San Bernardino County, the largest county by area in the United States, offers a wide range of development opportunities — from urban infill projects to large rural subdivisions and industrial facilities. But before you dive into architectural drawings or commit significant funds to engineering, it’s crucial to thoroughly analyze your project during the feasibility period.

This early phase of due diligence allows you to confirm whether your vision aligns with county zoning regulations, environmental constraints, and infrastructure capacity — all before major costs pile up.

Verify Zoning and Land Use Requirements

The first and most important step is to determine your property’s zoning designation. San Bernardino County’s Development Code defines:

• Permitted uses in each zone (residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, mixed-use)

• Lot size minimums and width requirements

• Building height limitations and maximum lot coverage

• Front, side, and rear setback standards

Additionally, some properties may fall under specific overlays such as hillside, fire safety, or flood hazard areas. Knowing these regulations early can reveal if your project is allowed outright or if you’ll need to pursue a Conditional Use Permit or a zone change, which can significantly impact timelines and costs.

Develop a Conceptual Site Plan That Matches County Standards

During your feasibility period, a well-thought-out preliminary site plan is one of the most valuable tools you can create. In San Bernardino County, this early plan should typically include:

• Precise property boundaries and any existing easements

• Building footprints, driveway access points, and circulation routes

• Parking layouts and loading zones, especially for commercial and industrial projects

• Drainage patterns and on-site stormwater detention or retention areas

• Utility connection points for water, sewer, electricity, and gas

• Landscape buffers, open space requirements, and environmental mitigation areas if applicable

A conceptual layout helps you understand potential site constraints and plan for required setbacks, grading, and infrastructure needs before you get too far into design.

Estimate Permit Fees and Expected Review Timelines

Permit and plan review fees in San Bernardino County are based on project valuation and complexity. During feasibility, it’s important to estimate:

• Building and grading permit costs

• Fees for individual trade permits (electrical, mechanical, plumbing)

• Charges for environmental or fire safety reviews

• Development impact fees, especially for new residential or large-scale commercial projects

Review timelines can vary widely. Smaller residential projects might clear in a matter of weeks, while large commercial or industrial developments — particularly those requiring discretionary approvals — can take several months or longer.

Schedule a Pre-Application or Preliminary Review Meeting

San Bernardino County offers pre-application meetings to help developers understand the approval process before submitting formal plans. In these meetings, you can expect:

• Feedback on zoning compliance and potential need for variances

• Input from county planning, engineering, and fire departments

• Identification of required technical studies or special reports

• Clarification on application procedures and potential hurdles

By taking advantage of this meeting during feasibility, you can make adjustments early and avoid costly redesigns or delays down the road.

Identify Technical Studies and Special Approvals That May Be Required

Depending on your site and project type, additional studies and permits might be necessary. Common examples include:

• Hydrology and stormwater management reports

• Traffic impact analyses for larger developments or new subdivisions

• Geotechnical and soils reports for hillside or unstable areas

• Environmental assessments under CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act)

• Fire protection plans for projects in high fire hazard severity zones

Understanding these potential requirements during feasibility helps you budget both time and money accurately.

Map Out Inspection Requirements and Final Clearance Steps

Even while you're still evaluating your project, it’s helpful to be aware of San Bernardino County’s construction inspections and final approvals. Common stages include:

• Site grading and erosion control inspections

• Foundation and structural framing checks

• Plumbing, electrical, and mechanical system rough-in inspections

• Final grading, landscaping, and site improvements reviews

• Certificate of Occupancy inspections before tenant move-in or building use

Anticipating these steps early helps set realistic schedules and minimizes surprises during construction.

San Bernardino County Feasibility Period Checklist

• Verify zoning and overlay district regulations

• Prepare a conceptual site plan tailored to county development standards

• Estimate total permit fees and realistic review timelines

• Schedule a pre-application meeting to gather early feedback

• Identify necessary technical studies and specialized approvals

• Understand inspection milestones and final clearance requirements

Ready to Move Forward with Your San Bernardino County Project?

If you're still in your feasibility period and want to make smart decisions before investing in full-scale design and engineering, we can help. Our team specializes in developing professional preliminary site plans and in-depth feasibility studies tailored to San Bernardino County’s unique code requirements and development standards. With our guidance, you can evaluate your property’s true potential and move forward confidently — avoiding unexpected setbacks and costly revisions.