Primary-Residence-Only Rule: Rialto vs San Bernardino
How do primary-residence-only rule rules compare between Rialto, CA and San Bernardino, CA?
San Bernardino has fewer restrictions than Rialto.
Rialto, CA
San Bernardino County
Rialto's municipal code does not contain a short-term rental ordinance and therefore does not distinguish between primary-residence (hosted) STRs and non-owner-occupied (whole-home, investor) STRs. Because Title 18 zoning does not list STRs as a permitted use at all, there is no primary-residence exception that legalizes any class of operator.
View full Rialto rules →San Bernardino, CA
San Bernardino County
Unincorporated San Bernardino County does not limit short-term rentals to a host's primary residence. Investor-owned vacation homes are explicitly allowed across desert and mountain zones, subject to standard permit conditions.
View full San Bernardino rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Rialto | San Bernardino |
|---|---|---|
| Primary-residence rule | Not adopted | - |
| Whole-home STR cap | Not adopted | - |
| Baseline status | STR not a listed use in Title 18 | - |
| Equal treatment | Hosted and non-hosted both unaddressed | - |
| Primary residence | - | Not required |
| Investor STRs | - | Permitted |
| Second homes | - | Allowed |
| Verify jurisdiction | - | Unincorporated only |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Rialto FAQ
Can I rent my primary residence short-term in Rialto?
Rialto's zoning code does not list short-term rentals as a permitted residential use, and there is no primary-residence exception that legalizes hosted STRs. Owner-occupied and absentee STRs are treated the same under the absence of an STR chapter.
Does Rialto cap non-owner-occupied rentals?
There is no whole-home or non-owner-occupied STR cap in the Rialto Municipal Code because no STR chapter has been adopted at all.
San Bernardino FAQ
Can I run an STR if I live in Los Angeles?
Yes, unincorporated SBC permits non-resident owners. Confirm your parcel is unincorporated, then apply for the STR permit and pay transient occupancy tax.
Does Big Bear Lake follow this rule?
No. Big Bear Lake is an incorporated city with its own STR ordinance. Check the city code rather than county rules for that area.
Compare other topics
See how Rialto and San Bernardino compare on other ordinance categories.
Want to add a third city?
Use our full comparison tool to compare up to three cities.
Open Comparison Tool