Loma Linda Zoning, Planning & Building Codes

Last reviewed: July 25, 2026 · AI-generated overview · General information, not legal advice · detailsless

Compiled with AI research tools from official sources. Verify with the jurisdiction.

Overview

Loma Linda regulates land use through the Loma Linda Municipal Code’s zoning regulations in Title 17 (Zoning) and related planning titles for subdivisions (Title 16) and growth management/hillside policy (Title 19). The city applies a mapped set of base districts and overlays, objective design standards, and special plan areas. Most core dimensional standards (setbacks, heights, coverage, FAR) live in district-specific tables, with additional rules for hillside conservation/preservation and the Historic Mission Overlay.

Key housing takeaway: A compliant ADU up to 800 sq ft, 16 ft tall, with 4 ft side/rear setbacks must be approved ministerially; local lot coverage, FAR, and minimum lot size cannot be applied to preclude it (§ 17.110.030).

How Loma Linda’s code is organized

• Zoning map and districts
  • The city adopts and maintains an official zoning map; all properties are assigned a zone on that map (§ 17.04.100; § 17.02.030). Districts and overlays are established in § 17.04.050.
• Base zone development standards
  • Residential standards are in Table 2-2 (§ 17.32.030), hillside residential in Table 2-4 (§ 17.36.030), commercial/industrial in Table 2-6 (§ 17.40.040), and special purpose zones in Table 2-8 (§ 17.44.040). Open space, FAR, coverage, setbacks, and related notes appear with each table.
• Overlays, historic areas, and specific plans
  • Overlays (H, FP, HM, PD, GH) are established in § 17.04.050, with Historic Mission rules and reviews in Chapter 17.82 (e.g., § 17.82.070; § 17.82.090). Specific Plans are authorized in § 17.44.010(E), with “The Groves at Loma Linda” identified in Table SP.
• Objective design and streamlined housing
  • Multifamily and mixed-use with a residential component may use objective standards with ministerial “precise plan of design” review (§ 17.115.080; § 17.115.020). Chapter 17.120 provides by-right/ministerial approvals for qualifying housing projects (§ 17.120.040).
• Subdivisions and vesting
  • Title 16 governs subdivision; vesting tentative maps confer vested rights within stated timeframes (§ 16.08.090).
• Building standards
  • Development is also subject to Title 15 (Buildings and Construction) as referenced in §§ 17.115.020(C) and 17.120.040(B), and state CEQA rules where applicable (§ 17.115.020(D); § 17.82.070).

Quick navigation links:

• Citywide zoning, development standards, parking, design review, overlay districts, historic preservation, ADUs, and the California Building Standards Code.

Zoning district families

Loma Linda establishes these base districts and overlays (§ 17.04.050):

• Residential
  • R-1 (Low Density Residential), R-2 (Medium Density), R-3 (High Density), R-4 (Very High Density).
  • Hillside residential: HR-C (Hillside—Conservation), HR-LD (Hillside—Low Density), HR-MD (Hillside—Medium Density), HR-RE (Hillside—Rural Estate), HR-VL (Hillside—Very Low Density).
• Commercial and industrial
  • C-1 (Neighborhood Commercial), C-2 (General Commercial), CO (Commercial Office), B-P (Business Park), CM (Commercial Manufacturing).
• Special purpose
  • I-HC (Institutional–Health Care), OS (Open Space), PF (Public Facilities), PC (Planned Community).
• Overlays
  • H (Hillside Development), FP (Flood Plain), HM (Historic Mission), PD (Planned Development), GH (Geologic Hazards).

Context-setting policies in the General Plan’s Growth Management Element define citywide residential density designations (e.g., Very Low, Low, Medium, High, Very High) and cap residential building height at 35 ft (§ 19.16.020).

Citywide development standards

Below are representative, citywide rules and typical figures. Always confirm the underlying district table and notes for your site.

Residential neighborhoods (Table 2-2, § 17.32.030)

• Typical lot and form controls
  • R-1: Minimum lot 7,200 sq ft; front setback 25 ft; lot coverage up to 40%; building height 35 ft. Garages must be set back 20 ft from the property line to the garage door face (§ 17.32.030, Table 2-2 & notes 1).
  • R-2/3/4: Maximum densities of 0–9, 0–13, 0–20 du/ac respectively; front setbacks 25/20/20 ft; lot coverage up to 50/60/70%; height 35 ft (§ 17.32.030, Table 2-2). R‑2 has additional step-downs next to R‑1 (note 7).
  • Side setbacks in single-family contexts are typically 15 ft on one side and 5 ft on the other, with an extra 5 ft for each story above the first (§ 17.32.030, Table 2-2).
• Open space for multi-unit projects
  • R-2 requires minimum open space areas (e.g., 600–800 sq ft per unit depending on bedroom count) with a minimum dimension of 15 ft (§ 17.32.030, Table 2-2 Open Space).

