FROM:
Planning Department
SUBJECT:
Title
Master Case (MCN) No. 25-0078 and Municipal Code Amendment (MCA) No. 25-0010: A request to amend Section 30 of the Fontana Municipal Code Regarding Emergency Shelter Overlay development standards and operating regulations and to incorporate property located at 11109 Jasmine Street into the overlay, 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).
End
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Open the public hearing, receive public testimony, close the public hearing and by motion:
1. Find that the adoption of 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, and10.59 of the 2019 Local Guidelines for Implementing CEQA.
2. Waive full reading and introduce for first reading by title only Ordinance No. 1982 entitled: “An Ordinance Of The City Council Of The City Of Fontana Amending Section 30 Of The City Of Fontana Municipal Code Relating To Emergency Shelter Overlay Development Standards And Operating Regulations And Applying The Overlay On The Property At 11109 Jasmine Street And Finding The Action To Be Categorically Exempt From CEQA Under CEQA Sections 15060(C), 15378, and 15061(B)3).”
End
COUNCIL GOALS:
• Provide a diverse range of housing types and levels of affordability while addressing homelessness in the community by promoting diverse range of housing projects and levels of affordability.
DISCUSSION:
BACKGROUND:
The City of Fontana’s Zoning and Development Code along with other chapters of the Fontana Municipal Code regulate 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 December 2, 2025, the Planning Commission considered a request to for an amendment to Chapter 30 regarding the Emergency Shelter Overlay. The Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend that the City Council approve the proposed ordinance.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
Municipal Code Amendment No. 25-0010 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 City Council Resolution.
ANALYSIS:
This request includes modifications to the Emergency Shelter Overlay that will simplify and clarify the development standards and operational regulations for emergency shelters in the overlay, including:
• The addition of specific standards regarding security surveillance systems for facilities in the overlay;
• The removal of time limits for residents’ stays;
• Limits on the provision of “walk in” services.
Additionally, the amendment will apply the overlay in the industrially zoned property at 11109 Jasmine Street (APN: 0238-111-53).
In summary, the amendments will provide clear standards for establishing and operating an emergency shelter, thereby creating opportunities to provide shelter for the unhoused population in Fontana while limiting impacts on the surrounding community.
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
Attachment No. 2 - Planning Commission Report Packet
Attachment No. 3 - Planning Commission Minutes - December 2, 2025
Attachment No. 4 - Public Hearing Notice
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.
MOTION:
Accept staff’s recommendation.