Welcome!
Thank you for your interest in the Countywide Plan!
As part of the Countywide Plan, the County of San Bernardino is making maps simpler, streamlining minor land use changes, and keeping the public informed on more substantial changes. The County also made minor land use revisions to the Draft Land Use Plan based on the public’s input during the 2017 regional open houses and EIR scoping meetings.
Please note that the following tables and maps are DRAFT — intended only for public review. This content will also be presented for further public review at a series of regional meetings to be held later this year. None of the proposed content is final or adopted.
PROPOSED LAND USE CATEGORIES
The County’s current Land Use District (LUD) system serves as its Zoning and Policy map (aka, a one-map system). The County is proposing to transition to a two-map system that retains the current LUD system as Zoning Districts and introduces a second land use mapping system that groups the current LUDs into simplified Land Use Categories (LUCs).
While the Draft Land Use Plan may look different because of the introduction of simplified LUCs, the vast majority of areas retain the same intent, nature, and development potential as under the currently adopted Land Use Plan. Click on the links below to read more about the proposed LUCs and the relationship to the current system.
Table LU-1. Land Use Categories. Summarizes the permitted density/intensity range, the primary purpose, and typical permitted uses for each category.
Table LU-2. Land Use Category/Zoning Equivalency Matrix. Depicts the implementing Land Use Zoning Districts for each proposed Land Use Category.
There are three main advantages to a two-map system:
Simpler Maps
The new mapping system will help users to visually understand land use patterns at a community, regional, and countywide scale
Today, under the current system, maps must show over 200 distinct land use districts, leading to maps that rely on text that can often only be read and understood at a parcel scale.
The Proposed colored maps will clearly visualize 11 generalized land use categories that can be read and understood at parcel, community, regional, and countywide scales.
Streamlining
The new mapping system will streamline minor changes in land use by eliminating the need for a general plan amendment.
Today, under the current system, a property owner seeking to change from one-acre residential lots (RS-1) to half-acre lots (RS-20M) would need a zoning and general plan amendment.
Under the Proposed system, the property owner would only need a zoning amendment because both districts (RS-1 and RS-20M) fall under the same Land Use Category (Very Low Density Residential or VLDR).
Protects and Informs
The new mapping system protects and informs the community by keeping the requirement for a general plan amendment for more substantial land use changes.
Today, under the current system, a property owner seeking to change from a residential district (e.g., RS) to a commercial district (e.g., CG) would need a zoning and general plan amendment.
Under the Proposed system, the property owner would still be required to process a zoning and general plan amendment as the two districts fall under different Land Use Categories (LDR and C, respectively).
UPDATES TO THE DRAFT LAND USE PLAN
In response to the public’s input at regional open houses, EIR scoping meetings, and surveys, the County made minor refinements to the Draft Land Use Plan.These refinements fall into one of six topics:
- Expansion of area designated as Open Space
- Introduction of a Very Low-Density Residential land use category
- Reduction of maximum density for the Low-Density Residential and Special Development categories
- Renaming of the Industrial categories
- Land use changes to specific properties based on public input
- Minor adjustments to Muscoy and Pioneertown community boundaries based on public input
Note that these refinements do not change the growth pattern presented at EIR scoping meetings.
LAND USE MAPS
Proposed Land Use Plan. An interactive map to view the revised proposed Draft Land Use Plan along with areas of potential change. The public can search for a property by street address or Assessor’s Parcel Number, change the background (e.g., aerial vs street map), turn information on and off, and click on an area or parcel for more information.
Proposed Land Use Categories. An interactive map to learn more about the Proposed Draft Land Use Categories, including density/intensity, primary purpose, typical uses, implementing Zoning District, and locations throughout the unincorporated county.
Growth Forecast. An infographic showing where the County projects housing and job growth over the next 20+ years in the unincorporated areas, as well as growth projections for incorporated cities and towns. This infographic was updated from that shown at the 2017 regional open houses to include constructed and entitled units in the East Valley Area Plan.
MORE RESOURCES
For those who do not have high-quality internet access, please visit the local County Library or another public facility with computers and internet access.
DRAFT LAND USE TABLES
Table LU-1 summarizes the proposed Policy Plan Land Use Categories, including the permitted density/intensity range, the primary purpose of each category, and a list of typical permitted uses. Table LU-2 depicts the implementing Land Use Zoning Districts for each proposed Land Use Category
Table LU-1. Land Use Categories
Table LU-2. Land Use Category/Zoning Equivalency Matrix
More information. The County proposes to plan and regulate land uses using a two-map system for the unincorporated land in San Bernardino County. In the Draft Policy Plan, a set of broad Land Use Categories will provide long-term guidance and direction for the overall distribution, intensity, and compatibility of development in the unincorporated county areas.
The Policy Plan will provide the basis for and be implemented by the County’s Development Code, which includes a set of Land Use Zoning Districts that establishes detailed land use districts, intensities, requirements, and standards. The Land Use Zoning Districts must be consistent with the Land Use Categories.
While unincorporated areas administered and/or controlled by federal, tribal, and state governments are generally outside of the County’s land use authority, the two-map system will be applied to these areas to convey the long-term land use plans of said entities and provide complete coverage of the unincorporated lands. The Land Use Categories and Zoning Districts would also directly govern land use if the federal, tribal, or state governments relinquished control over any of these lands in the future.
We would love to hear what you have to say!
Please let us know what your thoughts and questions are for the Draft Land Use Plan and proposed Land Use Categories. Public comments on land use changes will be considered when County staff presents the Proposed Land Use Plan for official review and action in early 2019.
If you have a comment or question about the land use changes you may:
-
- Submit a comment (to the left or bottom of this webpage)
- Send an email with your comments to: CountywidePlan@lus.sbcounty.gov
- Attend and comment at additional public meetings (to be held later this year)
-
