Permit Requirements: Fontana vs Rialto
How do permit requirements rules compare between Fontana, CA and Rialto, CA?
Fontana has fewer restrictions than Rialto.
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 →Rialto, CA
San Bernardino County
Rialto Municipal Code Title 18 (Zoning) does not list short-term rentals or transient occupancy lodging as a permitted use in any residential zone, and no STR/vacation rental chapter has been adopted. Under the Title 18 permissive zoning rule, uses not expressly listed are not allowed, so operating an STR requires affirmative authorization that does not currently exist.
View full Rialto rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Fontana | Rialto |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Rentals under 30 days | - |
| Business license | Required | Required under Ch. 5.04 |
| TOT registration | Required | - |
| Safety equipment | Smoke/CO alarms required | - |
| Contact | (909) 350-7600 | - |
| STR ordinance in code | - | None adopted |
| Zoning treatment | - | Not a listed permitted use (Title 18) |
| Pre-listing contact | - | Rialto Planning Division |
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.
Rialto FAQ
Can I legally run an Airbnb in Rialto?
Rialto's zoning code (Title 18) does not list short-term rentals as a permitted residential use. Because Title 18 is permissive (uses not listed are not allowed), there is no clear pathway to operate an STR in a single-family zone, and unpermitted operation can be cited as a zoning violation.
Do I still need a business license?
Yes. Title 5, Chapter 5.04 requires a current Rialto business license for any business activity in the city, regardless of zoning status.
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