Zoning Report
San Bernardino, CA Zoning
San Bernardino’s publicly available city materials show a traditional zoning framework with multiple residential districts ranging from estate lots to high-density multifamily, plus at least one student-housing overlay tied to California State University San Bernardino. The available source set for this report is incomplete, but it does confirm that the city regulates use, density, and development standards by zone and publishes its Development Code through the city website. Flood-related constraints should also be checked because FEMA mapping is available and floodplain regulation is commonly relevant, although the provided city source set does not include a complete city flood overlay chapter.
Last researched June 2026
Zoning Districts in San Bernardino, CA
RE (Residential Estate)
Low-density residential district intended for large lots with an estate character.
Allowed uses: Residential uses per residential use table; exact full list not fully captured in provided source excerpt
RL (Residential Low)
Low-density single-family detached neighborhood district on large lots.
Allowed uses: Residential uses per residential use table; exact full list not fully captured in provided source excerpt
RS (Residential Suburban)
Single-family detached residential district in a suburban setting.
Allowed uses: Residential uses per residential use table; exact full list not fully captured in provided source excerpt
RU (Residential Urban)
Residential district intended for detached and attached units, duplex, mobile home parks, and small lot subdivisions as part of planned residential development with open-space consolidation.
Allowed uses: Detached dwelling units, Attached dwelling units, Duplex, Mobile home parks, Small lot subdivisions
RM (Residential Medium)
Medium-density multifamily residential district.
Allowed uses: Multifamily residential uses per residential use table; exact full list not fully captured in provided source excerpt
RMH (Residential Medium High)
Medium-high density multifamily residential district.
Allowed uses: Multifamily residential uses per residential use table; exact full list not fully captured in provided source excerpt
RH (Residential High)
High-density multifamily residential district.
Allowed uses: Multifamily residential uses per residential use table; exact full list not fully captured in provided source excerpt
RSH (Residential Student Housing)
Student housing overlay for specified sites near California State University San Bernardino.
Allowed uses: Student housing complexes on qualifying sites near the university
Recent Zoning Changes
The clearest recent change in the provided materials is an ADU ordinance update approved in January 2026 that consolidates county ADU rules into a stand-alone chapter. However, that change applies to San Bernardino County’s unincorporated Development Code, not necessarily to the City of San Bernardino. No clearly documented recent city zoning amendment was found in the supplied city sources.
Setbacks, Lot Size & Height Limits in San Bernardino, CA
The provided city residential chapter gives strong district-level density and minimum lot area information for the main residential zones, but the excerpt does not include the full table of setbacks, height, coverage, or open-space standards. Residential density standards are therefore more reliable here than complete bulk standards.
| District | Standard | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| RE | minimum lot size | 1 net acre per unit |
| RL | minimum average lot size | 10,800 square feet |
| RL | maximum density | 3.1 units per net acre |
| RS | minimum lot size | 7,200 square feet |
| RS | maximum density | 4.5 units per net acre |
| RU | minimum lot size | 7,200 square feet — On existing lots of record recorded prior to June 2, 1989, a minimum lot area of 6,200 square feet and existing lot widths and depths are permitted. |
| RU | maximum density | eight units per net acre |
| RU | senior citizen and senior congregate care housing density | 12 units per net acre — Requires a marketing feasibility study and a conversion plan. |
| RM | minimum lot size | 14,400 square feet |
| RM | maximum density | 12 units per net acre — Parcels less than 14,400 square feet in area shall be developed at RU density. |
| RMH | minimum lot size | 20,000 square feet |
| RMH | maximum density | 24 units per net acre — Lots 14,400-20,000 square feet shall be development at RM density; lots less than 14,400 square feet shall be developed at RU density. |
| RH | minimum lot size | 20,000 square feet |
| RH | maximum density | 31 units per net acre — Lots 14,400-20,000 square feet shall be developed at RM density; lots less than 14,400 square feet shall be developed at RU density. |
| RSH | minimum site size | at least five acres — Also must be within 500 feet of CSU San Bernardino and on specifically described sites. |
| RSH | maximum density | 20 units per acre — No more than 60 bedrooms per acre. |
| RSH | bedroom cap | 60 bedrooms per acre |
Overlay Districts in San Bernardino, CA
RSH (Residential Student Housing) Overlay
Overlay designed to allow student housing complexes near California State University San Bernardino on specified qualifying sites.
FEMA Flood Hazard Mapping
Federal flood mapping identifies areas with flood risk that may trigger floodplain development requirements, insurance implications, and design constraints.
San Bernardino, CA Zoning FAQ
What is the minimum lot size in San Bernardino, CA?
Minimum lot size depends on the zoning district — RE: 1 net acre per unit; RL: 10,800 square feet; RS: 7,200 square feet; RU: 7,200 square feet.
What zoning districts are in San Bernardino, CA?
San Bernardino, CA includes districts such as RE (Residential Estate), RL (Residential Low), RS (Residential Suburban), RU (Residential Urban), RM (Residential Medium), RMH (Residential Medium High), RH (Residential High), RSH (Residential Student Housing).
Are there flood zones or overlay districts in San Bernardino, CA?
Flood risk is the only clearly supported environmental constraint in the provided source set. The materials do not include a full city environmental overlay chapter, so other common constraints such as hillsides, wetlands, habitat, or airport compatibility cannot be confirmed from the supplied sources.
Have there been recent zoning changes in San Bernardino, CA?
The clearest recent change in the provided materials is an ADU ordinance update approved in January 2026 that consolidates county ADU rules into a stand-alone chapter. However, that change applies to San Bernardino County’s unincorporated Development Code, not necessarily to the City of San Bernardino.
Common questions about San Bernardino, CA zoning
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- ARTICLE II – ZONES - CHAPTER 19.04 RESIDENTIAL ZONES — Primary city source for residential districts, density, minimum lot area, and the RSH student housing overlay.
- Development Code | San Bernardino, CA — Confirms the city publishes a Development Code and that posted materials are informational; used as a city code access reference.
- Flood Maps | FEMA.gov — Used to support parcel-level flood hazard due diligence and environmental constraint flagging.
- Planning Home – Land Use Services — County planning overview; useful mainly to distinguish county unincorporated planning from city jurisdiction and to identify adopted county ADU notice.
- Development Code – Land Use Services — County development code page used only for recent county amendment context and jurisdiction distinction; not relied on for city zoning rules.
- SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING AGENDA - May 21, 2026 — Shows recent county planning commission activity but is not a city precedent; included with caution for regional context only.
This summary is AI-generated from public municipal sources and is not legal, engineering, or land-use advice. Always verify zoning with San Bernardino, CA officials before making decisions.