Fontana Municipal Code Div. 10 Administrative Site Plan Major, Minor, Amendment, and Modification

The purpose and intent of the administrative site plan, major process is to provide for the administrative review of projects which, because of their limited size and scope, have minor aesthetic, land use, or traffic implications and do not create any significant impact on public utilities or services. The administrative site plan process is to assure that projects comply with all applicable City standards and ordinances, and are not detrimental to the public health, safety, or welfare, or are materially injurious to properties or improvements in the immediate vicinity.

The Director of Planning or designee is authorized to approve or deny administrative site plan, major, minor, modifications and amendment review applications and to impose reasonable conditions upon such approval. Conditions may include, but shall not be limited to, requirements for special yards, open spaces, buffers, fences, walls, and screening; requirements for installation and maintenance of landscaping and erosion control measures; requirements for street improvements and dedications, regulation of vehicular ingress, egress, and traffic circulation; regulation of signs; regulation of hours or other characteristics of operation; requirements for maintenance of landscaping and other improvements; establishment of development schedules or time limits for performance or completion.

(Ord. No. 1906, § 22, 10-25-22)

All applications for administrative site plan, major review are required for commercial, industrial, and institutional projects which may or may not involve the issuance of a building permit for construction or reconstruction of a structure which meets the following criteria:

(1) New construction of 24,999 square feet or less for commercial and institutional projects.

(2) New construction of 49,999 square feet or less for industrial projects.

(3) Commercial project with structural additions for commercial projects which do not result in total building area of more than 24,999 square feet.

(4) Industrial project with structural additions which do not result in total building area of more than 49,999 square feet.

(5) New construction, of parking lots 5,000 square feet or larger.

(6) Façade changes, to an existing and previously approved entitlement, without major structural changes.

Prior to the filing of an application for an administrative site plan, major, the applicant or the applicant's representative shall apply for a pre-application review by City staff.

(Ord. No. 1906, § 23, 10-25-22)

An application for an Administrative Site Plan, Major review shall be filed with the Planning Division in a manner prescribed by the Director of Community Development, including, but not limited to, plans and elevations. Further, any improvements which are depicted and approved as part of the Administrative Site Plan on any colored rendering, elevation, or drawing which is presented in conjunction with a development application, shall be installed pursuant to the approved plans.

Editor's note— Ord. No. 1951, § 4(Exh. A), adopted May 28, 2024, repealed § 30-80, which pertained to Development Advisory Board (DAB) review and carried no amendatory history.

The Director of Community Development or designee shall make the following findings before granting approval of an administrative plan review application:

(1) The proposal is consistent with the general plan, Zoning and Development Code, and any applicable specific plan or area plan.

(2) The proposal meets or exceeds the criteria contained in this chapter and will result in an appropriate, safe, and desirable development promoting the public health, safety, and welfare of the community.

(3) The proposal, in its design and appearance, is aesthetically and architecturally pleasing resulting in a safe, well-designed facility while enhancing the character of the surrounding neighborhood.

(4) The site improvements are appropriate and will result in a safe, well-designed facility.

Notice of hearing for an administrative site plan, major, shall be as set forth in Division 4, of this article herein.

Upon receipt of a complete application for an administrative site plan, major, a time and place for the hearing shall be set.

The decision of the Director of Community Development shall be final unless an appeal is filed. An appeals could be made to the Planning Commission as set forth herein, Division 5, of this article herein.

Each administrative site plan approval granted under this section shall become null and void two years after the date of approval; unless:

(1) The appropriate permits have been obtained and construction, defined as permit obtainment, commencement of construction of the primary building on site and successful completion of the first Building and Safety Division inspection has commenced within this period.

(2) A one time two year extension may be granted by the Director of Planning provided there are no changes to the originally approved site plan and elevations.

(Ord. No. 1898, § 11, 7-26-22)

The purpose and intent of the administrative site plan, minor is to provide for the administrative review of projects which, because of their limited size and scope, have minor aesthetic, land use, or traffic implications and do not create any significant impact on public utilities or services. The administrative site plan process is to assure that projects comply with all applicable City standards and ordinances, and are not detrimental to the public health, safety, or welfare, or are materially injurious to properties or improvements in the immediate vicinity. Administrative site plan review is a process that enables the City to ensure the quality and compatibility of the proposed development with surrounding properties. The procedures established herein will:

(1) Facilitate review of development proposals in a timely manner;

(2) Ensure conformance with all applicable local design guidelines, standards, and ordinances;

(3) Minimize adverse effects on surrounding properties; and

(4) Promote the goals and policies of the general plan.

