Apple Valley, CA

Apple Valley Table 9.73.050-A sets exterior noise limits by zone and time: 50/40 dBA day/night for single-family residential, 50/45 for multi-family and public space, up to 70 dBA (light industrial) and 75 dBA (heavy industrial). Interior limits (Table 9.73.050-B) are 45/35 dBA for multi-family dwellings.

The Town of Apple Valley enforces nighttime quiet hours from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. under Municipal Code Chapter 9.73 (Noise Control). Exterior noise limits drop during these hours, and many activities (loudspeakers, power tools, construction) that disturb across a property line are flatly prohibited overnight.

Apple Valley Municipal Code Section 9.73.060.F bars construction and demolition that disturbs neighbors between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. on weekdays, and at any time on weekends or holidays, except for emergency work. Construction is generally allowed 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays.

Apple Valley Municipal Code Section 9.73.060.D prohibits owning or harboring any animal or bird that frequently or for long duration howls, barks, meows, or squawks so as to create a noise disturbance across a residential or commercial property line or within a noise-sensitive zone.

Apple Valley has no leaf-blower-specific ban. Leaf blowers fall under the domestic power-tools rule (Section 9.73.060.L), which prohibits operating lawn or garden tools between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. when they create a noise disturbance across a residential or commercial property line. Daytime use is allowed.

Apple Valley Municipal Code prohibits radios, TVs, instruments and similar devices (9.73.060.A) and loudspeakers (9.73.060.B) from creating a noise disturbance across a residential property line between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. Amplified sound is also limited by the zone-based exterior dBA standards in Table 9.73.050-A.

For vehicles on public roads, Apple Valley Section 9.73.070 defers to the California Vehicle Code (Sections 23130/23130.5 for noise limits, 27150/27151 for muffler/exhaust equipment). The Town adds local rules on refuse-truck hours, horns, idling, off-road recreational vehicles and motorboats.

Outdoor music in Apple Valley is limited by the zone-based exterior dBA standards (Table 9.73.050-A), reduced 5 dBA when sound contains music or speech, and is prohibited from disturbing neighbors between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. (9.73.060.A/B). The Town exempts permitted school events (8:45 a.m.-10 p.m.) and public-park activities.

Apple Valley caps exterior noise at industrially zoned receiving property at 70 dBA (light industrial) and 75 dBA (heavy industrial) at any time under Table 9.73.050-A. Stationary machinery, vibration, air-handling equipment and prolonged-use equipment are separately regulated in Chapter 9.73, and Chapter 9.70 sets development performance standards.

Apple Valley's Noise Control chapter (9.73) contains no aircraft or aviation noise provision, and it exempts activities preempted by state or federal law. Aircraft noise is regulated by the FAA and, for airport land-use compatibility, by California state law (Public Utilities Code airport noise standards) rather than by a Town ordinance.

The Town of Apple Valley allows short-term rentals in residential zones but treats them as a use requiring a Special Use Permit (SUP). The Town's residential use table (Chapter 9.28) lists 'Short-term rentals' as 'SUP', and operators must also satisfy Chapter 8.34's rental-housing and STR standards.

Apple Valley requires short-term rental operators to hold a Property Maintenance Certificate under Section 8.34.040 (renewed annually) and a Transient Occupancy Registration Permit under Section 3.24.050. Both are Town-level registrations; California has no statewide STR registry.

Apple Valley imposes a 7% Transient Occupancy Tax on the rent for any stay of 30 days or less (Section 3.24.030). Operators collect it from guests, register for a $5 TOT permit (Section 3.24.050), and remit it to the Town. Short-term rentals must pay TOT under Section 8.34.080(e).

Section 8.34.080(c) limits short-term rental occupancy to two occupants per bedroom (as defined by the California Building Code), plus two additional occupants where a separate living space is provided. Total occupancy can never exceed what the required off-street parking supports.

Section 8.34.080(d) requires short-term rentals to provide enough designated, clearly identified off-street parking to match the occupancy offered, counting four individuals per vehicle. Properties on privately maintained shared access must submit a 'Parking Plan' to avoid encumbering shared roads and neighbor parking.

Apple Valley's short-term rental ordinance (Section 8.34.080) does not set STR-specific decibel limits; instead STRs are subject to the Town's general Noise Control chapter (9.73), with nighttime quiet hours of 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., and noise violations can trigger the STR public-nuisance penalties in Section 8.34.080(f).

Apple Valley's short-term rental ordinance (Section 8.34.080) does not require the host to live in the property or limit STRs to a primary residence. The only owner-occupancy STR restriction in the code is narrow: SB 9 two-unit projects may not be used as STRs (Section 9.29.220).

Apple Valley's short-term rental ordinance (Section 8.34.080) contains no host-presence or on-site-manager requirement. Hosts do not have to be present during guest stays, and the code does not mandate a local contact, though operators remain responsible for compliance and are liable for violations as a public nuisance.

Apple Valley's short-term rental ordinance (Section 8.34.080) sets no annual cap on the number of rental nights or bookings. The code regulates occupancy, parking, taxes, and certificates, but does not limit how many nights per year a property may be rented short-term.

Apple Valley's short-term rental ordinance (Section 8.34.080) does not require operators to carry liability insurance. The code mandates certificates, inspection, occupancy and parking limits, and TOT, but sets no minimum insurance coverage; the Special Use Permit could add conditions case by case.

Bookings of thirty-one consecutive days or longer fall outside the SBC short-term rental program and are treated as standard residential tenancies subject to AB 1482 statewide rent and eviction protections.

San Bernardino County places primary regulatory responsibility on the property owner or permitted operator. Booking platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo are not deputized as enforcement agents, but must collect transient occupancy tax.

STR permits in unincorporated San Bernardino County may be suspended or revoked after a pattern of verified violations within a twelve-month window, particularly for noise, occupancy, parking, and trash complaints.

All fireworks are illegal in the Town of Apple Valley, including state-legal 'safe and sane' fireworks. The Apple Valley Fire Protection District enforces a total ban under its Ordinance 56, issuing administrative citations to violators observed by fire or law enforcement personnel.

Apple Valley is a Local Responsibility Area where CAL FIRE's State Fire Marshal maps Moderate, High, and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones. The Apple Valley Fire Protection District designates wildland-urban interface zones under Ordinance 71, triggering defensible space and ignition-resistant construction standards.

