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Hesperia has no city-specific leaf blower hours or dB cap, but blower use must comply with Municipal Code Chapter 8.32 (Public Nuisance) and the city's construction-hour window (7 AM–7 PM Mon–Sat, no Sundays). California state law (CARB / AB 1346) bans the sale of new gas-powered small off-road engines (including most gas leaf blowers) effective January 1, 2024 — existing units may still be operated.
Barking dogs in Hesperia are handled as both an animal-control issue under Hesperia Municipal Code Title 6 (Animal Care and Control) and as a public nuisance under Chapter 8.32. San Bernardino County Animal Care & Control responds to formal complaints; persistent barking that disturbs neighbors is a citable nuisance.
Construction, grading and demolition in Hesperia are permitted Monday–Saturday 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM. No construction is allowed on Sundays or federal holidays in residential areas, per Building & Safety guidance enforcing Municipal Code Chapter 8.32 and the Development Code (Title 16).
Hesperia treats unreasonable noise as a public nuisance under Hesperia Municipal Code Chapter 8.32 (Title 8 — Health and Safety). There is no fixed dB curfew written into the city code, but noise that disturbs the peace, comfort or quiet of neighbors — especially overnight (commonly 10 PM–7 AM) — is enforceable as a nuisance by Code Enforcement and San Bernardino County Sheriff (Hesperia Station).
Amplified sound — DJs, live bands, loudspeakers, PA systems, car audio — is regulated in Hesperia under Municipal Code Chapter 8.32 (Public Nuisance) and Development Code Title 16 special-event provisions. Sound audible at residential property lines after 10 PM is treated as a nuisance; outdoor amplified events on private property generally require a Temporary Use Permit from Planning.
Industrial and commercial noise in Hesperia is regulated as a public nuisance under Hesperia Municipal Code Title 8, Chapter 8.32 (Public Nuisance), with land-use compatibility set by the General Plan Noise Element and Hesperia Code section 16.08.545 (Noise contour) for new development near industrial corridors.
Hesperia applies the California Community Noise Equivalent Level (CNEL) framework from the General Plan Noise Element, locked into the Development Code at section 16.08.545 (Noise contour). Residential outdoor areas are designed to about 60 dBA CNEL, with 65 dBA the State's threshold for undesirable new housing.
Hesperia has no local aircraft noise ordinance. Aircraft noise from Hesperia Airport (L26) and overflights from Southern California Logistics Airport (KVCV) in nearby Victorville is governed by federal FAA rules and California Public Utilities Code section 21669, not Hesperia Municipal Code.
Outdoor and amplified music in Hesperia is regulated as a public nuisance under Hesperia Municipal Code Chapter 8.32 when sound disturbs the peace of neighbors. Special events on public property require a permit through the City of Hesperia.
Vehicle noise in Hesperia is governed primarily by the California Vehicle Code, not by Hesperia Municipal Code. CVC 27150 requires an adequate muffler at all times; CVC 27151 prohibits exhaust modifications that amplify sound, with a 95 dBA cap for light vehicles under 6,000 lb GVWR.
Hesperia imposes a 10% Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) on all rentals of 30 consecutive days or less under Hesperia Municipal Code Chapter 3.10. Operators must register with the City Finance Division (HMC § 3.10.040) and remit the tax. There is no STR-specific permit chapter — instead, any STR operator also needs a city business license under HMC Title 5, and any rental property (long- or short-term) must register under the Rental Housing Business License and Inspection Program (HMC Chapter 5.72, adopted January 2021). Airbnb collects and remits California state-administered taxes and certain local TOT where agreements exist; hosts should confirm whether the platform remits Hesperia's TOT or whether the host must file directly with the City Finance Division at (760) 947-1906.