All applications for administrative site plan, minor review are required for commercial, industrial, and institutional projects which may or may not involve the issuance of a building permit for construction or reconstruction of a structure which meets the following criteria:

(1) New construction of parking lots less than 5,000 square feet, expansion, or significant reconstruction of parking lots.

(2) Structural additions less than 1,000 square feet that meet all the requirements of the Municipal Code, including parking. All modifications shall be architecturally compatible with the existing building.

(3) Accessory structures totaling less than 1,000 square feet (i.e. shade structures, trash enclosures, generators, and additional mechanical equipment). All structures must be screened from the public-right-of-way and adjacent properties. Accessory structures attached to the building shall match the existing building.

(4) Façade changes to an existing and previously approved entitlement, with no major structural changes.

(5) Solar carports at previously developed sites that comply with open parking standards.

(6) One accessory structures less than 200 square feet that are not visible from the right-of-way, do not take up any required parking or landscaping, and do not require fire sprinklers, may be approved through the plan check process.

(7) When permitted, the establishment and/or construction of an outdoor storage area not exceeding ten percent on the same site as, and in conjunction with, an existing business.

(8) New installation and replacement of public art.

(Ord. No. 1969, § 4(Exh. A), 5-27-25)

Prior to the filing of an application for an administrative site plan, minor, the applicant or the applicant's representative shall apply for a pre-application review by City staff.

(Ord. No. 1906, § 24, 10-25-22)

An application for an administrative site plan, minor review shall be filed with the Planning Division in a manner prescribed by the Director of Community Development, including, but not limited to, plans and elevations. Further, any improvements which are depicted and approved as part of the administrative site plan on any colored rendering, elevation, or drawing which is presented in conjunction with a development application, shall be installed pursuant to the approved plans.

Editor's note— Ord. No. 1906, § 25, adopted Oct. 25, 2022, repealed § 30-90, which pertained to Development Advisory Board (DAB) review and derived from Prior Code.

The Director of Community Development or designee shall make the following findings before granting approval of an administrative plan review, minor application:

(1) The proposal is consistent with the general plan, Zoning and Development Code, and any applicable specific plan or area plan.

(2) The proposal meets or exceeds the criteria contained in this chapter and will result in an appropriate, safe, and desirable development promoting the public health, safety, and welfare of the community.

(3) The proposal, in its design and appearance, is aesthetically and architecturally pleasing resulting in a safe, well-designed facility while enhancing the character of the surrounding neighborhood.

(4) The site improvements are appropriate and will result in a safe, well-designed facility.

Notice of hearing for an administrative site plan, minor, shall be as set forth in Division 4, of this article herein.

Upon receipt of a complete application for an administrative site plan, minor, a time and place for the hearing shall be set.

The decision of the Director of Community Development shall be final unless an appeal is filed. An appeals could be made to the Planning Commission as set forth herein, Division 5, of this article herein.

Each administrative site plan, minor approval granted under this section shall become null and void two years after the date of approval; unless:

(1) The appropriate permits have been obtained and construction, defined as permit obtainment, commencement of construction of the primary building on site and successful completion of the first Building and Safety Division inspection has commenced within this period.

(2) A one time two year extension may be granted by the Director of Planning provided there are no changes to the originally approved site plan and elevations.

(Ord. No. 1898, § 11, 7-26-22)

The purpose and intent of the administrative site plan, amendment is to provide for the administrative review for any non-expired approved entitlement for administrative site plan on undeveloped sites is eligible to apply for an amendment pursuant to the amendment procedures herein.

The Director of Planning or designee is authorized to approve or deny administrative site plan, amendment review applications, and to impose reasonable conditions upon such approval. Conditions may include, but shall not be limited to, requirements for special yards, open spaces, buffers, fences, walls, and screening; requirements for installation and maintenance of landscaping and erosion control measures; requirements for street improvements and dedications, regulation of vehicular ingress, egress, and traffic circulation; regulation of signs; regulation of hours or other characteristics of operation; requirements for maintenance of landscaping and other improvements; establishment of development schedules or time limits for performance or completion.

(Ord. No. 1906, § 26, 10-25-22)

Prior to the filing of an application for an administrative site plan, amendment, the applicant or the applicant's representative shall apply for a pre-application review by City staff.

(Ord. No. 1906, § 27, 10-25-22)

An application for an administrative site plan, amendment review shall be filed with the Planning Division in a manner prescribed by the Director of Community Development, including, but not limited to, plans and elevations. Further, any improvements which are depicted and approved as part of the administrative site plan on any colored rendering, elevation, or drawing which is presented in conjunction with a development application, shall be installed pursuant to the approved plans.

