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Chino Hills sets a nighttime quiet period of 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. During these hours, lower exterior decibel limits apply, and any radio, stereo, TV, or instrument that is plainly audible 25 feet away in a residential zone is prima facie evidence of a violation under Municipal Code Section 16.48.020.
Chino Hills Municipal Code Sections 6.04.050-6.04.070 treat a dog that barks substantially continuously, day or night, to the annoyance of the neighborhood as a nuisance. Barking audible continuously for 10 minutes, or intermittently for 30 minutes, is prima facie evidence; abatement typically requires two declarations within 60 days.
Chino Hills has no separate local muffler or moving-vehicle noise ordinance; in-use vehicle noise on public roads is governed by California state law. Vehicle Code Section 27150 requires an adequate muffler preventing excessive or unusual noise, and Section 27151 bans exhaust modifications that amplify noise.
Chino Hills Municipal Code Section 8.08.020 limits construction, demolition, and grading to 7:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. weekdays and 8:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Saturdays, with none on Sundays or federal holidays. Homeowners doing their own work get extended evening/Sunday hours only if the noise can't be heard past the property line.
Chino Hills Municipal Code Section 8.08.020(B) restricts outdoor mechanical or electrical equipment such as leaf blowers, lawn mowers, and hedge trimmers that can be heard beyond the property line to 7:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. on weekdays and 8:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays, and federal holidays.
Chino Hills Municipal Code Section 16.48.020 sets measurable exterior Leq dBA limits by zone and time: 60/45 dBA for single-family residential, 65/45 for multi-family, 70/60 for commercial, and 75/70 for manufacturing/industrial, where the first number is 7 a.m.-10 p.m. and the second is 10 p.m.-7 a.m.
Chino Hills has no local aircraft-noise ordinance, and its Municipal Code Section 16.48.020 expressly exempts activities preempted by state or federal law. Aircraft noise and flight operations are regulated by the FAA under federal law, which preempts local control over how, when, and how high aircraft fly.
Chino Hills Municipal Code Section 16.48.020 controls amplified sound through dBA limits plus a plainly-audible test: a stereo, loudspeaker, or amplifier audible 25 feet away in a residential zone (and accompanied by perceptible vibration) is prima facie evidence of a violation, at any time of day for amplifiers and 10 p.m.-7 a.m. for general sound devices.
Outdoor music in Chino Hills must meet the Section 16.48.020 exterior dBA limits (reduced 5 dBA because it is music) and can't be plainly audible 25 feet away in a residential zone after 10 p.m. Occasional outdoor gatherings, shows, and entertainment events held under a city special event permit are exempt.
Chino Hills Municipal Code Section 16.48.020 caps exterior noise reaching manufacturing/industrial property at 75 dBA daytime and 70 dBA at night, and commercial/institutional property at 70/60 dBA. Fixed equipment such as compressors and HVAC must meet these limits, and ground vibration perceptible at a neighboring property is prohibited.
There is no short-term rental registration program in Chino Hills because STRs are banned. The City maintains a Transient Occupancy Tax registration system for lawful lodging operators (hotels), but no STR registry exists for rentals under 30 days, which are prohibited under the Chino Hills Municipal Code.
Chino Hills levies a 12% Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) on lawful transient lodging, codified at Municipal Code Title 3, Chapter 3.32. Voters raised the rate from 10% to 12% via Measure M in November 2020. However, residential short-term rentals are banned, so there are no STR-specific fees — the TOT applies to hotels and other allowed lodging.
The City of Chino Hills does not issue short-term rental permits. The Chino Hills Municipal Code prohibits rentals of fewer than 30 days citywide, so there is no permit, license, or approval pathway for operating an Airbnb/VRBO-style vacation rental. Only stays of 30 days or longer are allowed.
Chino Hills sets no short-term rental occupancy caps because STRs are prohibited. There is no maximum-guest rule for vacation rentals since none may legally operate. Lawful rentals must run 30 days or longer and are treated as ordinary residential tenancies, subject to general housing and building occupancy standards rather than STR-specific limits.
Chino Hills has no primary-residence STR rule because all short-term rentals are banned. There is no owner-occupancy exception that would allow renting a primary home short-term. Whether or not it is your primary residence, renting a dwelling for fewer than 30 days is prohibited citywide; only 30-day-plus rentals are allowed.
Chino Hills has no STR insurance or liability-coverage requirement because short-term rentals are banned. Since no vacation rental may legally operate, the City sets no minimum liability policy, indemnification, or proof-of-coverage condition for STRs. The only lawful rentals are 30-day-plus tenancies, governed by ordinary landlord-tenant practice.
There are no short-term rental parking requirements in Chino Hills because STRs are prohibited. The City has no guest-parking minimum for vacation rentals since none may operate. General residential parking and on-street parking rules in the municipal code apply to all homes, including those rented long-term (30+ days).
Chino Hills has no host-presence or hosted-vs-unhosted STR rule because short-term rentals are banned. Whether or not the host stays on-site, renting a dwelling for fewer than 30 days is prohibited citywide. There is no 'hosted stay' model that makes a short-term rental lawful; only 30-day-plus rentals are allowed.
Chino Hills has no STR-specific noise rules because short-term rentals are banned. There is no vacation-rental quiet-hours or 'good neighbor' standard, since none may operate. The City's general noise ordinance applies to all properties, including long-term rentals (30+ days), and addresses disturbances regardless of who occupies the home.
Chino Hills imposes no annual night cap on short-term rentals because STRs are banned outright. There is no maximum number of rental nights per year, since zero short-term-rental nights are permitted. The City allows only rentals of 30 days or longer; any rental under 30 days is prohibited citywide.
Bookings of thirty-one consecutive days or longer fall outside the SBC short-term rental program and are treated as standard residential tenancies subject to AB 1482 statewide rent and eviction protections.
San Bernardino County places primary regulatory responsibility on the property owner or permitted operator. Booking platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo are not deputized as enforcement agents, but must collect transient occupancy tax.
STR permits in unincorporated San Bernardino County may be suspended or revoked after a pattern of verified violations within a twelve-month window, particularly for noise, occupancy, parking, and trash complaints.