Hesperia has no STR-specific occupancy cap. Maximum occupancy defaults to the California Building Code (Title 24, Part 2, adopted locally through HMC Title 15 Buildings and Construction) and the California Fire Code: each habitable sleeping room must provide at least 70 square feet for the first occupant plus 50 square feet per additional occupant (CBC § 1208 / CRC R304). The common rule-of-thumb derived from this — two persons per bedroom plus one additional — applies in Hesperia. Non-habitable structures (garages, sheds, RVs, tents, yurts) cannot be rented as overnight sleeping space.
Hesperia has no primary-residence requirement for short-term rentals. The Hesperia Municipal Code does not restrict STR operation to owner-occupied or primary-residence homes, and non-owner-occupied (whole-house) rentals are not specifically prohibited. Statewide California law does not impose a primary-residence mandate either; that rule is a coastal-city overlay (e.g., Santa Monica Muni. Code §6.20). Operators still must comply with HMC Ch. 3.10 TOT and Title 5 business licensing.
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.
Hesperia does not require host presence during short-term rentals. The municipal code contains no on-site host or 'hosted-rental-only' requirement, and whole-house (unhosted) STRs are not prohibited. Operators must, however, provide a responsible local contact reachable on short notice for code-enforcement and nuisance purposes — a practice mirrored from San Bernardino County's regional STR program (SB Co. Code §84.28.040) — although Hesperia has not codified the 24/7 contact requirement as a stand-alone city rule.
STR registration in Hesperia is handled through the Transient Occupancy Tax registration process under HMC §3.10.040 and a general city business license under Title 5, rather than a dedicated STR registry. Operators file with the Finance Division before renting, and must keep TOT exemption documentation (for 30+ day stays) on file for at least three years per HMC §3.10.030.
Hesperia has no specific 'extended home-share' or 'long-term home-share' regulation. A homeowner renting one or more rooms while continuing to occupy the dwelling is treated as a regular landlord/tenant relationship under California Civil Code §§1940 et seq. and is exempt from the 10% TOT (HMC §3.10.030) once stays exceed 30 days. Owner-occupied home-share with only one rented room is also exempt from the Rental Housing Business License and Inspection Program (HMC Ch. 5.72) per the program's published carve-outs.
Hesperia does not require short-term rental operators to carry a minimum liability policy. Neither the Hesperia Municipal Code (including Chapter 5.72 Rental Housing Business License or Chapter 3.10 TOT) nor California state statute imposes an STR insurance floor. By default, hosts rely on platform-provided coverage — Airbnb AirCover (up to $1M host liability + $3M host damage protection) and Vrbo Liability Insurance (up to $1M per stay) — or their own homeowner or commercial-dwelling policy. The California Department of Insurance warns that standard homeowner policies usually exclude commercial/business use, which can leave a host personally exposed if a guest is injured.
Hesperia has no STR-specific quiet-hours rule. Citywide noise and disturbance standards under Hesperia Municipal Code Chapter 8.32 (Public Nuisances) apply to Airbnb/Vrbo guests just as they do to any other occupant. Loud, unreasonable, or disturbing noise audible from neighboring property — especially during nighttime sleeping hours — is enforceable as a public nuisance and an infraction. Hesperia Code Enforcement (760-947-1357) and the Hesperia Police Department (a contract station of the San Bernardino County Sheriff) respond to noise complaints. Hosts should embed a 10:00 p.m.–7:00 a.m. quiet-hours rule in their house manual to align with the California regional norm and minimize complaints.
Hesperia does not impose an annual cap on the number of nights a property may be rented short-term. Neither the Hesperia Municipal Code nor any California state statute caps STR nights. Hosts may operate 365 days a year, subject only to (1) HMC Chapter 3.10 TOT remittance for any stay ≤30 days, (2) the HMC Title 5 city business license and HMC Chapter 5.72 Rental Housing Business License, (3) HMC Title 16 Development Code zoning use rules, and (4) the citywide nuisance and noise framework in HMC Chapter 8.32. Unlike coastal/resort cities (San Francisco 90-night cap, Santa Monica unhosted-only, Big Bear 30-night non-primary cap), Hesperia has not adopted such limits.
