Moving to Redlands, CA?
Here are the local rules you need to know before you unpack.
Every city has its own set of local ordinances that go beyond state and federal law. From when you can mow your lawn to whether you can park your RV in the driveway, these rules affect daily life in ways most people do not expect. This guide covers the key ordinances in Redlands across 18 categories and 100 specific rules we track.
🔊 Noise OrdinancesFull noise ordinances guide →
Noise rules affect everything from weekend parties to lawn care schedules. Quiet hours, construction restrictions, and barking dog limits vary widely between cities.
Leaf Blower Rules
Few RestrictionsRedlands has no leaf-blower-specific ban. A proposed gas-blower ban was discussed by the City Council in March 2024 but was not adopted. Leaf-blower noise is governed by the general Community Noise Control chapter (8.06) and California's statewide CARB ban on the SALE of new gas-powered small off-road engines (effective 2024).
Decibel Limits
Some RestrictionsRedlands Municipal Code Section 8.06.070 sets exterior limits by receiving zone and time: 50 dBA night / 60 dBA day for residential, public-space and institutional districts; 60 dBA night / 65 dBA day for commercial; and 75 dBA anytime for industrial. Interior limits (Section 8.06.080) are 45 dBA for residential and institutional, 50 dBA commercial, 60 dBA industrial.
Quiet Hours
Some RestrictionsThe City of Redlands treats 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. as its nighttime quiet period under Municipal Code Chapter 8.06 (Community Noise Control). During those hours exterior noise limits tighten and many activities (radios, loudspeakers, stereos) are prohibited if they create a noise disturbance across a residential or commercial property line.
Construction Hours
Some RestrictionsRedlands Municipal Code Section 8.06.090.F bars construction and demolition that creates a noise disturbance across a residential or commercial property line between 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. on weekdays, including Saturdays, and at any time on Sundays or holidays, except for emergency utility/city work. Allowed weekday hours are effectively 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Barking Dogs
Some RestrictionsRedlands prohibits chronic animal noise two ways: Municipal Code Section 8.06.090.D bars keeping any animal or bird that frequently or for long duration barks, howls, meows or squawks so as to create a noise disturbance across a property line, and Section 6.24.120 (Noisy Animals; Prohibited) is enforced through a written warning and a 10-day abatement period before prosecution.
Amplified Music & Events
Some RestrictionsRedlands Municipal Code Section 8.06.090.A prohibits radios, TVs, phonographs, drums and instruments, and Section 8.06.090.B prohibits loudspeakers and stereo systems, from creating a noise disturbance across a residential or commercial property line between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. At any hour, amplified sound must also stay within the exterior dBA limits of Section 8.06.070.
Vehicle Noise
Some RestrictionsFor vehicles on public roads, noise is controlled by the California Vehicle Code, not a Redlands ordinance: Sections 27150-27151 require an adequate muffler and bar amplified/modified exhaust (a 95 dBA SAE standard applies to vehicles under 6,000 lbs). On private property, vehicle and machinery noise falls under Redlands Municipal Code Section 8.06.090.C and the general limits of Chapter 8.06.
Outdoor Music
Some RestrictionsOutdoor music in Redlands is limited by the zone-based exterior dBA standards in Section 8.06.070 and is prohibited from disturbing neighbors between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. under Sections 8.06.090.A/B. In City parks, loudspeakers and amplified sound for music or speeches require a reservation or permit from the director under Section 12.44.090.
Industrial Noise
Some RestrictionsRedlands Municipal Code Section 8.06.070 caps exterior noise at industrially zoned receiving property at 75 dBA at any time; where industrial noise reaches a residential property, the lower residential limits (50 dBA night / 60 dBA day) apply. Stationary machinery must be muffled (8.06.090.C) and vibration is regulated under Section 8.06.090.G.
Aircraft Noise
Few RestrictionsRedlands' Community Noise Control chapter (8.06) does not regulate aircraft noise. In-flight aircraft noise is controlled by the FAA under federal preemption; Redlands Municipal Airport defers all flight-noise complaints to the FAA. Airport land-use compatibility is addressed through the City General Plan and California state airport-noise standards, not a City noise ordinance.
🏠 Short-Term RentalsFull short-term rentals guide →
If you plan to rent out your home on Airbnb or VRBO - even occasionally - you need to know the local STR rules before listing.
