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Title 17 — Development CodeChapter 17.126 — INTRODUCTION

§ 17.128

Rancho Cucamonga Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · updated 2026-07-25 · Rancho Cucamonga

§ 17.128.010. Purpose of Form-Based Zones.

The form-based zones are organized from lowest to highest intensity, and each is named to describe its general form and function (neighborhoods, centers, corridors, and districts). The FBC includes a neighborhood form-based zone that builds on the neighborhood designations established in the Etiwanda Heights Neighborhood and Conservation Plan (i.e., Neighborhood Estates, Neighborhood General 1 and Neighborhood General 2).

The intent of each form-based zone is as follows:

  • A. Neighborhood Estates 2 (NE2). Low density residential development comprised of large homes on large lots, with large setbacks and yards. Buildings are low intensity, yet neighborhoods and blocks are designed to promote connectivity and traditional neighborhood design. Uses are mostly single-family residential, with context-sensitive neighborhood commercial and civic uses also allowed in certain locations, such as neighborhood edges and at designated nodes within new master planned neighborhoods.

  • B. Neighborhood General 3 (NG3). Medium density and intensity development along certain segments and nodes of major corridors in proximity to smaller-scale residential neighborhoods. Buildings promote walkability and contribute to active, vibrant environments while being context-sensitive by transitioning scale when adjacent to lower density neighborhoods. Uses provide a range of daily needs within walkable suburban neighborhoods, with some transitional auto-oriented development in outlying areas.

  • C. Center 1 (CE1). Active, vibrant town centers that promote walkability with neighborhood-serving commercial and retail uses in proximity to medium density residential development. Buildings front streets and provide a vibrant, safe street environment for pedestrians and cyclists.

  • D. Mixed Employment 1 (ME1). Medium intensity development focused on walkable professional office and employment uses. Buildings front streets and transition areas from auto-oriented office parks to mixed-use, vibrant hubs of activity.

  • E. Mixed Employment 2 (ME2). Medium to high intensity development focused on professional office, creative industrial and maker spaces, and employment uses along active, walkable streets. Buildings front streets and corridors with tall ground floors that support a mix of uses, entrances, and facades.

  • F. Corridor 1 (CO1). Medium intensity mixed-use development that transitions existing auto-oriented corridors and places to vibrant areas that promote walkability. Building and entrance/facade types are diverse, contributing to a mix of distinct places along major corridor areas. Buildings front streets and transition in scale to surrounding neighborhoods with some auto-oriented development along secondary streets.

  • G. Corridor 2 (CO2). Medium to high intensity mixed-use development along active, walkable corridors and at key intersections. Buildings front streets and transition in scale to surrounding neighborhoods with some transitional autooriented development along secondary streets.

  • H. Center 2 (CE2). Mixed-use urban areas with pedestrian-friendly commercial and residential hubs and infill development along vibrant public spaces that promote walkability. Buildings transition in scale (i.e., step up or step down) to surrounding neighborhoods, centers, and districts. Developments support safe streets for pedestrians and cyclists.

  • (Ord. No. 1000 § 4, 2022)

§ 17.128.020. Overview of Form-Based Zones.

Table 17.128.020-1 provides an overview of each form-based zone. See chapter 17.130 (Zone and Building Standards) for specific standards for each form-based zone. Subzones are established for two form-based zones.

Subzones limit land uses in certain areas where the form-based zone is applied to support the implementation of the General Plan land use mix provisions and better align with existing conditions and intended outcomes.

