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Chapter 85.14 — SPECIAL USE PERMITS

San Bernardino County Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · updated 2026-07-25 · San Bernardino County

§ 85.14.010 Purpose.

Special Use Permits are required to regularly monitor the operation of certain land uses to ensure their continued compatibility with the surrounding property.

(Ord. 4011, passed - -2007)

§ 85.14.020 Types of Special Use Permits and Review Authorities.

Table 85-3 (Special Use Permits) identifies the various types of Special Use Permits with the appropriate review authorities:

Table 85-3 (Special Use Permits) identifies the various types of Special Use Permits with the appropriate review
authorities:
Table 85-3
Special Use Permits
Type of Entitlement or Decision Applicable Citation Director(1) (2) Commission(3) Board(4)
Table 85-3
Special Use Permits
Type of Entitlement or Decision Applicable Citation Director(1) (2) Commission(3) Board(4)
Bed and Breakfast Permit Ch. 84.05 Issue(5) Appeal Appeal
Exotic Animals Ch. 84.04 Issue(5) Appeal Appeal
Home Occupations Ch. 84.12 Issue(5) Appeal ----
Private Kennels Ch. 84.04 Issue(5) Appeal Appeal
Recycling Facilities Ch. 84.19 Issue(5) Appeal Appeal
Short-Term Residential Rentals Ch. 84.28 Issue(5) Appeal ----
Notes:
(1) The Director may defer action and refer any permit or approval application to the Commission for final determination.
(2) All decisions of the Director are appealable to Commission, and then to the Board, in compliance with Chapter 86.08 (Appeals),
except for those decisions addressed in Note (3).
(3) The Commission may refer consideration of an appeal to the Board, except for those decisions involving only a Variance,
determination as to the completeness of an application, the determination to approve or deny a Home Occupation Permit, an Accessory
Wind Energy Permit, a Short-Term Private Home Rental, a Subdivision Sign Location Plan, or the requirement for preparation of an
Environmental Impact Report (EIR). In these instances the Commission’s decision shall be the final and conclusive decision. The
Board will not accept nor consider an appeal of these Commission decisions.
(4) All decisions of the Board are final.
(5) Issued by Code Enforcement.

(5) Issued by Code Enforcement.

(Ord. 4011, passed - -2007; Am. Ord. 4331, passed - -2017; Am. Ord. 4341, passed - -2018)

§ 85.14.030 Procedures.

(a) Requests for Special Use Permits. The Director shall review and act upon requests for Special Use Permits subject to the findings and conditions for each type of use as identified within the applicable sections of this Development Code that provides for the use.

(b) Procedure. Staff review with notice.

  • (c) Review Authority. Director.

(d) An Advertised Meeting May Be Held. When necessary, the review authority may conduct an advertised meeting to consider evidence and take testimony before acting upon an application for a Special Use Permit.

(Ord. 4011, passed - -2007)

§ 85.14.040 General Provisions.

(a) Shall Be Allowed in the Land Use Zoning District. The uses described in this Chapter shall be an allowed use in the subject land use zoning district, subject to the issuance of a Special Use Permit.

(b) Disapproval Due to Violation(s). Special Use Permit applications shall be disapproved if there is any violation(s) of this Development Code on the property for which the application is filed and appropriate legal action will be taken to abate the violation(s).

(c) Additional Conditions May Be Added. The Director may add additional conditions or requirements as deemed reasonable and necessary to any Special Use Permit.

(d) Annual Renewal and Inspections Required. Special Use Permits shall be renewed annually, unless otherwise specified by this Chapter and inspections will be conducted by the Director before each annual renewal. (Ord. 4011, passed - -2007)

§ 85.14.050 Special Uses.

(a) Conditional Use Permits. Any use that is the subject of an approved Conditional Use Permit and if required by the conditions of approval shall also be made subject to the issuance of a Special Use Permit.

(b) Limited Time Periods May Be Applied. Special Use Permits may be issued for limited time periods. A new application shall be required for renewal of a Special Use Permit.

(Ord. 4011, passed - -2007)

§ 85.14.060 Findings for Specific Special Uses.

(a) Findings for Bed and Breakfast Uses. Before acting upon an application for a Special Use Permit for a bed and breakfast use, the review authority shall first find all of the following to be true:

(1) The site upon which the bed and breakfast use is to be established, shall conform to all standards of the land use zoning district in which it is located, and the site for the proposed use is adequate in terms of shape and size to accommodate the use and parking areas, setbacks, structure coverage, yards, and other applicable requirements of this Development Code; and

(2) The residential character of the neighborhood in which the use is located shall be maintained and preserved and the issuance of the Special Use Permit shall not be significantly detrimental to the public health, safety, and welfare or injurious to the vicinity and land use zoning district in which the use is located.