Taxes & Fees
Some RestrictionsRedlands levies a 10% Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) under Municipal Code Chapter 3.24 on lodging rented to 'transients' (guests staying under 30 days). The City's TOT rate has been 10% since December 5, 1998 and generated about $2.31 million in fiscal year 2022-23. Hosts must collect this tax from guests and remit it to the City's Revenue Division.
Primary-Residence-Only Rule
Few RestrictionsRedlands has no primary-residence or owner-occupancy requirement for short-term rentals, because it has no STR ordinance. The only owner-occupancy rule tied to rentals is for SB 9 lot splits, where the owner must live in a unit for at least three years - and on those lots rentals under 30 days are banned outright (Section 18.156.1330).
Occupancy Limits
Few RestrictionsRedlands has no short-term-rental-specific occupancy cap (for example, a per-bedroom guest limit) because the City has no STR ordinance. Occupancy is governed by generally applicable standards - the California Building/Residential Code and the City's housing/zoning rules - rather than an STR formula. Claims of a Redlands per-bedroom STR limit are not supported by the Municipal Code.
Registration Rules
Few RestrictionsRedlands has no short-term-rental registration program. There is no City STR registry, certificate, or annual STR renewal in the Municipal Code. Hosts who collect Transient Occupancy Tax must register with the City's Revenue Division for TOT, and rental properties may fall under the City's general Rental Property Inspection registration - but neither is an STR-specific license.
Insurance Requirements
Few RestrictionsRedlands does not require short-term-rental hosts to carry liability insurance, because the City has no STR ordinance imposing such a condition. Cities with STR permit programs often mandate $500,000-$1,000,000 in liability coverage; Redlands has none. Hosts should still carry adequate coverage and check platform-provided protection and their homeowner's policy.
Permit Requirements
Few RestrictionsThe City of Redlands has no dedicated short-term-rental (STR) permitting ordinance. There is no STR-specific use permit, license type, or vacation-rental chapter in the Municipal Code, and STRs are not listed among the City's planning permit types. The one explicit STR rule is a ban on rentals under 30 days on lots created under California's SB 9 lot-split law.
Parking Rules
Few RestrictionsRedlands has no short-term-rental-specific parking requirement, because there is no STR ordinance. Parking is governed by the City's general off-street parking standards in the zoning code (Chapter 18.164) and by on-street parking rules in Title 10. SB 9 two-unit projects must provide one off-street space per new unit (with transit exceptions) under Section 18.156.1330.
Night Caps
Few RestrictionsRedlands sets no annual night cap on short-term rentals (such as a 90- or 120-day limit), because the City has no STR ordinance. The only night-related rule is on SB 9 lots, where the Code bars any rental shorter than 30 days outright - a minimum-stay prohibition, not an annual cap - under Municipal Code Section 18.156.1330.
Noise Rules
Some RestrictionsThere is no STR-specific noise rule in Redlands, but STRs are fully subject to the City's Community Noise Control chapter (Municipal Code Chapter 8.06). It sets 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. quiet hours, residential exterior limits of 50 dBA night / 60 dBA day (Section 8.06.070), and bars loudspeakers, stereos and instruments that disturb neighbors at night.
Host Presence Rule
Few RestrictionsRedlands imposes no host-presence or local-contact requirement on short-term rentals, because it has no STR ordinance. There is no rule that the host live on-site, designate a 24-hour responsible person, or respond within a set time - conditions common in cities with STR programs. General nuisance and noise enforcement applies regardless of host location.
🔥 Fire RegulationsFull fire regulations guide →
Fire pit rules, fireworks restrictions, and brush clearance requirements are especially important if you are coming from a state with different fire risk profiles.
Fireworks
Heavy RestrictionsAll fireworks are illegal in the City of Redlands, including so-called 'safe and sane' fireworks. The City Fire Code prohibits possession, sale, use, and discharge citywide. Violations carry fines up to $1,000, plus property-owner and guardian liability for the cost of the public-safety response.
Fire Pit Rules
Some RestrictionsRedlands has no separate fire-pit ordinance; backyard fire pits are governed by the 2022 California Fire Code, which the City adopted in Chapter 15.20. Recreational fires must stay at least 25 feet from structures, and manufactured portable outdoor fireplaces must stay at least 15 feet away.
