San Bernardino County applies floor area ratios, lot coverage, and height limits in mountain and foothill communities to limit mansionization. Big Bear, Lake Arrowhead, and Crest Forest community plans add stricter design review for oversized structures and bulky additions.
Title 8 of the SBC Land Use Code sets per-zone floor area ratios, height caps, and lot coverage maxima. Mountain communities use Community Plan overlays adopted by the Board of Supervisors. Projects exceeding the FAR or height require minor use permits or variances with neighbor notice. Design review evaluates ridgeline visibility, tree retention, and shadow impacts. Substantial remodels expanding existing nonconforming structures often require code-compliance upgrades, including sprinklers and defensible space verification, before permits issue.
Permit denial, stop-work orders, demolition orders for unpermitted overbuild, and civil penalties under Title 1 fine schedules. Variances may be revoked when violation persists.
See how San Bernardino's anti-mansionization rules stack up against other locations.
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