All fireworks are illegal in Chino Hills, including state-approved 'Safe and Sane' fireworks. The Chino Valley Independent Fire District, which provides fire protection for Chino Hills, confirms that all fireworks are strictly prohibited citywide. This is stricter than neighboring Chino, where Safe and Sane fireworks are allowed.
Chino Hills requires year-round weed abatement and brush clearance, enforced by the Chino Valley Independent Fire District. Parcels under 5 acres must be fully abated; larger parcels need a 100-foot fire break. Properties in the Fire Hazard Overlay District (Vellano, Ridgegate, Carbon Canyon) face stricter defensible-space requirements.
Chino Hills follows California state law on smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. State-Fire-Marshal-approved smoke alarms are required in every bedroom, outside sleeping areas, and on each level of a home. Carbon monoxide alarms are required in dwellings with fuel-burning appliances, fireplaces, or an attached garage.
Outdoor fire pits and recreational fires in Chino Hills follow the California Fire Code, enforced by the Chino Valley Independent Fire District. Small recreational fires and approved portable outdoor fireplaces are generally allowed at homes, but solid-fuel burning is restricted near structures and prohibited in wildfire hazard zones such as Carbon Canyon.
Open outdoor burning of trash, leaves and yard waste is prohibited in Chino Hills. The city lies within the South Coast Air Basin, where the South Coast Air Quality Management District bans residential waste burning everywhere. Any limited open burning would also require Chino Valley Fire District approval under the California Fire Code.
Small recreational backyard fires are generally allowed in Chino Hills under the California Fire Code, enforced by the Chino Valley Independent Fire District, but burning trash or yard waste is banned by the South Coast AQMD. In hillside and Carbon Canyon wildfire zones, solid-fuel open burning is prohibited.
Propane (LP-gas) storage in Chino Hills is governed by the California Fire Code, Chapter 61, enforced by the Chino Valley Independent Fire District. Small barbecue and patio-heater cylinders are allowed at homes, but larger tanks must meet container, distance, and permit requirements, with construction documents required above set aggregate capacities.
Chino Hills contains large Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones — about 20,000 acres, including Chino Hills State Park and Tres Hermanos Ranch. Homes in those zones must meet defensible-space requirements under California law and Chino Valley Fire District Ordinance 2022-01, plus the City's Fire Hazard Overlay District rules.
The City of Chino Hills requires a free annual Temporary Parking Permit to park a recreational vehicle or trailer on a city street. With the permit an RV may stay a maximum of three consecutive days, up to twelve days total per calendar month, and is still subject to street sweeping and the 72-hour rule.
General street parking in the City of Chino Hills is governed by Title 10 of its own Municipal Code, layered over the California Vehicle Code. Street sweeping no-parking windows and a 72-hour limit are the main day-to-day rules, and enforcement is handled by the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department under contract.
Chino Hills does not impose a citywide overnight street-parking ban. Standard passenger vehicles may generally park overnight on public streets, subject to posted street-sweeping windows, the 72-hour rule, and posted curb/sign restrictions. Recreational vehicles need a Temporary Parking Permit and are limited to three consecutive days.
Commercial vehicle and truck parking in the City of Chino Hills is governed by the city's Title 10 Municipal Code together with the California Vehicle Code, which lets local agencies restrict heavy commercial vehicles on residential streets. Note: a separate San Bernardino County truck-route ordinance applies only to unincorporated land, not the incorporated city.
In the City of Chino Hills, off-street loading spaces for new development are determined on a case-by-case basis under Development Code Section 16.34.100. On public streets, loading-zone curb markings and short-term loading rules follow posted signage and the California Vehicle Code's curb-color standards.
The City of Chino Hills addresses abandoned, wrecked, or inoperative vehicles under Chapter 10.28 of its Municipal Code, which treats them as a public nuisance subject to abatement and removal. On public streets, the California Vehicle Code's 72-hour rule allows removal of vehicles left parked too long.
In Chino Hills, parking spaces and parking pads on residential lots must be paved and meet minimum size and access standards under the Development Code. Building a new parking pad requires prior approval from the Community Development Department, and modifying the driveway approach, sidewalk, or curb in the public right-of-way requires an Engineering Division permit.
The City of Chino Hills supports electric vehicle charging through an expedited permitting process for EV charging stations, adopted to comply with California law. The city publishes a Plug-In Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Permitting Process guide covering both residential and non-residential installations.
Large vehicles such as RVs, motorhomes, travel trailers, boats on trailers, and big utility trailers are treated as recreational vehicles under Chino Hills Municipal Code 10.12.020 and require a Temporary Parking Permit to park on a city street, limited to three consecutive days and twelve days per month.
Curb colors in the City of Chino Hills follow the California Vehicle Code's statewide system: red means no stopping, yellow is a loading zone, white is for passenger loading or mail, green is short-term parking, and blue is disabled parking. Only the city or its authorized agents may paint regulatory curb markings.
Per the City of Chino Hills Building Department, a building permit is not required for freestanding walls or fences 6 feet or less in height located in the required side and rear yard, or 4 feet or less in the required front yard. Retaining walls, and any fence/wall combination over 6 feet, do require a permit.
Under the City of Chino Hills Development Code (Title 16, Section 16.06.120), single-family residential fences and walls may be a maximum of 4 feet in the required front yard and 6 feet in the required side and rear yards. A 6-foot front fence is allowed only if the portion above 3 feet is open (e.g. tubular steel) or transparent material.
Per the City of Chino Hills Building Department, a retaining wall permit is required if any portion of a slope is cut into (no matter how slight), the exposed wall is over 3 feet, there is sloping backfill or a surcharge, or any fence/wall combination exceeds 6 feet. Level-backfill walls 3 feet or less with adequate setback are exempt.
Chino Hills regulates fence height and materials through Development Code 16.06.120, but cost sharing for a boundary fence between neighbors is governed by California Civil Code 841 (Good Neighbor Fence Law), which presumes equal responsibility and requires 30 days' written notice before incurring costs.
Chino Hills Development Code 16.06.120 limits fences to 4 feet in front yards (6 feet if open/transparent above 3 feet) and 6 feet in side/rear yards, requires durable materials, and sets corner sight-visibility rules under 16.06.080. Most fences are building-permit exempt but must still meet these zoning standards.