(a) Applications for amendments to administrative site plans are required for commercial, industrial, and institutional projects with a previously approved administrative site plan entitlement that has not yet expired, is not under construction or developed, and which may or may not involve the issuance of a building permit for construction, including:

(1) Major façade changes that include significant structural changes, such as changes to the location of windows and doors, roof pitch or structure, building materials, etc.

(2) Major site plan changes, such as relocation of buildings, but not including the relocation or modifications to parking spaces where such relocation or modification reduces the number of parking spaces below the required number of parking spaces.

(3) The addition of square footage to a previously approved building totaling less than one percent of the total building area.

(b) Amendments to an approved administrative site plan shall be approved by the Director of Planning or his/her designee. Upon the submittal of an application, the Director of Planning shall have the discretion to determine if the proposed amendment will be referred to the approving body for approval or approved administratively. The following parameters shall be used to guide the Director of Planning's decision:

(1) Changes to conditions of approval, increases in the square footage, and significant changes to either the site plan (such as changing the size, shape, or position of a building on a project site) or architectural elevations (such as changes in building height or massing, altering the exterior building materials, adding or deleting elements such as balconies, dormers, porches, etc.) shall be referred to the approving body for review and approval of an administrative site plan amendment.

(2) Changes to the following may be reviewed and approved administratively by the Director of Planning:

a. Architectural features that are not significant in nature (i.e., window treatments, shifting of windows or minor changes in window size, decorative trim, or numbers, the shifting of parking spaces on site that do not reduce the number of required parking spaces below the minimum required by the Article XI or the applicable specific plan, etc.)

b. Site improvements that enhance the site regarding the aesthetics, public safety and/or security.

c. Project features not visible from the public right-of-way and that do not result in a material change to the project's operational characteristics, scale intensity or fundamental design intent as originally approved.

(3) Within five years of the original administrative site plan application, color combinations and color schemes for commercial and industrial buildings shall not be modified or changed without prior approval of the original approving body by a revision to the original application. Minor hue color changes, regardless of the date of the original application and modifications of color combinations and color schemes for administrative site plan applications which are five years or older from the date of approval may be approved by the Director of Planning administratively. The Director of Planning may refer minor hue color changes to the original approving body for consideration under a revision to the original application.

(Ord. No. 1973, § 4(Exh. A), 10-28-25)

The Director of Community Development or designee shall make the following findings before granting approval of an administrative plan review application:

(1) The proposal is consistent with the general plan, Zoning and Development Code, and any applicable specific plan or area plan.

(2) The proposal meets or exceeds the criteria contained in this chapter and will result in an appropriate, safe, and desirable development promoting the public health, safety, and welfare of the community.

(3) The proposal, in its design and appearance, is aesthetically and architecturally pleasing resulting in a safe, well-designed facility while enhancing the character of the surrounding neighborhood.

(4) The site improvements are appropriate and will result in a safe, well-designed facility.

Notice of hearings for administrative site plan, amendment shall be as set forth in Division 4, of this article herein.

Upon receipt of a complete application for an administrative site plan, amendment a time and place for the hearing shall be set.

The decision of the Director of Community Development shall be final unless an appeal is filed. An appeals could be made to the Planning Commission as set forth herein, Division 5, of this article herein.

Each administrative site plan amendment approval granted under this section shall become null and void two years from the date of original approval; unless:

(1) The appropriate permits have been obtained and construction, defined as permit obtainment, commencement of construction of the primary building on site and successful completion of the first Building and Safety Division inspection has commenced within this period.

(2) A one time two year extension may be granted by the Director of Planning provided there are no changes to the originally approved site plan and elevations.

(Ord. No. 1898, § 11, 7-26-22)

The purpose and intent of the administrative site plan, modification is to provide for the administrative review for approved projects currently under construction or developed. Administrative site plan modifications shall be pursuant to the procedures outlined herein.

The Director of Planning or designee is authorized to approve or deny administrative site plan, modification review applications, and to impose reasonable conditions upon such approval. Conditions may include, but shall not be limited to, requirements for special yards, open spaces, buffers, fences, walls, and screening; requirements for installation and maintenance of landscaping and erosion control measures; requirements for street improvements and dedications, regulation of vehicular ingress, egress, and traffic circulation; regulation of signs; regulation of hours or other characteristics of operation; requirements for maintenance of landscaping and other improvements; establishment of development schedules or time limits for performance or completion.

(Ord. No. 1906, § 29, 10-25-22)

Prior to the filing of an application for an administrative site plan, modification, the applicant or the applicant's representative shall apply for a pre-application review by City staff.

