Permit Requirements: Chino vs Rancho Cucamonga
How do permit requirements rules compare between Chino, CA and Rancho Cucamonga, CA?
Chino and Rancho Cucamonga 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 →Rancho Cucamonga, CA
San Bernardino County
Rancho Cucamonga requires a Short-Term Rental Permit ($175), a Business License, and a TOT Certificate under RCMC Chapter 8.34. Property must be the operator primary residence with on-site safety inspection.
View full Rancho Cucamonga rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Chino | Rancho Cucamonga |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | - |
| Code | - | RCMC Chapter 8.34 |
| STR Permit fee | - | $175 non-refundable |
| Primary residence | - | Required |
| Inspection | - | On-site safety inspection required |
| Zones | - | Residential only |
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.
Rancho Cucamonga FAQ
Can I rent my Rancho Cucamonga vacation home I do not live in?
No. RCMC 8.34 requires the property to be the operator primary residence, so non-owner-occupied investment rentals are generally prohibited.
How long does permit approval take?
After application and payment the city schedules an on-site inspection. Typical processing is 2-4 weeks if the home passes inspection the first time.
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