Hillside residential (Table 2-4, § 17.36.030; Growth Management § 19.16.020)

• Density and lots
  • HR-C/LD/MD/RE/VL implement hillside densities from 1 du/10 ac to 2 du/ac; example minimum lots: 435,600 sq ft (HR‑C/LD), 217,800 sq ft (HR‑MD), 43,560 sq ft (HR‑RE), 21,780 sq ft (HR‑VL) (§ 17.36.030, Table 2-4).
• Setbacks and heights
  • Front 25 ft; rear 50 ft in HR‑C/LD/MD; maximum height 35 ft (§ 17.36.030, Table 2-4).
  • Ridgeline protection: 100 ft horizontal and 100 ft vertical setbacks from primary ridgelines (§ 17.36.030, note 6).
• Hillside program tools
  • “Hillside area” and “hillside subdivision” are defined; the Council may adopt detailed hillside standards (e.g., lot sizes, setbacks, firefighting access) by resolution (§ 19.08.040; § 19.08.070).

Commercial and industrial (Table 2-6, § 17.40.040; § 17.16.010)

• Typical envelopes
  • C-1/C-2: Front setback 20 ft; FAR 0.5; lot coverage up to 50–60%; height 35 ft (§ 17.40.040, Table 2-6).
  • CO/B-P/CM: FAR 0.5 (CO/B‑P) and 0.6 (CM); coverage up to 70–80%; height 35 ft; CUP may allow additional height (§ 17.40.040, Table 2-6 notes 3).
• Edge and screening rules
  • Decorative masonry walls of 6 ft required where commercial/industrial abuts residential (§ 17.40.040, Table 2-6 notes 2). Outdoor storage must be screened; most uses operate indoors (§ 17.16.010).

Special purpose districts (Table 2-8, § 17.44.040; purposes in § 17.44.010)

• I-HC (Institutional–Health Care): FAR up to 1.0; coverage 50%; front setback 25 ft; intended for hospitals, university, and related housing (§ 17.44.040 Table 2-8; § 17.44.010(A)).
• OS (Open Space): FAR 0.1; large setbacks (50 ft from street for fences) and limited structures ancillary to passive recreation (§ 17.44.040 Table 2-8 & notes 2–3; § 17.44.010(B)).
• PF (Public Facilities): FAR 0.8; height 35 ft; typical civic uses (§ 17.44.040 Table 2-8; § 17.44.010(D)).
• PC (Planned Community): FAR 0.5; standards set in the PC/specific plan approval; mixed densities/uses permitted (§ 17.44.040 Table 2-8; § 17.44.010(C)).

Citywide modifiers

• Objective design standards: Ministerial design review for qualifying multifamily/mixed-use projects; deviations trigger discretionary review under Chapter 17.30 (§ 17.115.080; § 17.115.020).
• Height/setback flexibility: Base standards may be adjusted if necessary to fulfill the purpose of § 17.54.060 (§ 17.54.060).
• Accessory buildings: Max 35 ft and two stories (§ 17.10.020).
• Slope/embankments near public ROW: Max 3:1 slope over 15 ft height unless a maintenance agreement is executed (§ 17.54.080).
• Parking and landscaping: Off-street parking is regulated in Chapter 17.24 (referenced), and at least 4% of parking areas must be landscaped in special purpose zones (§ 17.44.040 note 1; § 17.110.060(J)).

Specific plans & overlays

• Specific Plans
  • Adopted specific plans implement the General Plan. They set their own use and development standards, which govern subsequent projects if found consistent (§ 17.44.010(E)).
  • The city identifies “The Groves at Loma Linda Specific Plan” covering about 299.81 ac (Special Planning Area D) with standards/design guidelines on file with Community Development and the City Clerk (§ 17.44.010(E), Table SP).
• Overlay Districts
  • Historic Mission (HM): All development within HM boundaries is subject to Historical Commission and other reviews and must comply with CEQA and all laws; density/intensity, setbacks, heights, and uniform sign programs are set through a required PC-specific or master plan (§ 17.82.070; § 17.82.090(A),(C)).
  • Hillside (H), Flood Plain (FP), Planned Development (PD), Geologic Hazards (GH): Established overlays; hillside and growth management standards reinforce low densities, open space, and environmental protections (§ 17.04.050; § 19.16.020; § 19.08.070).
• Historic properties and ADUs
  • ADUs/JADUs on historic resources or within the Historic Mission Overlay must satisfy Chapter 17.80/17.82 requirements; changes must meet the Secretary of the Interior Standards (§ 17.110.060(F)).

