Rancho Cucamonga Municipal Code Ch. 17.128 Form-Based Zones

§ 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 auto-oriented 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)

Exceptions & meaning →

§ 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
Desired Form	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
Desired Form	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
General Use	Single-family residential, some context appropriate neighborhood serving commercial or civic uses.	Medium density residential mixed-use with ground floor 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 office 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	Office 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)
Desired Form	Small frontage area/build-to lines	Small frontage area/build-to lines	Small frontage area/build-to lines	Small frontage area/build-to lines
Desired Form	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 office, 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 floor 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)

Exceptions & meaning →