TABLE 17.128.020-1 SUMMARY TABLE OF FORM-BASED ZONES
Zone Neighborhood Estate 2
(NE2)
Neighborhood General 3
(NG3)
Center 1 (CE1) Mixed Employment 1
(ME1)
Subzone None Neighborhood General 3
Limited (NG3L) (limits
nonresidential uses)
Center 1 – Southwest
Cucamonga (CE1-SWC)
(Allows certain existing
service uses to remain)
None
Large frontage
area/build-to lines
Small to medium frontage
area/build-to lines
Small frontage
area/build-to lines
Small to large frontage
area/build-to lines
Desired Form Heights up to 3 stories Heights up to 3 stories Heights up to 4 stories Heights up to 5 stories
Interconnected street
network, low intensity
development
House-scale buildings,
low intensity
development
Compact and connected
environment, medium
intensity development
Moderate intensity mixed-
use development,
transitions in scale to
adjacent neighborhoods
TABLE 17.128.020-1 SUMMARY TABLE OF FORM-BASED ZONES
Zone Neighborhood Estate 2
(NE2)
Neighborhood General 3
(NG3)
Center 1 (CE1) Mixed Employment 1
(ME1)
General Use Single-family residential,
some context appropriate
neighborhood serving
commercial or civic uses.
Medium density
residential mixed-use
with ground foor
commercial and retail
activity with a mix of uses
on upper stories.
Subzone: Medium
density residential, allows
neighborhood serving
commercial and limited
auto-oriented uses.
Commercial and retail
mixed-use buildings with
a mix of residential and
nonresidential uses on
upper stories. Medium
density residential and
moderate intensity
neighborhood-serving
commercial uses.
Professional offce
employment with a mix of
supporting uses. Some
auto-oriented uses if the
scale and character is
appropriate.
General Plan
Designation
Traditional Neighborhood Neighborhood Corridor
Neighborhood Center
(Subzone)
Traditional Town Center Offce Employment District
TABLE 17.128.020-1 SUMMARY TABLE OF FORM-BASED ZONES (CONT.)
Zone Mixed Estate 2 (ME2) Corridor 1 (CO1) Corridor 2 (CO2) Center 2 (CE2)
Subzone None None None Center 2 Limited (CE2L)
(limits nonresidential
uses)
Small frontage area/build-
to lines
Small frontage
area/build-to lines
Small frontage area/build-
to lines
Small frontage
area/build-to lines
Heights up to 5 stories Heights up to 5 stories Heights up to 7 stories Heights up to 12 stories
Desired Form Walkable environment,
maker spaces, moderate
intensity development,
block-scale building
Transitional environment,
mixed-use and block-
scale buildings, moderate
intensity development
Walkable environment,
block-scale buildings,
moderate to high intensity
development
Walkable environment,
block-scale buildings,
high intensity
development
General Use Professional offce,
business, service, and
creative industrial uses in
proximity to walkable,
urban areas.
Moderate density
residential with a mix of
commercial and retail
activity at key
intersections. Medium to
high intensity uses act to
transition to lower
intensity suburban
neighborhoods adjacent
to the corridor.
High density residential
with a mix of commercial
and retail activity at key
nodes. Higher density and
intensity uses transition to
lower intensity urban areas
nearby such as moderately
scaled mixed use, multi-
family, and employment
districts and centers.
Ground foor commercial
and retail activity with a
mix of commercial and
residential uses on upper
stories. High density
residential and civic uses.
Subzone: Predominately
moderate and high
density residential uses
in proximity to walkable,
urban areas with a focus
on residential serving
retail uses.
General Plan
Designation
21st Century Employment
District
City Corridor Moderate City Corridor High City Center Urban
Neighborhood (subzone)

(Ord. No. 1000 § 4, 2022; Ord. No. 1017 § 12, 2023; Ord. No. 1023, 1/17/2024)

