Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Fontana, California

Fontana’s own rules

• Local zoningPresent

  Land inside Fontana city limits

  • Zoning is in Chapter 30, Zoning and Development Code

  “Residential development standards are basic standards designed to create quality residential developments.”

• Minimum dwelling sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)

  Single-family dwellings in R-E (2,000 sq ft), R-1 and R-2 (1,200 sq ft) in Fontana city

  • Multifamily minimums are by bedroom count
  • R-PC 2,000 sq ft

  R-E minimum dwelling size: >= 2000 sq ft · R-1 minimum dwelling size: >= 1200 sq ft

  “Minimum dwelling unit size (sq. ft.), one-story 2,000 1,200 1,200”

• Minimum lot sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)

  R-E and R-1 residential districts in Fontana city (columns: R-E, R-1, R-2, R-2, R-3, R-PC)

  • R-1 is 6,000 sq ft with an average of 7,200
  • R-2 3,000 sq ft for detached; R-3 and multifamily R-2 5 acres; R-PC 10,000
  • Note (r) and note (a) exceptions apply

  R-E minimum lot size: >= 21780 sq ft · R-1 minimum lot size: >= 6000 sq ft (average of 7,200)

  “Minimum lot size (sq. ft.) (r) 21,780 6,000 with an average of 7,200 3,000(a) 5 acres 5 acres 10,000”

• SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)

  Single-family front setbacks, R-E, R-1, R-2, R-2, R-3, R-PC in Fontana city

  • Side and rear setbacks also in table
  • Accessory buildings per Sec. 30-461

  R-E front setback: >= 30 feet · R-1 front setback: >= 22 feet

  “Single-Family Setbacks Building to P/L Front 30-foot 22-foot 18-foot 22-foot 25-foot 25-foot”

• Lot coverageDistrict specific (with conditions)

  R-E, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-PC districts in Fontana city

  R-E and R-1 max lot coverage: <= 45 percent

  “Maximum lot coverage (as a percent of adjusted gross acreage of total site) 45% 45% 50% 50% 50% 45%”

• Building heightDistrict specific (with conditions)

  Single-family height in R-E, R-1, R-2 and R-PC in Fontana city

  • Hillside areas limited to 25 feet per Sec. 30-630 (note 5)

  single-family height: <= 35 feet (25 feet in hillside overlay)

  “Single-family (d) 35-foot 35-foot 35-foot N/A N/A 35-foot”

• Living in an RVLimited

  Living in an RV on private property in Fontana city

  • Only on residential private property with owner consent
  • Not within view of the public right-of-way
  • Must not violate Code or state law or create a nuisance
  • Exceptions do not apply if use is prohibited by zoning or mobile home rules

  “Camping on residential private property with consent of the property owner, and where such use does not violate any provision of this Code or state law, does not create or permit a public nuisance, and where such use is not within view of the public right-of-way;”

• Camping on your landLimited

  Camping inside Fontana city

  • Allowed only on residential private property with owner consent, out of view of public right-of-way, in city-approved campgrounds, or under a special event permit
  • Unlawful on public property, streets, vacant land

  “It is unlawful and a public nuisance for any person to camp; establish, maintain, allow, operate, or occupy camp facilities; or use camp paraphernalia, in the following areas:”

• Manufactured homesLimited

  Manufactured homes on individual residential lots in Fontana city

  • Permanent foundation
  • Two-car enclosed garage
  • Roof overhang not over 16 inches
  • Fire sprinklered
  • Architecturally compatible with neighborhood
  • Must meet district development standards

  “Manufactured homes may be located on individual lots in all residentially zoned property lots and shall comply with all development standards of the zoning district in which it is located.”

• Building in a floodplainRequired

  Construction in special flood hazard areas in Fontana city

  • Anchoring, flood-resistant materials, elevation and floodproofing standards
  • Manufactured homes must meet Sec. 12-42 anchoring

  “In all areas of special flood hazards, the following standards are required:”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Fontana or San Bernardino County directly.

• Building permit — Building permits in Fontana city
• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption in Fontana city
• Building code adopted — Building code in Fontana city
• Inspections — Building inspections in Fontana city
• Certificate of occupancy — Certificate of occupancy in Fontana city

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.