Rancho Cucamonga — Temporary Uses

Citywide Operating Standards

Every temporary activity remains subject to the standards that apply to its use category or underlying zone, including height, setbacks, and off-street parking (§ 17.104.030). For that reason, an event plan should be checked against the parcel’s parking and circulation constraints rather than assuming a TUP overrides them.

Applicants must provide traffic circulation, parking, and pedestrian-safety arrangements satisfactory to the Planning Director and City Engineer; the Director may require proof of adequate parking (§ 17.104.030). Every participating vendor needs a City business license, and the applicant must provide written authorization from the property owner (§ 17.104.030).

Food sold or distributed to the public needs San Bernardino County Department of Public Health review and approvals; alcohol sales or distribution need Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control review and approvals (§ 17.104.030). Temporary uses are exempt from the green-building requirements in § 17.50.020, but that exemption does not remove other applicable construction, fire, or California Building Standards Code requirements.

Zone-Specific Location Rules

H — High Residential

A certified farmers’ market is allowed in the H zone, subject to the Chapter 17.104 standards (§ 17.104.040(A)(4)). The H zone is Rancho Cucamonga’s high-density residential zone, allowing up to 30 units per gross acre; Chapter 17.104 does not establish a separate temporary-use height, lot-coverage, or setback number for H (§ 17.26.020).

NE2 — Neighborhood Estate 2

Certified farmers’ markets are allowed in NE2 because NE2 is a form-based zone (§§ 17.104.040(A)(4), 17.26.020). NE2 serves low-density, large-lot residential neighborhoods with limited context-sensitive retail and services; temporary activities still use applicable site standards rather than a Chapter 17.104 district-specific dimension (§§ 17.26.020, 17.104.030).

NG3 — Neighborhood General 3

Certified farmers’ markets are allowed in NG3, a form-based zone (§ 17.104.040(A)(4)). NG3 supports medium-density, walkable corridor and neighborhood development with daily-needs uses; Chapter 17.104 supplies no separate NG3 dimensional standards for temporary uses (§§ 17.26.020, 17.104.030).

CE1 — Center 1

Certified farmers’ markets are allowed in CE1, a form-based town-center zone (§§ 17.104.040(A)(4), 17.26.020). CE1 emphasizes neighborhood-serving commercial and retail activity near medium-density housing; applicable underlying development standards remain controlling (§ 17.104.030).

ME1 — Mixed Employment 1

Certified farmers’ markets are allowed in ME1, a form-based zone (§ 17.104.040(A)(4)). ME1 focuses on walkable professional office and employment uses; Chapter 17.104 provides no special temporary-use setback or height standard for ME1 (§§ 17.26.020, 17.104.030).

ME2 — Mixed Employment 2

Certified farmers’ markets are allowed in ME2, a form-based zone (§ 17.104.040(A)(4)). ME2 accommodates medium- to high-intensity office, creative industrial, maker, and employment activity; the parcel’s applicable standards continue to govern temporary activity (§§ 17.26.020, 17.104.030).

CO1 — Corridor 1

Certified farmers’ markets are allowed in CO1, a form-based mixed-use corridor zone (§§ 17.104.040(A)(4), 17.26.020). CO1 transitions auto-oriented corridors toward walkable mixed-use places; no separate temporary-use dimensions are stated for CO1 (§ 17.104.030).

CO2 — Corridor 2

Certified farmers’ markets are allowed in CO2, a form-based mixed-use corridor zone (§ 17.104.040(A)(4)). CO2 supports medium- to high-intensity mixed-use development at active corridors and intersections; temporary events remain subject to applicable site standards (§§ 17.26.020, 17.104.030).

CE2 — Center 2

Certified farmers’ markets are allowed in CE2, a form-based mixed-use center zone (§ 17.104.040(A)(4)). CE2 supports pedestrian-oriented commercial and residential hubs; Chapter 17.104 does not state a unique CE2 event size, height, or setback rule (§§ 17.26.020, 17.104.030).

Other Residential Zones

A certified farmers’ market may be permitted in residential zones other than H only when the property is owned by a government agency or nonprofit entity (§ 17.104.040(A)(4)). This includes residential base zones and subzones such as VL, VL-EH 14000, VL-EH 9000, L, L-ESP, LM, LM-TV, LM-ESP South, LM-ESP, M, M-TV1, M-ESP South, M-ESP, MH, MH-TV, and H-TV; Chapter 17.104 does not assign them separate temporary-use dimensions (§§ 17.26.020, 17.104.030).

Overlay regulations can supplement a base zone and prevail in a conflict with it. Confirm whether a parcel carries an overlay before relying on the base-zone analysis; see Rancho Cucamonga Overlay Districts (§ 17.26.020).

Event and Sales Standards

Festivals, Fairs, Carnivals, Circuses, and Rodeos

These events may operate no more than 15 days or three consecutive weekends in any 180-day period without a conditional use permit (§ 17.104.040(A)(1)). They need a 100-foot setback from a residential use, measured from the property line, unless the Planning Director waives it after determining no adverse impacts such as noise, traffic, odor, glare, or trash (§ 17.104.040(A)(1)).

Restrooms, trash facilities, a security plan, and noise attenuation satisfactory to the Planning Director are required (§ 17.104.040(A)(1)).

Haunted Houses

A haunted-house operator must obtain necessary City and fire-district construction and use permits before construction, plus a fire-district operating permit before opening (§ 17.104.040(A)(2)). In residential zones, operation is limited to October 31 and the Saturday night in the preceding week, must end by 10:00 p.m., may not charge fees or collect donations, and may not sell merchandise, food, or drinks (§ 17.104.040(A)(2)).

Commercial haunted houses must provide restrooms, trash facilities, a security plan, and noise attenuation satisfactory to the Planning Director (§ 17.104.040(A)(2)).

