San Bernardino County · Inland Empire West · Q2 2026
Big-Box Distribution in Fontana
Asking rent
$0.88–$1.09/SF/mo NNN
Sale pricing
$260–$340 per square foot
Inland Empire West vacancy
5.9%
Big-box distribution space in Fontana, California typically asks $0.88–$1.09/SF/mo NNN and sells for roughly $260–$340 per square foot as of Q2 2026. Fontana sits in Inland Empire West (San Bernardino County), where direct vacancy is about 5.9% and the sub-regional average asking rent is $1.11/SF/mo NNN. Pricing within that range is set by contiguous square footage, clear height of 36 feet and above, ESFR sprinklers, dock door count, trailer parking stalls, and proximity to the I-10, I-15, SR-60, and I-215 corridors.
By Dan Scodeller, Senior Vice President | Principal, Lee & Associates Last updated Data through Q2 2026
What are current market conditions for big-box distribution in Fontana?
City-level industrial statistics are not published with the same rigor as sub-regional figures, so the table below shows Inland Empire West conditions — the best available proxy for Fontana — alongside the Inland Empire overall. Use it to frame expectations, then get a building- or site-specific survey before making a decision.
| Metric | Inland Empire West | Inland Empire overall |
|---|---|---|
| Average asking rent (NNN) | $1.11/SF/mo | $0.98/SF/mo |
| Direct vacancy | 5.9% | 7.6% |
| Total vacancy (incl. sublease) | Tracked IE-wide | 8.6% |
| Availability rate | Tracked IE-wide | 12.9% |
| IOS cap rate (indicative) | Tracked IE-wide | ~6.5% |
| Market character | Tighter and pricier, port-proximate, premium logistics demand | |
| Measure | Fontana estimate |
|---|---|
| Typical asking rent | $0.88–$1.09/SF/mo NNN |
| Typical sale pricing | $260–$340 per square foot |
| Sub-region | Inland Empire West · $1.11/SF/mo NNN average |
| What sets pricing | contiguous square footage, clear height of 36 feet and above, ESFR sprinklers, dock door count, trailer parking stalls, and proximity to the I-10, I-15, SR-60, and I-215 corridors |
Runs below the Inland Empire West average of $1.11/SF/mo NNN — large blocks price at a discount per square foot.
Source: CBRE Q2 2026, Colliers Q1 2026, Kidder Mathews Q2 2026, Savills Q1 2026, Lee & Associates Mid-2026. Pricing estimates are derived from sub-regional averages and are directional only.
Why Fontana for big-box distribution?
Heavy concentration of distribution and IOS along the I-10/I-210; a hub for trucking and logistics operators. For big-box distribution buildings specifically, that context matters: Fontana is in San Bernardino County and prices against Inland Empire West conditions — currently 5.9% direct vacancy and $1.11/SF/mo NNN average asking rent.
Being on the west side of the Inland Empire carries a real premium. Inland Empire West runs 5.9% vacancy against 9.0% on the east side, and asking rents are about $0.17 per square foot per month higher. Tenants pay that premium for proximity to the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach and to Ontario International Airport — the fewer miles per truck turn, the more the premium pencils. Developable land is largely exhausted here, so new supply is limited and existing product holds value better through soft cycles.
Typical users of big-box distribution buildings in Fontana are national retailers, major third-party logistics providers, e-commerce fulfillment networks, and importers running regional consolidation out of the ports. Big-box generally means 200,000 square feet and larger, with the deepest institutional demand between 400,000 and 1,200,000 square feet.
What to check before you lease or buy big-box distribution in Fontana
Large blocks are where the leverage is
Availability is concentrated in exactly this size range, which is why concessions on big-box are the most aggressive in the market. Free rent and improvement allowances on a large block are genuinely negotiable right now.
Trailer parking often decides the deal
Buildings of this size need stall counts that support live and drop operations. Two otherwise identical buildings can be far apart in real usability based on trailer stalls alone.
Sublease space competes with direct space
A meaningful share of available big-box is sublease, which is typically cheaper but comes with a shorter term and the sublandlord in the middle. Compare total occupancy cost over your actual required term, not headline rate.
Big-Box Distribution in Fontana — frequently asked questions
How much does big-box distribution space cost in Fontana, CA?
Big-box distribution space in Fontana generally asks $0.88–$1.09/SF/mo NNN and sells for roughly $260–$340 per square foot as of Q2 2026. Runs below the Inland Empire West average of $1.11/SF/mo NNN — large blocks price at a discount per square foot. NNN means the tenant additionally pays taxes, insurance, and maintenance — typically $0.12 to $0.20 per square foot per month in the Inland Empire. Where a specific building falls in that range comes down to contiguous square footage, clear height of 36 feet and above, ESFR sprinklers, dock door count, trailer parking stalls, and proximity to the I-10, I-15, SR-60, and I-215 corridors.
Is there big-box distribution space available in Fontana right now?
Yes. Inland Empire West, which includes Fontana, is running about 5.9% direct vacancy as of Q2 2026, against 7.6% for the Inland Empire overall and 12.9% availability including space marketed but still occupied. That is meaningfully more choice than tenants had between 2021 and 2023, and landlords are offering real concessions — free rent, improvement allowances, and flexible terms. Availability in Fontana specifically changes week to week, so a current survey beats any published figure.
Is Fontana a good location for big-box distribution space?
Heavy concentration of distribution and IOS along the I-10/I-210; a hub for trucking and logistics operators. As part of Inland Empire West, Fontana costs more — about $1.11/SF/mo NNN against $0.94/SF/mo NNN on the east side — and delivers shorter drayage runs to the ports and Ontario International Airport. It fits operations where truck turns per day drive the economics. The honest answer for any specific requirement depends on your truck counts, headcount, power needs, and timing — which is exactly the conversation worth having before you tour anything.