Moving to Fontana, CA? Here Are the Local Rules You Should Know

Fontana is a mid-sized city in San Bernardino County, California, with about 215000 residents. Like most cities its size, it has a set of local rules that may differ significantly from neighboring municipalities. Here is an overview of 125 ordinances across 28 categories that affect daily life in Fontana.

Trash & Recycling

Bulk Item Disposal: Fontana residents receive bulky item pickups from Burrtec as part of their service. Schedule by phone; items like furniture, mattresses, and large appliances must be placed curbside on the assigned day..

Also covered: Pickup Rules & Schedules (moderate), Bin Placement Rules (permissive), Recycling Requirements (moderate). See the full trash & recycling guide for Fontana for details.

Fence Regulations

Pool Barriers: California Health and Safety Code Section 115920 and the California Building Code require a 60-inch minimum pool barrier with self-closing, self-latching gates, plus at least one additional drowning-prevention feature. Fontana enforces these standards through the building permit and final inspection for any new pool..

Also covered: Retaining Walls (moderate), Fence Requirements (moderate), Material Restrictions (moderate). See the full fence regulations guide for Fontana for details.

Animal Ordinances

Wildlife Feeding: Fontana prohibits feeding wild animals under Chapter 18 nuisance rules and Chapter 4 animal provisions. Feeding coyotes, raccoons, and skunks draws them into yards and is treated as a nuisance even without a named wildlife-feeding ordinance..

Also covered: Livestock (moderate), Chickens & Livestock (moderate), Beekeeping (moderate). See the full animal ordinances guide for Fontana for details.

Accessory Structures

ADU Rental Restrictions: Fontana ADUs may be rented long-term (30 days or more) without separate licensing. Short-term rentals under 30 days are restricted citywide — California Gov.

Also covered: Carport Rules (moderate), Tiny Homes (moderate), ADU Permits (permissive). See the full accessory structures guide for Fontana for details.

Fire Regulations

Smoke Detectors: Fontana follows state law requiring smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside sleeping areas, and on each floor. CO alarms are required where homes have gas appliances or attached garages..

Also covered: Backyard Fires (moderate), Brush Clearance (strict), Wildfire Zones (strict). See the full fire regulations guide for Fontana for details.

Landscaping Rules

Weed Ordinances: Fontana treats overgrown weeds and rubbish as a nuisance. Owners who fail to clear within 30 days of a Notice to Abate face city-contracted removal with costs recorded as a tax lien..

Also covered: Artificial Turf (permissive), Grass Height Limits (moderate), Rainwater Harvesting (permissive). See the full landscaping rules guide for Fontana for details.

Short-Term Rentals

Taxes & Fees: Fontana charges Transient Occupancy Tax on short-term stays under 30 days. Operators must register, collect TOT from guests, file returns, and pay business license fees..

Also covered: Insurance Requirements (permissive), Night Caps (moderate), Registration Rules (moderate). See the full short-term rentals guide for Fontana for details.

Environmental Rules

Erosion Control: Fontana requires erosion and sediment-control BMPs on graded sites. The California Construction General Permit and FMC grading code require silt fences and stabilized entrances during the Oct-Apr wet season..

Also covered: Stormwater Management (strict), Grading & Drainage (strict), Flood Zones (moderate). See the full environmental rules guide for Fontana for details.

Building Safety

Elevator Maintenance: California Labor Code 7300+ and 8 CCR Title 8 delegate elevator safety to Cal/OSHA Elevator Unit. Fontana buildings with conveyances need annual certification, state permits, and licensed mechanics..

Also covered: Scaffold & Sidewalk Shed (strict), Pest Control (moderate), Lead Paint (strict). See the full building safety guide for Fontana for details.

Building Setbacks & Zoning

Structure Height Limits: Fontana height limits are set in FMC Title 17. R-1 primary structures cap at about 35 ft or 2.5 stories.

Also covered: Setback Rules (moderate), Lot Coverage Limits (moderate). See the full building setbacks & zoning guide for Fontana for details.

Outdoor Lighting

Dark Sky Rules: Fontana regulates outdoor lighting under FMC Title 17 to limit glare and spillover. Commercial and industrial lighting must be shielded full-cutoff.

Also covered: Light Trespass (moderate). See the full outdoor lighting guide for Fontana for details.

Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors

Vending Zones: Fontana FMC Title 17 controls food-truck locations. Commercial and industrial zones allow trucks on private property with owner permission.

Also covered: Food Truck Permits (moderate). See the full food trucks & mobile vendors guide for Fontana for details.

Noise Ordinances

Aircraft Noise: Aircraft noise in Fontana is federally regulated by the FAA, and the City has no local ordinance on overflights. Residents mainly hear approaches and departures tied to San Bernardino International Airport, Ontario International Airport, and the Chino and Rialto general-aviation fields..

Also covered: Amplified Music & Events (moderate), Barking Dogs (moderate), Industrial Noise (moderate). See the full noise ordinances guide for Fontana for details.

