What San Bernardino Regulates: A Complete Ordinance Overview

San Bernardino is a mid-sized city in San Bernardino County, California, with about 222000 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 115 ordinances across 26 categories that affect daily life in San Bernardino.

Fence Regulations

Pool Barriers: California Health and Safety Code 115920 through 115929 (Swimming Pool Safety Act) requires a 60-inch non-climbable barrier plus at least one additional drowning-prevention feature for residential pools..

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

Noise Ordinances

Decibel Limits: San Bernardino sets exterior limits of about 55 dBA day and 50 dBA night in residential zones, 65 dBA in commercial, and 70 to 75 dBA in industrial zones under Development Code 19.20.030(15)..

Also covered: Industrial Noise (moderate), Aircraft Noise (permissive), Outdoor Music (moderate). See the full noise ordinances guide for San Bernardino for details.

Animal Ordinances

Exotic Pets: California Fish and Game Code and Title 14 CCR 671 prohibit most exotic pets including large cats, primates, and many reptiles. San Bernardino defers to state rules and county permitting..

Also covered: Livestock (moderate), Wildlife Feeding (moderate), Chickens & Livestock (moderate). See the full animal ordinances guide for San Bernardino for details.

Fire Regulations

Fireworks: All fireworks, including Safe and Sane, are illegal inside the City of San Bernardino. Possession, sale, or discharge of any firework carries administrative fines starting at 1,250 dollars..

Also covered: Wildfire Zones (strict), Backyard Fires (moderate), Outdoor Burning (strict). See the full fire regulations guide for San Bernardino for details.

Accessory Structures

Tiny Homes: Tiny homes on permanent foundations in San Bernardino are regulated as ADUs under CA Gov Code 65852.2. Tiny homes on wheels are treated as RVs and cannot be permanent dwellings outside approved parks..

Also covered: Carport Rules (moderate), Garage Conversions (moderate), ADU Rules (permissive). See the full accessory structures guide for San Bernardino for details.

Home Business

Customer Traffic Restrictions: Home businesses in San Bernardino cannot generate more traffic than a typical single-family home. On-site customer visits are limited and uses needing frequent client traffic must locate in commercial zones..

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

Short-Term Rentals

Night Caps: San Bernardino caps non-owner-occupied STR nights through permit conditions. Hosted rentals generally have no cap.

Also covered: Registration Rules (strict), Occupancy Limits (strict), Insurance Requirements (strict). See the full short-term rentals guide for San Bernardino for details.

Swimming Pools & Spas

Pool Permits: San Bernardino requires building, electrical, and plumbing permits for every pool over 18 inches deep. Plans are reviewed under SBMC Title 15 and must show barrier compliance with CA H and S Code 115920..

Also covered: Above-Ground Pools (moderate), Hot Tub Rules (moderate), Safety Rules (strict). See the full swimming pools & spas guide for San Bernardino for details.

HOA Rules

Assessment & Dues: San Bernardino HOA assessments follow CA Civil Code 5600. Regular dues can rise up to 20 percent per year, and special assessments up to 5 percent of budget, without a vote.

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

Building Safety

Elevator Maintenance: San Bernardino elevators are regulated by Cal OSHA Elevator Unit under Labor Code 7300. Each conveyance needs an annual state inspection, a current posted permit, and a Certified Conveyance Mechanic on maintenance..

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

Building Setbacks & Zoning

Setback Rules: San Bernardino Development Code sets minimum yard setbacks that vary by zoning district, with typical single-family residential requiring 20-25 ft front, 5 ft side, and 15-20 ft rear yards..

Also covered: Structure Height Limits (moderate), Lot Coverage Limits (moderate). See the full building setbacks & zoning guide for San Bernardino for details.

Environmental Rules

Erosion Control: San Bernardino requires erosion and sediment controls on all grading and construction sites. Projects over 1 acre trigger the State Construction General Permit and a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP)..

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

Parking Rules

EV Charging: San Bernardino follows Title 24 EV charging mandates and CALGreen pre-wiring. Residential Level 2 chargers require an electrical permit, processed within the statewide 5-day expedited window..