Hesperia imposes no STR-specific parking ratio. Off-street parking falls back to the citywide residential standards in HMC Title 16 Development Code, which for a typical single-family dwelling require two off-street covered parking spaces. Guests may park on the public street subject to California Vehicle Code § 22651(k)'s 72-hour continuous-parking limit and any posted Hesperia restrictions. Hesperia's High Desert / Mojave Desert lot pattern (large parcels, wide unpaved shoulders) is more parking-tolerant than dense coastal cities, but front-yard parking on landscaping/dirt and blocking sidewalks remain code violations.
San Bernardino County places primary regulatory responsibility on the property owner or permitted operator. Booking platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo are not deputized as enforcement agents, but must collect transient occupancy tax.
STR permits in unincorporated San Bernardino County may be suspended or revoked after a pattern of verified violations within a twelve-month window, particularly for noise, occupancy, parking, and trash complaints.
Updated CAL FIRE/OSFM Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps significantly expanded Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones (VHFHSZ) in Hesperia effective July 22, 2025. Properties in VHFHSZ must comply with Chapter 7A of the California Building Code (WUI ignition-resistant construction) and PRC §4291 defensible space.
Hesperia permits portable fire pits and outdoor fireplaces fueled by clean dry wood, propane, or natural gas, with clearance from structures and fuels per California Fire Code (adopted under HMC Title 15). All open fires (except propane/natural gas) must be extinguished during adverse weather or when ordered by San Bernardino County Fire personnel.
All fireworks — including 'Safe and Sane' — are illegal in Hesperia. Hesperia Municipal Code Chapter 8.36 prohibits the sale, possession, and discharge of fireworks within the city. State law (Cal. Health & Safety Code §12500 et seq.) treats dangerous fireworks as a misdemeanor.
Open burning of trash, yard waste, and construction debris is prohibited in Hesperia under Mojave Desert AQMD Rule 444. Any agricultural or vegetation-waste burn requires both an MDAQMD clearance and a burn permit from San Bernardino County Fire. All open fires must be extinguished during Red Flag Warnings.
Hesperia contracts with San Bernardino County Fire Hazard Abatement to enforce defensible-space requirements. Weeds and grasses must be cut to no more than 4 inches in height within 30 feet of any structure. State law (PRC §4291) requires 100 ft of defensible space in State Responsibility Areas and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones — newly expanded in Hesperia effective July 22, 2025.
Propane (LPG) storage in Hesperia follows California Fire Code Chapter 61 and NFPA 58 (Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code), adopted by Hesperia under HMC Title 15. Residential ASME tanks up to 125 gal water capacity need 5 ft clearance from buildings/property lines; larger tanks have escalating setbacks. Installations and tanks over 125 gal require San Bernardino County Fire plan review.
California Health and Safety Code 13113.7 requires smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every floor of all California dwellings. Alarms installed after July 2014 must be 10-year sealed-battery or hardwired with battery backup. County inspections on sales and rental turnover verify compliance.
Backyard recreational fires in unincorporated San Bernardino County must comply with California Fire Code Section 307: portable fire pits must be at least 15 feet from structures (3 feet for containers under 1 cubic foot), use clean dry wood only, be attended at all times, and have water/extinguisher ready. All fires prohibited on Red Flag days and in designated fire-restricted areas.
Hesperia Municipal Code §16.20.085 requires all on-site parking to be located on paved, designated surfaces and prohibits using the ultimate right-of-way of a street or highway to provide required parking. Section 16.20.090 (Residential Parking Standards) governs residential driveway layout, front-yard parking limits, and where commercial and recreational vehicles may be stored. California Vehicle Code §22500(e) bars blocking any public or private driveway citywide.
