Long Beach Municipal Code Ch. 22.40 General Provisions - Development Standards (MFR Zones)

A. Applicability. All development in the MFR districts shall comply with the development standards set forth in Tables 40-1 and 40-2. Refer to Table 40-1 that establishes the maximum intensity standards such as Floor Area Ratio (FAR) and maximum building heights. Refer to Table 40-2 that establishes the development standards that includes setbacks, stepbacks, open space, and storage. Below is an overview of each of the development standards.

B. Site Plan Review. Site Plan Review shall be required for all projects with ten (10) or more units in the MFR zoning districts. This includes both new construction and additions to projects that result in a total of ten (10) or more units on the subject lot.

C. Density. Residential development density is not designated by any single standard but is calculated based on meeting the development standards delineated in Chapter 22.40, including but not limited to building height, setbacks, parking, open space. Density levels correlate to the General Plan in the aggregate and may vary from individual lot to lot.

D. Floor Area Ratio (FAR). The intensity of non-residential uses allowed within MFR zones shall be limited by the maximum FAR established by the General Plan as reflected in Table 40-1.

a. For mixed-use projects the FAR maximum shall only apply to the non-residential gross floor area of the project.

b. Residential gross floor area of the project shall be limited by maximum density and shall be exempt from the FAR limit.

c. FAR calculations shall adhere to the requirement of Section 21.31.235.

E. Building Height. Building height shall be regulated by maximum number of stories and the dimensional height of the structure.

1. Building height shall be measured as the vertical distance between the adjacent sidewalk grade and highest point of the parapet (for flat roofs), or the average height of the highest and lowest ridge point of the top floor roof line (gable, pitch, hip, or other non-flat roof) that does not add to the useable square footage to the building.

2. Measurement of building height shall exclude the following features:

a. Vertical architectural projections (building elements added for architectural interest without adding interior floor area, such as towers and cupolas), not to exceed ten (10) feet above parapet height.

b. Horizontal architectural projections which cantilever five (5) feet or less from the exterior wall (or rooftop feature) shall not be included as part of the exterior wall line.

c. Rooftop guard rails.

d. Permanent unenclosed roof deck features located two (2) feet or more from the exterior wall plane (including shade or partial covering structures, or similar features) up to fifty percent (50%) of the principal building footprint.

e. All mechanical equipment (including solar panels or other alternative energy equipment/infrastructure, elevator and mechanical equipment penthouses, and all associated screening features) up to 12 feet in vertical projection.

f. Subterranean and semi-subterranean parking.

Table 40-1 Development Standards: Intensity

(ORD-24-0015 § 1(Exh. A), 2024)

Yards (Building setbacks) shall be provided as set forth in Table 40-2. Yards are regulated by establishing minimum setback requirements from property line to building for street frontage, and from interior and rear lot lines. The following standards apply to the measurement of required yard areas:

A. Measurement of required setbacks shall be taken after dedications and reservations for required rights-of-way consistent with Section 21.31.215.a.

B. Required Setback areas shall be free of any projections, structures and architectural features except as permitted herein or in Table 31-3 in Section 21.31

C. Building placement adjacent to alleys shall not obstruct vehicular or delivery access through the alley. Building setback dimensions have been established to prevent illegal parking of vehicles in the alley. If covered or uncovered parking access is provided from the alley, the minimum requirements shall apply:

1. Parallel parking shall be prohibited within any building setback of less than 10 feet.

2. Angled or perpendicular parking shall be prohibited within any building setback of less than 18 feet.

Table 40-2 Development Standards: Building Placement

(ORD-26-0018 § 14, 2026; ORD-24-0015 § 1(Exh. A), 2024)

Fences and garden walls are permitted accessory structures in all Multi-Family Residential zones, subject to the conditions and requirements set forth in this Section.

A. Height limits.

Fence and garden wall heights shall not exceed the maximum heights set forth in Table 40-3. Fence heights shall be measured from grade adjoining the fence on the public right-of-way side of the fence (for fences adjoining the public right-of-way) and the average grade of both sides of the fence (for fences between two (2) private properties). For fences in flood hazard zones where the Building Code requires the finish floor of a building to be constructed at or above the top of the flood plain, fence height shall be measured from the top of the flood plain.

B. Prohibited fence and wall materials.

Barbed wire or similar fencing with sharp, protruding objects capable of cutting or puncturing a person is prohibited. Such objects shall not be attached to, imbedded in, or laid upon any fence or wall. This restriction does not include decorative wrought iron.

