Can I Build Tiny Home in Long Beach, CA? (2026)
Find out if you can build a tiny home in Long Beach, CA. Rules, permit requirements, costs, and next steps.
Tiny homes on permanent foundations are allowed in Long Beach, CA. Tiny homes on wheels are not permitted as permanent dwellings.
A tiny home is a small dwelling unit — typically under 400 sq ft — that can be built on a permanent foundation or on wheels. In Long Beach, CA, the rules differ significantly depending on whether the structure is on a permanent foundation (treated as a dwelling unit under building code) or on wheels (treated as a recreational vehicle under vehicle code). Tiny homes on permanent foundations must meet a minimum size of 150 sq ft in Long Beach.
Tiny Home Rules in Long Beach
Tiny Home Rules in Long Beach: Foundation-based tiny homes: Permitted. Tiny homes on wheels (THOWs): Not permitted as permanent dwelling — classified as recreational vehicle. Minimum size: 150 sq ft. Tiny homes on permanent foundations must meet California Residential Code habitability minimums. Tiny homes on wheels (THOWs) classified as recreational vehicles under Long Beach ordinance — not permitted as permanent dwellings in residential zones. Some Long Beach neighborhoods near the beach have explored accessory tiny home concepts for vacation cottages on large lots, but these require standard ADU permitting.
Costs & Fees
Building permit fees for tiny homes in Long Beach follow the same schedule as other new construction. Contact the Long Beach Development Services — Building and Safety Bureau through their official website for current fee information.
Next Steps
Next steps for building a tiny home in Long Beach: 1. Determine foundation vs. wheeled — the rules are fundamentally different. 2. For foundation tiny homes, obtain a building permit from the Long Beach Development Services — Building and Safety Bureau. 3. For wheeled tiny homes, verify whether your property allows RV siting. 4. Check if your tiny home could qualify as an ADU on your property.
Long Beach Development Services — Building and Safety Bureau
Phone: See official source
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