Chino Hills Development Code 16.06.120 prohibits barbed wire, razor ribbon, and similar materials except in limited agricultural/open-space or utility situations, and restricts chain-link fencing in front and street-facing yards (chain link installed before November 24, 2015 is legal non-conforming).
Chino Hills Development Code 16.06.120 favors durable, finished materials such as masonry, stone, brick, concrete, and wrought iron/tubular steel, with wood allowed for single-family homes when complementary and maintained. Barbed wire and razor ribbon are barred (with narrow exceptions) and chain link is restricted in street-facing yards.
San Bernardino County enforces CA Health and Safety Code 115920 requiring a 60-inch barrier around residential pools. At least two of seven approved drowning prevention features are required.
Chino Hills runs an annual Weed Abatement program under the supervision of the Chino Valley Independent Fire District. Homeowners must finish cutting weeds by May 15. Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone properties must maintain defensible space under California law and CVFD Ordinance 2022-01.
Residents may prune their own private trees without a permit, but must follow ISA arboriculture standards for protected native trees. Parkway and public right-of-way trees may only be trimmed by the City; residents trimming them risk penalties under the Encroachments chapter (CHMC 12.24) and City-Owned Trees chapter (CHMC 12.26).
Chino Hills has no fixed lawn-grass height number in its code. Overgrown grass and weeds are regulated through the City's annual weed abatement program, run under the supervision of the Chino Valley Independent Fire District for fire safety, with a May 15 cutting deadline for homeowners.
Removing protected native trees or heritage trees in Chino Hills requires a Tree and Plant Removal Permit from Community Development. Four native species 4+ inches DBH and any tree 44+ inches DBH (heritage) are protected. Public/parkway trees may not be removed by residents at all under CHMC 12.26.
Chino Hills runs its own water utility and is under a Stage II Moderate Water Conservation Alert (effective May 9, 2023). Outdoor watering is limited to 3 assigned days per week, only 6 p.m. to 9 a.m., 15 minutes per sprinkler station. No hard-surface runoff, no watering within 48 hours of rain.
Chino Hills publishes no ordinance prohibiting residential rainwater capture, and its Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance actually encourages onsite stormwater capture. Under California law, rooftop rain barrels and cisterns under 360 gallons for outdoor non-potable use need no water-right permit and usually no building permit.
Chino Hills mandates organic-waste recycling under California SB 1383, adopted locally as Ordinance No. 377 (effective December 23, 2021). All single-family homes receive a green-lid organics cart for food scraps, food-soiled paper, and yard trimmings, collected by Waste Management. There are no residential exemptions.
Chino Hills encourages low-water and climate-appropriate plants through its Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (CHMC 16.07), which applies to landscape projects of 500+ square feet. It also protects four native tree species. The City offers turf-removal rebates to convert lawns to water-efficient landscaping.
Chino Hills has no published code section flatly banning residential artificial turf, and its water ordinance encourages reducing real lawn. In regulated landscape-buffer settings, any turf must be drought-tolerant and capped at 10 percent of the planting area. Homeowners should confirm material standards with Community Development.
In the City of Chino Hills, dogs must be kept on a leash at all times except when on the owner's own private property. Animal control is provided under contract by the Inland Valley Humane Society & S.P.C.A. (IVHS), which handles leash, stray and barking-dog complaints citywide.
All dogs over four months old in Chino Hills must be licensed and microchipped. Licensing and animal control run through the Inland Valley Humane Society & S.P.C.A. The City's public pages do not state a specific maximum number of dogs or cats per household, so a precise pet-count limit is not confirmed.
Animal keeping in Chino Hills is governed by the City's own code, including Title 6 (Animals) and the Development Code (Title 16). Large-animal keeping is concentrated in the Equestrian and Large Animal Overlay District (Chapter 16.33). The City has not published a specific backyard-chicken numeric limit on its public pages.
Many Chino Hills homes back onto open space, and the City warns residents not to leave pet food, water, or trash outdoors, which attracts coyotes and other wildlife. Wildlife concerns and aggressive animals are reported to the Inland Valley Humane Society & S.P.C.A.; after-hours coyote reports go to Chino Hills Police Dispatch.
Chino Hills does not impose breed-specific bans. Under California Food & Agricultural Code section 31683, no local dangerous-dog program may be specific as to breed, so dogs are regulated by behavior, not breed. Dangerous or vicious dogs are handled under California's dangerous-dog statutes, administered locally through IVHS.
California, not the City, sets the main exotic-pet rules. Under Fish & Game Code section 2118 and Title 14 CCR section 671, restricted wild animals (most exotic species, plus ferrets) cannot be possessed as pets without a state permit, which is generally not issued for private pet ownership. Chino Hills may add local restrictions.
Chino Hills regulates animal keeping, including bees/apiaries, through its Development Code and Title 6 Chapter 6.12 (Animals Raised and Accessory Uses). The City has not published a specific residential beekeeping standard (hive counts or setbacks) on its public pages, so residents should confirm with Community Development.
Chino Hills preserves its equestrian heritage through the Equestrian and Large Animal Overlay District (Development Code Chapter 16.33). Keeping horses and other large animals is allowed in the Overlay subject to lot criteria, maximum-animal limits (section 16.33.080), permits, and a required Equestrian Stewardship (clean-water) plan.
Chino Hills regulates cats under Title 6, Chapter 6.08 (Dogs and Cats) of its Municipal Code, with animal-control services provided by the Inland Valley Humane Society & S.P.C.A. The City's leash rule applies to dogs, not cats, and the City does not publish a specific cat-licensing mandate on its public pages.
Animal cruelty and neglect, including hoarding situations, are investigated in Chino Hills by the Inland Valley Humane Society & S.P.C.A., whose humane officers conduct cruelty investigations and rescue animals in distress 24/7. Cruelty is also a crime under California Penal Code section 597 and related welfare statutes.
San Bernardino County residents may not keep injured wildlife without a California Department of Fish and Wildlife rehabilitator permit. SBC Animal Care refers calls to permitted facilities such as those serving the desert and mountain corridors.
San Bernardino County aligns with the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act and California Fish and Game Code. Removing active nests of native birds is prohibited, especially during nesting season, and tree work near raptor or songbird nests requires biological survey clearance.