Apple Valley has no separate fire-pit ordinance. Recreational and fire-pit use falls under the California Fire Code, adopted and amended locally by the Apple Valley Fire Protection District through Ordinance 67. Open burning of vegetation requires a separate $15 District burn permit.

Open burning of yard vegetation in Apple Valley requires a $15 Apple Valley Fire Protection District burn permit, valid one year. Burning is allowed only on authorized burn days from 6:00 a.m. to noon. Processed wood and garbage may never be burned.

The Apple Valley Fire Protection District inspects over 25,000 parcels yearly for hazardous vegetation. Properties cited must clear weeds and brush within 30 days. Defensible space guidance calls for 100-foot fuel reduction, 10-foot tree-branch clearance from structures, and grass mowed to 4 inches.

Backyard recreational fires in Apple Valley follow the California Fire Code adopted by the Apple Valley Fire Protection District. Burning yard waste requires a $15 District permit and is allowed only on authorized days from 6 a.m. to noon. Fires are suspended during high winds or fire danger.

Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are required in all Apple Valley dwellings. The Apple Valley Fire Protection District requires smoke detectors in every sleeping room and adjacent hallway, plus a CO device. State-Fire-Marshal-listed devices over ten years old must be replaced.

Apple Valley has no separate propane ordinance; LPG storage follows the California Fire Code adopted by the Apple Valley Fire Protection District under Ordinance 67. The District's defensible-space guidance requires keeping combustible vegetation and materials cleared away from propane tanks.

Apple Valley requires front-yard parking to be on a driveway or a concrete, asphalt or gravel surface (Code 6.30.030). Required off-street parking and driveways must be paved with asphalt, concrete or another approved all-weather, dust-free surface (Code 9.72.060), though single-family driveway paving may be waived where streets are unpaved.

The Town of Apple Valley Municipal Code does not impose a local EV-charging-space mandate or dedicated EV parking ordinance. Electric-vehicle charging follows statewide California law — CALGreen building standards and the streamlined permitting required of cities by Government Code section 65850.7.

Apple Valley lets residents store personal RVs, boats, fifth-wheels and trailers on their own lots, including in many front-yard areas, as long as they sit on a driveway or a concrete, asphalt or gravel surface and do not encroach into the Town right-of-way. Living in an RV is capped at 15 days a year.

Apple Valley's code contains no general overnight on-street parking ban and no town-specific 72-hour ordinance. Long-term and abandoned street parking is handled by the San Bernardino County Sheriff under California Vehicle Code section 22651(k), which allows removal of a vehicle left on a highway 72+ consecutive hours.

Apple Valley follows the statewide California Vehicle Code section 21458 curb-color scheme — red (no stopping), yellow (freight/passenger loading), white (passenger loading/mail), green (time-limited), and blue (disabled). The Town does not authorize residents to paint public curbs; markings are placed and enforced by the Town and the San Bernardino County Sheriff.

Apple Valley Municipal Code Chapter 12.38 bans parking commercial vehicles (GVWR over 26,001 lbs, plus all semi-tractors and trailers) in residential districts, on the Town right-of-way, and in front of a residence or garage. Exceptions exist only on large rural lots (2.5+ acres in R-A/R-LD/R-VLD) with a Town permit.

Apple Valley's code does not set a general town-wide on-street time limit; instead, Municipal Code Chapter 12.37 designates specific no-parking and no-stopping zones (bus stops, school frontages, fire-station frontages). Elsewhere, the San Bernardino County Sheriff enforces the California Vehicle Code on Town streets.

Apple Valley's heaviest oversized vehicles are governed by the commercial-vehicle rules in Chapter 12.38 (over 26,001 lbs GVWR and all semis), which bar them from residential areas without a large-lot permit. Personal-use RVs and large trailers are excluded from that definition and follow the RV/nuisance surface rules instead.

Apple Valley Municipal Code Chapter 11.80 declares abandoned, wrecked, dismantled or inoperative vehicles on public or private property to be a public nuisance, implementing California Vehicle Code section 22660. Owners get a 10-day notice and a hearing before the Town abates and removes the vehicle.

Apple Valley requires off-street loading spaces for commercial and industrial uses under Municipal Code Chapter 9.72, with spaces clearly marked and located so they do not interfere with on-site traffic. On the curb, yellow and white markings follow California Vehicle Code section 21458, enforced by the San Bernardino County Sheriff.

Apple Valley prohibits barbed-wire and electric fences in all districts except where the property is zoned for agriculture. Chain-link fencing is barred in front and front street-side yards for homes built after June 2007 in the Single-Family (R-SF) and Equestrian (R-EQ) zones. Walls separating uses must match the primary building architecturally.

In the Town of Apple Valley, residential front-yard fences are limited to about 3 1/2 feet, while rear and interior side-yard fences may reach roughly 8 feet. The Town's Development Code requires a permit once a wall or fence exceeds 6 feet, and corner lots must keep sight-triangle areas low for traffic visibility.

The Town of Apple Valley requires a Building Permit for any wall over 6 feet tall and flags fences over 7 feet for review. Walls between 6 and 8 feet that separate commercial or industrial uses from residential property need a Wall/Fence Height Permit with Planning Division approval, processed for a $47 application fee.

Apple Valley requires fences to be built entirely on the owner's property, or directly on a shared property line only with written consent from the adjoining owner. California's Good Neighbor Fence Law (Civil Code 841) presumes adjoining owners share equally in the cost of a boundary fence, with 30 days' written notice required before building.

The Town of Apple Valley follows the statewide California Residential Code, which requires a building permit for any retaining wall over 4 feet tall (measured from the bottom of the footing), or any wall that supports a surcharge or impounds flammable liquids. Walls over 6 feet also require a Town Building Permit.

Apple Valley requires fences to sit entirely on the owner's property (or on the line with written consent), be maintained in good condition, and respect corner-lot sight triangles. Front-yard fences are limited to about 3 1/2 feet; rear and side fences to about 8 feet. Temporary fences are not allowed more than 30 days.

Common fence materials such as wood, masonry block, wrought iron, vinyl, and chain link are generally allowed in Apple Valley, subject to height limits. Chain link is restricted in front and street-side yards for newer R-SF and R-EQ homes, and barbed-wire and electric fencing is limited to agricultural zones.

