How San Bernardino Handles Rental Property Rules: A Practical Guide
San Bernardino maintains 115 local ordinances across all categories, and 3 of those deal specifically with rental property rules. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where San Bernardino falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.
Rent Control
San Bernardino has no local rent stabilization, but AB 1482 (Civil Code 1947.12) caps annual rent increases at 5% plus CPI (max 10%) and imposes just cause eviction.
Key details: Annual Cap: 5% plus CPI, max 10%. Just Cause Trigger: After 12 months tenancy. Relocation Payment: One month rent for no-fault. Corporate-Owned: Single-family covered. New Construction: Exempt under 15 years.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Rental Registration
San Bernardino landlords must obtain a business registration certificate under Municipal Code 5.04 and comply with the Residential Rental Inspection Program run by Code Enforcement, typically on a 3 to 5 year cycle.
Key details: Legal authority: San Bernardino Municipal Code Chapter 5.04. Who must register: All landlords renting residential property in the city. Inspection cycle: Roughly every 3 to 5 years based on compliance. Tenant notice: 24 hours required for inspections per Civil Code 1954. Contact: San Bernardino Code Enforcement (909) 384-5122.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Just Cause Eviction
San Bernardino tenants are protected by California AB 1482 (Civil Code 1946.2). Landlords must state a just cause to end tenancies of 12+ months, and no-fault evictions require one month of relocation assistance.
Key details: Governing law: California AB 1482 (Civil Code 1946.2). Threshold: Applies after 12 months of tenancy. Relocation assistance: One month of rent for no-fault evictions. Main exemptions: Single-family homes with proper notice, duplexes with owner on-site, buildings under 15 years old. Notice rule: Just cause must be stated in writing in the termination notice.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
The Bottom Line
San Bernardino's rental property 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.
Keep in mind that San Bernardino can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.