Join the conversation: Land Use Services to present draft design standards at housing study session

"San Bernardino County Update", yellow arrowhead and "SBCounty.gov

*The county will share the draft Objective Design Standards at the upcoming Planning Commission study session*

The county invites residents, community partners and development professionals to take part in a study session that will shape how multifamily housing is designed in the county’s unincorporated areas. This session, hosted by the San Bernardino County Land Use Services department, will offer the first public look at the county’s draft Objective Design Standards, known as ODS. These standards aim to bring additional clarity and consistency to the development process.

County staff and design consultants will introduce the preliminary draft and explain how the new standards are intended to work. The proposed standards set clear criteria and thresholds for building design, outlining measurable requirements for elements such as building entries, architectural features, roof design, lighting and open space. This approach gives applicants and community members a clearer sense of what is required and helps ensure that projects are reviewed in a consistent way.

The draft ODS lays out a checklist that applicants will complete and Land Use Services staff will verify, providing a simple and transparent way to show how a project meets the standards. It also helps staff apply the standards using the same benchmarks across all eligible projects, including multifamily housing, mixed-use apartments, transitional housing and supportive housing.

The Long Range Planning team, as part of Land Use Services, is leading the development of ODS. This team is responsible for creating land use policies that guide long-term growth in unincorporated communities. The team also manages the county’s Housing Element, which outlines goals for housing production and ensures local regulations follow state law. Developing Objective Design Standards is a key step in carrying out these responsibilities.

The upcoming study session is an opportunity for the public and the San Bernardino County Planning Commission to learn about the draft standards, understand how they will be applied and offer early input before the standards move into the formal approval process. The study session will be held as part of the regular Planning Commission meeting.

Planning Commission study session
Thursday, Nov. 5 | 9 a.m.
385 N. Arrowhead Ave., First Floor, Covington Chambers
San Bernardino

Watch the meeting online

After the meeting, staff will refine the draft ODS based on direction and community feedback. The finalized version will move forward for Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors consideration in winter or spring 2027. Additional updates may follow later in the year as the county continues to improve the tools used to guide new development.

Residents are encouraged to attend and take part in shaping these standards, which will influence the design of future housing throughout the region. For more information, visit https://wp.sbcounty.gov/dbh/programs/bhsa/.

Additional County Update News – October 15, 2026