San Bernardino — Development Standards

Last reviewed: July 3, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes the City of San Bernardino Development Code rules that set the development standards (setbacks, heights, lot coverage, density and related dimensional controls) that apply to parcels and projects. The municipal rules are codified in the City’s Development Code (title shown in the Code as the “City of San Bernardino Development Code”), with the primary residential dimensional controls in § 19.04.030 (Table 04.02) and commercial/industrial tables in the accompanying chapters. See the City zoning overview for mapping and zone look‑ups at San Bernardino Zoning. § 19.02.010 establishes the Code title and purpose.

Note: the City uses a Development Code (chapter numbering in the 19.x series) rather than a “Title 17” label — confirm with the Planning counter for any paper submittal. § 19.02.010.

How to read this page

• Bolded terms are the official zone or numeric standards you will reference on plans (for example, RS, CO, OIP, 35% lot coverage).
• The first mention of related permitting topics is hyperlinked to the internal GoCodebook pages you will likely need during application: San Bernardino Zoning, San Bernardino Parking, San Bernardino Design Review, San Bernardino Overlay Districts, San Bernardino ADUs, San Bernardino Landscaping and Screening, and California Building Standards Code.
• Every specific requirement below is grounded to the Development Code section cited with the § symbol and the City file preview citation.

District-by-district development standards (summary; always confirm on a parcel-level)

Note: the Code organizes dimensional standards in zone-specific tables: the Residential standards live in Table 04.02 (see § 19.04.030), Commercial in Table 06.02 (see § 19.06), Industrial in Table 08.02 (see § 19.08), and Overlay modifications in chapters such as the Transit Overlay (19.19‑A) and Hillside Management Overlay (19.17).

RE (Rural Estate)

• Purpose & where used: rural/small‑lot edge single‑family locations; see § 19.04 series.
• Typical permitted uses: single family and compatible accessory uses per Table 04.01 (residential uses).
• Key dimensional standards (from Table 04.02 / § 19.04.030): lot area and front/side/rear setbacks specified in the Table; refer to Table 04.02 for exact numeric minima for RE lots.

RL (Low‑density Residential)

• Purpose: conventional single‑family neighborhoods; see Table 04.02.
• Uses: single‑family dwellings, ADUs per local ADU rules (see § 19.04.030(2)(P) and the ADU policy chapter)
• Key standards: setbacks, lot coverage and maximum building height shown in Table 04.02; many single‑family zones list building lot coverage at 35% and heights in the range shown in the Table.

RS (Single‑Family Residential)

• Purpose: the standard single‑family zone; single family dwellings regulated to protect neighborhood scale. See § 19.04.030 and Table 04.02.
• Typical standards you’ll see: minimum lot area, front setback, side setbacks, rear setback, maximum lot coverage (often 35%), and maximum height (Table 04.02). Confirm the specific numeric row for RS in Table 04.02.

RU / RM / RMH / RH (Higher density residential zones)

• Purpose: increasing density bands from RU through RH (Residential High) for multifamily housing; each zone has specific maximum dwelling units per net acre in Table 04.02.
• Permitted uses: townhomes, apartments, condominiums (see Table 04.01 uses and § 19.04 series).
• Key dimensional standards:
  • Density: expressed as units/net acre in Table 04.02 (e.g., RM and RH have maximums listed in the Table — see Table 04.02 and § 19.04.030).
  • Lot coverage: multi‑family lot coverage limits appear in Table 04.02 (typical values include 35%–50% depending on the subzone).
  • Height: maximum stories/feet per zone are listed in Table 04.02 (examples shown range from 2–4 stories and up to 56 ft in some multi‑family zones).

CO / CG‑1 / CG‑2 / CG‑3 / CR‑1 … (Commercial base zones)

• Purpose: commercial districts with different intensities (office, neighborhood commercial, regional retail). See Table 06.02 and § 19.06.
• Typical permitted uses: retail, personal services, offices, some residential in mixed‑use configured zones (see Table 06.02 for permitted uses and development permit status).
• Key dimensional standards (Table 06.02 / § 19.06):
  • Front setbacks vary by subzone (common values: 0–20 ft).
  • Lot coverage (maximum) varies; common values include 50%–100% depending on subzone.
  • Max structure height: provided in Table 06.02 (examples: 2–4 stories; CR and CH have higher allowances in certain commercial districts).

