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Chapter 19.19 — B AR (ADAPTIVE REUSE OVERLAY) DISTRICT (MC 1479 4/4/18)

San Bernardino Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · updated 2026-07-06 · San Bernardino

Section Page
19.19-B.010 Purpose ........................................................................................................ II-19.19-B-1
19.19-B.020 Applicability ............................................................................................... II-19.19-B-1
19.19-B.030 General Provisions ..................................................................................... II-19.19-B-1
19.19-B.040 Development Standards ............................................................................. II-19.19-B-2

19.19-B.010 PURPOSE

The purpose of the Adaptive Reuse Overlay is to allow for the repurposing of existing, underutilized commercial and office buildings within the identified overlay area(s) for residential uses. The Adaptive Reuse Overlay contains many historic or architecturally significant buildings. The standards outlined in this chapter will allow for a more diverse mix of uses within the office districts north of the downtown area, and will aid in the preservation of that culturally significant area, while also making strides toward meeting the City’s housing needs. The office to residential conversion will integrate well with the existing residential uses abutting the Commercial Office (CO) Zone.

19.19-B.020 APPLICABILITY

This District consists of a flag shaped overlay bounded approximately by the south side of Highland Avenue on the north, the west side of D Street on the west, east side of Waterman Avenue on the east, the north side of Baseline Street on the south from Waterman Avenue to D Street, then both sides of D Street from Baseline Street to 8[th] Street, in the Commercial Office (CO) Zone within those boundary lines.

19.19-B.030 GENERAL PROVISIONS

1. Only structures constructed prior to 1991 shall be adapted for residential purposes within the areas outlined in section 19.19-B.020.

2. No structure shall be demolished in order to construct new residential units within the area outlined in section 19.19-B.020.

3. The project may exceed the maximum size, placement, and density of the Zoning District in which it is located, provided that all other requirements of this Chapter are met, and that no addition to an existing structure exceeds these maximums.

4. A new loading zone shall not be required if one is not already provided on the existing site.

5. A Development Permit, approved by the Mayor and City Council, shall be required to convert a commercial or office building to residential units.

II-19.19-B-1

Oct. 2019

ADAPTIVE REUSE OVERLAY DISTRICT – 19.19-B

6. This chapter applies to commercial and office developments in the Commercial Office (CO) Zone within the District.

7. Conversion of commercial and office buildings to residential uses must meet all required life and safety standards as required by the Building Official and San Bernardino County Consolidated Fire District.

8. A structure may be modernized for aesthetic integrity where determined to be necessary, or preserved to maintain cultural and historic identity as determined by the Community Development Director.

9. In additional to all other submittal requirements, the applicant shall provide evidence of the economic viability of the project which shall include a pro-forma analysis.

19.19-B.040 DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS

The following development standards shall apply:

1. UNIT SIZE

Residential units must be maintained at a minimum of 500 square feet per unit.

2. LAUNDRY FACILITIES

On-site laundry facilities shall be provided. This can be accomplished by providing common laundry facilities of sufficient number and accessibility consistent with the number of living units and the Uniform Building Code, or each unit can be plumbed and wired for a washing machine and dryer.

3. OPEN SPACE

Indoor or outdoor passive or active recreational open space must equal a minimum of 10% of the total square footage of the building size. The open space may be established as private space for the individual tenants, or can be incorporated as a common area or shared space.

4. PARKING

  • A. One (1) parking space per residential unit, plus one (1) guest parking space per every five (5) units.

  • B. Tandem parking may be used to meet the minimum parking standards.

  • C. If a mixed-use commercial/office and residential reuse is proposed, parking for the commercial or office component must be maintained at a minimum of one parking space per 1,000 square feet.

II-19.19-B-2

Oct. 2019

ADAPTIVE REUSE OVERLAY DISTRICT – 19.19-B

5. MINOR ADJUSTMENTS

Minor adjustments from the standards contained in the City of San Bernardino Development Code shall be granted only when, because of special circumstances applicable to the property, the strict application of the Development Code deprives such property of privileges enjoyed by other property in the vicinity and under identical land use and zoning districts, as determined by the Community Development Director, and only if all provisions contained within this Chapter are met.

