Moving to San Bernardino, CA?

Industrial noise limits in San Bernardino follow Development Code 19.20.030 standards, with exterior caps of 70 to 75 dBA depending on zone. SCAQMD Rules 444 and 445 regulate stationary sources.

Aircraft noise is preempted by the FAA and not subject to local San Bernardino enforcement. San Bernardino International Airport (SBD) and nearby March Field generate regular overflights.

Outdoor concerts, backyard parties, and festivals in San Bernardino must stay within SBMC Chapter 8.54 limits. Large or amplified events typically require a special event permit from the city.

Amplified music audible beyond property lines during quiet hours violates SBMC Chapter 8.54. Police can issue citations and impound sound equipment under SBMC 8.54.030.

San Bernardino limits leaf blower use to construction-hour windows. California AB 1346 banned sale of new gas-powered small off-road engines including leaf blowers beginning in 2024.

San Bernardino sets exterior limits of about 55 dBA day and 50 dBA night in residential zones, 65 dBA in commercial, and 70 to 75 dBA in industrial zones under Development Code 19.20.030(15).

Chronic barking is a nuisance under SBMC 8.30.020(L) and the noise control provisions of Chapter 8.54. San Bernardino County Animal Care and Control handles complaints at 909-386-9820.

San Bernardino Municipal Code Chapter 8.54 sets quiet hours from 10 PM to 7 AM weekdays and 10 PM to 9 AM weekends and holidays. Exterior residential limits are about 55 dBA day and 50 dBA night.

Construction is permitted 7 AM to 7 PM Monday through Saturday in San Bernardino. No construction on Sundays or federal holidays. Early starts are common because of Inland Empire summer heat.

San Bernardino caps non-owner-occupied STR nights through permit conditions. Hosted rentals generally have no cap. Whole-home non-hosted rentals carry an annual night cap, often 90 to 180 nights per year.

San Bernardino STR registration requires an application, proof of ownership, safety self-certification, 24-hour local contact, insurance, business license, and TOT registration. Processing takes about 30 days.

San Bernardino STRs are capped at two guests per bedroom plus two additional, with a hard cap on each permit. Parties that exceed the overnight count are prohibited and can trigger immediate permit suspension.

San Bernardino STR permits require proof of liability insurance of at least 500,000 dollars per occurrence. Standard HO-3 policies exclude STR use, so operators carry an STR endorsement or commercial general liability.

STRs in San Bernardino follow SBMC Chapter 8.54 quiet hours of 10 PM to 7 AM weekdays and 10 PM to 9 AM weekends. Hosts must inform guests, and repeated complaints can trigger permit suspension or revocation.

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.

San Bernardino charges a roughly 12 percent Transient Occupancy Tax on stays of 30 days or less. Operators file monthly with Finance. An annual STR fee plus inspection fee apply. Airbnb collects TOT at booking.

San Bernardino STRs must provide one off-street space per bedroom, minimum two. Guests cannot block driveways, alleys, or fire lanes. Street parking follows the citywide 72-hour move rule and posted restrictions.

All fireworks, including Safe and Sane, are illegal inside the City of San Bernardino. Possession, sale, or discharge of any firework carries administrative fines starting at 1,250 dollars.

The northern San Bernardino foothills are mapped by CAL FIRE as Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones. VHFHSZ parcels must meet PRC 4291 defensible space and Chapter 7A wildfire construction rules.

Foothill Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone properties must maintain 100 feet of defensible space under California PRC 4291. San Bernardino County Fire conducts annual hazard inspections each spring.

Backyard recreational fires in San Bernardino must meet California Fire Code size and fuel rules, stay 25 feet from structures, and are banned during Red Flag Warnings or high fire danger periods.

San Bernardino dwellings must have working smoke alarms in every sleeping room and on every level under CA H&S 13113.7, plus CO alarms in homes with fuel appliances or attached garages.

Open burning of yard waste, construction debris, and trash is prohibited in San Bernardino under SCAQMD Rule 444 and county fire rules. Only small recreational cooking or warming fires are allowed.

