Upland staff previews bonus ADU ordinance to incentivize deed‑restricted rentals on large lots
April 22, 2026 | Upland, San Bernardino County, California
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City staff and consultant Shannon Liska of Michael Baker International gave a workshop April 22 on a proposed bonus accessory dwelling unit (ADU) program intended to help Upland meet housing element obligations and add deed‑restricted affordable units in North Upland.
Key elements presented: eligible parcels are single‑family lots larger than 15,000 square feet in the RS‑10, RS‑15 and RS‑20 zones (shown on maps and estimated at roughly 1,940 qualifying lots). The bonus ADU would be deed‑restricted and rented at an affordable rate to lower‑income households for a period the city proposes to set at 10 years; the bonus ADU would be limited to a maximum of 800 square feet, must provide one off‑street parking space, be located in the rear yard (behind the primary dwelling plane) and have a minimum separation of 7 feet from the primary dwelling. Existing ADU standards would still apply and the draft ordinance allows the development services director to waive certain lot coverage standards (noting local lot coverage standards around 35–40%).
Consultant Liska said the SRP (Southern California Association of Governments Sub‑Regional Partnership program) grant administered by the San Bernardino Council of Governments funded technical assistance on the ordinance and a separate objective design standards project. Staff noted the approach was chosen to meet HCD requirements for additional low‑ and moderate‑income units in North Upland without rezoning large areas to high‑density residential.
No formal action was taken — the workshop was for feedback and staff will finalize the draft ordinance, create outreach materials and return for an adoption hearing and later to City Council this summer.
Key elements presented: eligible parcels are single‑family lots larger than 15,000 square feet in the RS‑10, RS‑15 and RS‑20 zones (shown on maps and estimated at roughly 1,940 qualifying lots). The bonus ADU would be deed‑restricted and rented at an affordable rate to lower‑income households for a period the city proposes to set at 10 years; the bonus ADU would be limited to a maximum of 800 square feet, must provide one off‑street parking space, be located in the rear yard (behind the primary dwelling plane) and have a minimum separation of 7 feet from the primary dwelling. Existing ADU standards would still apply and the draft ordinance allows the development services director to waive certain lot coverage standards (noting local lot coverage standards around 35–40%).
Consultant Liska said the SRP (Southern California Association of Governments Sub‑Regional Partnership program) grant administered by the San Bernardino Council of Governments funded technical assistance on the ordinance and a separate objective design standards project. Staff noted the approach was chosen to meet HCD requirements for additional low‑ and moderate‑income units in North Upland without rezoning large areas to high‑density residential.
No formal action was taken — the workshop was for feedback and staff will finalize the draft ordinance, create outreach materials and return for an adoption hearing and later to City Council this summer.
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