Local zoning · Loma Linda

Loma Linda — Land Use

Q: What uses require a Conditional Use Permit in Loma Linda?

Any use marked CUP in the applicable land‑use table (e.g., Tables 2‑1, 2‑5, 2‑7) requires a conditional use permit; § 17.30.070 sets the purpose, required application contents, and the four findings the Planning Commission must make. Check the specific table cell for your zone to see whether your proposed use is CUP‑listed.

Q: Are there special limitations in hillside zones?

Yes. Hillside zones ( HR‑ series) have lower permitted densities, minimum parcel sizes, and slope‑based parcel coverage limits (see Table 2‑4 and Table 2‑4‑A; e.g., parcel roof coverage allowances fall as slope increases). See § 17.36.030 and Table 2‑4‑A.

Land Use under the Loma Linda local zoning and planning code, with the controlling citations.

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Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

This page explains what the Loma Linda municipal zoning ordinance (Title 17) actually says about land use: which uses are allowed in each zone, when discretionary permits are required, and which local rules control development intensity and special-purpose areas. For citywide context see the Loma Linda zoning & planning overview. Key operational controls are the land-use tables (Tables 2-1, 2-3, 2-5, 2-7), the discretionary permit rules (conditional and minor use permits), and the development standards (see the Development Standards page). Relevant review processes include parking requirements and design review. All statements below are grounded in the local ordinance; citations point to the controlling § and the file preview used. Verify parcel-specific details with the city planner.

How Loma Linda structures land use rules (short)

Allowed uses are shown in zone-specific land‑use tables (e.g., Table 2‑1 for residential zones, Table 2‑5 for commercial/industrial, Table 2‑7 for special-purpose zones) and are enforced by the ordinance text in Title 17. See § 17.32.020 and § 17.44.020.
Uses are coded as P (permitted by right — a planning permit may be required), CUP (conditional use permit required), MUP (minor use permit), or — (not allowed). See § 17.32.020 and the tables themselves.
When a use requires discretionary approval the ordinance lists application requirements and required findings for conditional use permits (§ 17.30.070) and minor use permits (§ 17.30.060).
Development must also meet numeric and design controls in the development standards; see the Development Standards page and § 17.36.030. For certain building types see the permitted building types section.

District-by-district breakdown

The summary below highlights the ordinance intent, typical permitted uses, and the most decision-relevant dimensional or program standards called out in Title 17 for each major district. For full allowed‑uses matrices consult the specific Tables (referenced in each subsection).

Notes on links: the first natural mention of linked operational topics is hyperlinked to the city menu pages for convenience — for example, details on how many parking spaces you'll need are on the Loma Linda Parking page, and design rules are on the Loma Linda Design Review page.

Residential zones — R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4 (Table 2‑1 / § 17.32.020)

Purpose: Preserve residential character at increasing densities from R-1 (low density) through R-4 (very high density). § 17.32.020 explains allowed uses and accessory use rules.
Typical permitted uses: single‑family dwellings, duplexes (where allowed), multi‑family in higher density zones; Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are addressed citywide in Chapter 17.110. § 17.32.020; Chapter 17.110.
Key development notes: accessory uses must be incidental to the residential use; open‑space and usable open‑space minimums are specified (e.g., R-1: 1,200 sf per unit, R-2: 1,000 sf, R-3/R-4: 800 sf) in Table 2‑8.C. See § 17.36.030 and Table 2‑8.C.
Where it applies: city residential map; subdivisions may show density suffixes (e.g., R‑2‑3000) and density limitations are tied to the General Plan. See § 17.32.020.

Hillside residential zones — HR-C, HR-LD, HR-MD, HR-RE, HR-VL (Table 2‑3 / § 17.36.030)

Purpose: Very low densities and special siting to protect hillside character; development standards are more restrictive (parcel size, maximum density measured in dwelling units/acre). § 17.36.030 and Table 2‑3.
Typical permitted uses: residences, accessory units, small child day care, group homes (six or fewer), manufactured housing subject to standards. § 17.36.030 and Table 2‑3.
Key dimensional standards: maximum parcel coverage varies by slope (see Table 2‑4‑A; e.g., 10–15% slope: 45% maximum roof coverage, steeper slopes much lower), and minimum parcel size/density formulas are listed in Table 2‑4 and Table 2‑4‑A. § 17.36.030; Table 2‑4‑A.