San Bernardino County requires microchipping of dogs and cats at the time of licensing or shelter release. The chip must be registered to a current owner with active contact information that Animal Care officers can verify in the field.
San Bernardino County requires dogs and cats adopted or reclaimed from county shelters to be spayed or neutered before release. Owners present a deposit refunded once veterinary verification is submitted, encouraging compliance among redeeming owners.
San Bernardino County coordinates with California Department of Fish and Wildlife on coyote conflicts. Residents must avoid feeding wildlife, secure trash, and use hazing techniques. Lethal removal is reserved for animals showing imminent threats to people or pets.
California law and San Bernardino County retail rules require pet stores selling dogs, cats, or rabbits to source only from shelters or rescues. AB 485 enforcement is shared between Animal Care, code compliance, and the California Attorney General.
The City of Chino Hills requires a building permit to construct a new pool or spa, or to remodel an existing one. Permitted plans include an inspection (job) card, and the City urges owners not to use the pool until it passes final inspection of the barrier, electrical, and other life-safety items.
In Chino Hills, above-ground pools are held to the same enclosure standard as in-ground pools. The City's Pool/Spa Enclosure Requirements state plainly that 'fencing requirements are the same for above-ground pools as are required for other pools,' so the 60-inch barrier and self-latching gate rules apply.
Chino Hills adopts an amended version of the California Pool Safety Act: new or remodeled residential pools and spas must include at least two approved drowning-prevention safety features, such as an isolation enclosure, approved safety cover, exit alarms, self-latching access devices, or a pool alarm. A City inspection confirms compliance before final approval.
Chino Hills regulates spas and hot tubs under the same pool/spa enclosure and safety-feature requirements as swimming pools. A new or remodeled spa needs a permit, a compliant 60-inch barrier (or a qualifying approved safety cover), and at least two drowning-prevention features.
Chino Hills requires all pools and spas to be fully enclosed by a permanent barrier at least 60 inches high with no more than a 2-inch ground gap. Gates must open away from the pool and be self-closing and self-latching, with the latch placed no lower than 54 inches above the ground.
Every business operated from a Chino Hills residence needs a Home Occupation Permit (HOP) plus a City business license. The applicant applies to the Planning Division, initials 19 performance standards, and certifies the use is allowed. The HOP expires if the annual business license lapses.
Home businesses in Chino Hills are allowed in residential dwellings as a home occupation under Municipal Code Chapter 16.56, subject to performance standards. The business must be incidental to the home, use no more than 400 sq ft or 20% of the dwelling (whichever is less), and not change the residential character of the neighborhood.
Chino Hills prohibits any visible signage for home occupations. Performance standard 7 of the Home Occupation Permit states there shall be no signs, banners, or flags visible from outside the dwelling, and no advertisement may publish the property address. A small business name/logo is allowed only on one permitted work vehicle.
Chino Hills allows cottage food operations as home occupations but defers to state law: performance standard 19 of the Home Occupation Permit requires that a 'cottage food operation shall comply with California Health and Safety Code Section 113758.' Registration/permitting is handled by San Bernardino County Environmental Health, not the City.
Family child care homes in Chino Hills are governed by California state law, which preempts local zoning. Small and large family daycare homes are a permitted residential use 'by right,' and the City cannot require a separate zoning permit or business license for them. Notably, daycare is not on the City's prohibited home-occupation list.
San Bernardino County Development Code Chapter 84.07 limits customer, client, or student visits to a home occupation so that traffic and parking remain typical of a single-family residence in its zone.
Chino Hills exempts small detached sheds from a building permit: one-story tool/storage sheds and playhouses up to 120 sq ft and 10 feet tall. Per Development Code Section 16.06.070, accessory structures must stay out of setbacks, but those 10 feet or under may sit in a side or rear setback if at least 5 feet from the property line.
Chino Hills regulates carports as accessory structures under Development Code Chapter 16.06. Carports are not on the city's building-permit exemption list, so a building permit is generally required. Like other accessory structures, a carport must observe the Section 16.06.070 setbacks - kept out of required setbacks, with limited side/rear placement at least 5 feet from the property line.
The City of Chino Hills permits accessory dwelling units and junior ADUs ministerially under its Development Code, CHMC 16.10.140, implementing California's statewide ADU law (Gov. Code 66310 et seq.). Detached ADUs are capped at 850 sq ft (1 bedroom) or 1,000 sq ft (2+ bedrooms), JADUs at 500 sq ft, with 4-foot side/rear setbacks.
Chino Hills allows an existing garage to be converted into an accessory dwelling unit or JADU under Development Code Section 16.10.140, following California ADU law. When a garage is converted to an ADU, parking lost for the primary home need not be replaced. Converting a garage into unpermitted living space without ADU permits is a code violation.
Chino Hills has no separate 'tiny home' ordinance. A tiny house on a permanent foundation is generally permitted as an ADU under Development Code Section 16.10.140 (detached ADUs up to 850-1,000 sq ft). A movable tiny house on wheels is treated under California law as a recreational vehicle, not a dwelling, and cannot be a permanent residence.
Propane and charcoal barbecues are allowed at Chino Hills homes and are exempt from the California Fire Code's recreational-fire restrictions when used solely for cooking. Small propane cylinders for grills are permitted under Fire Code Chapter 61, but in hillside wildfire zones, grilling near dry vegetation carries extra risk.
Backyard smokers used for cooking are allowed in Chino Hills and, like barbecues, are exempt from the California Fire Code's recreational-fire restrictions. Standard practices apply: keep the smoker clear of combustibles, attend it, and in hillside wildfire zones keep it well away from dry brush. Excessive smoke can be a neighbor nuisance.
Chino Hills Development Code Chapter 16.10 limits building lot coverage by zone: the Low Density Residential (RS) zone allows a maximum of 40%, Medium Density (RM-1) up to 55%, and High/Very High Density (RM-2, RM-3) up to 60%. The Agriculture/Ranches (RA) and Rural Residential (RR) zones have no fixed coverage percentage.
Chino Hills Development Code Chapter 16.10 sets residential setbacks by zone. In the Low Density Residential (RS) zone the front yard is 20 ft (22 ft average), the rear yard 15 ft, and interior sides 7 ft (20 ft aggregate). Larger Rural (RR) and Agriculture/Ranch (RA) zones use 25-ft front and rear setbacks.
