Coastal Development: Chino vs Ontario

Do I need a Coastal Development Permit to build in Chino?

No. Chino is not in the California Coastal Zone defined by Public Resources Code §30103. The California Coastal Act and Coastal Commission have no jurisdiction over Chino property — projects are reviewed under city zoning, building, and subdivision codes plus CEQA.

Why is there no coastal rule in Chino?

Chino is roughly 40 miles inland from the Pacific in San Bernardino County's Inland Empire. The Coastal Zone extends only ~1,000 yards inland from mean high tide (up to 5 miles in some areas). Chino is far outside that boundary.

What environmental review applies to large Chino projects?

The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA, PRC §21000 et seq.) applies to all discretionary projects in California. Chino projects also need WQMP/SWPPP compliance (stormwater), CBC Appendix J (grading), and Title 20 zoning review — but no Coastal Act review.

Do Chino's actions affect the coast?

Indirectly yes. Chino sits in the upper Santa Ana River watershed — stormwater runoff eventually reaches the Pacific via the Santa Ana River through Orange County. That's why the MS4 stormwater permit (Order R8-2010-0036) requires Chino to control pollutant discharges, even though the city itself is inland.

Does San Bernardino County have coastal development rules?

No. San Bernardino County is entirely inland - the Mojave Desert, Inland Empire, and San Bernardino Mountains - with no Pacific coastline and no California Coastal Commission jurisdiction. The inland equivalent is FEMA-mandated floodplain regulation administered through the Floodplain Safety (FP) Overlay in Title 8 Chapter 82.14 of the County Development Code, with Public Works acting as the Floodplain Administrator under Section 86.04.010.

Do I need a permit to build near a desert wash or alluvial fan?

Almost certainly yes. Many washes and alluvial fans across San Bernardino County - including the Mojave River, Cajon Wash, Lytle Creek, and Yucaipa Creek - are mapped as Special Flood Hazard Areas on FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps and overlapped by the FP1 or FP2 overlay. Section 82.14.050 requires elevation certification, no increase in base flood elevation, and for floodway sites a HEC-RAS no-rise study by a registered civil engineer.

How high does my house have to be built in a Zone A or Zone AE area?

Per FEMA and County rules, a structure in Zone A must have its lowest floor at least 2 feet above the natural highest adjacent ground; in Zone AE the lowest floor must be at least 1 foot above the published base flood elevation; in Zone AO it must be at least 1 foot above the mapped shallow-flood depth. An Elevation Certificate is required, and Section 82.14.050 prohibits fill that increases base flood water-surface elevation.