San Bernardino County enforces CA Health and Safety Code 115920 requiring a 60-inch barrier around residential pools. At least two of seven approved drowning prevention features are required.

The Town of Apple Valley does not ban or restrict any dog breed. Dangerous dogs are regulated by behavior, not breed. California Food and Agricultural Code Section 31683 also bars cities and counties from making any dangerous-dog program specific as to breed, so no breed is prohibited in Apple Valley simply because of what it is.

The Town of Apple Valley generally allows up to four dogs and four cats per household. With a $25 Animal Control Permit a household may keep up to eight animals in any combination, but all over-limit animals must be spayed or neutered. Apartments and condos are limited to one cat or one dog (Table 15.01.125A).

The Town of Apple Valley requires every dog off its owner's property to be on a leash. Under Town Code Title 15, a dog must be restrained by a substantial leash not to exceed six feet in length and held by a person competent to restrain it. Dogs running at large may be impounded by the Town's Animal Control Officer.

Apple Valley's animal density rules in Town Code Title 15 reference bee hives among regulated animal keeping, with allowances tied to zoning and lot size. Beyond any local limits, every beekeeper in California must register their apiary annually with the County Agricultural Commissioner under Food and Agricultural Code Section 29040, handled statewide through the BeeWhere system.

In the Town of Apple Valley, the number of fowl and other animals allowed is governed by Table 15.01.125A of the Town Code, tied to zoning district and lot size. Fowl must be removed by three months of age, and excess offspring must be removed within 30 days of weaning. Violations are a public nuisance.

We found no Apple Valley Town Code section that specifically bans feeding wild animals such as coyotes, rabbits, or birds. The Town's general animal sanitation and nuisance rules can still be used where feeding creates a hazard. California regulation 14 CCR 251.1 separately prohibits feeding big game and predatory mammals that creates a nuisance.

The Town of Apple Valley Town Code prohibits keeping any wild, exotic, dangerous, or nondomestic animal without first obtaining special authorization from the California Department of Fish and Game (now Fish and Wildlife). The code's wild animal definition excludes ordinary domestic dogs and cats, farm animals, horses, rodents, and captive-bred common cage birds.

Apple Valley is a strongly equestrian town, and the Town Code treats horses and livestock as domestic animals. Horses and other domestic farm animals may be kept on appropriately zoned, larger lots, including Residential Agriculture and Equestrian Residential (R-EQ) parcels, with the number of animals governed by Table 15.01.125A based on zoning and lot size.

The Town of Apple Valley has no leash law for cats. Households may keep up to four cats (one in an apartment or condo), with more allowed under an Animal Control Permit if all are spayed or neutered. The Town does not require cat licensing the way it requires dog licensing, but cats are covered by the Town's animal limits.

The Town of Apple Valley does not use the term animal hoarding in its code, but multiple rules apply. Household pet limits in Table 15.01.125A cap dogs and cats, animal keeping that violates the code is an abatable public nuisance, and care standards require water, food, and shelter. California Penal Code Section 597 covers the neglect hoarding involves.

San Bernardino County residents may not keep injured wildlife without a California Department of Fish and Wildlife rehabilitator permit. SBC Animal Care refers calls to permitted facilities such as those serving the desert and mountain corridors.

San Bernardino County aligns with the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act and California Fish and Game Code. Removing active nests of native birds is prohibited, especially during nesting season, and tree work near raptor or songbird nests requires biological survey clearance.

San Bernardino County requires microchipping of dogs and cats at the time of licensing or shelter release. The chip must be registered to a current owner with active contact information that Animal Care officers can verify in the field.

San Bernardino County requires dogs and cats adopted or reclaimed from county shelters to be spayed or neutered before release. Owners present a deposit refunded once veterinary verification is submitted, encouraging compliance among redeeming owners.

San Bernardino County coordinates with California Department of Fish and Wildlife on coyote conflicts. Residents must avoid feeding wildlife, secure trash, and use hazing techniques. Lethal removal is reserved for animals showing imminent threats to people or pets.

California law and San Bernardino County retail rules require pet stores selling dogs, cats, or rabbits to source only from shelters or rescues. AB 485 enforcement is shared between Animal Care, code compliance, and the California Attorney General.

The Town of Apple Valley has no general ornamental-lawn height cap; tall grass is regulated through fire-driven weed abatement. The Apple Valley Fire Protection District requires annual grasses to be mowed to no higher than 4 inches, and overgrown weeds posing a fire hazard must be cleared under the Town's weed-abatement authority (Gov. Code section 39501 et seq.).

Most Apple Valley homes are served by Liberty Utilities (Apple Valley Ranchos Water). Its Water Shortage Contingency Plan is in Stage 1 ("Water Alert"), where conservation is voluntary and outdoor irrigation is recommended at no more than three days a week on an even/odd address schedule. California's statewide permanent water-waste prohibitions (SWRCB) also apply.

Apple Valley encourages desert-adapted, drought-tolerant landscaping and protects native Mojave vegetation. Development Code Chapter 9.76 (Plant Protection and Management) governs removal and relocation of desert native plants, while western Joshua trees and other desert natives are also protected under state law (Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act and the California Desert Native Plants Act).

Apple Valley has no routine permit for trimming ordinary private trees, but fire defensible-space rules require keeping tree branches a minimum of 10 feet from structures. Western Joshua trees are an exception: trimming them requires a permit through the California Department of Fish and Wildlife under the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act.

Removing an ordinary private tree in Apple Valley generally needs no Town permit, but desert native plants and western Joshua trees are heavily protected. Western Joshua tree removal requires a CDFW permit under the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act, and the Town's Development Code Chapter 9.76 governs removal/relocation of desert native plants.

Apple Valley runs an annual weed-abatement program, driven by High Desert wildfire risk. Owners must remove weeds, dry grasses, brush, and dead trees posing a fire hazard. Enforcement rests on Government Code section 39501 et seq.; the Fire District requires up to 100 feet of defensible space, with contractor abatement and liens for non-compliance.

Apple Valley does not prohibit residential rainwater harvesting, and California broadly encourages it. Rain barrels and small rooftop catchment for landscape use need no state permit under the Rainwater Capture Act of 2012. The Town's water-efficiency framework (Development Code Chapter 9.75, implementing MWELO) recognizes onsite stormwater capture as a conservation tool.