Concerts and Live Outdoor Entertainment

Concerts and live outdoor entertainment may run no more than five days or two consecutive weekends in any 180-day period without a conditional use permit (§ 17.104.040(A)(3)). The Planning Director establishes the required separation from residential areas site by site; restrooms, trash facilities, a security plan, and noise attenuation are required (§ 17.104.040(A)(3)).

Certified Farmers’ Markets

A farmers’ market may operate up to 110 days per calendar year; exceeding that limit requires minor development review (§ 17.104.040(A)(4)). It needs a 100-foot setback from a residential area unless waived by the Planning Director upon a no-adverse-impact determination (§ 17.104.040(A)(4)).

At least 75% of the sales area must sell farm or value-added farm products, while ancillary products may occupy no more than 25% (§ 17.104.040(A)(4)). The market must be certified, have an on-site authorized manager, keep operating and health permits on site, submit operating and maintenance/security rules, and provide composting, recycling, and waste removal (§ 17.104.040(A)(4)).

Swap Meets, Flea Markets, and Exhibits

Swap meets, flea markets, and art, cultural, and educational exhibits may not exceed 30 days of operation or exhibition per calendar year, although the Planning Director may allow additional swap-meet days (§ 17.104.040(A)(5)). Swap meets and flea markets may operate only from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., must post local swap-meet regulations, maintain seller records for City inspection, and may not sell automobiles or automobile parts (§ 17.104.040(A)(5)).

Parades, Assemblies, Fundraisers, Parties, and Sporting Events

Noise from parades, assemblies, fundraisers, and parties cannot exceed the standards of the underlying noise zone; see Rancho Cucamonga Performance Standards (§ 17.104.040(A)(6)). Fundraiser proceeds from food, drink, or merchandise sales must benefit a government, nonprofit organization, or individual; parades and assemblies over 75 people are subject to Chapter 8.44 standards (§ 17.104.040(A)(6)).

Outdoor sporting events, marathons, mobile activities, and nonstationary activities need restrooms, trash facilities, and a security plan (§ 17.104.040(A)(7)).

Seasonal Agricultural and Holiday Sales

On-premises agricultural-product sales are limited to 90 days per calendar year, require parking and access satisfactory to the Planning Director, and must provide at least 10 off-street parking spaces with controlled ingress and egress (§ 17.104.040(B)(1)). They may operate only from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; nonagricultural and non-cottage-food products are prohibited, while cottage food must meet County licensing and permitting requirements (§ 17.104.040(B)(1)).

Christmas tree, pumpkin, and other holiday-themed sales lots are limited to 30 days per calendar year. Lighting must be directed and shielded away from adjacent residential areas; activities unrelated to holiday-product sales are subject to Planning Director review (§ 17.104.040(B)(2)).

Exemptions That Matter

A TUP is not required for specified activities that comply with applicable development standards, including temporary car washes, qualifying on-site construction yards, emergency public-health and safety facilities, qualifying events in assembly facilities, events exclusively on City property, qualifying school events, and temporary land uses allowed by right on a permanent basis (§ 17.104.020(B)).

Other notable exemptions include:

• Garage and yard sales on private property occurring no more than four days per calendar year (§ 17.104.020(B)).
• Parades and assemblies of 75 people or fewer, plus City-sponsored parades and assemblies (§ 17.104.020(B)).
• Private residential weddings, parties, and festivities that follow applicable rules, are not a business, and charge no rental or entrance fee; block parties also need a City Engineer street-closure permit when a street or lane is closed (§ 17.104.020(B)).
• Residential storage containers outside the public right-of-way for up to five days; nonresidential containers of any duration if screened from public view (§ 17.104.020(B)).

A residential yard sale has separate restrictions: it may occur for one day, up to two consecutive days, in a six-month period, only from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and only for household items held on the parcel for at least six months (§ 17.92.040). Verify with the jurisdiction how that rule is administered alongside Chapter 17.104’s broader four-day annual exemption.

Checklist

• Confirm whether the activity is permit-required or expressly exempt under § 17.104.020.
• Submit the TUP application and fee at least 15 days before the event under § 17.16.070.
• Obtain written authorization from the property owner under § 17.104.030.
• Show compliance with applicable parcel standards for height, setbacks, and design review requirements where separately triggered (§ 17.104.030).
• Provide a circulation, parking, and pedestrian-safety plan satisfactory to the Planning Director and City Engineer (§ 17.104.030).
• Ensure every participating vendor has a Rancho Cucamonga business license (§ 17.104.030).
• Obtain County health approvals for public food service and ABC approvals for public alcohol service, if applicable (§ 17.104.030).
• Supply event-specific restrooms, trash service, security, noise control, setbacks, and operating-hour limits required by § 17.104.040.
• Plan for removal and site restoration so the temporary use does not limit future allowed uses (§ 17.16.070).

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain-English Summary

In Rancho Cucamonga, a temporary event or outdoor sale usually needs approval before it starts, even if it lasts only a few days. The City focuses on whether the use fits the site, has safe access and parking, controls noise and trash, and will be removed cleanly when it ends (§§ 17.104.030, 17.16.070).

Source References

• Rancho Cucamonga Municipal Code, Temporary Uses purpose: § 17.104.010
• Rancho Cucamonga Municipal Code, permit requirements and exemptions: § 17.104.020
• Rancho Cucamonga Municipal Code, general development standards: § 17.104.030
• Rancho Cucamonga Municipal Code, standards for specific temporary uses: § 17.104.040
• Rancho Cucamonga Municipal Code, temporary use permit process and findings: § 17.16.070
• Rancho Cucamonga Municipal Code, zones and overlays: § 17.26.020
• Rancho Cucamonga Municipal Code, yard sales: § 17.92.040