EV charger permitting in Hesperia is preempted by California state law: AB 1236 (Gov. Code §65850.7) requires the City to use an expedited, ministerial permit process limited to health-and-safety review, and Civil Code §4745 forbids landlords from blocking tenant-funded charging stations (Civil Code §4745.1 applies to commercial tenants; §4716 applies to HOAs). New construction is subject to the EV-ready and EV-capable parking-space mandates in Title 24, Part 11 (CALGreen) of the California Building Code. Hesperia processes EVCS permits through ministerial Building Division review.
Hesperia Municipal Code Chapter 8.16 (Vehicle Abatement and Removal) declares abandoned, wrecked, dismantled, or inoperative vehicles - or parts thereof - on public or private property a public nuisance subject to abatement, implementing California Vehicle Code §§22660-22669. The City separately treats 'Inoperable Vehicle' as a Code Enforcement violation, and the program is administered through the San Bernardino County Service Authority for Abandoned Vehicle Abatement.
Hesperia does not impose a citywide overnight street-parking ban for passenger vehicles. The main local restrictions are the Residential Truck Parking Permit Program for commercial vehicles 26,000 lbs GVWR or more (no new permits after November 3, 2021), the truck-route limits in HMC Chapter 10.25, and the residential parking standards in §16.20.090 governing where RVs and oversized vehicles may be stored on private property. California Vehicle Code §22651(k) authorizes towing of any vehicle left on a street for more than 72 consecutive hours.
On-street parking in Hesperia is governed by Title 10 (Vehicles and Traffic) of the Hesperia Municipal Code, supplemented by the California Vehicle Code. The most active local restriction is Chapter 10.25 (Truck Route Program), which keeps trucks off restricted residential streets. Statewide AB 413 'daylighting' (Veh. Code §22500(n), effective January 1, 2025) now bans parking within 20 feet of every crosswalk approach citywide, marked or unmarked.
Hesperia regulates commercial vehicle parking through Title 16, Chapter 16.20 (residential and non-residential parking standards) and Title 10, Chapter 10.25 (truck route program). A 'commercial vehicle' for residential-parking purposes is any vehicle with a manufacturer's Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 26,000 lbs or more. Parking such a vehicle at a residence or agricultural property requires registration under the Residential Truck Parking Permit Program, established by Ordinance 2021-03 and amended by Ordinance 2022-14. Effective September 22, 2021, only properties of one full acre or larger qualify, and a moratorium on new permits has been in effect since November 3, 2021. Operators with valid permits must use the shortest route from a Hesperia-adopted truck route to their destination.
Hesperia regulates RV, boat, and trailer parking on residential property through Title 16, Chapter 16.20, Article IV (Parking and Loading Standards), specifically section 16.20.085 (parking standards) and adjoining sections. The City's definition of 'vehicle' for parking purposes includes boats of any kind, camper shells, and any portable commercial or recreational equipment capable of being transported on a highway. Parking must occur on paved, designated areas on the same site as the main use, subject to setback rules in the underlying zone. On-street RV parking is governed by California Vehicle Code §22507/22507.5, which allows local restriction of vehicles six feet or more in height and oversize vehicles, although Hesperia's High Desert / large-lot zoning historically permits on-site RV storage with setback and screening considerations.
Hesperia contracts with San Bernardino County Animal Care & Control for animal regulation. Under San Bernardino County Code Title 3, Division 2 (the County Animal Control Ordinance) which applies in Hesperia, dogs must be restrained on a leash not exceeding 6 feet when off the owner's property, and dogs running at large are prohibited.
Hesperia does not authorize wild or exotic animals as pets by right. The Development Code's Animal Quantities Matrix (referenced in §16.20.690) provides that 'exotic animals are only allowed if approved as part of an exotic animal permit.' Independently, California Fish & Game Code §2118 and 14 CCR §671 list 'restricted species' (most non-domesticated mammals, reptiles, birds, amphibians and fish) that may not be possessed in California without a permit from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). Common exotic pets such as ferrets, monkeys, large cats, hedgehogs, sugar gliders and many reptiles are prohibited or require a CDFW restricted-species permit.
