Article
VIII of the Rancho Cucamonga Municipal Code (RCMC) shall be known as the Form-Based Code or FBC.
(Ord. No. 1000 § 4, 2022)
The Rancho Cucamonga General Plan (General Plan) is the policy
document that provides an overall vision, policy direction, and implementation
strategy to support future development in Rancho Cucamonga. The General
Plan organizes the city into districts, centers, corridors, and neighborhoods,
with an overall vision for greater walkability centered around nodes
of activity. The FBC implements the General Plan's vision and policy
direction for key areas of the city.
The Form-Based Code, adopted as article
VIII of title
17 (Development Code), establishes place-based standards for certain areas of Rancho Cucamonga. The FBC represents an alternative to a conventional zoning code's approach to the way the built environment is regulated. The definition of a Form-Based Code is as follows:
"Form-Based Codes foster predictable built results
and a high-quality public realm by using physical form (rather than
separation of uses) as the organizing principle for the code. These
codes are adopted into city or county law as regulations, not mere
guidelines. Form-Based Codes are an alternative to conventional zoning."
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— Form-Based Codes Institute
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Unlike conventional, use-based codes, FBCs utilize the intended
form and character of a neighborhood rather than use as the organizing
framework of the code. FBCs address the relationship between building
facades and the public realm (i.e., sidewalk, street), the form and
mass of buildings in relation to one another, and the scale and types
of buildings and blocks. Regulations and standards in an FBC are presented
graphically in diagrams and photographs as well as supplemental text.
These standards are keyed to a plan (i.e., a Regulating Plan) that
functions like a zoning map, assigning an appropriate form and scale
through the application of form-based zones to specific lots. While
FBCs focus on an intended physical form, they also regulate use by
allowing a mix of appropriate land uses chosen to ensure compatibility
among different contexts and the intended physical form of the area.
FBCs transform commercial corridors and centers into vibrant, mixed-use
areas where residents can live, work, and play within close walking
distance.
(Ord. No. 1000 § 4, 2022)
The purpose of the FBC is to implement the General Plan, specifically the General Plan's vision for higher intensity, walkable, mixed-use districts, centers, corridors, and neighborhoods. The specific purpose and intent of each zone is established in chapter
17.128 (Form-Based Zones).
(Ord. No. 1000 § 4, 2022)
A. This
article applies to all proposed development within form-based zones
as identified on the Zoning Map.
B. If
there is a conflict between the standards of this article and the
standards in another article of this title, this article supersedes,
unless otherwise noted.
C. If
there is a conflict between standards within the sections of this
article, unless otherwise noted, the most restrictive standard supersedes.
D. Where
this article is silent or does not provide an explicit provision,
the other articles of this title apply.
E. Projects
required to adhere to the standards in this article shall be reviewed
and approved consistent with article II (Land Use and Development
Procedures).
(Ord. No. 1000 § 4, 2022)
The following provides a brief overview of the overall structure of article
VIII (Form-Based Code).
A. Chapter 17.126: Introduction. This chapter introduces the
Form-Based Code (FBC), provides an overview of FBCs, and includes
an illustrative explanation of how to use and apply the FBC to a typical
development review application.
B. Chapter 17.128: Form-Based Zones. This chapter provides an
overview of the FBC zones and the purpose statements of each FBC zone.
C. Chapter 17.130: Zone and Building Standards. This chapter
establishes the purpose and intent of the building type standards,
standards that are applicable to all zones and building types, a description
of each building type, and objective development standards associated
with each type.
D. Chapter 17.132: Building Entrances and Facades. This chapter
establishes the purpose and intent of the building entrance and facade
type standards, a description of each building entrance and facade
type, and objective development standards associated with each type.
E. Chapter 17.134: Public Open Space. This chapter establishes
the purpose and intent of the public open space standards, a description
of each public open space type, and objective development standards
associated with each type.
F. Chapter 17.136: Land Use Standards. This chapter establishes
the land uses allowed in each form-based zone and any necessary specific
use standards.
G. Chapter 17.138: Large Site Development. This chapter provides
requirements for large site development including applicability, intent
and design review requirements. This chapter establishes block size
and connectivity standards.
(Ord. No. 1000 § 4, 2022)
Figure 17.126.060 (Steps to Use the Form-Based Code) provides
a general overview of how to use the FBC. For specific information
and to review all necessary permit procedures and application requirements,
please refer to article II (Land Use and Development Procedures).
Figure 17.126.060 Steps to Use the Form-Based Code
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Step
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Reference
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1. Find the Form-Based Zone for your parcel and review
purpose statement
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See Zoning Map.
See chapter 17.128 Form-Based Zones.
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2. Comply with the block standards requirements to establish
connectivity and design the lot consistent with the development site
standards per building type and citywide site standards
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For sites greater than three acres, see chapter 17.138 Large Site Development and chapter 17.120 General Design Provisions.
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3. Select a building type(s) from the types allowed in
the zone and comply other standards applicable to the zone, the building,
and use
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See chapter 17.130 Zone and Building Standards.
See also chapter 17.122 Design Provisions by Development Type.
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4. Select the building entrance and facade type(s) from
the types allowed in the zone
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See chapter 17.132 Building Entrances and Facades.
See also chapter 17.122 Design Provisions by Development Type.
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5. Select the open space type(s), if required, from the
types allowed in the zone, and apply the standards to the building/site
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See chapter 17.134 Public Open Space.
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6. Select an allowed use in the zone and comply with any
standards specific to the use
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See chapter 17.136 Land Use Standards.
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7. Comply with citywide standards
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See articles II, III, IV, V, VI, and VII.
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(Ord. No. 1000 § 4, 2022)