Registration Rules: Chino vs Rialto
How do registration rules rules compare between Chino, CA and Rialto, CA?
Chino and Rialto have similar restriction levels.
Chino, CA
San Bernardino County
Chino has no STR registration, TOT certificate, or business license program because short-term rentals are banned outright by Title 20 zoning (CMC §20.24.020 defines STRs as <31-day residential rentals; no zoning district permits the use). Hosts cannot 'register and comply' — the only compliance path is not to operate. By contrast, neighboring jurisdictions (e.g., unincorporated San Bernardino County, City of Big Bear Lake) require registration; Chino does not. Hosts who previously held a city business license tied to vacation-rental activity have had those classifications closed.
View full Chino rules →Rialto, CA
San Bernardino County
Rialto has not established a short-term rental registry, certificate, or annual permit program in its municipal code. There is no STR-specific application, fee schedule, or inspection process in Title 5 or Title 18, so the only formal city registration available to an STR operator is a general business license under Chapter 5.04.
View full Rialto rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Chino | Rialto |
|---|---|---|
| STR registration program? | None — STR use is prohibited | - |
| TOT for residential STR? | Not collected — use is not legal | - |
| Code basis | CMC §20.24.020 + Title 20 Zoning prohibition | - |
| Hotel/motel TOT | Still applies to licensed lodging establishments (separate Title 5 framework) | - |
| STR registry | - | None established |
| STR-specific permit | - | Not issued |
| Business license required | - | Yes (Ch. 5.04) |
| Enforcement model | - | Complaint-driven (Community Compliance) |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Chino FAQ
Do I need to register if I only rent to family or for a wedding weekend?
A residential rental of fewer than 31 days is an STR by CMC §20.24.020 regardless of guest relationship. Bona-fide guests staying without compensation are not 'renting' and are not regulated.
Does paying TOT make it legal?
No. Tax remittance does not override the Zoning Code. The use itself is prohibited.
Rialto FAQ
Is there a Rialto STR permit number I need to display?
No. Rialto has not adopted an STR registry or permit number program. The city has not enacted dedicated STR registration rules in Title 5 or Title 18.
What registration is required?
Only a general business license under Title 5, Chapter 5.04, plus any local Transient Occupancy Tax registration administered by the Finance Department under the authority of Cal. Rev. & Tax. Code §7280.
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