Fontana · Land use · Apartment building
Where is an apartment building (multifamily housing) allowed in Fontana?
In Fontana, an apartment building (multifamily housing) is allowed in 12 base zones (R-2, R-3, Station Area, Downtown Gateway, Multi-Family and 7 more, 1 with a condition), needs a conditional use permit in 1 (RMU, it with a condition) and not allowed in 9 (Fontana use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Allowed: R-2, R-3, Station Area, Downtown Gateway, Multi-Family, Transitional, Sierra Gateway, Route 66 Gateway and 4 more
- Needs a permit: RMU
- Not allowed: R-E, R-1, R-PC, Civic, Neighborhood, Civic Core, Sierra Core, Gateway Core and 1 more
Find your lot's zone on the city zoning map, then read its row. Every status below was read from the Fontana Municipal Code use tables (read October 2026). Base zones only. General information, not legal advice — check with the city before you apply.
Zones where an apartment building (multifamily housing) can go
Fontana's code calls this use “Multiple-family dwelling / development”. Each row links to the use table it comes from. A zone marked “see note” has a condition in the code, for example upper floors only or a larger lot.
| Zone | Status | Code |
|---|---|---|
| R-2 | Allowed | Division 3 — USE REGULATIONS |
| R-3 | Allowed | Division 3 — USE REGULATIONS |
| Station Area | Allowed | § 30-359 |
| Downtown Gateway | Allowed | § 30-359 |
| Multi-Family | Allowed | § 30-359 |
| Transitional | Allowed | § 30-359 |
| Sierra Gateway | Allowed | § 30-359 |
| Route 66 Gateway | Allowed | § 30-359 |
| Valley Gateway | Allowed | § 30-359 |
| Village | Allowed | § 30-359 |
| Multi-Family Core | Allowed | § 30-359 |
| Neighborhood Core | Allowed — see note Note S: Uses marked with an S superscript indicate that the use is subject to special use regulations in (reference specific use regulations) Section 30-360. | § 30-359 |
| RMU | Needs a conditional use permit — see note Note row: Row reads 'Multiple-family dwellings with an area plan'. | Division 3 — USE REGULATIONS |
Zones where it is not allowed
What else applies
- Commercial table row is 'Multiple-family dwellings with an area plan' (RMU C only).
- State law: State laws such as AB 2011, SB 6 and the density bonus law can allow homes on some commercial sites, or more units than this table shows.
- Not covered here: Overlay districts (S11-S19: medical center, utility corridor, hillside, auto center, warehousing/logistics, fire hazard, business park, R-4 overlay, entertainment center) are not base zones; Specific plans / planned community areas outside the tables; Form-Based Code districts (Civic, Station Area, ... and the '... Core' districts) are listed as zoning districts of Article III; the page may want to show them apart from the conventional zones. Overlay zones and specific plans can also change the answer.
Other uses in Fontana
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I have an apartment building (multifamily housing) in the RMU zone in Fontana?
Only with a conditional use permit. Fontana's use table lists it that way in RMU (Division 3 — USE REGULATIONS). The code adds a condition: “Row reads 'Multiple-family dwellings with an area plan'.”
Can I have an apartment building (multifamily housing) in the R-E zone in Fontana?
No. Fontana's use table does not allow it in R-E (Division 3 — USE REGULATIONS).
Can I have an apartment building (multifamily housing) in the R-2 zone in Fontana?
Yes. Fontana's use table lists it as allowed in R-2 (Division 3 — USE REGULATIONS).
General information, not legal advice.
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