Hesperia does not impose breed-specific bans. California Food & Agricultural Code §31683 preempts cities from declaring any specific dog breed inherently dangerous or vicious, though Hesperia and San Bernardino County may require spay/neuter of specific breeds and regulate individual dogs declared dangerous after an incident.
Hesperia Development Code §16.20.690 is titled 'Allowable Animals — Apiary and Residential/Agricultural Designations' and treats apiaries as a regulated land use whose numeric limits are set by the Animal Quantities Matrix referenced in the section. In addition, California Food & Agricultural Code §29040 requires every person owning or possessing an apiary in the state to register annually with the San Bernardino County Agricultural Commissioner (administered through the statewide BeeWhere program). Hive setbacks from dwellings follow the 70-ft open-enclosure standard in §16.20.050 unless a more specific apiary distance is set by the matrix.
Hesperia Municipal Code does not contain a stand-alone ordinance prohibiting the feeding of wildlife. The City's Wild Animals page warns residents about Mojave rattlesnakes, mountain lions, Africanized bees and mosquitoes and directs nuisance-wildlife complaints to Animal Control (760) 947-1700, but it does not impose a feeding ban. State law fills the gap: California Fish & Game Code §4150 makes it unlawful to harass non-game mammals (which includes feeding that habituates them), and 14 CCR §251.1 prohibits harassing wildlife in a manner that disrupts their normal behavior. Feeding bears, mountain lions and coyotes is specifically discouraged by CDFW because it creates public-safety hazards subject to depredation permits or destruction under §4181.
Hesperia Development Code Title 16, Chapter 16.20, Article XIII (Animal Regulations) — together with the Animal Quantities Matrix referenced in §16.20.690 — allows female chickens and small livestock in residential and agricultural zones on a per-square-foot basis. In R-1 and Low Density Residential (LDR) zones (7,200 sf to one acre) 2 chickens are permitted per 3,500 sf, not to exceed 25 per acre. Roosters, peafowl and other male fowl are limited to 1 per 14,000 sf, with lots over 18,000 sf allowed up to 10% of permitted birds as males. Animal-keeping areas must be maintained to control odor under Title 6.
Hesperia controls hoarding-type conditions in two ways. First, Development Code §16.20.690 and the Animal Quantities Matrix cap the number of animals allowed per lot based on lot size and zoning (e.g., 15 small animals per 10,000 sf for sub-acre lots; 150 per acre for larger parcels), making it a Development Code violation to keep more than the maximums. Second, California Penal Code §597 (cruelty) and §597.1 (failure to provide care; impoundment authority) criminalize keeping animals in conditions of neglect — the statute reached by Hesperia Animal Control when a hoarding situation produces inadequate food, water, shelter or veterinary care. Spay/neuter is mandatory for animals subject to violations (Hesperia §6.08.020).
Livestock (cattle, horses, sheep, goats, swine, llamas) are permitted in Agricultural (AG) and Rural Living (RL) zones of unincorporated San Bernardino County. Animal unit counts scale with lot size; setbacks for corrals and barns run 40-100 feet. California Right to Farm Act (Civil Code 3482.5) protects existing operations from nuisance suits.
San Bernardino County residents may not keep injured wildlife without a California Department of Fish and Wildlife rehabilitator permit. SBC Animal Care refers calls to permitted facilities such as those serving the desert and mountain corridors.
San Bernardino County aligns with the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act and California Fish and Game Code. Removing active nests of native birds is prohibited, especially during nesting season, and tree work near raptor or songbird nests requires biological survey clearance.
San Bernardino County requires microchipping of dogs and cats at the time of licensing or shelter release. The chip must be registered to a current owner with active contact information that Animal Care officers can verify in the field.
San Bernardino County requires dogs and cats adopted or reclaimed from county shelters to be spayed or neutered before release. Owners present a deposit refunded once veterinary verification is submitted, encouraging compliance among redeeming owners.
San Bernardino County household pet limits are set by Title 3 and the Land Use Code. Residential parcels usually allow up to four dogs and four cats over four months old. Larger parcels in agricultural zones may keep additional animals with kennel permits.
