Can I Build Second Story Addition in Long Beach, CA? (2026)
Find out if you can build a second story addition in Long Beach, CA. Rules, permit requirements, costs, and next steps.
Adding a second story in Long Beach, CA is possible in most zones, subject to height limits and structural permit requirements.
A second story addition is one of the most complex home improvement projects in Long Beach, CA. It requires a full building permit, structural engineering review, and must comply with the height limits for your zoning district. Unlike a ground-floor addition, a second story changes the roofline and structural load path of your entire home, triggering stricter engineering requirements. In Long Beach, zone height limits range from 35 feet in R-1-N zones — verify your zone before planning.
Second Story Addition Rules in Long Beach
Second Story Addition Rules in Long Beach: Building permit required: Yes — all second story additions require a permit. Permit thresholds: All structural additions. Example height limit (R-1-N): 35 feet, max 2 stories. Structural engineering drawings required. Setbacks apply to the full structure height. Long Beach Development Services permit required. Seismic compliance per California Building Code. Coastal Zone additions require Coastal Development Permit review before building permit issuance.
Costs & Fees
Second story addition permit fees in Long Beach: Valuation-based — typically $2,000–$10,000+. Note: structural engineering fees ($2,000–$10,000+) are separate from permit fees.
Timeline
Plan check: 5-10 weeks. Construction typically 3-6 months for a full second story.
Next Steps
Next steps for adding a second story in Long Beach: 1. Hire a structural engineer to assess your existing foundation and framing capacity. 2. Confirm your zone height limit and verify the addition meets all setback requirements. 3. Submit full structural plans and permit application to the Long Beach Development Services — Building and Safety Bureau. 4. Inspections required at foundation reinforcement, framing, shear panels, and final.
Long Beach Development Services — Building and Safety Bureau
Phone: (562) 570-5416
Website: https://www.longbeach.gov/lbds/
Online Permits: https://www.longbeach.gov/lbds/building/
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I build an ADU on my Long Beach property?
Yes. California state law requires Long Beach to allow ADUs by-right on all residential lots. You can build a detached ADU up to 1,200 sqft or a Junior ADU (JADU) up to 500 sqft within your existing home. No owner-occupancy is required. The city must issue a ministerial approval within 60 days for code-compliant applications. Apply through Long Beach Development Services at (562) 570-5416 or visit 411 W. Ocean Blvd.
Does my Long Beach beachfront or coastal property need a Coastal Development Permit for an ADU?
Properties within the California Coastal Zone (generally within one mile of the coastline, plus areas near Alamitos Bay and Colorado Lagoon) may require a Coastal Development Permit (CDP) in addition to a standard building permit. The CDP review is typically a 2-4 week ministerial process for ADUs that comply with the Long Beach Local Coastal Program. Contact Long Beach Planning at (562) 570-6194 or check the Coastal Zone boundary map to determine if your property is within the Coastal Zone before starting your ADU project.
What are Long Beach's short-term rental rules compared to LA City?
Long Beach's STR rules are somewhat more permissive than LA City's. Long Beach allows whole-home short-term rentals up to 180 nights per year (compared to LA City's 120-night limit), and the registration fee is $183 per year. Primary residency requirement applies — the property must be your principal residence. Long Beach's 13% Transient Occupancy Tax is collected by platforms like Airbnb automatically. Note that LA City's Home Sharing Ordinance does not apply in Long Beach — the two cities have separate and distinct STR regulations.
Is Long Beach in the Metro A Line (Blue Line) transit corridor for ADU parking exemptions?
Yes. Long Beach has three Metro A Line (formerly Blue Line) stations: Downtown Long Beach, 1st Street, and Pacific Station. Properties within one-half mile of these stations qualify for the ADU parking exemption under California Gov Code §66322(a)(1) (Stats. 2024 Ch. 7 §20) — no additional parking is required for the ADU. Long Beach Transit also operates bus rapid transit routes that may qualify for transit proximity parking exemptions. Use Google Maps or eTRAKiT to determine if your property is within the half-mile transit zone.
Does my Long Beach property have oil or gas rights issues that affect development?
Some Long Beach properties, particularly in the signal hill area and near the Thums oil islands, may have subsurface oil and gas rights encumbrances. Before major excavation or ADU construction, check whether your property has any oil well abandonments, seismic hazard disclosures, or methane gas seep hazards. The Long Beach Oil and Gas Department maintains records of active and abandoned wells. A Phase I Environmental Assessment is advisable for properties near historic oil production areas before major construction.
How do cottage food businesses work in Long Beach?
Long Beach is within LA County's jurisdiction for cottage food licensing. Under California's Homemade Food Act (AB 1616), you can sell non-potentially-hazardous homemade foods (baked goods, jams, candy, etc.) from your home. Class A permits allow direct sales with no revenue cap. Class B permits allow indirect retail sales up to $75,000 annually. Apply through LA County Environmental Health Services at ehservices.publichealth.lacounty.gov. Long Beach has active farmers markets at Bixby Park (Sunday) and Bluff Park (Wednesday) that welcome cottage food vendors.
What historic districts exist in Long Beach and do they affect my renovation plans?
Long Beach has 9 locally-designated historic districts including Bluff Park, Rose Park, Drake Park/Willmore City, Carroll Park, and Cal Heights. Properties in these districts require a Certificate of Appropriateness for exterior modifications visible from the street. The review is typically 2-3 weeks for minor alterations that follow the Secretary of the Interior Standards for Rehabilitation. Solar panels, ADUs, and major additions in historic districts may face additional design requirements. Check your property at longbeach.gov — search for 'historic preservation' to see the district boundaries.
Source: Long Beach Development Services — Building and Safety Bureau — Building Regulations. Last verified April 6, 2026. View source