What are the typical residential setbacks in Long Beach?

In R-1-N zones, front setbacks are 20 feet, side 5 feet, rear 20 feet with 50% lot coverage and 28-foot height max. R-1-S small-lot zones have 15-foot front and 3-foot side setbacks with 60% coverage. Downtown uses form-based standards. Check gis.longbeach.gov.

What Coastal Zone requirements apply?

Properties in the Coastal Zone need a Coastal Development Permit. Long Beach has a certified LCP allowing local CDP issuance. Development must maintain public coastal access, protect marine resources, and address sea-level rise adaptation. CDP adds 4-8 weeks to permitting.

Can I build an ADU in Long Beach?

Yes, per California law. Detached ADUs up to 1,200 sq ft with 4-foot setbacks. Junior ADUs up to 500 sq ft. No parking within 1/2 mile of transit. ADUs in the Coastal Zone may require a CDP.

What stormwater management is required?

Projects with 500+ sq ft of new impervious surface need LID measures. Projects 10,000+ sq ft need full C.3 compliance. Enhanced treatment for LA River watershed projects. Monthly stormwater utility fees apply.

What is the Downtown Plan?

The Downtown Plan area uses form-based standards with build-to lines, minimum heights, and active ground-floor uses instead of traditional setbacks. This applies to the downtown core and surrounding blocks.

What seismic requirements apply?

Long Beach enforces the California Building Code seismic provisions. Properties may be in liquefaction zones requiring geotechnical investigation. The city has enhanced seismic retrofit requirements for older unreinforced masonry buildings.

How do I submit plans?

Submit through the ePlan portal at longbeach.gov/lbds. Walk-in at 411 W. Ocean Blvd., 2nd Floor. Residential permits take 4-8 weeks. Coastal Zone adds 4-8 weeks.

How long does plan review take?

Residential 4-8 weeks. Commercial 8-12 weeks. Coastal Development Permit adds 4-8 weeks. Larger projects may require design review adding additional time.

Long Beach Site Plan Requirements | Permits & Zoning Guide

By Site Plan Creator Team • March 6, 2026

Everything you need to know about creating a site plan for building permits in Long Beach, CA. Covers zoning requirements, setbacks, stormwater management, and submission procedures.

Long Beach Site Plan Requirements: Complete Guide for Building Permits

Creating a site plan for a building permit in Long Beach, California requires meeting specific requirements set by the Development Services Department. Long Beach's development is governed by the Long Beach Municipal Code (Title 21 — Zoning Regulations), with unique considerations for coastal development in the California Coastal Zone, seismic safety, sea-level rise adaptation, and the city's oil and gas overlay zones reflecting its petroleum industry heritage.

What Is a Site Plan and Why Does Long Beach Require One?

A site plan is a scaled drawing showing your property boundaries, existing structures, proposed construction, setbacks, and site features. Development Services requires a site plan for all building permit applications to verify compliance with Title 21 and the California Building Code. Look up your property's zoning through Long Beach GIS at gis.longbeach.gov.

Required Site Plan Elements

Property boundaries with dimensions and total lot area
Setbacks per Title 21
Existing and proposed structures with dimensions, height, and use
Lot coverage and FAR calculations
Parking spaces per Title 21
Coastal Zone designation if applicable
Stormwater management per C.3/LID requirements
North arrow and scale
Los Angeles County APN

Long Beach Zoning and Setback Requirements

R-1-N (Single-Family, standard): Front 20 feet, side 5 feet, rear 20 feet. Lot coverage max 50%. Height max 28 feet (2 stories).
R-1-S (Single-Family, small lot): Front 15 feet, side 3 feet, rear 15 feet. Lot coverage max 60%.
R-2-N (Two-Family): Front 20 feet, side 5 feet, rear 20 feet. Lot coverage max 55%.
R-3/R-4 (Multi-Family): Front 15-20 feet, side 5-10 feet, rear 15 feet. Lot coverage varies.
PD (Planned Development): Custom standards through site plan review.
Downtown Plan area: Form-based standards with build-to lines.

California Coastal Zone Requirements

Significant portions of Long Beach are within the California Coastal Zone:

Coastal Development Permit (CDP): Required for most development within the Coastal Zone
Local Coastal Program (LCP): Long Beach has a certified LCP that allows the city to issue CDPs locally
Public access: Development must maintain and enhance public coastal access
Sea-level rise: Long Beach's Climate Action and Adaptation Plan addresses sea-level rise impacts on coastal development
Coastal resources: Protection of marine habitat, wetlands, and scenic views required

ADU Requirements (California Statewide)

ADU and Junior ADU allowed on any residential lot per California law
Detached ADU: Up to 1,200 sq ft, 4-foot side/rear setbacks
Junior ADU: Up to 500 sq ft from existing space
No parking required within 1/2 mile of transit
Coastal Zone ADUs: May require Coastal Development Permit

Stormwater Management

LID requirements: Projects creating or replacing 500+ sq ft of impervious surface must implement Low Impact Development measures
C.3 compliance: Larger projects (10,000+ sq ft) must meet full C.3 stormwater treatment standards
Los Angeles River watershed: Enhanced water quality treatment for projects draining to the LA River and its tributaries
Stormwater utility fee: Monthly fee based on impervious surface

How to Submit

ePlan Portal

Submit through Long Beach's ePlan portal at longbeach.gov/lbds for electronic plan review.