Property Maintenance

Garage Sale Rules: Fontana limits residential garage sales to a set number per year with a permit. Sales must occur on private property, only during daylight hours, and cannot create traffic or noise nuisances..

Also covered: Trash Bin Storage (moderate), Vacant Lot Maintenance (moderate), Snow & Sidewalk Clearing (permissive). See the full property maintenance guide for Fontana for details.

Rental Property Rules

Rent Control: Fontana has no local rent control but is subject to California AB 1482. The state law caps rent increases at 5 percent plus CPI (10 percent max) and requires just cause for long-term tenant evictions..

Also covered: Rental Registration (moderate), Just Cause Eviction (moderate). See the full rental property rules guide for Fontana for details.

Sign Regulations

Holiday Displays: Fontana permits holiday decorations and lighting on private property without a permit when temporary. Displays must not obstruct sidewalks, create glare, or violate noise or electrical safety rules..

Also covered: Garage Sale Signs (moderate), Political Signs (moderate). See the full sign regulations guide for Fontana for details.

HOA Rules

Assessment & Dues: Fontana HOAs follow Davis-Stirling assessment rules (Civil Code 5600+) limiting annual regular assessment increases to 20 percent and special assessments to 5 percent without member vote..

Also covered: Board Procedures (moderate), Architectural Review (moderate), CC&R Enforcement (moderate). See the full hoa rules guide for Fontana for details.

Home Business

Signage Rules: Home businesses in Fontana cannot display any exterior commercial signage. Window signs, yard signs, banners, and lighted displays are prohibited.

Also covered: Cottage Food Operations (moderate), Home Daycare (permissive), Home Occupation Permits (moderate). See the full home business guide for Fontana for details.

Cannabis Regulations

Dispensary Zoning: Fontana prohibits commercial cannabis storefront retail and most cannabis businesses within city limits. Deliveries from licensed outside operators are permitted under state law..

Also covered: Home Cultivation (strict). See the full cannabis regulations guide for Fontana for details.

Parking Rules

Abandoned Vehicles: Fontana removes abandoned vehicles under CVC 22651(k) on public streets. Inoperable, unregistered, or dismantled vehicles on private property are abated under FMC property-maintenance rules..

Also covered: EV Charging (permissive), Overnight Parking (permissive), RV & Boat Parking (moderate). See the full parking rules guide for Fontana for details.

Garage & Yard Sales

Garage Sale Permits: Fontana requires a free or low-cost garage sale permit before each residential sale. Residents are limited to a set number of sales per year with duration and display limits..

Solar Energy

Panel Permits: Fontana issues residential solar permits through SolarAPP+ expedited online tool under AB 2188 and AB 1414. Title 24 Part 6 requires solar on most new homes.

Also covered: HOA Restrictions (permissive). See the full solar energy guide for Fontana for details.

Drone Rules

Commercial Drones: Commercial drone pilots in Fontana need an FAA Part 107 certificate and LAANC approval for Ontario Airport airspace. The city business license and property owner permission are required to operate..

Also covered: Recreational Drones (strict). See the full drone rules guide for Fontana for details.

Soliciting & Door-to-Door

Solicitor Permits: Door-to-door commercial solicitors in Fontana must obtain a solicitor permit and ID badge before knocking on residential doors. Solicitation is limited to daytime hours and ends at dusk..

Also covered: No-Knock Registry (moderate). See the full soliciting & door-to-door guide for Fontana for details.

Curfew Laws

Park Curfew: Fontana city parks are closed from 10:00 p.m. to sunrise daily.

Also covered: Juvenile Curfew (strict). See the full curfew laws guide for Fontana for details.

Outdoor Cooking

BBQ & Propane Rules: Fontana adopts the 2022 California Fire Code (CFC) under FMC Chapter 14. CFC §308.1.4 prohibits open-flame cooking devices (charcoal, wood) and propane tanks larger than 2.5 lbs on combustible balconies or within 10 feet of combustible construction at apartments and condos with three or more units.

Also covered: Outdoor Kitchen Permits (moderate), Smoker Rules (moderate). See the full outdoor cooking guide for Fontana for details.

Holiday Decorations

Holiday Light Rules: Fontana has no city ordinance setting installation dates, removal deadlines, or brightness limits for residential holiday lights. Lights are permitted year-round on private property.

Also covered: Inflatable Display Rules (permissive), Lawn Ornament Rules (permissive). See the full holiday decorations guide for Fontana for details.

Swimming Pools & Spas

Fencing Requirements: California H&S Code 115922 requires residential pools to have an enclosure at least 60 inches tall with self-closing, self-latching gates. Fontana enforces state barrier standards plus CBC code..

Also covered: Pool Permits (moderate), Hot Tub Rules (moderate), Above-Ground Pools (moderate). See the full swimming pools & spas guide for Fontana for details.

What to Do With This Information

This overview covers the big picture, but the details matter. Each ordinance page for Fontana includes the full text, violation penalties, and frequently asked questions. Use those pages when you need specifics.