Also covered: Abandoned Vehicles (moderate), RV & Boat Parking (moderate), Overnight Parking (permissive). See the full parking rules guide for San Bernardino for details.

Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors

Food Truck Permits: San Bernardino food trucks require a city business license, a San Bernardino County Environmental Health mobile food facility permit, and a commissary kitchen agreement. State SB 946 protects sidewalk vendors separately..

Also covered: Vending Zones (moderate). See the full food trucks & mobile vendors guide for San Bernardino for details.

Outdoor Lighting

Light Trespass: San Bernardino Development Code prohibits outdoor lighting that causes glare or light trespass onto neighbors or streets. Typical limits cap residential property-line light to 0.1 footcandle..

Also covered: Dark Sky Rules (moderate). See the full outdoor lighting guide for San Bernardino for details.

Trash & Recycling

Recycling Requirements: San Bernardino residents must sort recyclables into the blue cart and food and yard waste into the green cart under CA AB 341, AB 1826, and SB 1383. Contaminated carts can be tagged and draw administrative citations..

Also covered: Bulk Item Disposal (moderate), Pickup Rules & Schedules (moderate), Bin Placement Rules (moderate). See the full trash & recycling guide for San Bernardino for details.

Property Maintenance

Vacant Lot Maintenance: San Bernardino vacant lot owners must clear weeds, rubbish, and standing water and secure the lot against illegal entry. Chapter 8.27 requires annual weed abatement, with unpaid city cleanup costs becoming a lien..

Also covered: Property Blight (strict), Trash Bin Storage (moderate), Snow & Sidewalk Clearing (moderate). See the full property maintenance guide for San Bernardino for details.

Sign Regulations

Political Signs: San Bernardino allows temporary political signs on private property under Development Code 19.22, subject to size and timing limits. Signs in the public right-of-way or on utility poles are removed on sight..

Also covered: Garage Sale Signs (moderate), Holiday Displays (permissive). See the full sign regulations guide for San Bernardino for details.

Curfew Laws

Juvenile Curfew: San Bernardino Municipal Code 9.40 bars minors under 18 from public places between 10:00 PM and sunrise, with exemptions for work, school events, emergencies, and travel with a parent or guardian..

Also covered: Park Curfew (moderate). See the full curfew laws guide for San Bernardino for details.

Drone Rules

Commercial Drones: Commercial drone pilots in San Bernardino need an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate, registered aircraft, liability insurance, and LAANC authorization for airspace near San Bernardino International Airport..

Also covered: Recreational Drones (moderate). See the full drone rules guide for San Bernardino for details.

Soliciting & Door-to-Door

Solicitor Permits: San Bernardino Municipal Code 5.30 requires commercial door-to-door solicitors to get a City Clerk permit and pass a background check. Religious canvassers are exempt but must honor No Soliciting signs..

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

Landscaping Rules

Weed Ordinances: San Bernardino County Fire runs a mandatory annual weed abatement program in city fire hazard areas. Owners must clear dry weeds each spring or face county-contracted abatement billed as a lien..

Also covered: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (moderate), Rainwater Harvesting (permissive), Native Plants (permissive). See the full landscaping rules guide for San Bernardino for details.

Solar Energy

Panel Permits: San Bernardino processes residential solar permits under the state SolarAPP+ automated review within one business day for standard single-family roof installations, in compliance with Gov Code 65850.5..

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

Cannabis Regulations

Dispensary Zoning: San Bernardino allows licensed cannabis retail under Measure O (2018) in designated zones, at least 600 feet from schools, daycares, and youth centers. Operators need both a city permit and a state DCC license..

Also covered: Home Cultivation (moderate). See the full cannabis regulations guide for San Bernardino for details.

Rental Property Rules

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..

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

Garage & Yard Sales

Garage Sale Permits: San Bernardino residents may hold up to three garage sales per address per year, up to three consecutive days each. The City Clerk issues a free or low-cost permit; weekly sales require a business license instead..

What to Do With This Information

If you are moving to San Bernardino, buying a home, or starting a project, use this as a starting point. Each category links to detailed pages with the full text, penalties, and FAQs. Verify anything time-sensitive with San Bernardino's city hall or code enforcement office.