San Bernardino allows residential fire pits under strict size, fuel, and clearance rules enforced by San Bernardino County Fire. Recreational fires must be small and fueled by clean wood.

San Bernardino does not impose a citywide overnight parking ban on passenger vehicles, but the 72-hour rule under CVC 22651(k) applies along with permit districts, street sweeping hours, and posted restrictions.

San Bernardino restricts on-street RV and boat storage to 72 hours under state law, and private property storage of recreational vehicles is regulated by the zoning code with side and rear yard placement standards.

San Bernardino follows Title 24 EV charging mandates and CALGreen pre-wiring. Residential Level 2 chargers require an electrical permit, processed within the statewide 5-day expedited window.

San Bernardino uses CVC 22651(k) to tow vehicles left on public streets more than 72 hours. Abandoned vehicles on private property can be removed under CVC 22658 with owner authorization.

San Bernardino enforces on-street parking under the Municipal Code and CVC. Vehicles parked on a public street more than 72 hours are subject to tow under CVC 22651(k).

San Bernardino requires driveway approaches to meet Public Works engineering standards. New or replacement driveway cuts on a public street require an encroachment permit from Public Works Engineering.

San Bernardino prohibits parking commercial vehicles over a set weight or length on residential streets overnight. California Vehicle Code 22507.5 authorizes local bans, with typical limits on trucks over 10,000 pounds.

San Bernardino fences must meet Development Code 19.20.030 for height, setback, and sight visibility, and use materials approved under the building code. Barbed and razor wire are limited to industrial zones.

San Bernardino allows wood, vinyl, masonry, wrought iron, and chain link in most zones. Barbed wire, electrified fencing, and low-quality materials are restricted in residential zones.

Retaining walls over four feet from the bottom of the footing, or any wall supporting a surcharge, require a building permit and engineered plans under the California Building Code.

California Health and Safety Code 115920 through 115929 (Swimming Pool Safety Act) requires a 60-inch non-climbable barrier plus at least one additional drowning-prevention feature for residential pools.

San Bernardino requires a building permit for fences and walls over six feet in height and for all retaining walls over four feet measured from the bottom of the footing.

California Civil Code 841, the Good Neighbor Fence Act, presumes adjoining owners share equally in the cost of a boundary fence and requires 30 days' written notice before work.

San Bernardino Development Code 19.20.030 limits residential fences to four feet in front yards and six feet in side and rear yards. Taller fences need a fence height modification permit.

Large livestock such as horses, goats, and cattle are allowed only in agricultural and rural-residential zones with minimum lot size and setback rules under Development Code Title 19.

Feeding wildlife in San Bernardino is discouraged and often prohibited under nuisance and public-health rules. Coyotes, bears, and mountain lions from the San Bernardino foothills can be drawn into neighborhoods.

San Bernardino allows chickens in certain residential zones under Development Code Title 19 with setback and sanitation rules. Roosters are generally restricted or prohibited in residential zones.

California Fish and Game Code and Title 14 CCR 671 prohibit most exotic pets including large cats, primates, and many reptiles. San Bernardino defers to state rules and county permitting.

Dogs must be leashed when off the owner's property in San Bernardino under San Bernardino County Code Title 3. Off-leash is allowed only in designated dog parks.

California Food and Agricultural Code 31683 preempts breed-specific dog bans. San Bernardino can require spay and neuter for certain breeds but cannot outright ban them.

Beekeeping is allowed in qualifying residential and agricultural zones with setback and water-source requirements. Africanized honey bees are common across the Inland Empire.

Artificial turf is allowed in San Bernardino yards and is protected under California Civil Code 4735, which bars HOA bans. Installations must meet drainage, fire, and landscape ordinance standards.

San Bernardino encourages native and climate-appropriate landscaping under MWELO and local rebates. HOAs cannot prohibit low-water plantings under California Civil Code 4735.

San Bernardino County Fire runs a mandatory annual weed abatement program in city fire hazard areas. Owners must clear dry weeds each spring or face county-contracted abatement billed as a lien.