Smoke Detectors
Some RestrictionsSmoke and carbon monoxide alarm requirements in Redlands come from California state law (Health & Safety Code 13113.7 and 17926) and the California Building and Fire Codes the City adopted, not a separate City ordinance. Working alarms are required in every dwelling intended for human occupancy.
Outdoor Burning
Heavy RestrictionsOpen residential burning is effectively prohibited in Redlands. South Coast AQMD Rule 444 bans residential open burning throughout the San Bernardino Valley, and AQMD Rule 445 prohibits wood and solid-fuel burning on declared winter No-Burn days. The Redlands Fire Department enforces the adopted California Fire Code.
Propane Storage
Some RestrictionsPropane (LPG) storage in Redlands is governed by the 2022 California Fire Code, which the City adopted in City Code Chapter 15.20 and enforces through the Redlands Fire Department. Small barbecue-size cylinders are allowed for household use; larger tanks and aggregate quantities trigger Fire Code permits and clearance requirements.
Brush Clearance
Heavy RestrictionsRedlands City Code Chapter 8.40 (Abatement of Weeds and Rubbish) declares dry weeds and brush that create a fire hazard a public nuisance. The Redlands Fire Department's Community Risk Reduction division inspects high-fire-hazard areas twice a year; non-compliant properties are abated by the City at the owner's expense.
Wildfire Zones
Heavy RestrictionsYes -- Redlands contains Fire Hazard Severity Zones. CAL FIRE's 2025 maps keep the southern/eastern foothills (San Timoteo Canyon, Live Oak Canyon, and the Crafton Hills area) in the 'Very High' zone, with new Moderate/High areas in North Redlands. The City Council adopted the updated map via Ordinance No. 2986.
Backyard Fires
Some RestrictionsBackyard recreational fires in Redlands are governed by the adopted 2022 California Fire Code (RMC 15.20), not a separate City rule. Recreational fires must be at least 25 feet from structures and attended; open burning of trash or debris is prohibited, and wood fires are banned on AQMD No-Burn days.
🚗 Parking RulesFull parking rules guide →
Parking rules catch more new residents off guard than almost any other ordinance. RV storage, overnight parking bans, and driveway regulations vary significantly.
RV & Boat Parking
Heavy RestrictionsRedlands restricts where recreational vehicles, boats, trailers and campers may be parked. Detached campers, trailers, boats and watercraft must be parked in an approved space or screened from the street, not in the driveway or front yard, unless the resident obtains a minor exception permit. A legally parked motor home owned by the resident is exempt.
Street Parking Limits
Some RestrictionsVehicles parked on a Redlands street must be licensed and operable and cannot remain in one location for more than 72 consecutive hours. After 72 hours the police place a warning sticker citing Redlands Traffic Ordinance 10.40.110; if not moved, a street-storage citation is issued and the vehicle may be towed under California Vehicle Code 22651(k).
Driveway Rules
Some RestrictionsRedlands requires vehicles on residential property to be parked entirely on a permanent paved surface such as asphalt or concrete, not on a front lawn or unpaved dirt. Vehicles also may not block or partially block a sidewalk or driveway, and front-yard storage of trailers, campers and boats is prohibited without a permit.
Overnight Parking
Some RestrictionsRedlands does not impose a blanket citywide overnight street-parking ban; vehicles are governed instead by the 72-hour storage limit (RMC 10.40.110). However, it is unlawful to live or sleep in a recreational vehicle parked on any public property or street, and downtown timed-parking limits apply during daytime hours only.
Oversized Vehicle Parking
Heavy RestrictionsRedlands restricts large vehicles through two main rules: heavy commercial vehicles and trailers rated 10,000 pounds GVWR or more are banned from residential streets (RMC 10.40.150), and detached trailers, campers, boats and similar oversized equipment must be screened from the street rather than stored in driveways or front yards (RMC 18.164.130).
Commercial Vehicle Restrictions
Heavy RestrictionsRedlands prohibits parking commercial vehicles, truck tractors, semitrailers or trailers rated 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight or more on any street, alley or parkway in a residential district. In non-residential districts the same heavy vehicles may not park more than two hours, and any left over 24 hours may be towed under California Vehicle Code 22651(n).