In-Person

Walk-in at 411 W. Ocean Blvd., 2nd Floor.

Permit Fees and Timeline

Fees: Per Development Services fee schedule; includes park impact fees, traffic impact fees, and art in public places fees for larger projects
Timeline: Residential 4-8 weeks. Commercial 8-12 weeks. Coastal Development Permit adds 4-8 weeks.

Creating Your Long Beach Site Plan with Site Plan Creator

Site Plan Creator makes it easy to generate a professional, permit-ready site plan for your Long Beach property. Simply enter your address, and the tool automatically loads your property boundaries, building footprints, and aerial imagery. You can then add setback lines, label structures, draw proposed construction, and export a scaled PDF ready for Development Services submission.

Oil and Gas Overlay Zones

Historical petroleum production: Long Beach has an active petroleum industry history including the Wilmington Oil Field, one of the largest in California
Oil and gas overlay: Properties in overlay zones may have active or abandoned wells, pipelines, and contamination requiring Phase I/II environmental assessment
Well abandonment: Construction near abandoned oil wells requires compliance with CalGEM (California Geologic Energy Management Division) regulations including setbacks and methane mitigation
Methane mitigation: Required for construction in areas with elevated methane from natural petroleum seepage or abandoned wells

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the typical residential setbacks in Long Beach?: In R-1-N zones, front setbacks are 20 feet, side 5 feet, rear 20 feet with 50% lot coverage and 28-foot height max. R-1-S small-lot zones have 15-foot front and 3-foot side setbacks with 60% coverage. Downtown uses form-based standards. Check gis.longbeach.gov.
What Coastal Zone requirements apply?: Properties in the Coastal Zone need a Coastal Development Permit. Long Beach has a certified LCP allowing local CDP issuance. Development must maintain public coastal access, protect marine resources, and address sea-level rise adaptation. CDP adds 4-8 weeks to permitting.
Can I build an ADU in Long Beach?: Yes, per California law. Detached ADUs up to 1,200 sq ft with 4-foot setbacks. Junior ADUs up to 500 sq ft. No parking within 1/2 mile of transit. ADUs in the Coastal Zone may require a CDP.
What stormwater management is required?: Projects with 500+ sq ft of new impervious surface need LID measures. Projects 10,000+ sq ft need full C.3 compliance. Enhanced treatment for LA River watershed projects. Monthly stormwater utility fees apply.
What is the Downtown Plan?: The Downtown Plan area uses form-based standards with build-to lines, minimum heights, and active ground-floor uses instead of traditional setbacks. This applies to the downtown core and surrounding blocks.
What seismic requirements apply?: Long Beach enforces the California Building Code seismic provisions. Properties may be in liquefaction zones requiring geotechnical investigation. The city has enhanced seismic retrofit requirements for older unreinforced masonry buildings.
How do I submit plans?: Submit through the ePlan portal at longbeach.gov/lbds. Walk-in at 411 W. Ocean Blvd., 2nd Floor. Residential permits take 4-8 weeks. Coastal Zone adds 4-8 weeks.
How long does plan review take?: Residential 4-8 weeks. Commercial 8-12 weeks. Coastal Development Permit adds 4-8 weeks. Larger projects may require design review adding additional time.

How to Create a Site Plan in Long Beach

Look Up Your Property Information: Use Long Beach GIS at gis.longbeach.gov to find zoning, Coastal Zone status, flood zone, and lot dimensions. Note your Los Angeles County APN.
Assess Coastal and Environmental Requirements: Determine if you're in the Coastal Zone (CDP required), flood zone, liquefaction zone, or oil/gas overlay. Check stormwater thresholds.
Create Your Site Plan: Enter your Long Beach address in Site Plan Creator to load property boundaries, building footprints, and aerial imagery. Add setback lines per Title 21.
Include All Required Elements: Include boundaries, setbacks, lot coverage, FAR, parking, Coastal Zone boundary, stormwater features, and north arrow with scale.
Prepare Supporting Documents: Prepare Coastal Development Permit application if in Coastal Zone. Prepare LID/C.3 stormwater compliance documentation.
Submit Through ePlan Portal: Upload plans through longbeach.gov/lbds. Pay fees including impact fees.
Manage Review and Obtain Permit: Respond to reviewer comments. Navigate CDP process if applicable. Once approved, pay fees, receive permit, and schedule inspections.