City of Cedarpines Park

Building in the City of Cedarpines Park
Cedarpines Park, located in the scenic San Bernardino Mountains, is an unincorporated community governed by the County of San Bernardino’s comprehensive land-use planning framework. Without a city government of its own, Cedarpines Park relies on the Countywide Plan as its “general plan,” which guides how growth and development occur in a way that safeguards public health, safety, and quality of life—while preserving the area’s rustic, forested character and mountain lifestyle.

The County’s zoning and land-use framework divides Cedarpines Park into designated districts—such as residential, commercial, resource conservation, and open-space areas—and establishes the regulations that govern development in each. Given Cedarpines Park’s location in a heavily forested, high-elevation environment with steep terrain and limited infrastructure, the County places strong emphasis on wildfire safety, emergency access, slope stability, and environmental protection. These considerations ensure that new development respects the natural landscape and maintains the small-community charm that defines Cedarpines Park.

‍Housing in Cedarpines Park is guided by the San Bernardino County Housing Element, which sets policies for preserving existing housing, supporting a variety of housing types, and providing safe, livable homes for people of all income levels. Local priorities include protecting homes in wildfire-prone areas, ensuring building resilience to natural hazards, and facilitating rebuilding efforts from past wildfire or storm-related damage. The County’s approach aims to balance housing needs with environmental conservation and the preservation of the mountain-forest setting.

The community’s vision for the future emphasizes sustainable, low-impact growth that fits within the natural environment. Development is encouraged in areas with appropriate access and infrastructure, minimizing impacts on sensitive habitats, forest land, and open space. Maintaining the area’s tranquil, rural atmosphere is a central goal, supported by careful design, vegetation management, and strong wildfire prevention measures.

Through this planning and regulatory framework, Cedarpines Park is able to balance growth with preservation—creating a safe, sustainable mountain community that values its natural surroundings, small-town character, and outdoor quality of life. By integrating thoughtful land use, environmental stewardship, and public safety considerations, Cedarpines Park continues to reflect the beauty and resilience of the San Bernardino Mountains while ensuring that future development remains in harmony with its unique setting.

Construction Process in Cedarpines Park (San Bernardino County)
1. Initial Project Planning
‍Begin by defining your project’s vision, scope, and feasibility — whether residential, commercial, accessory structure, or another type of development. Review your property’s zoning designation, land-use classification, and the County of San Bernardino’s development standards for unincorporated areas. Assess site-specific conditions such as access (road and utility), topography, environmental constraints (e.g., steep slopes, forested setting, and wildfire risk), grading or geological challenges, and infrastructure availability. All construction, alteration, repair, movement, or demolition of structures requires appropriate County permits.

‍2. Pre-Application Consultation & Development Review
‍Consult early with the San Bernardino County Land Use Services Department, including the Planning Division and Building & Safety Division, to discuss conceptual plans and verify zoning compliance, permitted uses, and required entitlements. Depending on the project’s scope, approvals such as a Conditional Use Permit, Variance, or Design Review may be necessary. Because Cedarpines Park is located in a mountainous and environmentally sensitive area, certain projects may also require environmental review under CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act) to assess potential impacts on the natural surroundings.

‍3. Submit Your Permit and Application Package
‍Once your project plans meet County standards and incorporate any feedback from pre-application consultations, submit a complete permit application package through the County’s online or in-person permitting system. Applications typically include:
- Completed application forms
- Site plan
- Floor plan and building elevations (if applicable)Construction valuation and permit fees
- Permits are required for new structures, additions, alterations, accessory buildings, grading, and other construction activities. Be sure to include all supporting documents and engineering reports if required, particularly for sites with steep slopes or drainage concerns.

‍4. Plan-Check, Design & Code Review
‍The Building & Safety Division conducts a plan-check to ensure compliance with the California Building Code and the County’s adopted building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, energy, and green-building standards. The Planning Division reviews zoning, land use, and environmental compliance.
In Cedarpines Park, plan review often requires extra attention to fire department access, terrain stability, drainage, and utility limitations. Projects in wildfire hazard zones must meet fire-safe building standards, which may require additional review by the San Bernardino County Fire Department or specialized engineering assessments.

‍5. Permit Issuance & Infrastructure Coordination
‍After your plans are approved and applicable fees are paid, the County issues the building permit and any other required approvals. Prior to construction, coordinate with all relevant service providers (such as water, sewer, electric, and telecommunications utilities) to verify availability and connection requirements. Projects may also need to address driveway access, grading standards, stormwater management, and road improvements to meet County safety requirements.
Because Cedarpines Park is located in a wildfire-prone mountain area, compliance with defensible space, vegetation management, and fire-safe access regulations is mandatory.

‍6. Construction & Inspections
‍Construction may begin once all necessary permits have been issued. All work must be performed by licensed contractors in accordance with approved plans and applicable building codes. The County conducts inspections at key stages — including foundation, framing, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and final inspection.
Special attention is given to fire-safety measures, grading stability, and drainage control, as Cedarpines Park’s terrain and forest setting pose unique environmental and safety challenges. Any deviations from approved plans require County review and approval before proceeding.

‍7. Final Inspection & Certificate of Occupancy / Final Clearance
‍Upon completion of construction, request a final inspection from the County’s Building & Safety Division. Once all inspections are successfully passed and any conditions of approval have been satisfied, the County issues a Certificate of Occupancy (for new structures) or Final Clearance (for remodels or smaller projects). This certification allows the building to be legally occupied or used for its intended purpose.

‍8. Project Close-Out
‍Final project close-out includes the payment of any outstanding fees, submission of as-built drawings, recorded easements, final maps or permits, and completion of required landscaping or site improvements. The County then formally closes the project file, marking the completion of the permitting and construction process.

‍9. Ongoing Compliance & Future Modifications
‍Property owners in Cedarpines Park are responsible for maintaining ongoing compliance with County building, zoning, and property-maintenance regulations. Any future property modifications — such as additions, remodels, accessory structures, or changes in land use — must be reviewed and approved by the County’s Planning and Building & Safety Divisions to ensure continued conformance with safety, environmental, and community standards.‍‍‍