The City of Chino Hills generally limits residential structures to about 35 feet to protect ridgelines and views. In hillside areas, the Building Envelope Standards cap height at 25 feet total on downhill lots and 35 feet on uphill lots, measured from finish grade, with a 30-foot limit over sloping portions on downhill lots.
Chino Hills allows one double-faced garage/yard sale sign, up to 6 square feet, on the sale property only (max 4 feet tall in the front-yard or side-street setback). It may be posted 24 hours before the sale and removed immediately after. No signs on city property. A free permit is required to hold the sale.
Chino Hills regulates political/election signs in Development Code Section 16.38.046. Signs may be up to 8 sq ft each in residential zones (32 sq ft elsewhere), no more than 5 feet tall (8 feet elsewhere), capped at 32 sq ft per residential property. They go up no more than 45 days before an election, down within 10 days after.
Chino Hills requires a Tree and Plant Removal Permit under CHMC Chapter 16.90 to remove protected native trees (four species, 4+ inches DBH) or heritage trees (44+ inches DBH). On regulated projects, no grading or building permit issues until the tree permit is granted. City and parkway trees may not be removed by residents at all.
Western Joshua trees are protected under California's Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act of 2023. Removing or relocating them in San Bernardino County requires a state permit and mitigation fees, with additional county Native Desert Plant Protection rules.
California provides statewide protections for native oak woodlands and heritage trees through CEQA review, Public Resources Code, and Forest Practice Rules that apply uniformly.
The City of Chino Hills enforces property-maintenance standards through its Code Enforcement Division, which responds to reports of unmaintained landscaping, debris accumulation, green/stagnant pools, abandoned vehicles and other public-nuisance conditions under Title 8 of the Chino Hills Municipal Code.
Vacant and undeveloped parcels in Chino Hills must be kept clear of fire-hazard vegetation under the Chino Valley Independent Fire District's weed-abatement program, with the City performing abatement on public open space and owners responsible for their own lots.
Chino Hills requires a free City permit for garage, yard, and rummage sales, limits households to three permits per 12 months with 60 days between them, restricts hours to 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday-Sunday, and regulates signage, with off-site signs billed at $45 each.
Chino Hills residents may set carts out the night before or by 6:00 a.m. on collection day, and Code Enforcement treats trash carts left visible from the street as a violation, so bins must be stored out of public view between pickups.
Chino Hills requires property owners to cut hazardous weeds by May 15 each year under the Chino Valley Independent Fire District's code, and Code Enforcement separately addresses unmaintained landscaping and vegetation that obstructs sidewalks or streets.
San Bernardino County has no countywide snow-clearing ordinance, but mountain communities (Big Bear, Lake Arrowhead, Crestline) customarily expect owners to keep walkways passable.
Chino Hills contracts with WM (Waste Management) as its exclusive franchised hauler; single-family homes get three 95-gallon carts, residents pull carts out the night before or by 6:00 a.m. on collection day, and customers are billed directly by WM.
Chino Hills residents pull WM carts to the curb the night before or by 6:00 a.m. on collection day, and the City's Code Enforcement Division treats carts left visible from the street between pickups as a violation, so bins must be stored out of public view.
Chino Hills residents receive three free bulky-item pickups per year through WM for large items like furniture and appliances that don't fit in carts, requested via WM; illegally dumped bulky items are a Code Enforcement violation.
Chino Hills single-family homes get a blue-lid recycling cart from WM, and under California's AB 341 businesses and multi-family properties of 5+ units generating 4 or more cubic yards of waste per week must arrange recycling, with non-compliant accounts auto-enrolled.
Under California's SB 1383, every Chino Hills single-family home gets a green-lid organics cart from WM for food and yard waste, and since January 1, 2022 all businesses and multi-family properties of 5+ units must subscribe to organics service, with auto-enrollment for non-compliance.
Chino Hills has no standalone dark-sky ordinance with numeric footcandle caps. Its core outdoor-lighting rule is in the Development Code performance standards, Section 16.48.040 (Lights), which requires that all lights and glare from operations and illuminated signs be shielded or directed so they do not illuminate adjacent properties or cause glare to motorists.
Chino Hills does not set a numeric residential light-trespass limit, but Development Code Section 16.48.040 (Lights) requires that all lights and glare from operations and illuminated signs be shielded or directed so they do not illuminate adjacent properties or cause glare to motorists. That shield-or-direct standard is the operative rule against light spilling onto neighbors.
Chino Hills closes its parks overnight. Under Municipal Code Section 12.40.310, hours of park use begin 30 minutes before sunrise and end 30 minutes after sunset (unless an area is properly lighted over a city-designated athletic facility), and no person may remain in any park between 30 minutes after sunset and 30 minutes before sunrise.
San Bernardino County Code Chapter 34.01 prohibits minors under 18 from being in public places from 10 PM to 5 AM without a parent, guardian, or legitimate purpose such as work, school, or emergency.
HVAC units in unincorporated San Bernardino County must meet Title 8 residential property-line limits (55 dBA day, 45 dBA night). Title 24 Part 6 requires exterior units to publish sound ratings.
Bars and nightclubs in unincorporated San Bernardino County need a Conditional Use Permit. Amplified music must meet Title 8 residential limits (45 dBA at night). California Business and Professions Code 25612.5 also applies.
Standby and portable generators in unincorporated San Bernardino County must meet Title 8 limits (45 dBA night residential). PSPS and emergency use is exempt. SCAQMD Rule 1470 permits stationary units over 50 hp.
California Labor Code 7150-7157 and Title 8 CCR 1635-1662 govern scaffold safety in San Bernardino County, requiring competent person supervision, fall protection above 7.5 ft, and engineering for high scaffolds.
California Labor Code 7300-7323 and Title 8 CCR 3000+ require annual elevator inspections by Cal/OSHA in San Bernardino County, with permits to operate and licensed elevator contractors.
California Health and Safety Code 17920.10 and federal RRP rule require lead-safe work practices in San Bernardino County pre-1978 housing renovations, with EPA-certified contractors and tenant notifications.
