear half of the lot: 5′ from property line

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How big can a shed or accessory building be in Long Beach?

Non-garage accessory buildings in residential districts: rear half of lot, at most 1 story and 13 ft, and the smaller of 300 sq ft or 5% of lot. Garages: 1 story and 13 ft (projects of 3+ units in R-3/R-4 differ), at most 700 sq ft for a single-family home, 1,100 for two-family.

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in Long Beach

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