San Bernardino, CA Code Violation Reporting: How to Report (2026)
Key Facts
- Report to
- Code Enforcement Dept. or Public Works Dept.
- Governing section
- SBMC § 8.24.120(A)(2)
- Combustible waste limit
- 1 week before violation
- Non-combustible waste limit
- 1 month before violation
- Non-compliance consequence
- City cleanup billed to owner
Summary
San Bernardino Municipal Code § 8.24.120(A)(2) directs residents to report illegal dumping and solid waste violations to the City Code Enforcement Department or the Public Works Department, which can issue a notice of violation and, if ignored, clean up the property and bill the owner.
(2) Any violation of this chapter may be reported to the City Code Enforcement Department or Public Works Department. If a designated employee of the city who has the authority to issue criminal or administrative citations pursuant to Chapters 9.90, 9.92 and 9.93 determines that a violation of this chapter exists, the designated employee will post a notice of violation (“NOV”) requiring the property owner or occupant to bring the property into compliance. If the occupant does not respond to or comply with the notice of violation, the city will take the necessary steps to bring the property into compliance, including, if necessary, cleaning and sanitizing the container area. The occupant shall be held responsible for all fees and costs incurred as a result of the city bringing the property into compliance.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-2: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ord. MC-1666, passed 8-5-2026).
Full Breakdown
120(A)(1) requires every property owner or occupant to keep their lot clean and sanitary, without excessive waste accumulated around containers or combustible waste left more than a week, or non-combustible waste more than a month. 120(B), may be reported to the City Code Enforcement Department or the Public Works Department. 93 confirms a violation, that employee posts a notice of violation (NOV) giving the property owner or occupant a deadline to bring the site into compliance. 120(A)(2). 120(F)). 130, who can pursue administrative citations, fines set by council resolution, or refer a case for misdemeanor or infraction prosecution.
Violations & Fines
A property owner who ignores a posted notice of violation faces city-performed cleanup billed back to them under § 8.24.120(A)(2), plus enforcement under § 8.24.130: an infraction or, at the City Attorney's discretion, a misdemeanor, alongside administrative fines the City Manager can impose and, if unpaid, record as a lien on the property.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who do I call to report illegal dumping in San Bernardino?
What happens after I report a dumping violation?
How long can trash legally pile up on a San Bernardino property?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Bernardino
California rules heatmap·Compare San Bernardino to another location·View the California code violation reporting overview
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