Structural pest control in San Bernardino County requires licensing by the CA Structural Pest Control Board, with specific rules for termite fumigation, rodent control, and tenant notification under CA B&P Code 8500+.
San Bernardino County enforces California Building Code rules requiring egress doors to unlock with a single motion from the inside. Deadbolts must release with the same handle action, and key-operated locks are restricted to specific Group A, B, M, and E uses.
San Bernardino County adopts the California Residential Code requiring NFPA 13D automatic fire sprinklers in all new one and two-family dwellings. SBCFPD enforces stricter density and water-supply standards in mountain WUI subdivisions and remote desert parcels.
San Bernardino County applies floor area ratios, lot coverage, and height limits in mountain and foothill communities to limit mansionization. Big Bear, Lake Arrowhead, and Crest Forest community plans add stricter design review for oversized structures and bulky additions.
San Bernardino County licensed childcare centers must meet California Building Code Group E or I-4 occupancy rules with fire alarms, sprinklers, exit hardware, and accessible play areas. State Community Care Licensing inspects, while county Building and Safety verifies plan compliance.
San Bernardino County enforces the California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen, Title 24 Part 11) on all new construction and major remodels. Mandatory measures include water-efficient fixtures, EV-ready wiring, construction waste diversion, and indoor air quality controls.
California Civil Code 4765 requires HOA architectural committees to use fair, reasonable procedures with written decisions, deadlines, and appeal rights, applying to San Bernardino County communities.
CC&R enforcement by HOAs in San Bernardino County follows California Davis-Stirling Act procedures requiring written notice, hearing opportunity, and graduated discipline before fines or liens.
California Civil Code 5600-5740 governs HOA assessments in San Bernardino County, requiring annual budget disclosure, limits on increases without member vote, and specific collection procedures.
HOAs in San Bernardino County follow California Davis-Stirling Common Interest Development Act (Civil Code 4000+) for board meetings, notice requirements, open meeting rules, and election procedures.
California Civil Code 5900-5965 requires HOAs in San Bernardino County to offer internal dispute resolution (IDR) and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) before filing litigation over most disputes.
San Bernardino County issues solar permits through expedited online portal under AB 2188 (3-day processing for small rooftop systems), with Title 24 compliance and utility interconnection coordination.
California Civil Code 714 (Solar Rights Act) prohibits HOAs in San Bernardino County from banning solar panels, limiting restrictions to reasonable placement that does not significantly reduce efficiency or raise cost.
San Bernardino County Development Code and MS4 permits require erosion control BMPs on all graded sites, with hillside development overlay imposing stricter rules including revegetation bonds.
San Bernardino County Development Code Chapter 83 requires grading permits for earth moving over 50 cubic yards, with hillside and rough grading permits, drainage plans, and geotechnical review.
California Title 24 Building Energy Efficiency Standards mandate cool-roof reflectance values for new and re-roofed buildings in San Bernardino County climate zones 10, 14, 15, and 16, covering desert and mountain communities prone to extreme heat.
California AB 1346 bans the sale of new gas-powered leaf blowers, mowers, and similar small off-road engines starting in 2024. San Bernardino County does not impose a separate operational ban but enforces noise rules.
Properties in San Bernardino Mountain WUI zones must clear 100 feet of defensible space around structures. SBCFPD inspects annually before fire season; failure to comply triggers abatement orders, contractor cleanup at owner cost, and potential criminal citations.
San Bernardino County MS4 Permit under the Santa Ana and Lahontan Regional Water Boards requires stormwater BMPs for development over 1 acre and prohibits non-stormwater discharges to the storm drain system.
California Air Resources Board limits commercial diesel idling to 5 minutes statewide, enforced aggressively in San Bernardino County warehouse hubs like Fontana, Ontario, and the Inland Empire. SCAQMD adds local enforcement in non-attainment basins.
San Bernardino County adopted a Climate Action Plan and updated Renewable Energy and Conservation Element setting greenhouse gas reduction targets aligned with California SB 32. New developments must demonstrate consistency with CAP measures during CEQA review.
San Bernardino County is entirely inland - Mojave Desert, Inland Empire, and the San Bernardino Mountains - with no coastline and no California Coastal Commission jurisdiction. The relevant program is the Floodplain Safety (FP) Overlay in Title 8, Section 82.14, plus the Floodplain Administrator duties in Section 86.04, requiring a permit before any development in a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area or designated desert wash.
San Bernardino County Floodplain Management Ordinance implements FEMA NFIP requirements including elevation certificates, 1-foot freeboard, and flood insurance for Special Flood Hazard Areas.
San Bernardino County Code prohibits obstructing sidewalks with merchandise, vegetation, or hoops. Trees must be trimmed to keep 8-foot vertical clearance over sidewalks.
Under CA Streets and Highways Code 5610, adjacent property owners in unincorporated San Bernardino County are responsible for maintaining and repairing sidewalks fronting their property.
California SB 54, the California Values Act, limits how San Bernardino County Sheriff and other local agencies may cooperate with federal immigration authorities in unincorporated areas and contract cities.
California prohibits state and local governments from requiring private employers to use the federal E-Verify system except where federal law mandates it, under Government Code 7285.1 and 7285.3. The restriction applies uniformly to every California city and county.
California Civil Code 1954.603 requires landlords to disclose bed bug information and prohibits renting units with known infestations; San Bernardino County enforces habitability complaints.
California law and San Bernardino County Solid Waste rules prohibit loose syringes and sharps in household trash; residents must use FDA-cleared sharps containers and approved drop-off sites.
San Bernardino County Public Health inspects restaurants countywide and posts color-coded grade placards (Pass, Conditional Pass, Closed) at the entrance after each routine inspection.
Property owners across San Bernardino County must keep premises free of rodent harborage, and Public Health may abate severe infestations on private land at the owner cost.
California AB 1884 bars full-service restaurants in San Bernardino County and statewide from automatically providing plastic straws; customers must specifically request them at sit-down meals.
California SB 54 phases out expanded polystyrene foam foodware statewide by 2030; some San Bernardino communities have earlier local bans on takeout containers and packing peanuts.
California SB 1383 organic waste rules push San Bernardino County restaurants toward compostable takeout containers and require commercial generators to subscribe to organics collection service.