Artificial turf is allowed in Apple Valley and cannot be banned. California Government Code section 53087.7 (from AB 1164) prohibits any city or county from forbidding synthetic grass or drought-tolerant landscaping on residential property. The Town may set only reasonable quality/installation standards, consistent with its desert water-conservation goals.

Apple Valley provides curbside organic-waste collection through Burrtec, using a green barrel for food scraps, grass clippings, and yard trimmings, as required by California's SB 1383. Home/backyard composting is encouraged but not mandatory, and the Town offers free compost or mulch to residents.

Apple Valley enforces the California Swimming Pool Safety Act through its adopted California Residential Code. New or remodeled residential pools and spas must include at least two of seven approved drowning-prevention safety features, which can include an isolation enclosure, an ASTM-rated safety cover, door and gate alarms, or an in-water alarm.

Above-ground pools in Apple Valley are regulated the same way as in-ground pools: a Town building permit is required, and the California Swimming Pool Safety Act drowning-prevention features apply. The pool is a structure for zoning, so it must meet the residential setback standards in the Town Development Code (Title 9).

The Town of Apple Valley requires a building permit to construct, install, or remodel a residential swimming pool or spa. The Town's Building and Safety Division enforces the 2022 California Codes (Title 24, Parts 1-12), which include the California Residential Code and the Swimming Pool Safety Act drowning-prevention requirements.

Hot tubs and spas in Apple Valley are regulated as spas under the California Swimming Pool Safety Act, which the Town enforces through its adopted California Residential Code. A building permit is required, and a new or remodeled spa at a single-family home must include at least two of seven drowning-prevention safety features.

Pool barriers in Apple Valley follow the California Swimming Pool Safety Act, which the Town enforces through its adopted California Residential Code. An isolation enclosure must be at least 60 inches high, leave no more than a 2-inch gap at the bottom, and have self-closing, self-latching gates that open away from the pool.

Apple Valley requires a Home Occupation Permit before engaging in a home occupation, under Development Code Chapter 9.19. The Planning Division reviews applications without a public hearing. The application processing fee is $114, and a current business license is required before the home occupation begins.

The Town of Apple Valley allows home occupations in residential zones with an approved Home Occupation Permit under Development Code Chapter 9.19. The business must show no visible or external evidence, keep the home's residential character, and not encroach into required parking, setback, or open-space areas.

Apple Valley permits Cottage Food Operations through its Home Occupation Permit process, applying the California Cottage Food Act (AB 1616). Only non-potentially hazardous foods are allowed, and operators must register with or obtain a permit from San Bernardino County Environmental Health, plus follow the Town's home-occupation operating standards.

Apple Valley sharply limits home-business signage. Under Development Code Section 9.19.050, a home occupation may have no displays, sales, or advertising signs except for produce grown on site, and only one unlit identification sign with the owner's name and address, attached to the building and not exceeding two square feet per street frontage.

Small and large family daycare homes in Apple Valley are protected by California state law. Under Health and Safety Code 1597.45, operating a family daycare home is a residential use of property and a use by right for all local ordinances, so the Town cannot require a conditional use or zoning permit, business license, fee, or tax to operate one.

San Bernardino County Development Code Chapter 84.07 limits customer, client, or student visits to a home occupation so that traffic and parking remain typical of a single-family residence in its zone.

Apple Valley has no separate "tiny home" category. A movable tiny house or manufactured home used as a second dwelling is treated as an accessory dwelling unit under Development Code 9.29.120, whose definition includes a manufactured home. Manufactured homes on a permanent foundation are allowed as single-family dwellings under Section 9.29.060; RV-style tiny houses are restricted under Section 9.29.025.

Apple Valley allows an attached garage, storage area, or other non-habitable structure to be converted into an accessory dwelling unit under Development Code Section 9.29.120. When a garage is converted to an ADU, the lost off-street parking does not have to be replaced, and no setback is required for a structure kept to its existing footprint.

The Town of Apple Valley permits accessory dwelling units and junior ADUs ministerially under Development Code Section 9.29.120, implementing California Government Code 65852.2 and 65852.22. Detached ADUs may reach 50% of the primary home's footprint or 1,200 sq ft, whichever is greater; JADUs are limited to 220-500 sq ft. No parking is required.

Apple Valley regulates sheds as accessory structures under Development Code Section 9.29.020. A nonhabitable shed up to 120 sq ft and no taller than 10 feet may sit within 5 feet of a side or rear property line. Larger or taller structures must meet full zoning setbacks plus a 10-foot rear setback and match the home's design.

Apple Valley regulates carports and vehicle/RV shelters under Development Code Section 9.29.022. Semi-permanent carports framed in metal, wood, or other rigid material (not plastic or PVC) may sit no closer than 5 feet from a side or rear property line, must be on concrete footings, require a building permit, and must use new materials matching the home's colors.

Apple Valley has no special ordinance restricting backyard propane or charcoal BBQ grills for single-family homes. Grilling is governed by the California Fire Code adopted by the Apple Valley Fire Protection District, which limits open-flame cooking devices near combustibles, especially on multifamily balconies.

Apple Valley has no specific ordinance for backyard smokers. Wood, pellet, charcoal, and propane smokers at single-family homes are treated as outdoor cooking under the California Fire Code adopted by the Apple Valley Fire Protection District, subject to fire-safety and air-quality common sense.

In Apple Valley, building setbacks are set by zone in Development Code Table 9.28.040-A. Large rural and equestrian lots (R-EQ, R-E, estate zones) require deeper front, side, and rear setbacks than standard single-family lots, and many older parcels follow setbacks designated on recorded maps from 1948 to 1987 or the Ranchos Residential Overlay.

Apple Valley's residential lot-coverage limits scale with zone. Lower-density and estate zones allow roughly 25 percent maximum coverage, the equestrian and single-family zones allow smaller percentages, and the Multi-Family (R-M) zone allows up to 70 percent building coverage. Limits are set in the Development Code's residential standards.

Apple Valley's single-family residential zones generally limit building height to about 35 feet. In the Multi-Family (R-M) zone, the Town allows 35 feet for small and medium projects (2-15 units) and up to 50 feet for large projects (16+ units). Height limits are set in the Development Code's residential standards.