Abandoned Vehicles
Heavy RestrictionsRedlands treats abandoned, wrecked, dismantled or inoperative vehicles on public or private property as a public nuisance subject to abatement under RMC Chapter 8.56. Before removing a low-value abandoned vehicle, the city must attach a notice at least 72 hours in advance. Once a vehicle is abated, the owner cannot reclaim it.
Loading Zones
Some RestrictionsRedlands designates commercial loading zones with yellow curb paint stenciled 'LOADING ONLY' and passenger loading zones with white curb paint stenciled 'Passenger Loading Only.' It is unlawful to stop, stand or park in a loading zone for any purpose other than loading or unloading passengers or material, for only the time permitted.
EV Charging
Few RestrictionsRedlands adopted Chapter 15.58 of its municipal code (Ordinance 2869, 2018) to create an expedited, streamlined, nondiscretionary permitting process for electric vehicle charging stations. The chapter governs how charging stations are permitted and installed citywide, allows electronic submittal, and limits review to health-and-safety requirements.
Curb Color Rules
Some RestrictionsIn Redlands, curb colors signal parking rules consistent with California convention and the city's traffic code: yellow curbs stenciled 'LOADING ONLY' mark commercial loading zones, and white curbs stenciled 'Passenger Loading Only' mark passenger loading zones. Red curbs mean no stopping, standing or parking. Only the city may place official curb markings.
🧱 Fence RegulationsFull fence regulations guide →
Planning to put up a fence? Height limits, material restrictions, and permit requirements differ by city - and sometimes by which side of the property the fence sits on.
Retaining Walls
Some RestrictionsIn Redlands, retaining walls over 3 feet high (measured from top of footing) require a city building permit; walls under 3 feet are exempt unless they support a surcharge or impound hazardous liquids. Exceptions to garden/retaining-wall heights under zoning standards are granted through the Minor Exception Permit committee.
Height Limits
Some RestrictionsIn the City of Redlands, Municipal Code Chapter 18.168 limits fences and walls to 6 feet along side and rear property lines. In a required front yard, only open fences up to 4 feet are permitted, and no fence or wall over 3 feet may stand in a required front yard area.
Material Restrictions
Some RestrictionsRedlands does not broadly ban common fence materials, but RMC 18.168 sets material-specific rules: required buffer walls between commercial/industrial and residential uses must be solid masonry, and a front-yard 'open fence' must be wire mesh or similar admitting at least 90% light. Properties in historic districts face design review of materials.
Permit Requirements
Some RestrictionsRedlands requires a building permit for taller and structural fences/walls and a Minor Exception Permit for fences exceeding zoning height limits. Wood, chain-link, vinyl, or metal fences not over 6 feet are generally exempt from a building permit; masonry walls over 3 feet and most retaining walls over 3 feet require one.
Fence Requirements
Heavy RestrictionsRMC 18.168.030 requires a 6-foot solid masonry wall along property/zone boundaries separating industrial or commercial uses from abutting residential districts. Where that boundary is a side lot line, the wall drops to 3 feet within the required front yard; where it fronts a street, it is set back 10 feet with landscaping. Pools require code-compliant safety barriers.
Neighbor Fence Rules
Some RestrictionsRedlands has no separate boundary-fence cost statute; shared fences fall under California Civil Code 841, which presumes adjoining owners share equally in construction and maintenance and requires 30 days' written notice. The city's role is procedural: a fence crossing a property line needs signatures from affected neighbors on a Minor Exception application.
Approved Materials
Some RestrictionsCommon materials — wood, chain-link, vinyl, metal, masonry — are all usable in Redlands within the height/permit rules of RMC 18.168. Required buffer walls must be solid masonry, and front-yard 'open fences' must be see-through wire mesh. In Victorian/Craftsman historic districts, fence design and materials are subject to a Certificate of Appropriateness.
🐔 Animal OrdinancesFull animal ordinances guide →
Pet owners and aspiring chicken keepers should check local animal ordinances before signing a lease or closing on a home.
Cat Rules
Few RestrictionsRedlands does not require cat licenses and its dog leash law does not apply to cats. Households may keep up to three adult cats under Municipal Code 18.40.040(G). The City's own shelter handles cats, and statewide rabies and cruelty laws still apply.
