San Bernardino County, CA Accessory Structures: ADU Rental Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Long-term ADU rentals
- Allowed countywide, 30+ day terms
- Short-term ADU rentals
- Mountain/Desert Regions only, under 30 days
- JADU rentals
- Long-term only, never short-term
- Governing section
- County Code § 84.36.060
Summary
San Bernardino County lets accessory dwelling units be rented long-term anywhere, but short-term rentals under 30 days are allowed only in the Mountain and Desert Regions, under the county's short-term rental chapter.
Rental Terms. An accessory dwelling unit and junior accessory dwelling unit may be rented separately from the primary dwelling... In all regions of the County, an accessory dwelling unit may be rented for a term longer than 30 consecutive days... In the Mountain and Desert Regions of the County, an accessory dwelling unit may be rented for a term less than 30 consecutive days, provided the short-term rental unit complies with Chapter 84.28 (Short-Term Residential Rentals) and is not a unit constructed pursuant to § 84.36.080(b).
Full Breakdown
Under County Code § 84.36.060, an ADU or junior ADU can be rented separately from the main house anywhere in unincorporated San Bernardino County if the rental term runs longer than 30 consecutive days: that includes JADUs, which can never go short-term. Short-term rentals under 30 days are permitted only for ADUs (not JADUs) in the Mountain and Desert Regions, and only if the unit also complies with Chapter 84.28's short-term rental rules and wasn't built under the code's owner-occupancy-exempt JADU provision at § 84.36.080(b). Owner-occupancy is not required for an ADU.
Violations & Fines
Renting a JADU short-term, or renting an ADU short-term outside the Mountain/Desert Regions, violates § 84.36.060 and can trigger code enforcement action and permit revocation for the accessory unit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I rent my San Bernardino County ADU on Airbnb?
Can a junior ADU be rented short-term?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Bernardino County
California rules heatmap·Compare San Bernardino County to another location·View the California accessory structures overview
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