Permit Requirements: Fontana vs Hesperia
How do permit requirements rules compare between Fontana, CA and Hesperia, CA?
Fontana and Hesperia have similar restriction levels.
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 →Hesperia, CA
San Bernardino County
Hesperia has no dedicated short-term rental (STR) ordinance, but operators must hold a city business license under Title 5 and register for the Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) under Hesperia Municipal Code Chapter 3.10 (10% of rent on stays of 30 days or less). The city's Rental Housing Business License and Inspection Program (Ch. 5.72) explicitly excludes hotels, motels, and transient lodging under 30 days, leaving STRs governed by general business licensing and TOT registration rather than a stand-alone STR permit. Operators must also obey Title 16 (Development Code) zoning rules for the parcel.
View full Hesperia rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Fontana | Hesperia |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Rentals under 30 days | - |
| Business license | Required | - |
| TOT registration | Required | - |
| Safety equipment | Smoke/CO alarms required | - |
| Contact | (909) 350-7600 | - |
| City STR Permit | - | None — general Title 5 business license required |
| TOT Rate | - | 10% (HMC Ch. 3.10) |
| TOT Threshold | - | Stays of 30 days or less (HMC §3.10.030) |
| Rental Housing Program | - | HMC Ch. 5.72 — excludes STRs (under 30 days) |
| Code Portal | - | Municode — library.municode.com/ca/hesperia |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
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.
Hesperia FAQ
Does Hesperia require a special short-term rental permit?
No. As of the latest published Hesperia Municipal Code, there is no dedicated STR ordinance. Operators need a standard city business license (Title 5) and a Transient Occupancy Registration Certificate under HMC §3.10.040.
What tax do I collect from guests?
Hesperia imposes a 10% Transient Occupancy Tax on rent for stays of 30 days or less under HMC Chapter 3.10. The host collects it from the guest and remits to the city Finance Division.
Does the Rental Housing Business License program (Ch. 5.72) cover my STR?
No. Ch. 5.72 covers long-term residential rentals and explicitly excludes hotels, motels, and stays under 30 days. STRs remain subject to TOT registration and general business licensing instead.
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