San Bernardino Zoning Intelligence
Zoning, permitted uses, ADU rules, and development potential for San Bernardino, California. 41 districts analyzed.
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How is San Bernardino zoned?
- Total zoning districts41
- Single-family permitted3
- Multifamily permitted6
- ADU under local ordinance0
- Commercial use permitted12
Statewide law - applies to all California cities, not specific to San Bernardino.
- California state ADU lawApplies statewide
- SB-9 lot split eligibilityPer parcel review
- SB-79 (transit-oriented housing)Near transit, from Jul 2026
- Density Bonus Law (state)Eligible projects
- Local impact / permittingVerify with San Bernardino planning
What should developers know about San Bernardino zoning?
San Bernardino's 41 zoning districts spread across a sizable Inland Empire city whose land use profile balances a large low-density residential base with significant industrial and commercial corridors. Residential Low (RL) is the city's largest single zone at 3,663 acres, but what distinguishes San Bernardino from more bedroom-community peers is the scale of its industrial footprint: Industrial Light (IL) covers 2,132 acres and Industrial Heavy (IH) adds 1,141 acres - together over 3,270 acres of industrial land, reflecting the city's deep logistics and manufacturing heritage along its rail and freeway corridors.
Commercial development opportunities are anchored by Commercial General 1 (CG-1), the city's dominant commercial zone at 1,694 acres, and the Commercial Regional tier (CR-1 through CR-4, totaling 883 acres combined) aimed at larger-format retail and regional-serving uses. Public land is substantial - Public Facilities (PF) covers 3,144 acres and Public Flood Control (PFC) occupies 3,735 acres, the single largest land category in the city - meaning flood control buffers significantly constrain development patterns in lower-lying portions. Residential Medium (RM), Medium High (RMH), and High (RH) tiers, along with the Residential Estate (RE) at 725 acres, round out the housing picture across a full density spectrum.
This is pre-development intelligence, not legal advice - verify with the local planning department before acquisition.
What can you build in San Bernardino?
Share of San Bernardino's 41 zoning districts that permit each use, based on permitted-land-use analysis.
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Try ArchiWise free →San Bernardino, California Zoning Districts: What Do They Mean?
Zoning districts are areas regulated by specific laws that determine land use, building types, and development rules. Each district below shows its zone type and which uses it permits.
| Zone Code | Zone Type | Permitted Uses | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
CCS-1 Central City South 1 | Commercial |
| 115.4 ac |
CCS-2 Central City South 2 | Commercial |
| 11.4 ac |
CG-1 Commercial General 1 | Commercial |
| 1,693.9 ac |
CG-2 Commercial General 2 | Commercial |
| 28.4 ac |
What are the building controls in San Bernardino?
Setback, height, FAR, lot area, and density controls enforced across San Bernardino zoning districts.
- Far control
- Lot control
- Multi control
- Density control
- Coverage control
- Pervious control
- Lot width control
- Rear setback control
- Side setback control
- Front setback control
- Building height control
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San Bernardino zoning: frequently asked questions
What makes San Bernardino's industrial zones relevant for logistics and warehousing?
Industrial Light (IL) at 2,132 acres and Industrial Heavy (IH) at 1,141 acres give the city over 3,270 acres of designated industrial land - one of the largest concentrations in the Inland Empire submarket. These districts are well-positioned relative to I-10, I-215, and the BNSF rail corridor, and they accommodate distribution, cold storage, manufacturing, and heavy commercial uses. The Office Industrial Park (OIP) zone at 157 acres provides a cleaner flex-industrial option for technology or light assembly tenants.
Which residential zones in San Bernardino support multifamily development?
Multifamily opportunity exists across Residential Medium (RM, 1,139 acres), Residential Medium High (RMH, 301 acres), Residential High (RH, 128 acres), and the Residential High variants (RH-1 and RMH-20). The Central City South districts (CCS-1 at 115 acres and CCS-2 at 11 acres) also accommodate mixed residential and commercial uses near the downtown core. California density bonus law applies citywide, offering an additional tool to increase unit counts on qualifying projects.
How does the Public Flood Control (PFC) zone affect development parcels in San Bernardino?
PFC is the city's largest single zoning category at 3,735 acres and corresponds to the Santa Ana River channel and its tributaries. Development within PFC is typically limited to open space, utility, and flood-management uses - meaning parcels mapped in this zone effectively have no buildable area for residential, commercial, or industrial uses without a rezone. Buyers should carefully check flood zone and PFC boundaries before acquiring land adjacent to watercourses.
What commercial zones are available for neighborhood-scale or highway-adjacent retail?
Commercial General 1 (CG-1) at nearly 1,694 acres is the backbone of San Bernardino's retail and service commercial land base, while Commercial Heavy (CH) at 376 acres serves auto-oriented and service-industrial uses. Commercial Office (CO) at 435 acres targets professional and medical office demand. The Commercial Regional series (CR-1 through CR-4) serves larger-format shopping destinations anchored by regional traffic generators.
How do SB-9 and ADU laws apply in San Bernardino single-family zones?
California's SB-9 law, which allows lot splits and duplexes in single-family zones statewide, applies in San Bernardino's RL, RL-3.5, and RE districts. ADUs are permitted by right in all residential zones under state law, including the city's single-family base zones. These tools create infill density opportunities in established neighborhoods without requiring a discretionary rezone, and they are particularly relevant given the large RL footprint at 3,663 acres.
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Zoning data is pre-development intelligence, not legal advice. Verify with the San Bernardino planning department before acquisition or design.