Permit Requirements: Hesperia vs Ontario
How do permit requirements rules compare between Hesperia, CA and Ontario, CA?
Hesperia has fewer restrictions than Ontario.
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 →Ontario, CA
San Bernardino County
Ontario requires a Short-Term Rental Permit before any stay under 30 days. Applications are filed through the City Citizen Portal and require proof of primary residence plus a full set of property documents.
View full Ontario rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Hesperia | Ontario |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | - |
| Permit required | - | Yes, before any STR listing |
| Primary residence | - | Required for operator |
| Application portal | - | Online Citizen Portal |
| Transferable | - | No |
| Contact | - | (909) 395-2000 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
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.
Ontario FAQ
Can an LLC or corporation hold an Ontario STR permit?
Ontario limits permits to the individual owner, the owner's close family, or an authorized tenant. Entities generally cannot operate STRs at the residence.
Does the STR permit transfer if I sell the home?
No. Permits are tied to the operator and property and are not transferable; a new owner must apply fresh.
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