Permit Requirements: Rialto vs San Bernardino
How do permit requirements rules compare between Rialto, CA and San Bernardino, CA?
Rialto and San Bernardino have similar restriction levels.
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 →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 | Rialto | San Bernardino |
|---|---|---|
| STR ordinance in code | None adopted | - |
| Zoning treatment | Not a listed permitted use (Title 18) | - |
| Business license | Required under Ch. 5.04 | - |
| Pre-listing contact | Rialto Planning Division | - |
| 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.
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.
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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