Private yard trees in San Bernardino can usually be removed without a permit, but heritage and street trees require city approval, and riparian or hillside trees may trigger CEQA and nesting rules.

Rainwater harvesting for irrigation is legal in San Bernardino under the CA Rainwater Capture Act of 2012. Simple rooftop barrels up to 5,000 gallons need no permit; pressurized systems need plumbing permits.

San Bernardino Municipal Water Department enforces year-round water waste rules and drought stages. Hosing hardscape is banned, irrigation is limited to set days, and AB 1572 phases out non-functional turf.

San Bernardino requires owners to keep grass and weeds below nuisance thresholds year-round. In foothill fire zones, vegetation must be mowed to four inches or less during fire season.

San Bernardino owners must keep trees trimmed for sidewalk and street clearance, and in foothill fire zones limbs must be at least six feet above ground and canopies 10 feet apart under PRC 4291.

California AB 1616 and AB 1240 authorize cottage food operations from home kitchens. San Bernardino operators must register with County Environmental Health and follow state product, label, and sales rules.

Home businesses in San Bernardino cannot generate more traffic than a typical single-family home. On-site customer visits are limited and uses needing frequent client traffic must locate in commercial zones.

San Bernardino family child care homes are protected by CA Health and Safety Code 1597.40. Licensed small homes up to 8 children and large homes up to 14 are a residential use by right citywide.

San Bernardino requires a Home Occupation Permit and business license for any business run from a residence. Activity must stay clearly incidental to the home with no outside employees or customer traffic.

San Bernardino allows home occupations in most residential zones if the business is secondary to residential use, has no exterior evidence, and does not raise traffic, noise, or parking demand.

Exterior signs for home businesses are generally prohibited in San Bernardino residential zones. The Development Code requires home occupations to maintain a residential appearance with no business signage.

Above-ground pools in San Bernardino over 18 inches deep follow the same permit and barrier rules as in-ground pools. Pool walls of 60 inches can serve as the barrier when steps or ladders are locked or gated.

San Bernardino treats spas over 18 inches deep as pools under CA H and S Code 115921. A locking ASTM F1346 safety cover can substitute for the perimeter fence on residential hot tubs when kept locked when not in use.

San Bernardino requires building, electrical, and plumbing permits for every pool over 18 inches deep. Plans are reviewed under SBMC Title 15 and must show barrier compliance with CA H and S Code 115920.

San Bernardino enforces pool safety under CA H and S Code 115920, the federal Virginia Graeme Baker anti-entrapment rules, and Building Code alarm and cover rules. Public pools are inspected by county health.

San Bernardino pool barriers follow CA H and S Code 115920. Pools over 18 inches deep need a 60-inch barrier with self-closing, self-latching outward-swinging gates plus one of seven approved safety features.

Tiny homes on permanent foundations in San Bernardino are regulated as ADUs under CA Gov Code 65852.2. Tiny homes on wheels are treated as RVs and cannot be permanent dwellings outside approved parks.

Carports in San Bernardino need a building permit and must meet setback and height limits under the Development Code. Prefab metal carports require engineered plans for wind and seismic loads.

Garage conversions in San Bernardino are usually done as ADUs under CA Gov Code 65852.2, which waives replacement parking. Non-ADU conversions must meet habitable-space code and replace parking.

San Bernardino permits ADUs on single-family and multi-family lots under CA Gov Code 65852.2. Detached ADUs up to 1,200 sq ft and JADUs up to 500 sq ft are ministerially approved.

Sheds up to 120 sq ft in San Bernardino do not require a building permit under the California Residential Code, but must meet zoning setbacks, height limits, and fire clearance rules.

San Bernardino requires erosion and sediment controls on all grading and construction sites. Projects over 1 acre trigger the State Construction General Permit and a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP).

San Bernardino regulates stormwater under its MS4 NPDES permit through the Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board. Illicit discharges are prohibited and LID features are required for qualifying development.