C. Fence Height Limitations. The limitations in Table 40-3 shall not apply in the following instances:

1. Where a greater height is required by any other City ordinance.

2. Where a greater height is required by a conditional approval of a permit pursuant to this Title or is required by State or Federal law.

3. Where a wall return of greater height is allowed.

4. In corner cutoff areas, chain link and wrought iron/metal tubing fences more than three feet (3′) in height are allowed if they do not obstruct visibility.

Table 40-3 Fence Standards MFR-L and MFR-M Zones

(ORD-24-0015 § 1(Exh. A), 2024)

The following are the applicable regulations for accessory buildings in residential zones. These regulations do not apply to Accessory Dwelling Units.

A. Multiple accessory buildings are permitted on a lot. The square footage of all accessory buildings, excluding garages, shall not exceed 25% of the gross floor area of the primary building(s).

B. Accessory buildings and garages shall not be used for living area, habitation or sleeping purposes. An accessory building or garage is permitted to have electrical, gas, water, and sewer connections to provide the following activities:

1. Lighting, laundry machines, laundry tubs, and a hot water heater.

2. A half bathroom, limited to a water closet (toilet) and a lavatory sink.

(ORD-24-0015 § 1(Exh. A), 2024)

A. General Provisions - Parking.

The provisions of this Section shall apply to all proposed and established land uses, buildings and structures and shall be the minimum standards for all off-street parking and loading. Table 40-4 establishes minimum vehicle parking requirements by use. Where the standards of this chapter are silent, all other requirements of Chapter 21.41 shall apply.

B. Calculations. In the calculation of parking requirements, fractional numbers of parking spaces, 0.5 or greater, shall be rounded down to the nearest whole number.

C. Types of Parking. Required parking may be provided with enclosed garage, covered and uncovered parking. Covered parking may include parking provided under a carport or in an enclosed garage. Uncovered parking may comprise up to 50% of the required parking of a development project. Uncovered parking may include parking such as surface parking.

D. Guest Parking. On-street parking abutting the lot shall be considered as guest parking according to the standards for parallel parking spaces when all access to on-site parking is taken from an alley or located on a corner lot and the site is outside of the parking-impacted area. On-street parking abutting the site shall not be considered as guest parking when the street is a major, minor or secondary highway as defined by the Long Beach Mobility Element.

E. Access. Street curb cuts to access parking or circulation shall be limited to one (1) per lot. Where alley access is available garages and circulation shall be accessed from the alley.

F. Required number of spaces. Table 40-4 establishes minimum vehicle parking requirements by use. Parking spaces required for multiple uses on a lot shall be calculated separately for each use, and the parking required shall be the sum of all that required for all such uses, unless otherwise permitted by this Section or Section 21.41.223 of the Municipal Code.

G. Shared parking. Required off-street parking facilities may be shared between two separate land uses upon demonstrating through a signed affidavit that the uses utilize the parking spaces at different times. Shared parking must be provided on the same parcel or integrated as part of the development site.

H. Garage Requirements. Refer to Table 40-5 for Garage Standards. Additionally, garages shall adhere to the following:

a. Garage access shall be limited to centralized driveways and/or alleys.

b. Dwelling units may be located above a garage provided the minimum setbacks for living space are met.

c. Internal garage height dimensions shall be consistent with the building code, and the other garage dimensions shall be sufficient to accommodate standard and compact parking stalls as defined in Title 21.

d. Parking stalls provided in Stacked and/or car-lift, automated garages, and tandem parking configurations shall all count toward required number of parking stalls.

I. Bicycle Parking Requirements. Refer to Table 40-4 for required bicycle parking ratio. Bicycle parking shall be provided on site and shall not encroach into the public right-of-way. Additionally, bicycle parking shall adhere to the following:

a. Bicycle parking located within buildings, garages, or private yard spaces that are not accessible to the public shall be considered secure spaces and do not require additional security devices.

b. Bicycle parking provided within a unit may be a dedicated space or an anchored way to secure the bicycle to a wall or ceiling.

c. All other bicycle parking that does not meet the requirements of Subsections a or b above shall be permanently anchored with the ability to secure both the wheels and the frame and shall meet the requirements of CALGreen.

Table 40-4 Parking Standards

Table 40-5 Garage Standards

(ORD-26-0018 § 15, 2026; ORD-24-0015 § 1(Exh. A), 2024)