San Bernardino County's General Plan is implemented through 14 community plans covering distinct geographies like Bear Valley, Crest Forest, Joshua Tree, Lake Arrowhead, and Lucerne Valley. Each adds local zoning standards on top of the countywide Development Code.
Because San Bernardino County is the largest county by area in the United States, it uses a community plan system to tailor land use to mountain, valley, high-desert, and low-desert geographies. Bear Valley, Joshua Tree, Lake Arrowhead, and Phelan-Pinon Hills community plans add overlay standards for fire safety, dark skies, lot sizes, and rural character. Specific plans can be adopted for master-planned developments and warehouse parks under California Government Code 65450. Property owners should consult both the countywide Development Code (Title 8) and the applicable community plan.
Building or operating in violation of community plan standards triggers stop-work orders, code enforcement citations, and potential reversal through Planning Commission appeals or court action.
See how San Bernardino's specific plans overview rules stack up against other locations.
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