Permit Requirements: Chino vs Fontana
How do permit requirements rules compare between Chino, CA and Fontana, CA?
Fontana has fewer restrictions than Chino.
Chino, CA
San Bernardino County
Chino does NOT issue short-term rental permits because STRs are entirely prohibited citywide. Per Chino Municipal Code §20.24.020, a 'short-term rental' is the rental of any residential building or portion thereof for 30 consecutive calendar days or less, and the use is not permitted in any zoning district. The October 2022 ordinance expanded a prior residential-zone-only prohibition into a citywide ban. There is no licensing pathway, no Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) registration for residential property, and no business license category for STRs — applying for one will be refused. Hosting on Airbnb, VRBO, Booking.com, or any platform is a zoning violation. Only rentals of 30 days or longer are lawful.
View full Chino rules →Fontana, CA
San Bernardino County
Fontana regulates short-term rentals through its Municipal Code and generally treats rentals under 30 days as transient occupancy requiring business licensing and Transient Occupancy Tax registration.
View full Fontana rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Chino | Fontana |
|---|---|---|
| Permit available? | No — STRs banned citywide | - |
| Code section | Chino Municipal Code §20.24.020 (STR definition); Title 20 Zoning prohibition | - |
| Ban effective | October 2022 (citywide expansion) | - |
| Fine ceiling | Up to $1,000 per violation per day | - |
| Minimum lawful stay | 31 days | - |
| Enforcement contact | Code Enforcement Division — (909) 334-3263 | - |
| Definition | - | Rentals under 30 days |
| Business license | - | Required |
| TOT registration | - | Required |
| Safety equipment | - | Smoke/CO alarms required |
| Contact | - | (909) 350-7600 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Chino FAQ
Can I get an STR permit if I only rent occasionally?
No. The ban is absolute — there is no occasional-use, hosted-stay, or owner-occupied exception in the Chino Municipal Code. Any rental under 31 days is prohibited regardless of frequency.
What about my existing Airbnb listing?
It must come down. Pre-2022 STR operations were not grandfathered when the citywide ban took effect. Continued listing is a per-day zoning violation enforceable by Chino Code Enforcement.
Fontana FAQ
Do I need a permit to rent my Fontana home on Airbnb?
Yes. A business license and TOT registration are required, and zoning compliance must be verified with Planning.
Are STRs allowed everywhere in Fontana?
Permissibility depends on zoning and may be restricted in certain districts. Contact Planning to verify your address.
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