Apple Valley requires permits for removing protected desert vegetation, not ordinary yard trees. Development Code Chapter 9.76 (Plant Protection and Management) requires a Town application and fee to remove or relocate desert native plants, and western Joshua trees additionally require a CDFW Incidental Take Permit under the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act.

Western Joshua trees are protected under California's Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act of 2023. Removing or relocating them in San Bernardino County requires a state permit and mitigation fees, with additional county Native Desert Plant Protection rules.

California provides statewide protections for native oak woodlands and heritage trees through CEQA review, Public Resources Code, and Forest Practice Rules that apply uniformly.

Apple Valley residents recycle through Burrtec's blue cart (cans, cardboard, cartons, paper, glass and #1-#7 plastics). The Town also enforces a Construction & Demolition Recycling Ordinance (Municipal Code Ch. 8.19) requiring at least 65% of construction debris to be diverted, consistent with California mandates.

Apple Valley residents arrange bulky-item disposal directly with franchise hauler Burrtec through its curbside bulky-item pickup program. Burrtec also runs electronic-waste collection, Christmas-tree recycling and special collection events. Items must be scheduled rather than dumped.

Apple Valley provides a green organics cart for food scraps and yard waste, implementing California's SB 1383. At ~75.8k population the Town is well above SB 1383's rural and low-population thresholds, so it is NOT exempt: all homes, apartments and businesses must keep organic waste out of the trash.

Solid waste collection in the Town of Apple Valley is provided by franchise hauler Burrtec, with the Town billing for sanitation. Residents receive weekly service for three carts (trash, recycling, organics), all collected on the same day, with collection delayed one day after major holidays.

Apple Valley residents set out all three Burrtec carts on the same collection day. Carts should be at the curb on pickup day and returned to out-of-view storage afterward; the Town has not published a single front-page set-out distance or time window, so residents confirm specifics with the Town or Burrtec.

The Town of Apple Valley requires owners to remove weeds, dry brush and rank vegetation as a nuisance and fire-safety matter under its Municipal Code (Title 6, Ch. 6.30) and California's city weed-abatement statute (Gov. Code 39501 et seq.). It is a High Desert community, so dry-vegetation clearance is a recurring focus.

The Town of Apple Valley regulates blight through its nuisance provisions in Title 6 (Health and Sanitation), Chapter 6.30, enforced by Town Code Enforcement. The Town also relies on California's Government Code and Health & Safety Code substandard-property and weed/rubbish abatement authority for cities.

Apple Valley issues residents three wheeled carts (trash, recycling, organics) through franchise hauler Burrtec. Outside of collection day, carts must be stored out of public view per Town nuisance and property-maintenance standards; cans left visible at the curb are a common code-enforcement issue.

Owners of vacant lots in the Town of Apple Valley must keep them free of weeds, rubbish, debris and dumping under the Town's nuisance rules (Title 6, Ch. 6.30) and California's weed/rubbish abatement statute. The Town offers a vacancy credit on sanitation billing for unoccupied parcels.

The Town of Apple Valley regulates garage/yard sales in Municipal Code Chapter 5.02 (Business Licenses). Residents must register the sale date and time with the Town's Finance Department, multi-family units are limited to one sale per year per unit, and advertising signs on public streets or rights-of-way are prohibited.

San Bernardino County has no countywide snow-clearing ordinance, but mountain communities (Big Bear, Lake Arrowhead, Crestline) customarily expect owners to keep walkways passable.

Per the Town of Apple Valley, signs advertising a garage or yard sale on any public street, alley, right-of-way, or publicly owned property are prohibited. Garage sales are limited to three consecutive days, no more than three events per residence per year, and must register with the Town Finance Department. Sign code Ch. 9.74 also bars right-of-way signs.

Apple Valley regulates temporary political signs under Development Code Section 9.74.170. Election signs may go up 45 days before an election and must come down within 7 days after. Residential signs are capped at 6 sq ft and 4 feet; larger 18 or 32 sq ft signs need a nonresidential location or permit, on private property with the owner's permission.

Apple Valley, a High Desert town, protects night skies through Development Code performance and sign standards, not a stand-alone dark-sky chapter. Section 9.70.020(H) requires lighting projected below the horizontal plane and away from streets and neighbors, bans flashing lights, caps reflected light at 75 foot lamberts at district boundaries, and limits pole lighting to 20 feet.

Apple Valley limits light trespass through Development Code Section 9.70.020(H). Lighting must be projected below the horizontal plane of the fixture and directed away from streets and adjoining properties, and single-family security or accent lighting must be shielded to project downward. Reflected light at the boundary of a multi-family, commercial, or industrial district may not exceed 75 foot lamberts.

Apple Valley parks are open dawn to dusk under Municipal Code Section 11.68.050; remaining from dusk to dawn is a violation, with lighted facilities usable until 11:00 p.m. only for scheduled events. A separate town-wide nighttime curfew (Chapter 11.24) bars anyone under 18 from public places, including parks, between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.

San Bernardino County Code Chapter 34.01 prohibits minors under 18 from being in public places from 10 PM to 5 AM without a parent, guardian, or legitimate purpose such as work, school, or emergency.

HVAC units in unincorporated San Bernardino County must meet Title 8 residential property-line limits (55 dBA day, 45 dBA night). Title 24 Part 6 requires exterior units to publish sound ratings.

Bars and nightclubs in unincorporated San Bernardino County need a Conditional Use Permit. Amplified music must meet Title 8 residential limits (45 dBA at night). California Business and Professions Code 25612.5 also applies.

Standby and portable generators in unincorporated San Bernardino County must meet Title 8 limits (45 dBA night residential). PSPS and emergency use is exempt. SCAQMD Rule 1470 permits stationary units over 50 hp.

California Labor Code 7150-7157 and Title 8 CCR 1635-1662 govern scaffold safety in San Bernardino County, requiring competent person supervision, fall protection above 7.5 ft, and engineering for high scaffolds.

California Labor Code 7300-7323 and Title 8 CCR 3000+ require annual elevator inspections by Cal/OSHA in San Bernardino County, with permits to operate and licensed elevator contractors.

California Health and Safety Code 17920.10 and federal RRP rule require lead-safe work practices in San Bernardino County pre-1978 housing renovations, with EPA-certified contractors and tenant notifications.