Commercial & Industrial zones — B-P, CO, C-1, C-2, CM (Table 2‑5 / § 17.40.010)

Purpose: Each commercial/industrial zone has a distinct intent: B‑P (Business Park) for offices, R&D, light industrial; CO (Commercial Office) for professional/medical offices; C‑1/C‑2 for neighborhood/general commercial; CM for commercial manufacturing. See § 17.40.010.
Typical permitted uses and constraints: Table 2‑5 lists uses with P/CUP/MUP entries. Examples: retail stores under 30,000 sf are generally P in C‑1/C‑2/CM; alcohol sales are heavily regulated (off‑sale beer/wine often CUP and off‑sale liquor limited to large-format stores with conditions); drive‑throughs generally require CUP. See Table 2‑5.
Key development notes: some uses require minimum building area or parcel sizes (e.g., packaged liquor sales limited to structures ≥30,000 sf in some zones); standards on height/setbacks default to the district's development standards, and maximum heights may be increased by CUP. See Table 2‑5 and § 17.40.010.

Special purpose zones — I‑HC, OS, PF, PC (Table 2‑7 / § 17.44.010 & § 17.44.020)

Purpose: Accommodate hospitals and institutional uses (I‑HC), preserve parks/open space (OS), public facilities (PF), and flexible master‑planned projects (PC). § 17.44.010.
Typical permitted uses: I‑HC emphasizes hospitals, medical research, residential and student/employee housing; OS limits structures (only ancillary park structures allowed); PF covers city/civic uses; PC allows mixed‑use planned communities with custom standards. See Table 2‑7 and § 17.44.020.
Key rules: Specific plans (e.g., The Groves) establish allowed uses and standards for large planned areas and are maintained on file with Community Development; where Table 2‑7 lists a cross‑reference the referenced chapter/section applies. See § 17.44.020 and the Specific Plans table.

Mixed and planned project controls — Planned Community / Specific Plans (PC, Specific Plan areas)

Purpose: Provide flexible, project‑level regulation; uses and standards for specific plans are set out in the adopted specific plan and on file at Community Development. See § 17.44.020.
Practical effect: A PC or Specific Plan area may not follow the standard Table 2‑1/2‑5 matrix; allowed uses and development standards are the plan’s adopted rules unless the specific plan defers to Title 17. See § 17.44.020.

Quick decision‑relevant table (sample)

This abbreviated table shows the most commonly checked items when evaluating a site. For the full use matrix consult the Table cited.

District	Typical permitted uses (short)	Key standards / limits	Code Reference
R‑1	Single‑family residence; accessory structures; ADUs (subject to Chap. 17.110)	Usable open space 1,200 sf/unit; accessory uses incidental only	See Table 2‑1 and § 17.32.020
R‑3 / R‑4	Multi‑family dwellings, duplexes, ADUs	Usable open space 800 sf/unit; density caps (R‑3 up to 13 du/acre; R‑4 up to 20 du/acre)	§ 17.32.020; Table 2‑8.C
C‑1 / C‑2	Neighborhood and general retail/office; restaurants (drive‑throughs require CUP)	Specific uses listed in Table 2‑5: alcohol sales, vehicle services, etc., have use‑specific rules (e.g., liquor limits)	Table 2‑5 and § 17.40.010
B‑P / CO	Offices, R&D, medical offices	Campus design encouraged; limited retail that serves employees; height and setback per zone	§ 17.40.010
CM / Industrial	Light manufacturing, vehicle sales/repair (limitations)	Some repair uses permitted only in CM; parking and screening required	Table 2‑5 § 17.40.010
I‑HC	Hospitals, medical research, educational uses, employee/student housing	Institutional campus standards; accessory employee housing allowed	§ 17.44.010 and Table 2‑7 § 17.44.020

How discretionary permits work (short)

Conditional Use Permit (CUP): Required where the land‑use tables mark a use as CUP. Planning Commission is the decision authority, and the ordinance requires findings about compatibility, site suitability, and public welfare per § 17.30.070. Application contents and required findings are spelled out there.
Minor Use Permit (MUP): Director acts (but may refer to Commission); applied where Table entries mark MUP and for certain smaller special uses; findings and conditions are in § 17.30.060.