For map-based checks, start with the official zoning map on file with the City Clerk (§ 17.04.100) and then consult overlay districts and any applicable specific plan files (§ 17.44.010(E)).

Building permits & review

• Ministerial path with objective standards
  • Qualifying multifamily and mixed-use with residential components are reviewed ministerially under Chapter 17.115; the Director verifies objective compliance through the Precise Plan of Design process in Chapter 17.30 (§ 17.115.080).
  • SB 330 preliminary applications and SB 35 streamlined eligibility are administered by the Director; ministerial projects are CEQA-exempt (§ 17.115.080(B)(1) and (2); § 17.115.020(D)).
• Housing by-right chapter
  • Qualifying housing developments under Chapter 17.120 are processed as by-right/ministerial (including design review) unless a subdivision is required; ministerial cases are CEQA-exempt (§ 17.120.040(A),(C)).
• Building permits and codes
  • All such developments require building permits and must comply with Title 15 (Buildings and Construction) and related plan check, fees, and fire code provisions (§ 17.115.020(C); § 17.115.080(C); § 17.120.040(B),(D)). See the California Building Standards Code.
• Subdivision and vesting
  • Vesting tentative maps secure rights to proceed under then-current ordinances/standards; initial vesting is generally 24 months, extendable under stated conditions (§ 16.08.090).
• Example of application administration
  • Certain facilities (e.g., wireless in ROW) illustrate the city’s intake/completeness review, Director decision, and fee authority, including optional pre-application meetings (§ 17.96.050).

If a project proposes deviations from objective standards, or falls in an overlay like HM, expect discretionary processes under Chapter 17.30 and reviews by the appropriate bodies (§ 17.115.080; § 17.82.070; § 17.30.080).

State housing law in Loma Linda

• ADUs and JADUs
  • Ministerial approval is mandatory if chapter standards are met. The city cannot apply lot coverage, FAR, minimum lot size, or front setback in a way that precludes an 800 sq ft, 16 ft high ADU with 4 ft side/rear setbacks; JADUs up to 500 sq ft are allowed within a single-family dwelling (§ 17.110.030).
  • Development standards include: no minimum lot size; front-yard placement limits with a relief clause to allow an 800 sq ft unit; height allowances up to 18–20 ft in specified transit/multistory contexts; and tailored parking rules (e.g., 1 space/ADU; exceptions for JADUs and conversions) (§ 17.110.060(B)–(D),(J)).
• Objective standards and streamlining
  • The city implements ministerial objective design review and state streamlining tools: SB 330 preliminary application (§ 17.115.080(B)(1); Gov. Code § 65941.1 referenced) and SB 35 eligibility (§ 17.115.080(B)(2); CEQA exemption at § 17.115.020(D)). See California housing laws and California ADU law.
• Density bonus, SB 9, rent regulation
  • Not found in source materials. Verify with the jurisdiction.

Snapshot of key residential numbers

• The R-1 district: min lot 7,200 sq ft, front setback 25 ft, height 35 ft, and coverage 40% (§ 17.32.030).
• Hillside ridgeline protection: 100 ft horizontal and 100 ft vertical setbacks (§ 17.36.030 note 6).
• ADU minimum entitlement: 800 sq ft, 16 ft tall, 4 ft side/rear setbacks (§ 17.110.030).
• Commercial/industrial envelope: typical FAR 0.5 (CM 0.6), height 35 ft, and fronts 20–25 ft (§ 17.40.040).

Source References

• Loma Linda Municipal Code Title 17 (Zoning): §§ 17.02.030; 17.04.050; 17.04.100; 17.10.020; 17.16.010; 17.30.080; 17.32.030 (Table 2-2); 17.36.030 (Table 2-4); 17.40.040 (Table 2-6); 17.44.010; 17.44.040 (Table 2-8); 17.54.060; 17.54.080; 17.72.110; 17.82.070; 17.82.090; 17.96.050; 17.110.020; 17.110.030; 17.110.060; 17.115.020; 17.115.080; 17.120.040.
• Loma Linda Municipal Code Title 16 (Subdivisions): § 16.08.090.
• Loma Linda Municipal Code Title 19 (Planning/Growth Management & Hillside): §§ 19.03.010; 19.08.040; 19.08.070; 19.16.020.
• Code host: https://ecode360.com/LO4960