OIP / IL / IH / IE (Industrial zones)

• Purpose: light to heavy industrial and office‑industrial park uses. See Table 08.02 and § 19.08.
• Uses: manufacturing, warehousing, distribution, limited ancillary retail (with conditions), office‑industrial park uses.
• Key dimensional standards (Table 08.02 / § 19.08):
  • Net lot area minimums (e.g., 10,000–40,000 s.f. for various industrial zones).
  • Setbacks: typical front setbacks 10–20 ft, side/rear 10 ft (street side varied).
  • Lot coverage (maximum) ranges from 50% to 75%.
  • Height: varies by zone (e.g., 42–50 ft or story limits), with some IH zones allowing greater height where justified.

TD — Transit Overlay District (chapter 19.19‑A)

• Purpose: to promote transit‑oriented development with station‑area specific building form standards. See § 19.19‑A.050 and Table 19‑A.01.
• Effect on standards: the TD generally defers to the base zone for uses but sets explicit build‑to line (minimum/maximum setbacks), upper‑floor stepbacks, and station‑area maximum heights (examples: neighborhood station max 30 ft / 2 stories, downtown station max 100 ft / 7 stories in Table 19‑A.01) while also allowing "no minimum lot size" and "no maximum lot coverage" in many TD station areas.
• Important limit: new development adjacent to single‑family zones may be capped at 30 ft / 2 stories per the TD notes.

Hillside Management Overlay (HM — Chapter 19.17)

• Purpose: manage development on steep slopes — affects setbacks, height, and density transfers. See § 19.17 (Hillside Management Overlay).
• Examples: minimum parcel sizes not specified, but setbacks and building height calculations for infill on sloped lots are handled with special rules including "immediately uphill lot" height limits and transfer of density between slope categories.

Adaptive Reuse, Historic and Other Overlay Districts

• Adaptive Reuse Overlay (19.19‑B) allows special adjustments and minor modifications to standards where reuse is intended; see § 19.19‑B.
• Historic overlays and other special overlays modify design and sometimes setbacks/height — consult the specific overlay chapter and the Overlay Districts index (see San Bernardino Overlay Districts). Not all overlay modifications are identical; check the overlay chapter for parcel applicability.

Quick reference table — most decision‑relevant numeric standards

(For full numeric detail, consult the full Table 04.02 / 06.02 / 08.02 rows for the specific zone and parcel; the Code treats the tabular values as the controlling minima/maxima. § 19.04.030; § 19.06; § 19.08.) filefile

How overlays and special districts change standards

• Overlay districts (Transit Overlay 19.19‑A, Hillside 19.17, Adaptive Reuse 19.19‑B, etc.) may override base zone standards for setbacks, lot coverage, lot size, or height. The Transit Overlay explicitly can eliminate minimum lot size and maximum coverage within station areas and sets build‑to line and stepback rules (§ 19.19‑A.050; Table 19‑A.01).
• For hillside parcels, the HM overlay sets slope categories, transfer rules, and special setback/height calculations; see § 19.17.

Design review, parking and other linked standards

• Many development permit approvals will require design review; refer to the Design Review chapter and the City’s Design Review page for process and submittal requirements. See San Bernardino Design Review.
• Off‑street parking and loading requirements are in the Off‑Street Parking chapter (referenced as Chapter 19.24 in the Development Code) and must be met in conjunction with dimensional standards — consult San Bernardino Parking and Chapter 19.24 for ratios and special exceptions.
• Landscaping, screening and refuse enclosures are addressed in the Property Development Standards chapter (see § 19.20.030 and related tables) and the Landscaping and Screening chapter; screening of outdoor storage and refuse is explicitly required by these standards. See San Bernardino Landscaping and Screening and § 19.20.030. file
• Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are governed by local ADU provisions (see § 19.04.030(2)(P)) and must also comply with state ADU law. See San Bernardino ADUs. file
• The Development Code deliberately separates zoning development standards from building and life‑safety construction rules; refer to the California Building Standards Code for building technical requirements. See California Building Standards Code.