Chickens & Livestock
Some RestrictionsIn early 2026 Redlands adopted Ordinance No. 2999 allowing backyard hens (and rabbits) in most single-family residential zones, scaled by lot size, with roosters prohibited for noise. Other livestock and fowl require a permit from Animal Control under Municipal Code 6.24.010.
Exotic Pets
Heavy RestrictionsRedlands does not allow wild, undomesticated animals as backyard pets. Keeping nondomestic animals requires an Animal Control permit under Municipal Code 6.24.010, and the rural-animal zone (Ch. 18.29) expressly bars lions, tigers, bears, wolves, and cougars. California's restricted-species law (14 CCR 671) separately bans most exotics.
Dog Leash Laws
Some RestrictionsRedlands prohibits dogs from running at large, loose, or unrestrained on any public street, sidewalk, or place under Municipal Code 6.04.170. The City runs its own Animal Services/Shelter on N. Kansas Street and licenses all dogs four months and older.
Beekeeping
Some RestrictionsKeeping bees in Redlands requires a permit. Municipal Code 6.20.020 makes it unlawful to keep or control any stands of bees within the city without first obtaining a permit, subject to conditions imposed by Animal Control. Beekeepers must also register apiaries with the county under California law.
Wildlife Feeding
Some RestrictionsRedlands does not publish a standalone ordinance banning the feeding of wildlife. Feeding that attracts coyotes, rodents, or other animals can be addressed as a nuisance under the City's animal and nuisance rules, and noisy or nuisance animals are prohibited under Municipal Code 6.24.120. California also prohibits feeding big game wildlife.
Breed Restrictions
Some RestrictionsRedlands does not ban any specific breed. Its dangerous- and vicious-dog rules in Municipal Code Chapter 6.05 (Ordinance No. 2988, 2025) are breed-neutral and based on a dog's behavior, imposing confinement, leash-and-muzzle, insurance, and signage requirements on dogs declared dangerous.
Livestock
Some RestrictionsHorses and other livestock are tied to Redlands' rural and agricultural zones. In the R-R-A Rural Residential Animals District (Ch. 18.29) no more than three horses may be kept per lot, each requiring at least one acre, and animals must sit well back from neighboring homes and water wells. Other livestock needs a permit under 6.24.010.
Pet Limits
Some RestrictionsRedlands limits households to not more than three adult dogs and three adult cats, plus their litters up to ten weeks of age, under Municipal Code 18.40.040(G). Dogs four months and older must also be licensed by the City under 6.04.020.
Animal Hoarding
Heavy RestrictionsRedlands enforces humane care through its pet-limit rules and Animal Services, while serious neglect and hoarding are prosecuted under California Penal Code 597 and 597.1. The City's three-dog/three-cat cap (18.40.040(G)) helps prevent overcrowding, and Animal Control may seize neglected or hoarded animals.
🌿 Landscaping RulesFull landscaping rules guide →
From grass height limits to tree removal permits, landscaping rules can surprise new homeowners, especially in drought-prone areas with water restrictions.
Grass Height Limits
Some RestrictionsRedlands has no published fixed lawn-grass height number in its city code. Instead, overgrown vegetation is regulated through Municipal Code Chapter 8.40 (Abatement of Weeds and Rubbish), which treats fire-prone and nuisance vegetation as a condition the city can order abated rather than enforcing a turf-height limit.
Native Plants
Few RestrictionsRedlands encourages native and drought-tolerant landscaping and offers conversion rebates. There is no requirement to plant natives, but front yards must be at least 80% plant material (no more than 20% hardscape) under the city's landscaping code, and natives count toward that requirement.
Tree Trimming
Heavy RestrictionsRedlands treats street trees as city assets. Trimming any tree in a city easement or public place requires a Public Tree Encroachment Permit, and the work must meet International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) standards per Municipal Code Chapter 12.52. The city waives permit fees when residents hire certified contractors.
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Heavy RestrictionsRemoving any tree in a Redlands city easement or public place requires a Public Tree Encroachment Permit under Municipal Code Chapter 12.52. Heritage trees, landmark trees, and historic species groves (such as the Cajon Street palms) receive special protection, and significant or historic removals can require an independent arborist review.
