FROM:
Planning Department
SUBJECT:
Title
Master Case No. 26-0011 and Municipal Code Amendment No. 26-0002: Fontana Municipal Code amendments to Chapter 30 to modify standards for outdoor dining and parking standards in the downtown core, make revisions to the No Net Loss program, add definitions to differentiate vehicle parking from storage, clarify timing of entitlement applications, and modify the definition of accessory land uses, pursuant to a categorical exemption from the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) in accordance with CEQA Guidelines Sections 15060(c), 15378, and 15061(B)(3).
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RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
1. Find that the adoption of the proposed ordinances are categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Sections 15060(c), 15378, and 15061(B)(3) (the common-sense exemption), and Sections No. 3.01, 3.22, and10.59 of the 2019 Local Guidelines for Implementing CEQA.
2. Waive full reading and introduce for first reading by title only Ordinance No. 1988 entitled: “An Ordinance Of The City Council Of The City Of Fontana, California, Amending Multiple Sections Of The Fontana Municipal Code, Including Amendments To Article XV Pertaining To Provisions Of The No Net Loss Program Including Sections 30-966 Through 30-969 And Sections 30-971 And 30-972, Pursuant To A Categorical Exemption In Accordance With CEQA Guidelines Sections 15060(C), 15061(B)(3), And Section 15378.And Directing Staff To File A Notice Of Exemption. ”
3. Waive full reading and introduce for first reading by title only Ordinance No. 1989 entitled: “An Ordinance Of The City Council Of The City Of Fontana, California, Amending Multiple Sections Of The Fontana Municipal Code, Including Amendments To Sec. 30-12 Pertaining To The Definition Of Accessory Use, Principal/Primary Use, Vehicle And Truck Storage And Vehicle And Truck Parking; Sec. 30-21 Pertaining To The Expiration Of Entitlement Applications; Sec. 30-360 Pertaining To Outdoor Dining In The Public Right-Of-Way In The Downtown Core; Sec. 30-371.2 Pertaining To Parking Requirements For Retail, Entertainment And Restaurant Uses In The Downtown Core; Sec. 30-390 To Correct Section References, Pursuant To A Categorical Exemption In Accordance With CEQA Guidelines Sections 15060(C), 15061(B)(3), And Section 15378.And Directing Staff To File A Notice Of Exemption. ”
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COUNCIL GOALS:
• Promote economic development by establishing a quick, consistent development process.
• Promote economic development by being business friendly at all levels and striving to constantly improve the city's competitiveness.
• Concentrate on Inter-governmental relations by advocating Fontana's position in regional, state, and federal organizations.
DISCUSSION:
BACKGROUND
The City of Fontana’s Zoning and Development Code regulates the development of commercial, industrial and residential projects. Staff conducts ongoing reviews of the Municipal Code to determine where language within the code would benefit from updates, clarification, redefinition, or additions to help streamline and facilitate the development process and commercial business activity.
On April 21, 2026, the Planning Commission considered a request for an amendment to Chapter 30 regarding Municipal Code Amendment No. 26-0002. The Planning Commission voted unanimously to approve a resolution recommending that the City Council approve the proposed ordinance.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Municipal Code Amendment No. 26-0002 provides updates to Section 30 (Zoning and Development Code) as described below. A detailed list of the proposed amendments is provided within Exhibit “A” of the Ordinance.
ANALYSIS
The request includes the following modifications:
Outdoor dining in the downtown core - Modification of standards for outdoor dining in the public right-of-way in the downtown core to including minimum pedestrian path width, design standards, and permit requirements.
Parking standards in the downtown core - Modification to eliminate parking requirements for retail, entertainment and restaurant uses in the downtown core that are within 400 of City-owned public parking lots or structures.
Vehicle parking and storage - Addition of definitions for vehicle parking and vehicle storage to differentiate between the uses, which will provide clarity and uniformity in application by staff and applicants.
Application timing - Modification to entitlement processing timelines to clarify that entitlement applications that have not been deemed complete within 180 days will be closed/withdrawn.
Accessory and principal use definition - Modification of the definition of accessory and principal land uses to provide an objective proportion as it relates to floor or site area, which will provide clarity and uniformity in application by staff and applicants. These modifications relate only to Article 15 - No Net Loss Program, and have been placed in a standalone ordinance.
No Net Loss Program adjustments - Modifications to the No Net Loss Program to reduce the maximum number of units allowed to be included in the unit bank and replacing a required agreement with a memorandum to memorialize the use of units from the bank by development projects. Additional modifications include the elimination of the minimum development site size, the inclusion of the Form-Based Code zone in the allowable zoning districts where the banked units may be used and providing proportional reductions of certain development standards to incentive the use of the unit bank. These modifications relate only to Article 15 - No Net Loss Program, and have been placed in a standalone ordinance.
In summary, the proposed amendments will provide for flexibility and streamlining of the City’s Zoning and Development Code to facilitate desirable development within the City.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The proposed ordinance is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Sections 15060(c), 15378, and 15061(B)(3) (the common-sense exemption), and Sections No. 3.01, 3.22 and 10.59 of the 2019 Local Guidelines for Implementing CEQA, in that the ordinance is covered by the rule that CEQA applies only to projects which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment, and also by the common sense exemption which provides that, where it can be determined with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment No. 1 - Ordinance for No Net Loss Program Amendment
Attachment No. 2 - Ordinance for All Other Amendments
Attachment No. 3 - Planning Commission Packet
Attachment No. 4 - Planning Commission Minutes
Attachment No. 5 - Public Hearing Notice
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.
MOTION:
Approve staff’s recommendation.