California SB 270 bans most single-use plastic carryout bags at grocery and retail stores statewide; San Bernardino County retailers must charge at least ten cents for recycled paper or thicker reusable bags.
California AB 1276 prohibits restaurants and food delivery platforms in San Bernardino County from automatically including plastic utensils, condiments, and napkins; items must be provided only on customer request.
California SB 793, upheld by Proposition 31 in 2022, bans the retail sale of most flavored tobacco products and flavor enhancers across San Bernardino County, including menthol cigarettes and flavored vapes.
California Tobacco 21 law bars sale of cigarettes, vapes, and other tobacco products to anyone under 21 in San Bernardino County, with active duty military exempt to age 18.
California requires statewide licensing of tobacco and vape retailers under the STAKE Act and the Cigarette and Tobacco Products Licensing Act. Business and Professions Code 22970 establishes uniform retailer licensing, while local governments may adopt stricter rules.
For covered units in unincorporated San Bernardino County, no-fault evictions are limited to AB 1482's enumerated reasons: owner or family move-in, substantial remodel, government order, or withdrawal from the rental market.
Unincorporated San Bernardino County has not adopted a local relocation-assistance ordinance for displaced tenants. Only the relocation payment required by California AB 1482 for qualifying no-fault evictions applies.
San Bernardino County rentals follow California Civil Code 1950.5, which limits security deposits to one month's rent for both furnished and unfurnished units and requires return within twenty-one days of move-out.
San Bernardino County tenants who have occupied 12+ months are protected by CA AB 1482 just-cause eviction rules. Landlords must state a valid reason and pay relocation for no-fault terminations.
Unincorporated San Bernardino County has no local rent control, but California AB 1482 (Tenant Protection Act of 2019) imposes a statewide cap of CPI plus 5% annually (maximum 10%) on most rental units over 15 years old.
California Government Code 12955 bars San Bernardino County landlords from refusing to rent solely because the tenant uses a Housing Choice Voucher or other lawful government rental subsidy as part of their income.
California requires landlords to include or attach an AB 1482 disclosure in every covered lease and lease renewal, informing tenants of the rent cap and just-cause protections in plain statutory language.
The Housing Authority of the County of San Bernardino administers Housing Choice Vouchers across SBC, inspecting units for HUD habitability standards and paying the subsidy portion directly to the landlord.
Unincorporated San Bernardino County does not require general rental-property registration. However, short-term rentals require county permits and Transient Occupancy Tax registration.
California Density Bonus Law lets developers exceed San Bernardino County zoning density by up to 50 percent in exchange for affordable units. Recent updates under SB 1287 and AB 1287 raise the maximum bonus to 100 percent for highly affordable projects.
San Bernardino County's General Plan is implemented through 14 community plans covering distinct geographies like Bear Valley, Crest Forest, Joshua Tree, Lake Arrowhead, and Lucerne Valley. Each adds local zoning standards on top of the countywide Development Code.
San Bernardino Mountain communities under hillside overlays restrict grading volume, slope disturbance, and building height to protect views and reduce wildfire and landslide risk. Lake Arrowhead, Big Bear, Crestline, and Wrightwood enforce strict hillside standards.
San Bernardino County does not set a local minimum wage, so the California statewide rate of 16.50 dollars per hour applies in 2026 to most employers in unincorporated areas, with annual inflation indexing.
California requires most employers, including warehouse and logistics operators in the Inland Empire portion of San Bernardino County, to provide at least 40 hours of paid sick leave per year under SB 616.
Drone operators in unincorporated San Bernardino County must follow FAA 14 CFR Part 107 or Recreational Flyer rules. County parks and military R-2508 airspace restrict drone flight.
Commercial drone operations in California follow uniform federal rules under 14 CFR Part 107 plus statewide California provisions in Civil Code 1708.8 and Public Utilities Code 21401, with local rules limited to ground-based regulation.
San Bernardino County coordinates encampment sanitation responses through the Office of Homeless Services, providing advance notice, outreach offers, and storage of personal property removed during cleanup operations.
San Bernardino County prohibits obstructing public sidewalks, trails, and rights-of-way with personal property or encampments in unincorporated areas, applying offer-of-shelter principles consistent with Ninth Circuit precedent.
San Bernardino County funds bridge and interim housing through the Continuum of Care, including navigation centers, motel-voucher programs, and project-based interim sites in San Bernardino, Victorville, and the High Desert.
Unincorporated San Bernardino County prohibits commercial cannabis retail, manufacturing, and distribution; only Adelanto, Hesperia, Needles, and a few other cities permit licensed dispensaries with strict buffers.
California Business and Professions Code 26054 requires licensed cannabis businesses to sit at least 600 feet from schools, daycares, and youth centers; San Bernardino cities often expand these buffers.
San Bernardino County Development Code Chapter 84.34 bans commercial cannabis cultivation, manufacturing, and sales in all unincorporated zones, treating any such use as a public nuisance.
Adults 21 and older may grow up to six cannabis plants per private residence in San Bernardino County, but unincorporated areas require indoor cultivation inside a fully enclosed secure structure.
Unincorporated San Bernardino County allows personal cannabis cultivation only indoors. State Proposition 64 (Health & Safety Code Section 11362.1) permits up to six living plants per residence for adults 21+; medical patients may grow more under HSC 11362.77. County Code Section 84.34.040 requires cultivation in a fully enclosed, locked, secure area not perceptible from outside. Outdoor cultivation is prohibited.
Cucamonga Valley Water District, Inland Empire Utilities Agency, and Mojave Water Agency offer turf replacement rebates of 2 to 4 dollars per square foot to convert lawns to drought-tolerant landscaping. State law also blocks HOAs from banning xeriscaping.
Mojave Water Agency, Cucamonga Valley, and other San Bernardino County water districts impose day-of-week irrigation schedules during drought emergencies. State Water Board emergency rules can override locals, banning ornamental turf irrigation entirely.
San Bernardino County water districts require customers to repair visible leaks within 5 to 10 days of notice. Persistent leaks running into gutters or sidewalks during drought are treated as water waste and trigger escalating fines.
San Bernardino County's Non-Motorized Transportation Plan guides bike-lane and trail expansion across unincorporated areas, with major commuter routes along Pacific Electric Trail, Santa Ana River Trail, and segments connecting OmniTrans bus stops and Metrolink stations.