Artificial Turf
Few RestrictionsArtificial (synthetic) turf is allowed in Redlands and counts as plant material toward the city's front-yard landscaping requirement. Under the city's code, at least 80% of the visible front yard must be plant material - which can include synthetic turf - with no more than 20% hardscape.
Weed Ordinances
Heavy RestrictionsRedlands regulates weeds, dry brush, and rubbish under Municipal Code Chapter 8.40 (Abatement of Weeds and Rubbish). Fire (Community Risk Reduction) inspects high fire hazard areas twice a year; if a property fails, the owner is noticed and, if non-compliant, the city clears the hazard and bills the cost back to the property.
Water Restrictions
Heavy RestrictionsRedlands runs its own water utility (Municipal Utilities & Engineering) and enforces permanent outdoor watering rules under Municipal Code Chapter 13.06 (Water Conservation Plan). Even addresses water Mon/Thu/Sat, odd addresses Tue/Fri/Sun, never on Wednesdays, and never between noon and 8 p.m.
Rainwater Harvesting
Few RestrictionsRedlands has no city ordinance restricting residential rainwater harvesting; the city actively encourages capturing stormwater. Its drought-tolerant landscaping guidance promotes rain gardens that capture runoff from rooftops, gutters, and streets and let it infiltrate within 24 to 48 hours. California's Rainwater Capture Act broadly permits residential capture statewide.
Composting
Some RestrictionsRedlands requires residents to recycle organic and food waste under California's SB 1383. Food scraps and yard/green waste go in the city's green curbside bin, not the regular trash. Backyard composting is still encouraged, and the city has provided free kitchen compost pails.
💼 Home BusinessFull home business guide →
Working from home is common, but running a business from home often requires permits and must comply with zoning restrictions on customer traffic and signage.
Signage Rules
Heavy RestrictionsRedlands prohibits advertising signs for home occupations. A home-based business may not display any on-premises sign or use local advertising that calls attention to the home being used for business, with the sole exception of a telephone-number listing.
Zoning Restrictions
Some RestrictionsHome occupations are allowed in Redlands residential zones as a secondary use, subject to Chapter 18.160 of the Redlands Municipal Code. The business must be clearly incidental to the dwelling, use no more than 10% of the home or one room, and not change the residential character of the property.
Home Occupation Permits
Some RestrictionsAnyone working from home or using a home as a place of business in Redlands must obtain a Home Occupation Permit under Chapter 18.160 of the Municipal Code, applied for together with a business license. The permit imposes conditions on floor area, employees, customers, deliveries, and signage.
Cottage Food Operations
Some RestrictionsRedlands cannot prohibit a state cottage food operation in a home under California law. A cottage food business needs a City Home Occupation Permit and planning approval, plus a Class A registration or Class B permit from San Bernardino County Environmental Health, which is the food-safety enforcement agency.
Home Daycare
Few RestrictionsState-licensed family child care homes are a residential use by right in Redlands. Under California SB 234, the City cannot require a land-use permit or business license for small or large family daycare homes; the state Department of Social Services handles licensing.
🏊 Swimming Pools & SpasFull swimming pools & spas guide →
Pool ownership comes with safety fencing requirements, permit obligations, and drainage rules that vary by jurisdiction.
Pool Permits
Some RestrictionsThe City of Redlands requires a building permit from its Building & Safety Division to construct a new swimming pool or spa or to remodel an existing one. Issuing a pool permit also triggers California's Swimming Pool Safety Act drowning-prevention requirements before final approval.
Fencing Requirements
Heavy RestrictionsRedlands enforces the California Swimming Pool Safety Act for residential pool barriers. The City's official handout requires a non-climbable enclosure at least 5 feet (60 inches) tall measured opposite the pool, with a maximum 2-inch gap below and tightly spaced verticals so children cannot climb or squeeze through.
Safety Rules
Heavy RestrictionsWhen a Redlands pool/spa permit is issued, the pool must have a code-compliant barrier plus at least one of seven state drowning-prevention features. Gates must swing away from the pool and be self-closing and self-latching, with latch release at least 54 inches above the floor, and house doors need exit alarms or self-latching hardware.
Above-Ground Pools
Some RestrictionsRedlands does not publish a separate above-ground pool ordinance. Above-ground pools deep enough to hold water that can drown are treated as swimming pools: they require a building permit and the same California Swimming Pool Safety Act barrier and drowning-prevention features as in-ground pools.