San Bernardino requires grading permits for excavation or fill over 50 cubic yards or cut/fill over 3 feet. Positive drainage away from structures and downstream neighbors is required under the California Building Code.

San Bernardino participates in the NFIP and regulates development in FEMA flood zones. Structures in Zone A or AE must meet base flood elevation standards; floodplain permits required.

San Bernardino adults 21+ may grow up to 6 cannabis plants indoors at their residence under Prop 64 (H and S Code 11362.2). Outdoor grows are banned citywide, and plants must be secured and out of public view.

San Bernardino allows licensed cannabis retail under Measure O (2018) in designated zones, at least 600 feet from schools, daycares, and youth centers. Operators need both a city permit and a state DCC license.

San Bernardino processes residential solar permits under the state SolarAPP+ automated review within one business day for standard single-family roof installations, in compliance with Gov Code 65850.5.

California Civil Code 714 limits HOA authority over rooftop solar in San Bernardino. HOAs cannot unreasonably restrict solar, impose costs over 1,000 dollars, or reduce system efficiency below designed output.

San Bernardino allows temporary political signs on private property under Development Code 19.22, subject to size and timing limits. Signs in the public right-of-way or on utility poles are removed on sight.

San Bernardino allows garage sale signs on private property up to about 6 square feet, but bans signs on utility poles, traffic signs, medians, and parkways. Signs must come down within 24 hours after the sale ends.

San Bernardino does not regulate holiday displays by content and allows lights and decor on private property, subject to the noise ordinance, electrical safety rules, and no blockage of public sidewalks or traffic signs.

San Bernardino vacant lot owners must clear weeds, rubbish, and standing water and secure the lot against illegal entry. Chapter 8.27 requires annual weed abatement, with unpaid city cleanup costs becoming a lien.

San Bernardino Municipal Code 8.30 defines blight to include junk, junk vehicles, overgrown weeds, graffiti, and failing structures. Code Enforcement cites owners and can lien properties for unpaid abatement costs.

San Bernardino rarely sees snow, so there is no shoveling ordinance. Owners are still responsible under Streets and Highways Code 5610 for keeping the abutting sidewalk safe and clear of debris and tripping hazards.

San Bernardino requires refuse carts to be screened from public view on non-collection days, stored in a side yard, rear yard, garage, or behind a gate. Visible bins in the driveway on off days draw code citations.

San Bernardino limits residential garage sales to 3 per address per year, up to 3 days each from 8:00 AM to sunset. Only personal household goods may be sold, not retail inventory.

San Bernardino Development Code prohibits outdoor lighting that causes glare or light trespass onto neighbors or streets. Typical limits cap residential property-line light to 0.1 footcandle.

San Bernardino Development Code requires shielded, downward-directed outdoor lighting to minimize glare and light pollution. Mountain-area overlays near Crestline and Lake Arrowhead follow stricter dark-sky standards.

San Bernardino has no local rent stabilization, but AB 1482 (Civil Code 1947.12) caps annual rent increases at 5% plus CPI (max 10%) and imposes just cause eviction.

San Bernardino landlords must obtain a business registration certificate under Municipal Code 5.04 and comply with the Residential Rental Inspection Program run by Code Enforcement, typically on a 3 to 5 year cycle.

San Bernardino tenants are protected by California AB 1482 (Civil Code 1946.2). Landlords must state a just cause to end tenancies of 12+ months, and no-fault evictions require one month of relocation assistance.

San Bernardino residents get several free bulky pickups each year for furniture, mattresses, appliances, and e-waste by appointment. Illegal dumping on streets or lots is a misdemeanor under Municipal Code 8.30.

San Bernardino residents must sort recyclables into the blue cart and food and yard waste into the green cart under CA AB 341, AB 1826, and SB 1383. Contaminated carts can be tagged and draw administrative citations.

San Bernardino offers weekly trash, recycling, and organics collection. Carts must be curbside by 6:00 AM on pickup day and returned out of public view within 12 hours after collection per Municipal Code 8.24.

San Bernardino carts must be at the curb on pickup day with 3 feet between each and clear of hydrants and mailboxes. On non-collection days they must be screened from public view under Municipal Code 8.24.