(Ord. No. 1906, § 30, 10-25-22)

An application for an administrative site plan, modification review shall be filed with the Planning Division in a manner prescribed by the Director of Community Development, including, but not limited to, plans and elevations. Further, any improvements which are depicted and approved as part of the Administrative Site Plan on any colored rendering, elevation, or drawing which is presented in conjunction with a development application, shall be installed pursuant to the approved plans.

(a) Applications for administrative site plan modification are required for commercial, industrial, and institutional projects with a previously approved administrative site plan entitlement that has not yet expired, is currently under construction or developed, and which may or may not involve the issuance of a building permit for construction, including:

(1) Major façade changes that include significant structural changes, such as the changes to the location of windows and doors, roof pitch or structure, building materials, etc.

(2) Major site plan changes, such as relocation of buildings, but not including the relocation or modifications to parking spaces where such relocation or modification reduces the number of parking spaces below the required number of parking spaces.

(3) The addition of square footage to a previously approved building totaling less than one percent of the total building area.

(b) Modifications to an administrative site plan shall be approved by the Director of Planning or his/her designee. Upon written request from an applicant, the Director of Planning shall have the discretion to determine if the proposed modification will be referred to the approving body for approval or approved administratively. The following parameters shall be used to guide the Director of Planning's decision:

(1) Changes to conditions of approval, increases in the square footage, and significant changes to either the site plan (such as changing the size, shape, or position of a building on a project site) or architectural elevations (such as changes in building height or massing, altering the exterior building materials, or adding or deleting elements like balconies, dormers, porches, etc.) shall be referred to the approving body for review and approval of an administrative site plan modification.

(2) Changes to the following may be reviewed and approved administratively by the Director of Planning:

a. Architectural features that are not significant in nature (i.e., window treatments, shifting of windows or minor changes in window size, decorative trim, or numbers, the shifting of parking spaces on site that do not reduce the number of required parking spaces below the minimum required by the Article XI or the applicable specific plan, etc.)

b. Site improvements that enhance the site regarding the aesthetics, public safety and/or security.

c. Project features not visible from the public right-of-way and that do not result in a material change to the project's operational characteristics, scale intensity or fundamental design intent as originally approved.

(3) Within five years of the original administrative site plan application, color combinations and color schemes for commercial and industrial buildings shall not be modified or changed without prior approval of the original approving body by a revision to the original application. Minor hue color changes, regardless of the date of the original application and modifications of color combinations and color schemes for administrative site plan applications which are five years or older from the date of approval may be approved by the Director of Planning. The Director of Planning may refer minor hue color changes to the original approving body for consideration under a revision to the original application.

(Ord. No. 1973, § 4(Exh. A), 10-28-25)

The Director of Community Development or designee shall make the following findings before granting approval of an administrative plan review, modification application:

(1) The proposal is consistent with the general plan, Zoning and Development Code, and any applicable specific plan or area plan.

(2) The proposal meets or exceeds the criteria contained in this chapter and will result in an appropriate, safe, and desirable development promoting the public health, safety, and welfare of the community.

(3) The proposal, in its design and appearance, is aesthetically and architecturally pleasing resulting in a safe, well-designed facility while enhancing the character of the surrounding neighborhood.

(4) The site improvements are appropriate and will result in a safe, well-designed facility.

Notice of hearings for administrative site plan, modification shall be as set forth in Division 4, of this article herein.

(1) Property owner. Notice of Director's action shall be mailed, emailed, delivered to the owner of the subject real property or to the owners' duly authorized agent no less than ten calendar days prior to the DAB review.

(2) Project applicant. Notice shall be mailed, emailed, delivered to the project applicant no less than ten calendar days prior to the Director's action.

(3) Local agencies. Notice of the Director's action may be mailed, emailed, or delivered to each local agency expected to provide water, sewage, streets, roads, schools, or other essential facilities or services to the project.

(4) Surrounding property owners. Notice of the Director's action shall be mailed or delivered to all owners of real property as shown on the latest equalized assessment roll within 300 feet of the real property that is the subject of the review no less than ten calendar days prior to the Director's action.

Upon receipt of a complete application for an administrative site plan, modification a time and place for the hearing shall be set.

The decision of the Director of Community Development shall be final unless an appeal is filed. An appeals could be made to the Planning Commission as set forth herein, Division 5, of this article herein.

Each administrative site plan, modification approval granted under this section shall become null and void two years after the date of approval; unless:

(1) The appropriate permits have been obtained and construction, defined as permit obtainment, commencement of construction of the primary building on site and successful completion of the first Building and Safety Division inspection has commenced within this period.

(2) A one time two year extension may be granted by the director of Planning provided there are no changes to the originally approved site plan and elevations.

(Ord. No. 1898, § 11, 7-26-22)