Public Health Rules in San Bernardino, CA

If you live in San Bernardino or are thinking about moving there, public health rules are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. San Bernardino has 4 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of public health rules, and some of them might surprise you.

Syringe Disposal

San Bernardino Municipal Code § 8.24.120(E)(1) bars anyone from putting unbroken, exposed hypodermic needles or other dangerous substances in a garbage, recycling or organics container, and points residents to the city's sharps collection program for proper disposal instead.

Key details: Governing section: SBMC § 8.24.120(E)(1). Banned items: Exposed needles, poisons, caustic acids, explosives. Proper disposal route: City's sharps collection program. Enforcement: Notice of violation plus administrative fine.

Depositing exposed sharps or other dangerous substances in a collection container violates § 8.24.120(E)(1) and is enforced the same way as other Chapter 8.24 violations under § 8.24.130: a notice of violation, administrative fines set by City Council resolution, and, at the City Attorney's discretion, prosecution as an infraction or misdemeanor for repeat or serious cases.

Rodent Control

San Bernardino's Property Maintenance Code requires every single-family, multi-residential, commercial and industrial property to stay free of termite, insect, vermin and rodent infestation. Owners, renters, managers and anyone in charge of the property share the duty. Code enforcement treats an infestation as a maintenance violation punishable as an infraction, and the City Attorney can also sue to abate it as a nuisance.

Key details: Governing section: § 15.24.040(A)(10), Property Maintenance Code. Who is responsible: Owner, renter, occupant or manager. First infraction fine: Up to $100. Fourth violation: Misdemeanor, up to $1,000 or 6 months. Enforcement: Infraction citation or City Attorney nuisance action.

An infestation of termites, insects, vermin or rodents cited under § 15.24.040(A)(10) is charged as an infraction under § 1.12.010: up to $100 for a first violation, $200 for a second within a year, and $500 for each further violation that year. A fourth violation in twelve months is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to six months in county jail and a $1,000 fine. The City Attorney may also pursue civil nuisance abatement and recover the city's enforcement costs.

Restaurant Grade Cards

San Bernardino adopts the San Bernardino County restaurant inspection grading program by reference under Municipal Code Chapter 8.02. The County Department of Public Health inspects and grades every food establishment in the city, and a Letter Grade Card must stay posted; falling below a "B" triggers a written notice and a 30-day re-score window.

Key details: Administering agency: County Department of Public Health. Minimum passing grade: "B" grade required. Re-score request window: 30 days after OIR. Re-score completion deadline: 10 county business days. Card removal penalty: Permit suspension or revocation.

Removing, hiding or defacing the Letter Grade Card, or operating without one posted, violates Chapter 8.02 and can trigger suspension or revocation of the establishment's public health permit. Under § 8.02.040, violations of this chapter are punishable as an infraction or misdemeanor under Chapter 1.12, which sets fines up to $100 for a first infraction, $200 for a second within a year and $500 for further violations, with a fourth violation charged as a misdemeanor.

Food Handler Certification

San Bernardino's sidewalk vending ordinance requires every food-selling sidewalk vendor, stationary or roaming, to display a county health permit on the cart and have all employees carry a current county-issued food handlers card. The same requirement repeats for stationary, park and roaming vendors in Chapter 5.30.

Key details: Card issuer: San Bernardino County. Who must hold one: All food-cart employees. Applies to: Stationary, park, and roaming vendors. Also required: County health permit + cart decal. First violation fine: Up to $100.

Selling food from a sidewalk cart without a displayed county health permit or without employees holding current food handlers cards violates Chapter 5.30 and is punishable under § 5.30.120(A) by an administrative fine up to $100 for a first violation, $200 for a second violation within a year, and $500 for each additional violation within that year.

The Bottom Line

San Bernardino's public health rules 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.

This guide is based on San Bernardino's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.