For many projects you will also need to satisfy the Loma Linda Parking rules and Loma Linda Design Review or a Precise Plan of Design (see § 17.30.260–17.30.300) when the ordinance requires it. § 17.32.020 and § 17.44.020 both note design review/precise plan cross‑references.

Checklist (what an applicant must satisfy)

Confirm the property’s zoning and the corresponding land‑use table entry (Table 2‑1 / Table 2‑5 / Table 2‑7) and whether the proposed use is P, CUP, MUP, or — (not allowed). See § 17.32.020 and Table 2‑5.
If use is CUP or MUP, prepare application materials per §§ 17.30.070 / 17.30.060 (site plans, legal description, neighbor notice, findings).
Meet numeric development standards called out for the zone (setbacks, height, densities, open space, maximum parcel coverage by slope where applicable). See § 17.36.030 and Table 2‑4/2‑4‑A.
Demonstrate compliance with parking, loading, landscaping/screening, and sign standards (see the Loma Linda Parking and Landscaping and Screening pages). § 17.36.030 cross‑references these standards.
For ADUs, follow the ADU chapter rules in Chapter 17.110 and applicable state law. See Chapter 17.110.
If in a Specific Plan or PC area, obtain consistency confirmation with the adopted specific plan (allowed uses and standards are set in the specific plan). See § 17.44.020.

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue	Why it matters	What to verify
Parcel‑level use vs. table entries	Tables are authoritative; a use not listed is generally disallowed.	Confirm the exact table cell for the parcel (Table 2‑1/2‑5/2‑7) and whether a specific plan overrides it. Verify with Community Development. See § 17.32.020 and § 17.44.020.
Specific plan overrides	Specific plans can set bespoke uses/standards; the standard tables may not apply inside a specific plan.	Check the adopted specific plan documents on file with the city for that property (e.g., The Groves). See § 17.44.020.
Drive‑throughs and alcohol sales	These uses carry special limits or conditional approvals and sometimes minimum‑size requirements.	Confirm the precise use rule in Table 2‑5 for the zone and any size/placement constraints. See Table 2‑5 and § 17.40.010.
Hillside slope coverage	Parcel slope directly changes allowable parcel coverage—project feasibility depends on correct slope calculation.	Request slope calculation and use Table 2‑4‑A limits; verify grading and stabilization rules. See Table 2‑4‑A and § 17.36.030.
When design review or precise plan is required	The ordinance references precise plan/design findings in multiple sections; missing this triggers extra review and delays.	Confirm whether project triggers Precise Plan of Design Review (see §§ 17.30.260–17.30.300) and consult the Design Review page. Not all files provided include the full precise plan text. Verify with the planner. Not found in retrieved materials for full precise plan text.

Plain‑English summary

Loma Linda’s Title 17 sets out a matrix approach: each zone (R‑1 through R‑4, HR‑*, C‑1/C‑2/CM, B‑P/CO, and special purpose zones like I‑HC/OS/PF/PC) has a table listing what you can do by right, what needs a conditional or minor permit, and what’s forbidden. Numeric limits (density, open space, slope‑based coverage) and design rules live elsewhere in Title 17 and apply on top of the use table; planned communities and specific plans can replace the default rules. Always check the exact table cell and any specific‑plan language for a parcel and follow the CUP/MUP application rules if your proposed use is discretionary. See § 17.32.020, § 17.30.070, § 17.30.060, and § 17.44.020.

Source References

§ 17.32.020 (Land use regulations and allowable uses — Residential zones)
§ 17.36.030 (Hillside development standards; development standards generally)
Table 2‑4‑A (Maximum parcel coverage by slope) and related tables § 17.36.030
Table 2‑8.C (Usable open space minima for R zones) and supporting language § 17.36.030
§ 17.30.070 (Conditional use permit: purpose, findings, procedures)
§ 17.30.060 (Minor use permit: purpose, application, findings)
§ 17.40.010 and Table 2‑5 (Commercial & Industrial zones; use matrix)
§ 17.44.010 and § 17.44.020 and Table 2‑7 (Special purpose zones and specific plans)
Chapter 17.110 (Accessory Dwelling Units and Junior ADUs) — ordinance references ADU provisions being in this chapter; see cross‑references in development standards.