Hot Tub Rules
Some RestrictionsRedlands regulates spas and hot tubs as part of its pool/spa permitting. Spas need a building permit, and a permitted spa at a single-family home must meet the same California Swimming Pool Safety Act barrier and drowning-prevention requirements as a pool unless it qualifies for the state's approved safety-cover option.
🏗️ Accessory StructuresFull accessory structures guide →
Thinking about an ADU, shed, or garage conversion? Local rules on accessory structures have changed rapidly in recent years, especially in California.
Garage Conversions
Some RestrictionsRedlands allows an existing garage (attached or detached) to be converted into an ADU under California state law, which the City applies directly. Converting a garage to living space requires a building permit, and historic-district conversions are subject to design-compatibility review.
ADU Rules
Few RestrictionsRedlands processes ADUs and junior ADUs under current California state law (Gov. Code 66310-66342), not its outdated Municipal Code 'second unit' sections. Detached ADUs are capped at 1,200 sq ft, JADUs at 500 sq ft, with 4-foot side/rear setbacks. ADUs in historic districts get design review.
Shed Rules
Some RestrictionsUnder Redlands Municipal Code 18.21.140, accessory buildings such as storage sheds must sit at least 5 feet from side and rear property lines (10 feet if over 10 feet tall), and cannot exceed 15 feet in height. Sheds must be at least 10 feet from the main house.
Carport Rules
Some RestrictionsCarports are treated as accessory buildings in Redlands' residential zones and follow the same standards as garages and sheds under Title 18: at least 5 feet from side/rear property lines (10 feet if over 10 feet tall) and a 15-foot height cap under RMC 18.21.140.
Tiny Homes
Some RestrictionsRedlands has no separate 'tiny home' ordinance. A permanent tiny house on a foundation is regulated as a dwelling or ADU under California state ADU law; a tiny house on wheels is treated as an RV/trailer and cannot be used as a permanent residence outside a licensed park.
🍖 Outdoor CookingFull outdoor cooking guide →
BBQ & Propane Rules
Few RestrictionsResidential propane and charcoal barbecues are generally allowed in Redlands. There is no separate City BBQ ordinance; grills fall under the adopted California Fire Code (RMC 15.20). The main restriction is for multi-unit buildings, where open-flame grills are limited near combustible construction, and on AQMD No-Burn days for charcoal.
Smoker Rules
Few RestrictionsBackyard smokers (wood, pellet, charcoal, or propane) are allowed in Redlands for residential cooking. There is no specific City smoker ordinance; they fall under the adopted California Fire Code. Solid-fuel and charcoal smokers are subject to AQMD No-Burn days and balcony limits in multi-unit buildings.
🪧 Sign RegulationsFull sign regulations guide →
Garage Sale Signs
Some RestrictionsGarage and yard sale signs in Redlands fall under the temporary-sign rules of Sign Code Chapter 15.36. Temporary signs go on private property with the owner's consent; signs placed in the public right-of-way or on poles and street furniture are prohibited and may be removed by the City.
Political Signs
Few RestrictionsPolitical and other noncommercial signs in Redlands are regulated as temporary noncommercial signs on private property under RMC Chapter 15.36 (Sign Code), Article VIII. The code allows noncommercial messages on the same terms as other permitted temporary signs and protects ideological/political content.
🏚️ Property MaintenanceFull property maintenance guide →
Garage Sale Rules
Some RestrictionsRedlands Municipal Code Chapter 5.68 requires a city permit before holding any yard, garage, patio, or rummage sale. Permits are issued by the finance director, the fee is set by city council resolution, and the city advertises a $10 yard sale permit applied for through the Revenue Division.
Trash Bin Storage
Some RestrictionsRedlands provides black (trash), blue (recycling), and green (organics/yard) carts through its municipal Solid Waste Division. Carts must be set out by 6:00 a.m. on collection day and removed from the street no later than 10:00 p.m. the same day. Storing carts as blight can trigger code enforcement.
Vacant Lot Maintenance
Some RestrictionsRedlands requires vacant lots to be kept clear of weeds, rubbish, and fire-hazard vegetation. The city's Code Enforcement Division runs an Abandoned Property Registration program for vacant and foreclosed properties to prevent blight and dangerous-building conditions.
