ADU Rental Restrictions: Fontana vs Rialto
How do adu rental restrictions rules compare between Fontana, CA and Rialto, CA?
Rialto has fewer restrictions than Fontana.
Fontana, CA
San Bernardino County
Fontana ADUs may be rented long-term (30 days or more) without separate licensing. Short-term rentals under 30 days are restricted citywide — California Gov. Code §65852.2(a)(7) prohibits STR use of any ADU permitted after January 1, 2020. Fontana additionally regulates STRs through its zoning provisions in FMC Chapter 30, with transient lodging confined to commercial and certain mixed-use zones.
View full Fontana rules →Rialto, CA
San Bernardino County
Rialto cannot ban ADU rentals, but state law (Cal. Gov. Code §66314(a)(6)) prohibits renting an ADU for less than 30 days. Long-term rentals are permitted by right; short-term vacation rentals in ADUs are not allowed under state law statewide.
View full Rialto rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Fontana | Rialto |
|---|---|---|
| Long-Term (30+ days) | Permitted | - |
| Short-Term (<30 days) | Restricted (state law) | - |
| State Law | Gov. Code §65852.2(a)(7) | - |
| Zoning Use | Transient lodging not in R-1 | - |
| TOT | FMC Ch. 3 (city tax) | - |
| Min rental term | - | 30 days (Cal. Gov. Code §66314(a)(6)) |
| Short-term rentals | - | Prohibited statewide for ADUs |
| Long-term rentals | - | Allowed; city cannot ban |
| AB 1482 rent cap | - | 5% + CPI, max 10% annually (Civil Code §1947.12) — exemptions apply |
| JADU rentals | - | Cannot be rented separately from owner-occupied main house (§66333) |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Fontana FAQ
Can I rent my Fontana ADU on Airbnb?
Generally no for stays under 30 days. California Gov. Code §65852.2(a)(7) requires ADUs permitted after January 1, 2020 to be rented for terms of 30 days or more. Single-family Residential zones in Fontana also do not permit transient lodging as a land use. Long-term rentals of 30+ days are permitted without a separate license.
What about ADU long-term rentals?
Permitted. ADUs may be rented for 30+ days without a separate license under California Gov. Code §65852.2 and the Fontana ADU regulations. Both the primary dwelling and the ADU may be rented to non-owner tenants since AB 976 (2023) preempted local owner-occupancy mandates.
Rialto FAQ
Can I list my Rialto ADU on Airbnb?
No — California Gov. Code §66314(a)(6) bans ADU rentals shorter than 30 days statewide. Stays of 30+ days are permitted.
Does AB 1482 rent control apply to my ADU?
It depends. ADUs built within the last 15 years are generally exempt from AB 1482's annual cap. If your ADU is older or you're not owner-occupied, the 5%+CPI cap may apply — consult Civil Code §1947.12.
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