Structural pest control in San Bernardino County requires licensing by the CA Structural Pest Control Board, with specific rules for termite fumigation, rodent control, and tenant notification under CA B&P Code 8500+.

San Bernardino County enforces California Building Code rules requiring egress doors to unlock with a single motion from the inside. Deadbolts must release with the same handle action, and key-operated locks are restricted to specific Group A, B, M, and E uses.

San Bernardino County adopts the California Residential Code requiring NFPA 13D automatic fire sprinklers in all new one and two-family dwellings. SBCFPD enforces stricter density and water-supply standards in mountain WUI subdivisions and remote desert parcels.

San Bernardino County applies floor area ratios, lot coverage, and height limits in mountain and foothill communities to limit mansionization. Big Bear, Lake Arrowhead, and Crest Forest community plans add stricter design review for oversized structures and bulky additions.

San Bernardino County licensed childcare centers must meet California Building Code Group E or I-4 occupancy rules with fire alarms, sprinklers, exit hardware, and accessible play areas. State Community Care Licensing inspects, while county Building and Safety verifies plan compliance.

San Bernardino County enforces the California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen, Title 24 Part 11) on all new construction and major remodels. Mandatory measures include water-efficient fixtures, EV-ready wiring, construction waste diversion, and indoor air quality controls.

California Civil Code 4765 requires HOA architectural committees to use fair, reasonable procedures with written decisions, deadlines, and appeal rights, applying to San Bernardino County communities.

CC&R enforcement by HOAs in San Bernardino County follows California Davis-Stirling Act procedures requiring written notice, hearing opportunity, and graduated discipline before fines or liens.

California Civil Code 5600-5740 governs HOA assessments in San Bernardino County, requiring annual budget disclosure, limits on increases without member vote, and specific collection procedures.

HOAs in San Bernardino County follow California Davis-Stirling Common Interest Development Act (Civil Code 4000+) for board meetings, notice requirements, open meeting rules, and election procedures.

California Civil Code 5900-5965 requires HOAs in San Bernardino County to offer internal dispute resolution (IDR) and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) before filing litigation over most disputes.

San Bernardino County issues solar permits through expedited online portal under AB 2188 (3-day processing for small rooftop systems), with Title 24 compliance and utility interconnection coordination.

California Civil Code 714 (Solar Rights Act) prohibits HOAs in San Bernardino County from banning solar panels, limiting restrictions to reasonable placement that does not significantly reduce efficiency or raise cost.

San Bernardino County Development Code and MS4 permits require erosion control BMPs on all graded sites, with hillside development overlay imposing stricter rules including revegetation bonds.

San Bernardino County Development Code Chapter 83 requires grading permits for earth moving over 50 cubic yards, with hillside and rough grading permits, drainage plans, and geotechnical review.

California Title 24 Building Energy Efficiency Standards mandate cool-roof reflectance values for new and re-roofed buildings in San Bernardino County climate zones 10, 14, 15, and 16, covering desert and mountain communities prone to extreme heat.

California AB 1346 bans the sale of new gas-powered leaf blowers, mowers, and similar small off-road engines starting in 2024. San Bernardino County does not impose a separate operational ban but enforces noise rules.

Properties in San Bernardino Mountain WUI zones must clear 100 feet of defensible space around structures. SBCFPD inspects annually before fire season; failure to comply triggers abatement orders, contractor cleanup at owner cost, and potential criminal citations.

San Bernardino County MS4 Permit under the Santa Ana and Lahontan Regional Water Boards requires stormwater BMPs for development over 1 acre and prohibits non-stormwater discharges to the storm drain system.

California Air Resources Board limits commercial diesel idling to 5 minutes statewide, enforced aggressively in San Bernardino County warehouse hubs like Fontana, Ontario, and the Inland Empire. SCAQMD adds local enforcement in non-attainment basins.

San Bernardino County adopted a Climate Action Plan and updated Renewable Energy and Conservation Element setting greenhouse gas reduction targets aligned with California SB 32. New developments must demonstrate consistency with CAP measures during CEQA review.

San Bernardino County is entirely inland - Mojave Desert, Inland Empire, and the San Bernardino Mountains - with no coastline and no California Coastal Commission jurisdiction. The relevant program is the Floodplain Safety (FP) Overlay in Title 8, Section 82.14, plus the Floodplain Administrator duties in Section 86.04, requiring a permit before any development in a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area or designated desert wash.

San Bernardino County Floodplain Management Ordinance implements FEMA NFIP requirements including elevation certificates, 1-foot freeboard, and flood insurance for Special Flood Hazard Areas.

San Bernardino County Code prohibits obstructing sidewalks with merchandise, vegetation, or hoops. Trees must be trimmed to keep 8-foot vertical clearance over sidewalks.

Under CA Streets and Highways Code 5610, adjacent property owners in unincorporated San Bernardino County are responsible for maintaining and repairing sidewalks fronting their property.

California SB 54, the California Values Act, limits how San Bernardino County Sheriff and other local agencies may cooperate with federal immigration authorities in unincorporated areas and contract cities.

California prohibits state and local governments from requiring private employers to use the federal E-Verify system except where federal law mandates it, under Government Code 7285.1 and 7285.3. The restriction applies uniformly to every California city and county.

California Civil Code 1954.603 requires landlords to disclose bed bug information and prohibits renting units with known infestations; San Bernardino County enforces habitability complaints.

California law and San Bernardino County Solid Waste rules prohibit loose syringes and sharps in household trash; residents must use FDA-cleared sharps containers and approved drop-off sites.

San Bernardino County Public Health inspects restaurants countywide and posts color-coded grade placards (Pass, Conditional Pass, Closed) at the entrance after each routine inspection.

Property owners across San Bernardino County must keep premises free of rodent harborage, and Public Health may abate severe infestations on private land at the owner cost.

California AB 1884 bars full-service restaurants in San Bernardino County and statewide from automatically providing plastic straws; customers must specifically request them at sit-down meals.

California SB 54 phases out expanded polystyrene foam foodware statewide by 2030; some San Bernardino communities have earlier local bans on takeout containers and packing peanuts.

California SB 1383 organic waste rules push San Bernardino County restaurants toward compostable takeout containers and require commercial generators to subscribe to organics collection service.

