Long Beach · Zoning · R-4-U
Long Beach R-4-U zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Long Beach's R-4-U zone, generally buildings can be up to 65 ft (5 stories) tall, the front setback is 10 ft and the minimum lot size is 22,500 sq. ft., with the conditions listed below (Long Beach code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 65 ft
- Maximum number of stories: 5 stories
- Minimum front setback: 10 ft (A garage that opens directly onto the street follows a separate garage setback rule.)
- Minimum side setback: 10% of lot width, max 10 ft, min 3 ft
- Minimum rear setback: 20 ft
- Minimum lot size: 22,500 sq. ft. (New subdivisions only, not new construction on existing lots. The neighborhood standard may be used if this lot size exceeds it.)
- Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 3.0
R-4-U is a zoning district in Long Beach. Every value below was read from the Long Beach Municipal Code and links to its section (read October 2026). State laws such as the ADU and SB 9 rules can allow more on a residential lot. General information, not legal advice — read the code text and check with the city before you build.
Development standards in R-4-U
The general rule for a typical lot in this zone. Zoning tables often attach notes, such as rules for corner lots, lots next to a residential zone, or new subdivisions only. Open “code text” under a value to see the table cell or sentence it was read from.
| Maximum building height | 65 ft § 21.31.205 · code textTable row “R-4-U(l)”, column “Maximum Height(d, h)”: 65 ft.(f) 5 St. |
|---|---|
| Maximum number of stories | 5 stories § 21.31.205 · code textTable row “R-4-U(l)”, column “Maximum Height(d, h)”: 65 ft.(f) 5 St. |
| Minimum front setback | 10 ft Applies: A garage that opens directly onto the street follows a separate garage setback rule. § 21.31.205 · code textTable row “R-4-U(l)”, column “Front”: 10 |
| Minimum side setback | 10% of lot width, max 10 ft, min 3 ft § 21.31.205 · code textThe side yard setback is 10 percent of lot width on each side, but in no case shall the interior side yard setback be required to exceed 10 feet (except as specified in footnote(s)). The side street side yard setback shall be 15 percent of lot width, but in no case shall it be required to exceed 15 feet. Neither setback shall ever be less than 3 feet. |
| Minimum rear setback | 20 ft § 21.31.205 · code textTable row “R-4-U(l)”, column “Rear(k)”: 20(r) |
| Minimum lot size | 22,500 sq. ft. Applies: New subdivisions only, not new construction on existing lots. The neighborhood standard may be used if this lot size exceeds it. § 21.31.205 · code textTable row “R-4-U(l)”, column “Minimum Lot Area (Sq. Ft.) (a, c)”: 22,500 |
| Maximum floor area ratio (FAR) | 3.0 § 21.31.205 · code textTable row “R-4-U(l)”, column “Floor Area Ratio”: 3.0 |
Not on this page
We did not find a general lot coverage, density limit for R-4-U in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Long Beach Municipal Code.
Other Long Beach zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Long Beach's R-4-U zone?
65 ft — Long Beach Municipal Code § 21.31.205.
What is the maximum number of stories in Long Beach's R-4-U zone?
5 stories — Long Beach Municipal Code § 21.31.205.
What is the minimum front setback in Long Beach's R-4-U zone?
10 ft (a garage that opens directly onto the street follows a separate garage setback rule) — Long Beach Municipal Code § 21.31.205.
What is the minimum side setback in Long Beach's R-4-U zone?
10% of lot width, max 10 ft, min 3 ft — Long Beach Municipal Code § 21.31.205.
What is the minimum rear setback in Long Beach's R-4-U zone?
20 ft — Long Beach Municipal Code § 21.31.205.
General information, not legal advice.
Ask about a Long Beach property in R-4-U
Ask GoCodebook what you can build at a specific address and get an answer that cites the section.
Ask your question