Permit Requirements: Hesperia vs San Bernardino
How do permit requirements rules compare between Hesperia, CA and San Bernardino, CA?
Hesperia has fewer restrictions than San Bernardino.
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 →San Bernardino, CA
San Bernardino County
San Bernardino STR operators must register with the city, collect TOT, and comply with Development Code Title 19. Permits renew annually and require a 24-hour local contact who can respond to complaints quickly.
View full San Bernardino rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Hesperia | San Bernardino |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Type | - | STR Registration Required |
| Renewal | - | Annual |
| Local Contact | - | 24-hour, 1-hour response |
| Zoning | - | Development Code Title 19 |
| Contact | - | (909) 384-5122 |
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.
San Bernardino FAQ
Can I run an Airbnb in San Bernardino without registering?
No. San Bernardino requires every short-term rental to register and obtain a permit before accepting guests. Unregistered operation is subject to administrative citations that can exceed several hundred dollars per day.
Can I short-term rent my ADU in San Bernardino?
Generally only if the primary dwelling on the lot is owner-occupied. State ADU law restricts STR conversion of newly built ADUs, and San Bernardino mirrors that restriction in its Development Code.
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