Specific plans. Specific plans are a tool for implementing the areas of at least 300 contiguous acres. Specific plans allow for flexibility in design and customized development standards tailored to specific needs and conditions. Specific plans must be consistent with the general plan and comply with the specific content and procedural requirements of state law. Specific plans provide the basis for the development of the properties [in] the plan area. To the extent that a specific plan is silent as to any matter, it may be supplemented by applicable provisions of this Development Code, provided that the provisions of a specific plan supersede and control over any conflicting provisions of this Development Code without regard as to which is more or less stringent. Subsequent development within a designated specific plan area must be consistent with the corresponding specific plan document(s) for that area.

Master plans. Master plans are discretionary planning entitlements (not a zone) that allow flexibility in the allowed uses and development standards for specific types of projects. Master plans are required for mixed-use projects and other integrated developments that warrant special development consideration beyond conventional zoning regulations to address the special or unique needs or characteristics. The master plan entitlement requires preparation of a conceptual master plan to address issues such as circulation, drainage, open space linkages, trail connections, compatibility with adjacent uses, and similar concerns through a comprehensive approach and creative design flexibility. Master plans are intended to insure a harmonious relationship between the existing and proposed uses, and to coordinate and promote the community improvement efforts of both private and public resources. Subsequent development within the master planned areas must be consistent with the approved conceptual master plans.

Overlay zones. Overlay zones establish unique use and/or development regulations for areas of the city to address special site conditions, protect resources, and/or address land use needs opportunities in combination with the base zones of the same parcels. Regulations for overlay zones supplement the regulations that apply to the corresponding base zone. To the extent that the overlay zone establishes allowed land use or development standards that deviate from those of the base zone, however, the regulations for the overlay zone prevail. An overlay zone will apply to the entirety of an individual parcel. The city has established overlay zones for Cucamonga Station, industrial commercial, hillside development, senior housing, and equestrian uses. Descriptions of each are provided in section 17.114.030 (Overlay zone descriptions).

Specific plans (specific plan zones).

Master plans.

Overlay zones.

Specific plans. Specific plans are legislatively enacted planning documents that replace the zoning of the property for the project area. As such, specific plans may include unique zoning regulations and procedures for subsequent development within the project area. Where a specific plan establishes unique regulations that conflict with regulations in this Development Code, the regulations in the specific plan shall prevail. Where the specific plan is silent or refers to the city's Development Code for regulations, this Development Code applies.

Master plans. Master plans are a discretionary planning entitlement that allows for the establishment of unique land use and/or development standards within the designated project area. Where a master plan is adopted or approved with unique regulations that deviate from the regulations in the city's Development Code, the regulations in the master plan shall apply to subsequent development within the project area. Where a master plan is silent or refers to the city's Development Code for zoning or development regulations, this Development Code applies.

Overlay zones. Overlay zones, by definition, establish special land use and/or development standards for particular geographic areas of the city. Those special land use and/or development standards supplement the zoning regulations of the underlying base zone. Where the zoning regulations of the overlay zone conflict with the regulations of the base zone or any other provisions in this Development Code, the regulations of the overlay zone shall apply. Where the overlay zone is silent or refers to the city's Development Code for zoning or development regulations, this Development Code applies.

Empire Lakes Specific Plan (ELSP). The Empire Lakes Specific Plan was adopted in 1994. It includes 380 acres within the previously adopted industrial specific plan area as Sub-Area 18. The primary purpose of this subsequent specific plan is to provide for a broader mix of land uses than was originally permitted within the industrial area specific plan. The plan was expanded to include such uses as recreational, hotel/conference center, retail, restaurant, and entertainment, as well as office, research and development, and light industrial uses. These uses are intended to surround the existing 18-hole golf course. A subsequent amendment to further expand the use list included limited multi-unit residential development to maximize potential use of the Metrolink station near Milliken Avenue.

Etiwanda Heights Neighborhood and Conservation Plan (EHNCP). The Etiwanda Heights Neighborhood and Conservation Plan was adopted by the city council in 2019. The plan area is located along the northeastern edge of the city at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains; west of State Route 15, north of State Route 210, and north of existing residential neighborhoods in the city. The plan area includes 4,393 acres. The plan represents a unique opportunity to permanently preserve unspoiled views of the San Gabriel foothills and mountains, permanently conserve rural open space and habitat resources, secure recreational access to the foothills, while providing unique new neighborhoods that reflect the city's heritage. This plan has been prepared to guide land use and shape new development within the plan area. The community-based vision is for large quantities of conserved rural and natural open space in the plan's 3,603-acre rural/conservation area, underwritten by and in balance with high quality neighborhood development in the 790-acre southerly neighborhood area already surrounded by existing neighborhoods. This area had long been under San Bernardino County's jurisdiction, and the city's interest is to implement this plan for the future of this portion of rural land, preserving much of the foothills for future generations. Please refer to the adopted Etiwanda Heights Neighborhood and Conservation Plan maintained by the planning department and city clerk for comprehensive details.

Victoria Gardens Master Plan. The Victoria Gardens Master Plan was adopted in 2009 as a subset of Victoria Arbors for 174 acres for the Victoria Gardens Regional Mixed-Use Lifestyle Center. Please refer to the adopted Victoria Gardens Master Plan document maintained by the planning department and city clerk for comprehensive details.

Cucamonga Station Area. The Cucamonga Station (CS) Overlay Zone designates an area around the Rancho Cucamonga Metrolink station for modified FAR and density standards.

Senior Housing Overlay Zone. The Senior Housing (SH) Overlay Zone designates areas for construction of affordable rental housing units for senior citizens. Special development regulations include qualifications, incentives, and required agreements for development and maintenance of affordable senior housing projects. Specific regulations can be found in chapter 17.38 (Overlay Zones and Other Special Planning Areas).

Equestrian Overlay Zone. The Equestrian (E) Overlay Zone designates areas of the city for the keeping of equine, bovine, and cleft-hoofed animals. Special development regulations include standards for animal keeping and trail requirements as outlined in chapter 17.38 (Overlay Zones and Other Special Planning Areas).

Hillside Overlay Zone. The Hillside (H) Overlay Zone establishes special development regulations for hillside areas of the city with a slope equal to or greater than eight percent. A complete listing of the development regulations for qualifying hillside areas is included in chapter 17.52 (Hillside Development).

Camino Predera Overlay Zone. The Camino Predera (CP) Overlay Zoning District establishes optional development standards for 38 developed and undeveloped properties that are located on the north and south sides of Camino Predera and all properties that have street frontage along Predera Court, a residential neighborhood generally located north of Foothill Boulevard/Pacific Electric (PE) Trail and west of Carnelian Avenue/Cucamonga Creek, in the Low Residential (L) Zone. Optional development standards that will apply to these properties are identified in chapter 17.38. A complete listing of additional development regulations for Camino Predera is included in chapter 17.52 (Hillside Development).

Agricultural Overlay. The Agricultural Overlay establishes provisions which allows the continuation and minor expansion of historic agricultural legacy uses related to the city's cultural heritage which, by way of zoning practices of preceding decades, may have become nonconforming to current standards. The Agricultural Overlay is noncontiguous and any mapping amendments to official maps, figures or exhibits will occur at such time that an application for an Agricultural Overlay designation is approved by the relevant decision-making authority. Development regulations for the Agricultural Overlay is included in chapter 17.38 (Overlay Zones and Other Special Planning Areas).