City of Grand Terrace

Building in the City of Grand Terrace
Grand Terrace is a charming and intimate city located in the heart of San Bernardino County, nestled between the foothills of the La Loma Hills and Blue Mountain ridges and adjacent to the I‑215 corridor. With a small‑town feel yet direct access to the greater Inland Empire and Southern California region, it combines scenic beauty, suburban calm, and meaningful connectivity.

The city enjoys tree‑lined streets, clean and well‑maintained neighborhoods, and a deeply rooted sense of community pride. Housing in Grand Terrace offers a range of options—from modest single‑family homes to newer developments—making it appealing to families, professionals, and retirees alike.

Economically, Grand Terrace supports a diversified base, with employment in education, manufacturing and distribution, retail, and professional services among its top sectors. Residents benefit from a median household income above many nearby communities, good schools, and public services that emphasize safety, sustainability, and community engagement.

For recreation and quality of life, Grand Terrace is rich in offerings—from parks like Richard Rollins Community Park and Veterans Freedom Park to special events such as the annual hike on Blue Mountain. These amenities, paired with a culture of civic involvement and a steady commitment to thoughtful urban planning, make Grand Terrace an attractive place to live, work, and thrive in Southern California.

Construction Procedure in the City of Grand Terrace
1. Initial Project Planning
The first step in any development project in Grand Terrace is to define the project’s vision, scope and feasibility. Whether residential, commercial, industrial or mixed‑use, developers should review the property’s zoning designation and consult the city’s General Plan, Zoning Ordinance and Municipal Code. Early planning should address site‑specific factors such as site access, circulation, available utilities, grading, drainage, and environmental considerations—including noise, air quality, natural hazard risk, and proximity to foothill or hillside areas. Aligning project goals with Grand Terrace’s priorities for responsible growth, community character, infrastructure capacity and sustainability helps prevent delays and supports consistency with the city’s long‑term planning objectives.

2. Pre‑Application Consultation & Development Review
Before formally submitting an application, developers are encouraged to meet with staff in the city’s Planning/Development Services Division to discuss the project concept and review required entitlements. This consultation helps ensure zoning compliance, evaluate consistency with the General Plan (and any Specific Plans or overlay zones), and identify whether additional approvals—such as Conditional Use Permits (CUPs), Site & Architectural Review, Variances, Tentative Maps, or environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) process—are required. Early coordination with city staff helps surface design, traffic, infrastructure and environmental issues, identify potential constraints, and streamline the permitting path.

3. Submit Your Permit and Application Package
Once the project plans are sufficiently developed, the developer submits a complete application package to the Planning/Development Services Division in Grand Terrace. Required materials typically include application forms, site plan, floor plans, building elevations, and supporting studies such as traffic analysis, drainage/hydrology report, geotechnical investigation (if hillside or slope conditions apply), landscaping and stormwater management plans. Depending on project scope, additional documents such as grading plans, utility connection plans, and environmental documents may also be required. A well‑organized and complete submittal helps ensure efficient review and avoids unnecessary delays.

4. Plan‑Check, Design & Code Review
After application submission, multiple departments within the City of Grand Terrace review the proposal for compliance with applicable local and state regulations. The Building & Safety Division checks plans for adherence to the California Building Code and other applicable codes (e.g., mechanical, plumbing, electrical, energy). The Planning Division reviews land‐use issues, zoning, design quality (via Site & Architectural Review or similar), and may facilitate public hearing processes if required. The Public Works/Engineering (or combined Development Services) staff evaluate infrastructure impacts—such as street improvements, stormwater/drainage systems, sewer/water connections, utility coordination and encroachment/rights‑of‑way. If required, environmental review under CEQA is conducted. The city’s records indicate that the average processing time for many development applications is about two to three months, with small projects taking less than 30 days, though some more complex projects may extend to 6‑12 months. cdnsm5-hosted.civiclive.com+2grandterrace.hosted.civiclive.com+2

‍5. Permit Issuance & Infrastructure Coordination
Once plan reviews are approved and all required fees are paid, the City of Grand Terrace issues construction permits—such as building permits, grading permits, encroachment permits or public works permits. At this stage, the developer coordinates with the city’s Public Works/Engineering staff (and relevant utility providers) to arrange for infrastructure connections (water, sewer, gas, electricity), street improvements, curb/sidewalk, stormwater drainage or right‑of‑way work. Any work in public rights‑of‑way or on public infrastructure requires city approval, inspection and compliance with city standards (such as the city’s Capital Improvement Plan or CIP). grandterrace-ca.gov+1

‍6. Construction & Inspections
After permit issuance, licensed contractors engage in construction under plan approvals. The building permit(s) authorizes the work, and the Building & Safety Division performs inspections at key milestones—foundation, framing/structural, mechanical/plumbing/electrical systems, energy compliance, and final inspection. Simultaneously, any required public works or infrastructure improvements (street, sidewalk, drainage, sewer) are inspected by the Public Works/Engineering Division. If changes to approved plans are needed during construction, such revisions must be submitted for review and approval prior to implementation.

7. Final Inspection & Certificate of Occupancy (or Final Approval)
Upon completion of the work and resolution of any outstanding items, the developer requests a final inspection by the Building & Safety Division. The inspector verifies that construction complies with the approved plans, building code and permit conditions. Once compliance is confirmed, the City issues a Certificate of Occupancy (for new buildings) or Final Approval (for tenant improvements or remodels) indicating that the structure is safe for occupancy and ready for use.

8. Project Close‑Out
Project close‑out includes fulfilling any conditions of approval (e.g., landscaping installation, signage compliance, off‑site public improvements), submitting “as‑built” drawings if required, recording any required permits or maintenance agreements, and ensuring public works or infrastructure obligations are satisfied. The City of Grand Terrace retains records of completion and may withhold final acceptance of public improvements until all documentation and bonding is resolved. Timely submission of these materials helps avoid delays in project completion and mitigates future compliance issues.

9. Ongoing Compliance & Future Modifications
Even after occupancy, property owners and developers must maintain compliance with the City of Grand Terrace Municipal Code, zoning regulations and building standards. Future modifications—such as expansions, façade changes, signage updates, land‑use changes or accessory dwelling units—typically require review and approval through the Planning Division or appropriate city department. Continued compliance ensures that development supports the city’s long‑term objectives for safety, livability, infrastructure reliability and thoughtful community character.‍