San Bernardino County designates specific truck routes through Fontana, Ontario, Bloomington, and Mira Loma warehouse corridors to keep heavy freight off residential streets. Operating outside designated routes risks weight-violation citations and impoundment.
Tobacco retailers in unincorporated San Bernardino County need a county tobacco retailer license alongside the state CDTFA license, and California prohibits sales of most flavored tobacco products under SB 793.
Operating an auto repair business from a home in unincorporated San Bernardino County is generally prohibited under Title 8 zoning, though minor repairs on personally owned vehicles remain allowed.
Secondhand dealers and pawnbrokers in unincorporated San Bernardino County must register with the Sheriff and report transactions through the California Department of Justice CAPSS reporting system under state law.
San Bernardino County requires conditional use permits for massage establishments in unincorporated areas, with operators and technicians holding California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC) certification under state law.
Tow operators that perform police-initiated tows in unincorporated San Bernardino County must hold a Sheriff rotation tow contract and follow California Vehicle Code rate posting and storage rules.
California state law bans smoking in most outdoor public spaces near children, workplaces, and state parks, and San Bernardino County applies these rules in unincorporated parks and public buildings.
San Bernardino County treats loud and unruly gatherings as a public nuisance, and the Sheriff can bill responsible parties for repeat response calls under the County Code.
California limits criminal loitering to specific contexts, while San Bernardino County enforces trespass rules on county property, parks after closing, and unincorporated commercial centers.
California Proposition 64 and San Bernardino County rules ban smoking, vaping, or eating cannabis in public places, including streets, parks, and county buildings in unincorporated areas.
Unlike Los Angeles or Long Beach, San Bernardino County does not impose hotel worker retention or living-wage rules, leaving lodging employers to follow only state minimum wage and labor protections.
San Bernardino County imposes a 7 percent transient occupancy tax on stays of 30 days or fewer at hotels, motels, RV parks, and short-term rentals in unincorporated areas, including Big Bear and Joshua Tree.
The most common code violations in San Bernardino County include unpermitted construction, junk and debris accumulation, overgrown vegetation, inoperable vehicles, illegal cannabis cultivation, unpermitted short-term rentals, and zoning violations in unincorporated areas.
San Bernardino County Code Enforcement handles complaints in unincorporated areas via phone at (909) 884-4056 or online. The division enforces zoning, housing, public nuisance, and vehicle abatement ordinances under the County Development Code.
San Bernardino County Code Enforcement investigates complaints and provides a time frame for correction based on violation type. Health and safety violations are prioritized for faster response, while routine violations may take 5-10 business days for initial investigation.
San Bernardino County does not have specific ordinances banning or restricting bamboo cultivation. However, bamboo that encroaches on neighboring properties or creates a nuisance may be subject to general property maintenance code enforcement.
San Bernardino County follows the California Department of Food and Agriculture's noxious weed list and the California Invasive Plant Council's inventory. Notable invasive species in the region include Saharan mustard, tamarisk (salt cedar), and giant reed (Arundo donax).
California AB 2561 (2022) prohibits cities and HOAs from banning front-yard food gardens. San Bernardino County residents can grow vegetables and fruit in their front yards. The county also encourages drought-tolerant landscaping and has removed restrictions on replacing lawns with gardens.
In San Bernardino County, detached storage sheds of 120 square feet or less, single-story, and without plumbing or electrical do not require a building permit. Larger sheds require permits and must comply with zoning setbacks and building code requirements.
Wood and vinyl fences under 6 feet in San Bernardino County typically do not require a building permit. Masonry walls, retaining walls, and fences over 6 feet require a permit. Front-yard fences are limited to 42 inches in residential zones.
Decks over 30 inches above grade require a building permit in San Bernardino County. Ground-level patios and decks less than 200 square feet that are under 30 inches above grade and not attached to a dwelling generally do not require a permit.
Most renovation work in San Bernardino County requires a building permit if it involves structural changes, electrical, plumbing, or mechanical work. Cosmetic work like painting, flooring, and countertops does not require a permit.
Residential security cameras are legal in San Bernardino County without a permit. California's privacy laws prohibit recording in areas where people have a reasonable expectation of privacy. Audio recording requires all-party consent under California Penal Code §632.
California is an all-party consent state for audio recording. All parties to a confidential conversation must consent to being recorded under Penal Code §632. Video recording in public is legal, but recording in private areas violates Penal Code §647(j).
San Bernardino County allows privacy fences up to 6 feet in side and rear yards and 42 inches in front yards in most residential zones. Fences under 6 feet typically do not require a building permit. Barbed wire is prohibited in residential zones.
California regulates concealed carry weapons licenses statewide under Penal Code 26150 through 26225. Senate Bill 2 (2023) imposes uniform sensitive-place restrictions and applicant standards, preempting local variations on issuance criteria and qualifications.
California preempts most local firearm regulation under Government Code 53071 and Penal Code 25605, reserving licensing, registration, and manufacture authority to the state. However, local governments retain limited authority over discharge, sensitive places, and zoning of gun businesses.
California broadly prohibits open carry of firearms statewide under Penal Code 25850 (loaded firearms in public) and Penal Code 26350 (open carry of unloaded handguns). The prohibition applies uniformly across all California cities and counties without local variation.
California prohibits carrying loaded firearms in vehicles statewide under Penal Code 25400 and 25850. Unloaded handguns transported in private vehicles must be in a locked container or the vehicle's locked trunk; long guns must be unloaded but need not be locked.
California Retail Food Code (Health and Safety Code 113700-114437) sets uniform mobile food facility permit, equipment, and food safety standards enforced by counties statewide.
California's Safe Sidewalk Vending Act (SB 946) preempts most local bans on sidewalk vending, allowing only objective health, safety, and welfare regulations.
The California Land Conservation Act of 1965 (Williamson Act), Government Code 51200-51297.4, allows landowners to enter contracts with counties restricting land to agricultural use for ten-year minimum terms in exchange for reduced property tax assessment based on farming income.
The California Right to Farm Act under Civil Code 3482.5 protects established agricultural operations from nuisance lawsuits brought by neighbors who moved in after farming began. The law applies statewide and limits both private and local government nuisance actions.