Property Blight
Some RestrictionsRedlands declares blighted property a public nuisance. Premises kept so out of harmony with the maintenance standards of adjacent properties as to cause substantial diminution in neighbors' enjoyment, use, or property values can be abated by the city's Code Enforcement Division.
Weeds & Overgrown Grass
Some RestrictionsRedlands Municipal Code Chapter 8.40 declares weeds, dry grasses, and combustible rubbish that constitute a fire hazard a public nuisance. The Fire Chief issues a Notice to Clean Premises giving owners 14 days to abate, with appeal to the city council and city abatement plus a lien if ignored.
💡 Outdoor LightingFull outdoor lighting guide →
Dark Sky Rules
Some RestrictionsRedlands has no comprehensive dark-sky ordinance, but its zoning code requires lighting to be controlled so it does not create glare or hazardous interference. In the C-3 commercial district, RMC 18.92.220 requires lighting to be arranged to protect highways and neighboring properties from direct glare.
Light Trespass
Some RestrictionsRedlands controls light trespass through zoning glare standards rather than a numeric foot-candle limit. The clearest example is C-3 district section 18.92.220, requiring lighting to be arranged to protect neighboring properties from direct glare. Project lighting is conditioned through design review.
🗑️ Trash & RecyclingFull trash & recycling guide →
Pickup Rules & Schedules
Some RestrictionsThe City of Redlands collects trash, recycling, and organics weekly through its own municipal Solid Waste Division. Carts must be at the curb before 6:00 a.m. on the collection day, with pickup between 6:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Missed collections must be reported within 24 hours.
Recycling Requirements
Some RestrictionsRedlands requires source separation of recyclables into the blue cart, collected by the city's municipal Solid Waste Division. Under SB 1383 and RMC Chapters 13.64/13.67, residents, multi-family tenants, and businesses must keep recyclables out of the trash. Contamination is prohibited.
Mandatory Organics Recycling
Heavy RestrictionsBeginning April 1, 2024, all food waste in Redlands must go in the green (organics) cart. Under SB 1383 and RMC Chapters 13.64/13.67 (Ordinance No. 2987), organics collection is mandatory for all residents, multi-family tenants, and businesses. With over 70,000 residents, Redlands is not rural-exempt.
Bin Placement Rules
Some RestrictionsRedlands requires all carts curbside before 6:00 a.m. on collection day, placed at least 3 feet from any obstacle such as a parked car or fence and at least 1 foot from other containers. Carts must be removed from the street no later than 10:00 p.m. on the day of service.
Bulk Item Disposal
Few RestrictionsThe City of Redlands offers single-family customers two free bulky item pickups per year, up to three items each. Schedule on the first business day of the month (first 30 requests). Paid special hauls cost $56.65 for the first item and $28.32 per additional item.
🌙 Curfew LawsFull curfew laws guide →
📐 Building Setbacks & ZoningFull building setbacks & zoning guide →
Setback Rules
Some RestrictionsRedlands setbacks vary by zoning district under RMC Title 18. In the R-1 single-family zone, front setbacks run from a 25-foot minimum context line up to a 40-foot maximum, side yards require 5 feet on one side and 10 feet on the other, and rear yards must be at least 25 feet (RMC 18.44.130–.150).
Lot Coverage Limits
Some RestrictionsRedlands limits how much of a lot can be covered by structures, by zone. In the R-1 single-family district, maximum structure coverage is 30% of the lot area (RMC 18.44.110), on a minimum 7,200-square-foot lot. Other residential zones carry their own coverage standards in their chapters.
Structure Height Limits
Some RestrictionsRedlands caps building height by zone. In the R-1 single-family district, buildings and structures may not exceed 2.5 stories or 35 feet (RMC 18.44.120). Other zones carry their own limits in their chapters, and designated historic resources may face additional design review of height and massing.
🌳 Tree ProtectionFull tree protection guide →
Overall: What to Expect in Redlands
Redlands has 100 ordinances on file across 18 categories. Of these, 21 are rated permissive, 59 moderate, and 20 strict. This gives you a general sense of how tightly regulated daily life is in Redlands compared to other cities.
Rules can change, and enforcement varies. Always verify specific requirements with the city directly before making major decisions like building a fence, listing on Airbnb, or starting a home business.