Supplemental GoCodebook pages cited inline for operational topics:

Loma Linda zoning & planning overview: /us/california/loma-linda
Loma Linda Zoning: /us/california/loma-linda/zoning
Loma Linda Development Standards: /us/california/loma-linda/development-standards
Loma Linda Parking: /us/california/loma-linda/parking
Loma Linda Design Review: /us/california/loma-linda/design-review
Loma Linda Overlay Districts: /us/california/loma-linda/overlay-districts
Loma Linda ADUs: /us/california/loma-linda/adu
California Building Standards Code: /us/california/building-codes

Sources

Retrieved passages

Loma Linda Zoning Code (§ 4) High relevance
Loma Linda Zoning Code (§ 4) High relevance
Loma Linda Zoning Code (chapter or) High relevance
Loma Linda Zoning Code (§ 17.54.070.) High relevance
Loma Linda Zoning Code (title and) High relevance
CBC § 3000 High relevance
Loma Linda Zoning Code (§ 4) High relevance
Loma Linda Zoning Code Medium relevance

Cited sections

Official Loma Linda code library

Frequently asked questions

What can I build on an R‑1 lot in Loma Linda?

Single‑family dwellings and customary accessory structures are the primary allowed uses in R‑1; accessory dwelling units are allowed subject to Chapter 17.110 and all residential development must comply with Table 2‑1 and the residential zone rules in § 17.32.020. For usable open‑space minima and accessory‑use limits see § 17.36.030 and Table 2‑8.C.

What uses require a Conditional Use Permit in Loma Linda?

Any use marked CUP in the applicable land‑use table (e.g., Tables 2‑1, 2‑5, 2‑7) requires a conditional use permit; § 17.30.070 sets the purpose, required application contents, and the four findings the Planning Commission must make. Check the specific table cell for your zone to see whether your proposed use is CUP‑listed.

Where do I find the official “use table” for my parcel?

Find the zone in Title 17 and consult the corresponding table: residential zones use Table 2‑1 (see § 17.32.020), commercial/industrial use Table 2‑5 (see § 17.40.010), and special‑purpose zones use Table 2‑7 (see § 17.44.020). If the parcel is inside a specific plan, the specific plan on file with Community Development controls.

Do ADUs have special rules in Loma Linda?

Yes. Accessory Dwelling Units and Junior ADUs are addressed separately in Chapter 17.110; the residential land‑use tables list ADUs as permitted where appropriate, but you must follow Chapter 17.110 and applicable state ADU law as applied locally. Check Chapter 17.110 and the ADU guidance.

Are there special limitations in hillside zones?

Yes. Hillside zones (HR‑ series) have lower permitted densities, minimum parcel sizes, and slope‑based parcel coverage limits (see Table 2‑4 and Table 2‑4‑A; e.g., parcel roof coverage allowances fall as slope increases). See § 17.36.030 and Table 2‑4‑A.

Are drive‑through restaurants or liquor stores allowed anywhere?

They appear in the commercial use matrix with zone‑specific limits: drive‑throughs generally require a CUP in many commercial zones; off‑sale liquor is limited by store size/conditions in Table 2‑5. Consult Table 2‑5 and § 17.40.010 for the exact rules for each commercial district.

Do specific plans replace the normal zone rules?

Yes. Where a Specific Plan or a PC (Planned Community) has been adopted for an area, the specific plan establishes allowed uses and development standards for that area; Title 17 directs you to consult the adopted specific plan on file at Community Development. See § 17.44.020.

When do I need design review or a Precise Plan of Design?

Title 17 cross‑references Precise Plan of Design requirements and requires precise plan/design review for certain new or modified construction; multiple zone sections reference the precise‑plan rules (see § 17.32.020 and § 17.44.020). Confirm triggers in §§ 17.30.260–17.30.300 and the Design Review page. Not all precise‑plan details were present in retrieved excerpts — verify with the planner.

If a use is not listed in the table, can I still do it?

Generally no. The ordinance states a use not shown in the applicable table is not allowed except where Section 17.02.040 (interpretation) provides otherwise. Always verify with the city; see § 17.32.020 and § 17.44.020.

Where are parking and landscaping rules enforced?

Parking, loading, landscaping and screening are separate standards referenced throughout Title 17 (and enforced at project review); consult the Loma Linda Parking and Landscaping and Screening pages and the development standards cross‑references in § 17.36.030. ---

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