Commercial drone pilots in San Bernardino need an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate, registered aircraft, liability insurance, and LAANC authorization for airspace near San Bernardino International Airport.

Recreational drone pilots in San Bernardino must follow 49 USC 44809, stay below 400 feet, keep visual line of sight, and register drones over 0.55 pounds. City parks bar takeoff and landing without a permit.

San Bernardino food trucks require a city business license, a San Bernardino County Environmental Health mobile food facility permit, and a commissary kitchen agreement. State SB 946 protects sidewalk vendors separately.

Senate Bill 946 (Gov Code 51036) preempts outright bans on sidewalk food vending in San Bernardino. The city may regulate time, place, and manner only with reasonable health, safety, or public welfare justifications.

San Bernardino Municipal Code 5.30 requires commercial door-to-door solicitors to get a City Clerk permit and pass a background check. Religious canvassers are exempt but must honor No Soliciting signs.

San Bernardino residents may post No Soliciting or No Trespassing signs, making continued canvassing trespass under California Penal Code 602. Solicitors who ignore signs can lose their city permit under Chapter 5.30.

San Bernardino Municipal Code 9.40 bars minors under 18 from public places between 10:00 PM and sunrise, with exemptions for work, school events, emergencies, and travel with a parent or guardian.

San Bernardino parks close from sunset or 10:00 PM to sunrise, depending on the park and posted signs. Active parks like Perris Hill and Seccombe Lake close at 10:00 PM; passive open space closes at sunset.

San Bernardino Development Code sets minimum yard setbacks that vary by zoning district, with typical single-family residential requiring 20-25 ft front, 5 ft side, and 15-20 ft rear yards.

San Bernardino Development Code limits residential structures to 30-35 ft in most zones, with commercial and mixed-use zones permitting 50-75 ft. Height is measured from finished grade to the highest point of the roof.

San Bernardino Development Code limits maximum lot coverage to 40-50% in single-family residential zones, up to 60% in multi-family and commercial zones, with stormwater and landscaping requirements for larger projects.

San Bernardino residents may hold up to three garage sales per address per year, up to three consecutive days each. The City Clerk issues a free or low-cost permit; weekly sales require a business license instead.

San Bernardino HOA assessments follow CA Civil Code 5600. Regular dues can rise up to 20 percent per year, and special assessments up to 5 percent of budget, without a vote. Anything larger needs member approval.

San Bernardino HOA architectural review follows CA Civil Code 4765. Reviews must be fair, decisions delivered in writing, and denials carry an appeal right. State law preempts bans on solar and native plants.

San Bernardino HOAs operate under CA Davis-Stirling Civil Code 4000. Boards hold open meetings with 4-day notice, keep minutes, allow member comment, and follow the Open Meeting Act at Civil Code 4900.

San Bernardino HOA CC and R enforcement follows CA Civil Code 5850. Before fines, the board must give 10-day written notice, hold a hearing, and issue a written decision within 15 days. Selective enforcement is barred.

San Bernardino HOAs must offer Internal Dispute Resolution and Alternative Dispute Resolution under CA Civil Code 5900 before most lawsuits. Either side can demand a meet-and-confer, and refusal can affect fee awards.

San Bernardino requires owners to keep premises free of rodents and vermin. Commercial pest control operators must hold Structural Pest Control Board licenses under Bus and Prof Code 8500.

San Bernardino elevators are regulated by Cal OSHA Elevator Unit under Labor Code 7300. Each conveyance needs an annual state inspection, a current posted permit, and a Certified Conveyance Mechanic on maintenance.

San Bernardino enforces CA H and S Code 17920.10 on lead paint in pre-1978 homes. Deteriorated lead paint is substandard, and EPA RRP rules apply for disturbances of 6 sq ft indoors or 20 sq ft outdoors.

San Bernardino enforces scaffold safety through the California Building Code and Cal/OSHA Title 8. Scaffolds over 7.5 feet need guardrails, fall protection, and daily inspection.