(Ord. 4011, passed - -2007; Am. Ord. 4341, passed - -2018)

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Contents — San Bernardino County Zoning Code
San Bernardino County Zoning Code
  1. Chapter 81.01 — PURPOSE AND EFFECT OF DEVELOPMENT CODE
  2. Chapter 81.02 — INTERPRETATION OF REGULATIONS
  3. Chapter 82.01 — LAND USE PLAN, LAND USE ZONING DISTRICTS, AND …
  4. Chapter 82.02 — ALLOWED LAND USES AND DEVELOPMENT
  5. Chapter 82.03 — AGRICULTURAL AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT LAND USE …
  6. Chapter 82.04 — RESIDENTIAL LAND USE ZONING DISTRICTS
  7. Chapter 82.05 — COMMERCIAL LAND USE ZONING DISTRICTS
  8. Chapter 82.06 — INDUSTRIAL AND SPECIAL PURPOSE LAND USE ZONING…
  9. Chapter 82.07 — ADDITIONAL AGRICULTURE (AA) OVERLAY
  10. Chapter 82.08 — AGRICULTURAL PRESERVE (AP) OVERLAY
  11. Chapter 82.09 — AIRPORT SAFETY (AR) OVERLAY
  12. Chapter 82.10 — ALTERNATE HOUSING (AH) OVERLAY
  13. Chapter 82.11 — BIOTIC RESOURCES (BR) OVERLAY
  14. Chapter 82.12 — CULTURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION (CP) OVERLAY
  15. Chapter 82.13 — FIRE SAFETY (FS) OVERLAY
  16. Chapter 82.14 — FLOODPLAIN SAFETY (FP) OVERLAY
  17. Chapter 82.15 — GEOLOGIC HAZARD (GH) OVERLAY
  18. Chapter 82.16 — HAZARDOUS WASTE (HW) OVERLAY
  19. Chapter 82.17 — MINERAL RESOURCES (MR) OVERLAY
  20. Chapter 82.18 — NOISE HAZARD (NH) OVERLAY
  21. Chapter 82.19 — OPEN SPACE (OS) OVERLAY
  22. Chapter 82.20 — PALEONTOLOGIC RESOURCES (PR) OVERLAY
  23. Chapter 82.21 — SIGN CONTROL (SC) OVERLAY
  24. Chapter 82.22 — SPHERE STANDARDS (SS) OVERLAY
  25. Chapter 82.23 — COMMUNITY PLANS, SPECIFIC PLANS AND AREA PLANS
  26. Chapter 82.36 — OAK HILLS COMMUNITY PLAN
  27. Chapter 83.01 — GENERAL PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
  28. Chapter 83.02 — GENERAL DEVELOPMENT AND USE STANDARDS
  29. Chapter 83.03 — AFFORDABLE HOUSING INCENTIVES - DENSITY BONUS
  30. Chapter 83.04 — CONDITIONAL GRADING COMPLIANCE
  31. Chapter 83.05 — DEDICATIONS AND INSTALLATIONS OF STREET AND TR…
  32. Chapter 83.06 — FENCES, HEDGES, AND WALLS
  33. Chapter 83.07 — LIGHT TRESPASS
  34. Chapter 83.08 — HILLSIDE GRADING STANDARDS
  35. Chapter 83.09 — INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENT STANDARDS
  36. Chapter 83.10 — LANDSCAPING STANDARDS
  37. Chapter 83.11 — PARKING AND LOADING STANDARDS
  38. Chapter 83.12 — ROAD SYSTEM DESIGN STANDARDS
  39. Chapter 83.13 — SIGN REGULATIONS
  40. Chapter 83.14 — TRANSPORTATION CONTROL MEASURES
  41. Chapter 83.15 — CONDITIONAL COMPLIANCE FOR WATER QUALITY MANAG…
  42. Chapter 84.01 — ACCESSORY STRUCTURES AND USES
  43. Chapter 84.02 — ADULT BUSINESSES
  44. Chapter 84.03 — AGRITOURISM ENTERPRISES
  45. Chapter 84.04 — ANIMAL KEEPING
  46. Chapter 84.05 — BED AND BREAKFAST USES
  47. Chapter 84.06 — CEMETERIES
  48. Chapter 84.07 — COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL TRANSITIONAL USES
  49. Chapter 84.09 — FIREWOOD STORAGE
  50. Chapter 84.10 — GARAGE SALES
  51. Chapter 84.11 — HAZARDOUS WASTE FACILITIES
  52. Chapter 84.12 — HOME OCCUPATIONS
  53. Chapter 84.13 — MASSAGE SERVICES
  54. Chapter 84.14 — MOBILE HOME PARKS
  55. Chapter 84.16 — MULTI-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
  56. Chapter 84.17 — NONCONFORMING USES AND STRUCTURES
  57. Chapter 84.18 — PLANNED DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
  58. Chapter 84.19 — RECYCLING FACILITIES
  59. Chapter 84.20 — SERVICE STATIONS
  60. Chapter 84.21 — SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DWELLINGS
  61. Chapter 84.22 — SMALL LOT RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT
  62. Chapter 84.23 — LICENSED RESIDENTIAL CARE FACILITIES
  63. Chapter 84.24 — SOLID WASTE/RECYCLABLE MATERIALS STORAGE
  64. Chapter 84.25 — TEMPORARY STRUCTURES AND USES
  65. Chapter 84.26 — WIND ENERGY SYSTEMS - ACCESSORY
  66. Chapter 84.27 — WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION FACILITIES
  67. Chapter 84.28 — SHORT-TERM RESIDENTIAL RENTALS
  68. Chapter 84.29 — RENEWABLE ENERGY GENERATION FACILITIES
  69. Chapter 84.30 — GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS REDUCTION PLAN IMPLEM…
  70. Chapter 84.32 — SMALL UNLICENSED RESIDENTIAL CARE FACILITIES
  71. Chapter 84.33 — EMERGENCY SHELTERS
  72. Chapter 84.34 — COMMERCIAL CANNABIS ACTIVITY
  73. Chapter 84.35 — INDUSTRIAL HEMP
  74. Chapter 84.36 — ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS
  75. Chapter 85.01 — PERMIT APPLICATION FILING AND PROCESSING
  76. Chapter 85.02 — BASIC REVIEW PROCEDURES
  77. Chapter 85.03 — APPLICATION PROCEDURES
  78. Chapter 85.04 — ABC LICENSING
  79. Chapter 85.05 — CERTIFICATE OF LAND USE COMPLIANCE
  80. Chapter 85.06 — CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT/MINOR USE PERMIT
  81. Chapter 85.07 — FLOOD HAZARD DEVELOPMENT REVIEWS
  82. Chapter 85.08 — SITE PLAN PERMITS
  83. Chapter 85.09 — TENANT REVIEW
  84. Chapter 85.10 — PLANNED DEVELOPMENT PERMITS
  85. Chapter 85.11 — PRE-CONSTRUCTION FLOOD HAZARD MITIGATION AND E…
  86. Chapter 85.12 — REVISIONS TO AN APPROVED ACTION
  87. Chapter 85.13 — SIGN LOCATION PLANS
  88. Chapter 85.14 — SPECIAL USE PERMITS
  89. Chapter 85.15 — TEMPORARY USE PERMITS
  90. Chapter 85.16 — TEMPORARY SPECIAL EVENT PERMITS
  91. Chapter 85.17 — VARIANCES
  92. Chapter 85.18 — ACCESSORY WIND ENERGY SYSTEM PERMIT
  93. Chapter 85.19 — FOOD TRUCK EVENT PERMITS
  94. Chapter 85.20 — UNLICENSED RESIDENTIAL CARE FACILITIES PERMIT
  95. Chapter 85.21 — ADULT BUSINESS REGULATORY PERMIT
  96. Chapter 86.01 — PLANNING AGENCY
  97. Chapter 86.02 — DEVELOPMENT REVIEW COMMITTEE
  98. Chapter 86.03 — ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW COMMITTEE
  99. Chapter 86.04 — FLOODPLAIN ADMINISTRATOR
  100. Chapter 86.05 — DECISIONS BY THE REVIEW AUTHORITY
  101. Chapter 86.06 — TIME LIMITATIONS
  102. Chapter 86.07 — PUBLIC HEARINGS
  103. Chapter 86.08 — APPEALS
  104. Chapter 86.09 — ENFORCEMENT
  105. Chapter 86.10 — AGRICULTURAL PRESERVES/LAND CONSERVATION CONTR…
  106. Chapter 86.11 — AIRPORT COMPREHENSIVE LAND USE PLANS
  107. Chapter 86.12 — AMENDMENTS
  108. Chapter 86.13 — DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT ADOPTION AND AMENDMENT
  109. Chapter 86.14 — SPECIFIC PLAN ADOPTION AND AMENDMENT
  110. Chapter 86.15 — POST-DISASTER REBUILDING
  111. Chapter 87.01 — SUBDIVISION ORDINANCE APPLICABILITY AND ADMINI…
  112. Chapter 87.02 — TENTATIVE MAP FILING AND PROCESSING
  113. Chapter 87.03 — PARCEL MAPS AND FINAL MAPS
  114. Chapter 87.04 — ADDITIONAL SUBDIVISION PROCEDURES
  115. Chapter 87.05 — DEDICATIONS AND EXACTIONS
  116. Chapter 87.06 — SUBDIVISION DESIGN AND IMPROVEMENT REQUIREMENTS
  117. Chapter 87.07 — IMPROVEMENT PLANS, INSTALLATION, AND SECURITY
  118. Chapter 87.08 — SOIL REPORTS
  119. Chapter 88.01 — PLANT PROTECTION AND MANAGEMENT
  120. Chapter 88.02 — SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION
  121. Chapter 88.03 — SURFACE MINING AND LAND RECLAMATION
  122. Chapter 89.01 — DRAINAGE FACILITIES FINANCING
  123. Chapter 89.02 — RECREATIONAL FACILITIES FINANCING
  124. Chapter 89.03 — TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES FINANCING

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