California SB 270 bans most single-use plastic carryout bags at grocery and retail stores statewide; San Bernardino County retailers must charge at least ten cents for recycled paper or thicker reusable bags.

California AB 1276 prohibits restaurants and food delivery platforms in San Bernardino County from automatically including plastic utensils, condiments, and napkins; items must be provided only on customer request.

California SB 793, upheld by Proposition 31 in 2022, bans the retail sale of most flavored tobacco products and flavor enhancers across San Bernardino County, including menthol cigarettes and flavored vapes.

California Tobacco 21 law bars sale of cigarettes, vapes, and other tobacco products to anyone under 21 in San Bernardino County, with active duty military exempt to age 18.

California requires statewide licensing of tobacco and vape retailers under the STAKE Act and the Cigarette and Tobacco Products Licensing Act. Business and Professions Code 22970 establishes uniform retailer licensing, while local governments may adopt stricter rules.

For covered units in unincorporated San Bernardino County, no-fault evictions are limited to AB 1482's enumerated reasons: owner or family move-in, substantial remodel, government order, or withdrawal from the rental market.

Unincorporated San Bernardino County has not adopted a local relocation-assistance ordinance for displaced tenants. Only the relocation payment required by California AB 1482 for qualifying no-fault evictions applies.

San Bernardino County rentals follow California Civil Code 1950.5, which limits security deposits to one month's rent for both furnished and unfurnished units and requires return within twenty-one days of move-out.

San Bernardino County tenants who have occupied 12+ months are protected by CA AB 1482 just-cause eviction rules. Landlords must state a valid reason and pay relocation for no-fault terminations.

Unincorporated San Bernardino County has no local rent control, but California AB 1482 (Tenant Protection Act of 2019) imposes a statewide cap of CPI plus 5% annually (maximum 10%) on most rental units over 15 years old.

California Government Code 12955 bars San Bernardino County landlords from refusing to rent solely because the tenant uses a Housing Choice Voucher or other lawful government rental subsidy as part of their income.

California requires landlords to include or attach an AB 1482 disclosure in every covered lease and lease renewal, informing tenants of the rent cap and just-cause protections in plain statutory language.

The Housing Authority of the County of San Bernardino administers Housing Choice Vouchers across SBC, inspecting units for HUD habitability standards and paying the subsidy portion directly to the landlord.

Unincorporated San Bernardino County does not require general rental-property registration. However, short-term rentals require county permits and Transient Occupancy Tax registration.

California Density Bonus Law lets developers exceed San Bernardino County zoning density by up to 50 percent in exchange for affordable units. Recent updates under SB 1287 and AB 1287 raise the maximum bonus to 100 percent for highly affordable projects.

San Bernardino County's General Plan is implemented through 14 community plans covering distinct geographies like Bear Valley, Crest Forest, Joshua Tree, Lake Arrowhead, and Lucerne Valley. Each adds local zoning standards on top of the countywide Development Code.

San Bernardino Mountain communities under hillside overlays restrict grading volume, slope disturbance, and building height to protect views and reduce wildfire and landslide risk. Lake Arrowhead, Big Bear, Crestline, and Wrightwood enforce strict hillside standards.

San Bernardino County does not set a local minimum wage, so the California statewide rate of 16.50 dollars per hour applies in 2026 to most employers in unincorporated areas, with annual inflation indexing.

California requires most employers, including warehouse and logistics operators in the Inland Empire portion of San Bernardino County, to provide at least 40 hours of paid sick leave per year under SB 616.

Drone operators in unincorporated San Bernardino County must follow FAA 14 CFR Part 107 or Recreational Flyer rules. County parks and military R-2508 airspace restrict drone flight.

Commercial drone operations in California follow uniform federal rules under 14 CFR Part 107 plus statewide California provisions in Civil Code 1708.8 and Public Utilities Code 21401, with local rules limited to ground-based regulation.

San Bernardino County coordinates encampment sanitation responses through the Office of Homeless Services, providing advance notice, outreach offers, and storage of personal property removed during cleanup operations.

San Bernardino County prohibits obstructing public sidewalks, trails, and rights-of-way with personal property or encampments in unincorporated areas, applying offer-of-shelter principles consistent with Ninth Circuit precedent.

San Bernardino County funds bridge and interim housing through the Continuum of Care, including navigation centers, motel-voucher programs, and project-based interim sites in San Bernardino, Victorville, and the High Desert.

Unincorporated San Bernardino County prohibits commercial cannabis retail, manufacturing, and distribution; only Adelanto, Hesperia, Needles, and a few other cities permit licensed dispensaries with strict buffers.

California Business and Professions Code 26054 requires licensed cannabis businesses to sit at least 600 feet from schools, daycares, and youth centers; San Bernardino cities often expand these buffers.

San Bernardino County Development Code Chapter 84.34 bans commercial cannabis cultivation, manufacturing, and sales in all unincorporated zones, treating any such use as a public nuisance.

Adults 21 and older may grow up to six cannabis plants per private residence in San Bernardino County, but unincorporated areas require indoor cultivation inside a fully enclosed secure structure.

Unincorporated San Bernardino County allows personal cannabis cultivation only indoors. State Proposition 64 (Health & Safety Code Section 11362.1) permits up to six living plants per residence for adults 21+; medical patients may grow more under HSC 11362.77. County Code Section 84.34.040 requires cultivation in a fully enclosed, locked, secure area not perceptible from outside. Outdoor cultivation is prohibited.

Cucamonga Valley Water District, Inland Empire Utilities Agency, and Mojave Water Agency offer turf replacement rebates of 2 to 4 dollars per square foot to convert lawns to drought-tolerant landscaping. State law also blocks HOAs from banning xeriscaping.

Mojave Water Agency, Cucamonga Valley, and other San Bernardino County water districts impose day-of-week irrigation schedules during drought emergencies. State Water Board emergency rules can override locals, banning ornamental turf irrigation entirely.

San Bernardino County water districts require customers to repair visible leaks within 5 to 10 days of notice. Persistent leaks running into gutters or sidewalks during drought are treated as water waste and trigger escalating fines.

San Bernardino County's Non-Motorized Transportation Plan guides bike-lane and trail expansion across unincorporated areas, with major commuter routes along Pacific Electric Trail, Santa Ana River Trail, and segments connecting OmniTrans bus stops and Metrolink stations.

