Developing in our City? We want to help your project be a success, one which you and the City can be proud of. This information is intended to take the mystery out of working with the City and help you understand the Development Review process. The more familiar you are with the City and our process, the more prepared you will be and the better able we will be to guide your application to a successful completion.

• Why is There a Review Process?

• When Do I Need Development Review?

• Design Guidelines

• Who Will Review?

• What Happens Once You Apply?

• What if Application is Incomplete?

• Who Makes Decision?

• Appeals

Why is There a Review Process?

When Rancho Cucamonga became a city in 1977, it did so to establish a strong local planning foundation and to develop standards intended to promote quality development. It is the intent of the City to provide the highest quality environment for the community. This philosophy is embodied in the Development Review process. Therefore, a professional, well thought-out submittal is important to the success of any project. Although the process contains many steps, it is devised in such a way that most reviews are done concurrently to expedite the project. City staff is committed to helping the applicant as much as possible to develop a successful proposal. Click here to see the Process Flowchart.

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When do I need Development Review?

Development Review approval is required for construction or modification of all commercial, industrial, institutional structures and residential projects with five or more dwelling units which meet any of the following criteria:

• New construction on vacant property.

• Structural additions or new buildings which are equal to 50% of the floor area of existing on-site building(s), or have a minimum 10,000 square feet in size.

• Reconstruction projects which are equal to 50% of the floor area of existing on-site building(s), or have a minimum 10,000 square feet in size.

• Projects involving a substantial change or intensification of land use, such as the conversion of an existing building to a restaurant, or the conversion of a residential structure to an office or commercial use.

• Projects of a limited size and scope which do not meet the above criteria may require an application for Minor Development Review.

• Residential construction involving four (4) or less dwelling units are subject to review by Design Review Committee upon referral by the Planning Director.

• Subdivision maps (the division of land into five (5) or more parcels).

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Design Guidelines

The City of Rancho Cucamonga has a very comprehensive Development Review process because of the emphasis on obtaining the highest design quality. Design guideline handouts are available from the Planning Department to assist you and your design professional team in addition to those policies and development regulations found in the General Plan, Development Code, specific plans and community plans. The Planning Department can show you examples of successfully designed projects.

Who Will Review?

The processing of a project is the responsibility of the Community Development Department which includes three divisions: Building & Safety, Engineering/Public Works, and Planning. In order to facilitate review, one staff member from each department is assigned to work with you throughout the process.

Committees have been established to address major development issues and technical problems prior to Planning Commission review. Your project will be carefully reviewed by the following Review Committees:

• Grading Committee (GRC)

• Technical Review Committee (TRC)

• Design Review Committee (DRC)

• Trails Advisory Committee (Trails)

Other service agencies may be involved in reviewing your project, including but not limited to, the Cucamonga Valley Water District (CVWD), Rancho Cucamonga Fire Protection District, Rancho Cucamonga Police Department, local school districts, and Caltrans.

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What Happens Once You Apply?

The first step is when City staff reviews the application, plans and information for completeness. The applicant is notifed within 30 days after submittal whether the application is complete for processing.

The Development Review process consists of two parts:

• Conceptual Review and Approval: The review of plans for zoning compliance (land use, setbacks, parking, access, coverage), design review (architecture, site planning, landscaping, grading), and environmental review (assessing the impact of project upon the environment). It is at this stage that the Community Development Department and service agencies (water, sewer, police, fire, schools) review your conceptual development plans. Any major problems of design, land use, or service should be resolved prior to the Planning Commission. If historic structures are involved, then the project will also be reviewed by the Historic Preservation Commission.

• Construction and Grading Plans Check: The detailed technical review or working construction drawings in accordance with building and fire codes, City standards, and conditions of approval. This step is the prelude to building permit issuance and inspections as construction proceeds.

What if Application is Incomplete?

The Planning Department will notify the applicant whether the application is complete within 30 days after submittal. If deemed incomplete, a letter will be mailed listing the missing information or corrections needed to the plans. The letter will also identify non-conformities with development standards and major design issues. Further processing of your project cannot begin until complete plans are resubmitted.

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Who Makes Decision?

Planning Commission Review: Development/Design Review applications, which meet any of the following criteria, shall require review and consideration by the Planning Commission:

• Any project being proposed along a Special Boulevard as defined by the General Plan, except for structures within projects with an approved master plan;

• All projects which are master planned. Once the master plan, including architectural guidelines, has been approved by the Planning Commission, individual structures may be approved by the Planning Director;

• All residential subdivisions (tract maps and parcel maps);

• All shopping centers, except individual structures may be approved by the Planning Director, where a master plan, including architectural guidelines, has been approved by the Planning Commission;

• Any project requiring an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) or Environmental Impact Statement (EIS);

• All projects of more than ten acres of land;

• Certain projects within a hillside area are subject to review pursuant to Section 17.24.020(B) of the Development Code;

• Certain projects within the Hillside Overlay;

• All projects within Mixed Use Districts.

Planning Director Review: Development/Design Review applications, which do not require Planning Commission review, as described above, shall be subject to review and approval by the Planning Director. Although, if in the opinion of the Planning Director the application involves unusual site development requirements or unique operating characteristics, or raises questions of development policy substantially more significant than generally pertain to applications for development review and which require Planning Commission consideration, the Planning Director may refer the application to the Planning Commission.

Appeals

• Planning Director: Any action of the Planning Director may be appealed to the Planning Commission. Appeals must be submitted in writing to the Secretary of the Planning Commission, together with the appeal fee, within 10 calendar days of the decision.

• Planning Commission: Decisions of the Planning Commission may be appealed to the City Council. Appeals must be submitted in writing to the City Clerk, together with the appeal fee, within 10 calendar days of the decision.

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