Permit Requirements: Chino vs Ontario
How do permit requirements rules compare between Chino, CA and Ontario, CA?
Chino and Ontario have similar restriction levels.
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 →Ontario, CA
San Bernardino County
Ontario requires a Short-Term Rental Permit before any stay under 30 days. Applications are filed through the City Citizen Portal and require proof of primary residence plus a full set of property documents.
View full Ontario rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Chino | Ontario |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | - |
| Permit required | - | Yes, before any STR listing |
| Primary residence | - | Required for operator |
| Application portal | - | Online Citizen Portal |
| Transferable | - | No |
| Contact | - | (909) 395-2000 |
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.
Ontario FAQ
Can an LLC or corporation hold an Ontario STR permit?
Ontario limits permits to the individual owner, the owner's close family, or an authorized tenant. Entities generally cannot operate STRs at the residence.
Does the STR permit transfer if I sell the home?
No. Permits are tied to the operator and property and are not transferable; a new owner must apply fresh.
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