San Bernardino County designates specific truck routes through Fontana, Ontario, Bloomington, and Mira Loma warehouse corridors to keep heavy freight off residential streets. Operating outside designated routes risks weight-violation citations and impoundment.

Tobacco retailers in unincorporated San Bernardino County need a county tobacco retailer license alongside the state CDTFA license, and California prohibits sales of most flavored tobacco products under SB 793.

Operating an auto repair business from a home in unincorporated San Bernardino County is generally prohibited under Title 8 zoning, though minor repairs on personally owned vehicles remain allowed.

Secondhand dealers and pawnbrokers in unincorporated San Bernardino County must register with the Sheriff and report transactions through the California Department of Justice CAPSS reporting system under state law.

San Bernardino County requires conditional use permits for massage establishments in unincorporated areas, with operators and technicians holding California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC) certification under state law.

Tow operators that perform police-initiated tows in unincorporated San Bernardino County must hold a Sheriff rotation tow contract and follow California Vehicle Code rate posting and storage rules.

California state law bans smoking in most outdoor public spaces near children, workplaces, and state parks, and San Bernardino County applies these rules in unincorporated parks and public buildings.

San Bernardino County treats loud and unruly gatherings as a public nuisance, and the Sheriff can bill responsible parties for repeat response calls under the County Code.

California limits criminal loitering to specific contexts, while San Bernardino County enforces trespass rules on county property, parks after closing, and unincorporated commercial centers.

California Proposition 64 and San Bernardino County rules ban smoking, vaping, or eating cannabis in public places, including streets, parks, and county buildings in unincorporated areas.

Unincorporated San Bernardino County does not levy a general gross-receipts business tax, though regulatory permits, zoning clearances, and state-level licenses still apply to most business activities.

Unlike Los Angeles or Long Beach, San Bernardino County does not impose hotel worker retention or living-wage rules, leaving lodging employers to follow only state minimum wage and labor protections.

San Bernardino County imposes a 7 percent transient occupancy tax on stays of 30 days or fewer at hotels, motels, RV parks, and short-term rentals in unincorporated areas, including Big Bear and Joshua Tree.

The most common code violations in San Bernardino County include unpermitted construction, junk and debris accumulation, overgrown vegetation, inoperable vehicles, illegal cannabis cultivation, unpermitted short-term rentals, and zoning violations in unincorporated areas.

San Bernardino County Code Enforcement handles complaints in unincorporated areas via phone at (909) 884-4056 or online. The division enforces zoning, housing, public nuisance, and vehicle abatement ordinances under the County Development Code.

San Bernardino County Code Enforcement investigates complaints and provides a time frame for correction based on violation type. Health and safety violations are prioritized for faster response, while routine violations may take 5-10 business days for initial investigation.

San Bernardino County does not have specific ordinances banning or restricting bamboo cultivation. However, bamboo that encroaches on neighboring properties or creates a nuisance may be subject to general property maintenance code enforcement.

San Bernardino County follows the California Department of Food and Agriculture's noxious weed list and the California Invasive Plant Council's inventory. Notable invasive species in the region include Saharan mustard, tamarisk (salt cedar), and giant reed (Arundo donax).

California AB 2561 (2022) prohibits cities and HOAs from banning front-yard food gardens. San Bernardino County residents can grow vegetables and fruit in their front yards. The county also encourages drought-tolerant landscaping and has removed restrictions on replacing lawns with gardens.

In San Bernardino County, detached storage sheds of 120 square feet or less, single-story, and without plumbing or electrical do not require a building permit. Larger sheds require permits and must comply with zoning setbacks and building code requirements.

Wood and vinyl fences under 6 feet in San Bernardino County typically do not require a building permit. Masonry walls, retaining walls, and fences over 6 feet require a permit. Front-yard fences are limited to 42 inches in residential zones.

Decks over 30 inches above grade require a building permit in San Bernardino County. Ground-level patios and decks less than 200 square feet that are under 30 inches above grade and not attached to a dwelling generally do not require a permit.

Most renovation work in San Bernardino County requires a building permit if it involves structural changes, electrical, plumbing, or mechanical work. Cosmetic work like painting, flooring, and countertops does not require a permit.

Residential security cameras are legal in San Bernardino County without a permit. California's privacy laws prohibit recording in areas where people have a reasonable expectation of privacy. Audio recording requires all-party consent under California Penal Code §632.

California is an all-party consent state for audio recording. All parties to a confidential conversation must consent to being recorded under Penal Code §632. Video recording in public is legal, but recording in private areas violates Penal Code §647(j).

San Bernardino County allows privacy fences up to 6 feet in side and rear yards and 42 inches in front yards in most residential zones. Fences under 6 feet typically do not require a building permit. Barbed wire is prohibited in residential zones.

California regulates concealed carry weapons licenses statewide under Penal Code 26150 through 26225. Senate Bill 2 (2023) imposes uniform sensitive-place restrictions and applicant standards, preempting local variations on issuance criteria and qualifications.

California preempts most local firearm regulation under Government Code 53071 and Penal Code 25605, reserving licensing, registration, and manufacture authority to the state. However, local governments retain limited authority over discharge, sensitive places, and zoning of gun businesses.

California broadly prohibits open carry of firearms statewide under Penal Code 25850 (loaded firearms in public) and Penal Code 26350 (open carry of unloaded handguns). The prohibition applies uniformly across all California cities and counties without local variation.

California prohibits carrying loaded firearms in vehicles statewide under Penal Code 25400 and 25850. Unloaded handguns transported in private vehicles must be in a locked container or the vehicle's locked trunk; long guns must be unloaded but need not be locked.

California Retail Food Code (Health and Safety Code 113700-114437) sets uniform mobile food facility permit, equipment, and food safety standards enforced by counties statewide.

California's Safe Sidewalk Vending Act (SB 946) preempts most local bans on sidewalk vending, allowing only objective health, safety, and welfare regulations.

The California Land Conservation Act of 1965 (Williamson Act), Government Code 51200-51297.4, allows landowners to enter contracts with counties restricting land to agricultural use for ten-year minimum terms in exchange for reduced property tax assessment based on farming income.

The California Right to Farm Act under Civil Code 3482.5 protects established agricultural operations from nuisance lawsuits brought by neighbors who moved in after farming began. The law applies statewide and limits both private and local government nuisance actions.