San Bernardino County SB-684 Guide: Lot Splits in the High Desert

San Bernardino County Overview

San Bernardino County encompasses vast geographic diversity, from mountain communities like Big Bear to desert cities like Victorville and Barstow. This diversity creates different requirements and opportunities for SB-684 lot splits.

Regional Variations

*Valley Region (Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga, Ontario)

*

• Standard urban requirements

• Good infrastructure availability
• Strong market demand
• Standard SB-684 processing

*Mountain Communities (Big Bear, Lake Arrowhead, Crestline)

*

• Special environmental considerations
• Limited infrastructure capacity
• Seasonal market variations
• Additional fire safety requirements

*High Desert (Victorville, Hesperia, Apple Valley)

*

• Rapid growth and development
• Good infrastructure in urban areas
• Strong market demand from LA area buyers
• Wind and solar energy considerations

*Mojave Desert (Barstow, Twenty-nine Palms, Needles)

*

• Rural and semi-rural requirements
• Limited infrastructure
• Military installation proximity factors
• Unique market characteristics

County Requirements

*Standard Lot Size Requirements

*

- Urban areas

4,000 sq ft original minimum

- Each resulting lot

2,000 sq ft minimum

- Rural areas

Larger minimums may apply

- Mountain areas

Special slope and fire requirements

*Setback Standards

*

- Front setback

20-25 feet typical

- Side setbacks

5-10 feet depending on zone

- Rear setback

15-20 feet typical

- Mountain areas

Additional fire clearance required

Application Process

*Pre-Application Services

*

• Optional but recommended consultation
• Review of specific site requirements
• Identification of potential issues
• Timeline and cost estimation

*Formal Application Process

*

1. Complete application submission

2. Administrative completeness review

3. Technical analysis (60-90 days)

4. Inter-agency coordination

5. Final approval and conditions

*Required Documentation

*

• County application forms
• Professional survey and site plan
• Utility service verification
• Environmental assessment
• Fire department review (mountain areas)

Timeline and Costs

*Processing Timeline

*

- Application preparation

4-6 weeks

- County review

60-90 days

- Final processing

2-4 weeks

- Total timeline

4-6 months

*Fee Structure

*

- Application fees

$2,500-4,000

- Review and processing

$1,200-2,200

- Recording and miscellaneous

$400-800

- Total county fees

$4,100-7,000

Infrastructure Considerations

*Water Service Providers

*

• San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District
• Mojave Water Agency
• Various smaller districts and private companies
• Well water in some rural areas

*Sewer and Septic

*

• Municipal sewer in urban areas
• Septic systems required in rural areas
• Capacity verification needed
• Environmental health department approval

*Electrical and Gas

*

• Southern California Edison (most areas)
• San Diego Gas & Electric (southern areas)
• Southern California Gas Company
• Propane in some remote areas

Special Considerations

*Fire Safety Requirements

*

• High fire risk areas throughout county
• Defensible space requirements
• Access requirements for emergency vehicles
• Vegetation management obligations

*Environmental Factors

*

• Desert tortoise habitat in some areas
• Air quality considerations
• Water conservation requirements
• Renewable energy opportunities

*Military Installation Proximity

*

• Edwards Air Force Base considerations
• Marine Corps bases in desert areas
• Noise and flight path factors
• Security and access considerations

Market Opportunities

*Growth Trends

*

• Continued migration from coastal areas
• Affordable housing demand
• Logistics and transportation job growth
• Renewable energy industry development

*Property Values

*

• Generally lower than coastal counties
• Rapid appreciation in many areas
• Good value creation potential through lot splits
• Strong rental markets in some areas

*Development Patterns

*

• Suburban expansion in valley areas
• Resort and recreation development in mountains
• Master-planned communities in high desert
• Industrial development along transportation corridors

Success Strategies

*Location Analysis

*

• Research growth patterns and trends
• Consider proximity to employment centers
• Evaluate infrastructure availability
• Assess market demand patterns

*Professional Team Selection

*

• Use professionals familiar with specific regions
• Verify experience with county procedures
• Check references from recent projects
• Consider specialists for unique areas (mountain, desert)

*Regulatory Navigation

*

• Understand regional variations
• Plan for special requirements
• Coordinate with multiple agencies
• Allow adequate time for review processes

Challenges and Solutions

*Infrastructure Limitations

*

• Some areas have limited capacity
• Coordinate early with utility providers
• Plan for potential upgrade costs
• Consider alternative systems in rural areas

*Environmental Compliance

*

• Desert and mountain environments have special requirements
• Engage environmental consultants when needed
• Plan for habitat and species protections
• Consider climate and weather factors

*Market Variations

*

• Different regions have different buyer preferences
• Seasonal variations in mountain and desert areas
• Economic factors affect different regions differently
• Competition from new development in some areas

Future Outlook

*Development Trends

*

• Continued growth expected in most areas
• Infrastructure improvements planned
• Economic diversification ongoing
• Climate change adaptation planning

*Regulatory Evolution

*

• Potential process streamlining
• Enhanced environmental requirements
• Fire safety standard updates
• Water conservation policy changes

San Bernardino County offers diverse opportunities for SB-684 lot splits, from urban valley locations to unique mountain and desert settings. Success requires understanding regional variations, infrastructure considerations, and market conditions specific to each area of this vast county.