San Bernardino's Property Maintenance: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles property maintenance a little differently. In San Bernardino, California, there are 3 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Vacant Lot Maintenance

San Bernardino makes it unlawful to throw or deposit litter on any open or vacant private property in the city, whether the person doing so owns the lot or not, under Municipal Code § 8.15.160. Owners must also keep any private property, occupied or not, free of litter at all times under § 8.15.150.

Key details: Covered land: Open or vacant private property. Who can violate: Any person, not just owner. Owner duty (occupied land): Keep premises free of litter. Enforcement: Code enforcement, Chapter 9.90 citations. Governing chapter: Ch. 8.15, adopted 1966.

Under § 8.15.170(A), violating any provision of Chapter 8.15, including dumping on a vacant lot, is an infraction punishable under the Chapter 1.12 general penalty schedule: up to $100 for a first violation, $200 for a second within a year, and $500 for each further violation in that year, with a fourth violation charged as a misdemeanor carrying up to six months in county jail.

Property Blight

San Bernardino's Building Official can summarily abate a dangerous or hazardous building or premises under San Bernardino Municipal Code § 15.28.150, without waiting for a hearing, whenever a condition is immediately dangerous under California Building Code § 116. Owners get mailed notice, a ten-day appeal window and a lien for unpaid abatement costs.

Key details: Summary abatement authority: Building Official, §15.28.150. Trigger standard: immediately dangerous, CBC §116. Appeal window: 10 days to Board of Building Commissioners. Unpaid cost becomes: special assessment lien after 30 days. Nuisance abatement time limit: at least 10 days (§8.30.035).

Removing a posted vacate notice without the Building Official's written consent, or maintaining a declared public nuisance after an abatement order, is a misdemeanor under §§ 15.28.140(B) and 8.30.070(A). Obstructing city crews or a purchaser carrying out an ordered repair or demolition is also a misdemeanor under § 8.30.070(C), on top of the lien the city places on the property for its abatement costs.

This is one of the stricter rules in San Bernardino's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Snow & Sidewalk Clearing

San Bernardino rarely sees snow, so there is no shoveling ordinance. Owners are still responsible under Streets and Highways Code 5610 for keeping the abutting sidewalk safe and clear of debris and tripping hazards.

Key details: State law: Streets and Highways Code 5610 assigns sidewalk duty to owner. Snow: Rare in the valley; foothill neighborhoods should clear hazards. Branch clearance: 8 feet over sidewalks, 14 feet over streets. Sidewalk repair: Generally owner responsibility, possible 50-50 city cost share. Liability: Owners may be sued for trip and fall injuries.

San Bernardino is more permissive than most cities when it comes to snow & sidewalk clearing. That said, there are still limits.

The Bottom Line

San Bernardino's property maintenance rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming San Bernardino is broadly strict or permissive.

These rules come from San Bernardino's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.