Profiled 4-5-24

Rancho Cucamonga, population 174,453 (2020), is located in western San Bernardino County, roughly 45 miles east of downtown Los Angeles. Its 2010 General Plan called for investigation of using TDR to preserve larger lots with grape vines.

In 2023, the city adopted Ordinance No. 1015, establishing a TDR mechanism designed to permanently preserve open space, environmentally sensitive areas, park sites, recreation areas, rural areas, and resource lands. Zoning Code Article IV. Chapter 17.77 allows all parcels with residential development rights to become sending sites and all parcels where residential uses are permitted or conditionally permitted to become receiving sites.

The code establishes a TDR authority to facilitate transfers as well as accept, hold indefinitely, and resell TDRs that are purchased by the city or donated to the city. The ordinance tasks a Policies and Procedures Manual with establishing the transfer process. The search function on the city’s website does not reveal this manual.