II-19.19-B-3

Oct. 2019

ADAPTIVE REUSE OVERLAY DISTRICT – 19.19-B

Intentionally Blank

II-19.19-B-4

Oct. 2019

PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS – 19.20

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Contents — San Bernardino Zoning Code
San Bernardino Zoning Code
  1. Article I — GENERAL PROVISIONS
  2. Chapter 19.02 — BASIC PROVISIONS
  3. Chapter 19.04 — RESIDENTIAL ZONES
  4. Chapter 19.06 — COMMERCIAL ZONES
  5. Chapter 19.08 — INDUSTRIAL ZONES
  6. Chapter 19.10 — SPECIAL PURPOSE ZONES
  7. Chapter 19.10 — E ES (EMERGENCY SHELTER OVERLAY) ZONE (MC 1636…
  8. Chapter 19.11 — TCC (TRICITY CORPORATE CENTRE OVERLAY) ZONE
  9. Chapter 19.12 — A (AIRPORT OVERLAY) DISTRICTS
  10. Chapter 19.12 — A A (AIRPORT) ZONE
  11. Chapter 19.13 — CCS (CENTRAL CITY SOUTH) ZONES
  12. Chapter 19.14 — FC (FREEWAY CORRIDOR OVERLAY) ZONE
  13. Chapter 19.15 — FF (FOOTHILL FIRE ZONES OVERLAY) ZONE
  14. Chapter 19.16 — FP (FLOOD PLAIN OVERLAY) ZONE
  15. Chapter 19.17
  16. Chapter 19.18 — HP (HISTORIC PRESERVATION OVERLAY) ZONE
  17. Chapter 19.19 — MS (MAIN STREET OVERLAY) ZONE
  18. Chapter 19.19 — A TOD (TRANSIT OVERLAY DISTRICT) ZONE
  19. Chapter 19.19 — B AR (ADAPTIVE REUSE OVERLAY) DISTRICT (MC 147…
  20. Chapter 19.20 — PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
  21. Chapter 19.22 — SIGN REGULATIONS
  22. Chapter 19.24 — OFF-STREET PARKING STANDARDS
  23. Chapter 19.26 — OFF-STREET LOADING STANDARDS
  24. Chapter 19.28 — LANDSCAPING STANDARDS
  25. Chapter 19.30 — SUBDIVISION REGULATIONS
  26. Chapter 19.31 — ADMINISTRATION
  27. Chapter 19.32 — APPLICATIONS AND FEES
  28. Chapter 19.34 — CERTIFICATES OF OCCUPANCY
  29. Chapter 19.36 — CONDITIONAL USE PERMITS AND MINOR USE PERMITS
  30. Chapter 19.38 — DESIGN REVIEW
  31. Chapter 19.40 — DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS
  32. Chapter 19.42 — DEVELOPMENT CODE AMENDMENTS
  33. Chapter 19.44
  34. Chapter 19.46 — ENFORCEMENT OF PROVISIONS
  35. Chapter 19.48 — FINAL AND PARCEL MAPS
  36. Chapter 19.50 — GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENTS
  37. Chapter 19.52 — HEARINGS AND APPEALS
  38. Chapter 19.54 — HOME OCCUPATION PERMITS
  39. Chapter 19.56 — INTERPRETATIONS
  40. Chapter 19.58 — MINOR EXCEPTIONS
  41. Chapter 19.60 — MINOR MODIFICATIONS
  42. Chapter 19.62 — NONCONFORMING STRUCTURES AND USES
  43. Chapter 19.63 — REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
  44. Chapter 19.64 — SPECIFIC PLANS
  45. Chapter 19.66 — SUBDIVISION MAPS
  46. Chapter 19.68
  47. Chapter 19.70 — TEMPORARY USE PERMITS
  48. Chapter 19.72 — VARIANCES
  49. Chapter 19.74 — ZONING MAP AMENDMENTS

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