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Contents — Rancho Cucamonga Zoning Code
Rancho Cucamonga Zoning Code
  1. Title 17 — Development Code
    Overview
    1. Chapter 17.02 — PURPOSE AND APPLICABILITY
    2. Chapter 17.04 — ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITY
    3. Chapter 17.06 — RULES AND INTERPRETATION
    4. Chapter 17.08 — ENFORCEMENT
    5. Chapter 17.12 — LAND USE AND DEVELOPMENT APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS
    6. Chapter 17.14 — GENERAL APPLICATION PROCESSING PROCEDURES
    7. Chapter 17.16 — PLANNING DIRECTOR DECISIONS
    8. Chapter 17.18 — HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION DECISIONS
    9. Chapter 17.20 — PLANNING COMMISSION DECISIONS
    10. Chapter 17.22 — CITY COUNCIL DECISIONS
    11. Chapter 17.26 — ESTABLISHMENT OF ZONES
    12. Chapter 17.28 — ADOPTION OF ZONING MAP
    13. Chapter 17.30 — ALLOWED LAND USE BY BASE ZONE
    14. Chapter 17.32 — ALLOWED USE DESCRIPTIONS
    15. Chapter 17.34 — GENERAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
    16. Chapter 17.36 — DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS BY BASE ZONE
    17. Chapter 17.38 — OVERLAY ZONES AND OTHER SPECIAL PLANNING AREAS
    18. Chapter 17.42 — ACCESSORY STRUCTURES
    19. Chapter 17.44 — CONDOMINIUM CONVERSIONS
    20. Chapter 17.46 — DENSITY BONUSES, INCENTIVES, AND CONCESSIONS
    21. Chapter 17.48 — FENCES, WALLS, AND SCREENING
    22. Chapter 17.50 — IMPLEMENTATION OF GREEN BUILDING CODE
    23. Chapter 17.52 — HILLSIDE DEVELOPMENT
    24. Chapter 17.54 — USES IN HISTORIC STRUCTURES
    25. Chapter 17.56 — LANDSCAPING STANDARDS
    26. Chapter 17.58 — OUTDOOR LIGHTING STANDARDS
    27. Chapter 17.60 — OUTDOOR SALES, STORAGE, DISPLAY, AND SEATING S…
    28. Chapter 17.62 — NONCONFORMING USES AND STRUCTURES
    29. Chapter 17.64 — PARKING AND LOADING STANDARDS
    30. Chapter 17.66 — PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
    31. Chapter 17.68 — PROPERTY MAINTENANCE
    32. Chapter 17.70 — SIDEWALKS AND TRAILS
    33. Chapter 17.72 — SIGN REGULATIONS FOR PUBLIC PROPERTY
    34. Chapter 17.74 — SIGN REGULATIONS FOR PRIVATE PROPERTY
    35. Chapter 17.76 — ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SYSTEMS AND FACILITIES
    36. Chapter 17.77 — TRANSFER OF DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS
    37. Chapter 17.78 — TRANSPORTATION DEMAND MANAGEMENT
    38. Chapter 17.80 — TREE PRESERVATION
    39. Chapter 17.82 — WATER EFFICIENT LANDSCAPING
    40. Chapter 17.84 — UNDERGROUND UTILITIES
    41. Chapter 17.86 — ADULT BUSINESS USES
    42. Chapter 17.88 — ANIMAL REGULATIONS
    43. Chapter 17.89 — AUTOMOBILE SERVICE STATION
    44. Chapter 17.90 — CAR WASHING AND DETAILING
    45. Chapter 17.91 — DRIVE-IN AND DRIVE-THROUGH USES
    46. Chapter 17.92 — HOME OCCUPATIONS
    47. Chapter 17.93 — HOTELS
    48. Chapter 17.94 — COMMERCIAL CANNABIS USES AND CULTIVATION
    49. Chapter 17.96 — MOBILEHOMES
    50. Chapter 17.97 — LIVE/WORK UNITS
    51. Chapter 17.98 — PUBLIC UTILITIES AND USES
    52. Chapter 17.100 — ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS AND JUNIOR ACCESSORY…
    53. Chapter 17.102 — SPECIAL REGULATED USES
    54. Chapter 17.104 — TEMPORARY USES
    55. Chapter 17.106 — WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION FACILITIES
    56. Chapter 17.108 — TELEVISION SATELLITE DISH AND ANTENNA REGULAT…
    57. Chapter 17.109 — BATTERY ENERGY STORAGE FACILITIES
    58. Chapter 17.110 — EMERGENCY SHELTERS
    59. Chapter 17.111 — VEHICLE SERVICE USES
    60. Chapter 17.112 — PURPOSE AND APPLICABILITY
    61. Chapter 17.114 — SPECIAL PLANNING AREA MAP AND DESCRIPTIONS
    62. Chapter 17.118 — PURPOSE AND APPLICABILITY
    63. Chapter 17.120 — GENERAL DESIGN PROVISIONS
    64. Chapter 17.122 — DESIGN PROVISIONS BY DEVELOPMENT TYPE
    65. Chapter 17.123 — MULTI-FAMILY AND RESIDENTIAL MIXED-USE
    66. Chapter 17.124 — DESIGN PROVISIONS FOR PUBLIC ART
    67. Chapter 17.126 — INTRODUCTION
    68. Chapter 17.130 — ZONE AND BUILDING STANDARDS
    69. Chapter 17.132 — BUILDING ENTRANCES AND FACADES
    70. Chapter 17.134 — PUBLIC OPEN SPACE
    71. Chapter 17.136 — LAND USE STANDARDS
    72. Chapter 17.138 — LARGE SITE DEVELOPMENT
    73. Chapter 17.140 — UNIVERSAL DEFINITIONS
    74. Chapter 17.142 — ADULT BUSINESS DEFINITIONS
    75. Chapter 17.144 — DENSITY BONUS DEFINITIONS
    76. Chapter 17.146 — HISTORIC RESOURCES DEFINITIONS
    77. Chapter 17.148 — CANNABIS DEFINITIONS
    78. Chapter 17.150 — SIGN DEFINITIONS
    79. Chapter 17.152 — WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS DEFINITIONS
    80. Chapter 17.154 — FORM-BASED CODE DEFINITIONS

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