Checklist — what an applicant must satisfy (parcel‑level verification required)

• Confirm the parcel’s exact base zone and any overlays via San Bernardino Zoning and Overlay Districts. file
• Use the controlling numeric row from Table 04.02, 06.02, or 08.02 for setbacks, lot coverage, height and density as applicable (see § 19.04.030, § 19.06, § 19.08). filefile
• Confirm whether the parcel sits within an overlay (TD, HM, Adaptive Reuse, Historic) and apply overlay modifications (see § 19.19‑A, § 19.17, § 19.19‑B). file
• Check off‑street parking requirements in Chapter 19.24 and compute vehicle circulation and loading to ensure compliance; include parking in site plan.
• Meet Property Development Standards (fences, screening, projections into setbacks, solar design, refuse enclosures) per § 19.20.030.
• For ADUs, follow local ADU section 19.04.030(2)(P) and applicable state ADU law; verify setbacks and size allowances. file
• Determine whether design review or a discretionary permit (Development Permit / Conditional Use Permit) is required; prepare elevations and materials for Design Review. See San Bernardino Design Review and the review authority list in § 19.02.040. file

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain‑English summary

San Bernardino’s Development Code (the City’s “Development Code” chapters, especially § 19.04.030 and the tabular standards) sets fixed numeric minimums and maximums for setbacks, lot coverage, heights, and densities by zone; overlays (Transit, Hillside, Adaptive Reuse, etc.) can change those numbers for specific areas, so always check the parcel’s base zone + overlays before preparing plans. file

Source References

• City of San Bernardino Development Code — Basic provisions and title: § 19.02.010.
• Residential development standards — § 19.04.030 and Table 04.02 (Residential Development Standards).
• Commercial zones table — Table 06.02 and related standards in § 19.06.
• Industrial zones table — Table 08.02 and standards in § 19.08.030.
• Transit Overlay District building form and placement standards — § 19.19‑A.050 and Table 19‑A.01.
• Hillside Management Overlay — Chapter 19.17 (HM overlay rules on setbacks, height, and density transfers).
• Property development standards (fences, screening, projections, additional height restrictions) — § 19.20.030.
• Off‑street parking reference and cross‑references to Chapter 19.24 (Off‑Street Parking Standards).
• Accessory Dwelling Units local rules — § 19.04.030(2)(P) and the ADU policy text contained in the Code.
• Note on state ADU and Building Code: California ADU guidance and California Building Standards Code referenced for construction standards (state rules govern building code items). See California Building Standards Code and 2025 California ADU handbook. file

Retrieved passages

• CRC § 21155 (Section 21155) High relevance show source text
• San Bernardino Zoning Code (section shall) High relevance show source text
• San Bernardino Zoning Code (Chapter 5.10) High relevance show source text
• San Bernardino Zoning Code (Section 19.04.030) High relevance show source text
• San Bernardino Zoning Code (section establishes) High relevance show source text
• San Bernardino Zoning Code High relevance show source text
• San Bernardino Zoning Code (Section 19.04.030) High relevance show source text
• San Bernardino Zoning Code (section shall) High relevance show source text

Cited sections

• City of San Bernardino Development Code — Basic provisions and title: **§ 19.02.010**. (§ 19.02.010)
• Residential development standards — **§ 19.04.030** and Table 04.02 (Residential Development Standards). (§ 19.04.030)
• Commercial zones table — Table 06.02 and related standards in **§ 19.06**. (§ 19.06)
• Industrial zones table — Table 08.02 and standards in **§ 19.08.030**. (§ 19.08.030)
• Transit Overlay District building form and placement standards — **§ 19.19‑A.050** and Table 19‑A.01. (§ 19.19)
• Hillside Management Overlay — **Chapter 19.17** (HM overlay rules on setbacks, height, and density transfers). (Chapter 19.17)
• Property development standards (fences, screening, projections, additional height restrictions) — **§ 19.20.030**. (§ 19.20.030)
• Off‑street parking reference and cross‑references to Chapter **19.24** (Off‑Street Parking Standards).
• Accessory Dwelling Units local rules — **§ 19.04.030(2)(P)** and the ADU policy text contained in the Code. (§ 19.04.030)
• Note on state ADU and Building Code: California ADU guidance and California Building Standards Code referenced for construction standards (state rules govern building code items). See California Building Standards Code and 2025 California ADU handbook. file
• SanBernardino_ZoningCode.md
• 2025 California ADU handbook.md
• 2025 California Existing Buildindg Code.md

• Official San Bernardino code library