San Bernardino County requires cats over four months old to be vaccinated against rabies and licensed through Animal Care. Outdoor cats are allowed but must wear identification, and trap-neuter-return colonies operate under registered caretaker programs.
San Bernardino County coordinates with California Department of Fish and Wildlife on coyote conflicts. Residents must avoid feeding wildlife, secure trash, and use hazing techniques. Lethal removal is reserved for animals showing imminent threats to people or pets.
California law and San Bernardino County retail rules require pet stores selling dogs, cats, or rabbits to source only from shelters or rescues. AB 485 enforcement is shared between Animal Care, code compliance, and the California Attorney General.
Hesperia Development Code §16.20.072 limits residential fences to 3 feet (solid) or 4 feet (open wire) in front yards and 6 feet in side and rear yards. View-obscuring fencing in the front setback is capped at 36 inches above grade unless the Director approves a plot plan.
Hesperia Development Code §16.20.072 permits masonry block, split-face block, wrought iron, chain link, wood, plastic slats, vinyl, and split rail. Garage doors, corrugated metal, plywood thinner than 5/8 inch, particle board, and plastic tarps are prohibited as fencing materials.
Hesperia has no local shared-fence cost-sharing ordinance. California Civil Code §841 (the Good Neighbor Fence Act) controls — adjoining landowners share equally in the cost of reasonably necessary boundary fences, with 30 days' written notice required before construction.
Hesperia enforces the California Pool Safety Act (Health & Safety Code §§115920–115929, as amended by SB 442). New or remodeled residential pools must have at least two of seven approved drowning prevention safety features, including a compliant enclosure isolating the pool from the home.
Retaining walls in Hesperia require a building permit when over 4 feet in height (measured from bottom of footing to top of wall) or when supporting a surcharge, per California Building Code §105.2 as adopted by Hesperia. Engineered design and plan review apply.
San Bernardino County requires a building permit for fences over 6 feet tall. Shorter fences must still comply with Development Code Ch. 83.06 height and setback rules.
San Bernardino County allows wood, masonry, vinyl, metal, and chain-link fencing residentially. Barbed and razor wire are prohibited in residential zones. Fire zones need ignition-resistant materials.
San Bernardino County Code Ch. 83.06 limits fences to 3.5 feet in front yards and 6 feet in side and rear yards. Corner sight triangles limit height to 3 feet within 25 feet of intersections.
Hesperia does not adopt a standalone pool fence chapter; the controlling rule is the California Swimming Pool Safety Act enforced through the building permit process under HMC Title 15. If an isolation enclosure is selected as one of the two required SB 442 safety features, it must be at least 60 inches high with no more than a 2-inch gap from the ground (Cal. HSC §115923). Gates must be self-closing, self-latching, and open outward away from the pool, with the latch located at least 60 inches above the ground.
Hesperia does not publish a standalone pool ordinance. Pool, spa, and hot tub installations are permitted by the Hesperia Building & Safety Division under Title 15 (Buildings and Construction) of the Hesperia Municipal Code, which adopts the California Building Standards Code (Title 24 CCR). A building permit is required before excavation or installation of any in-ground pool, above-ground pool, or permanently installed spa; electrical and plumbing sub-permits typically attach. The state Swimming Pool Safety Act (Cal. HSC §§115920–115929) applies citywide.
Hesperia follows the California Swimming Pool Safety Act (Cal. HSC §§115920–115929). At new pool construction or any pool/spa remodel requiring a building permit, the property must have at least two of seven drowning prevention safety features, verified at final inspection by the Hesperia Building & Safety Division. State law occupies the field; there is no separate Hesperia pool safety ordinance.
Cal. Health & Safety Code §115921(a) expressly includes 'hot tubs, spas, portable spas' within the definition of 'swimming pool.' Hesperia enforces the Swimming Pool Safety Act and the California Building/Electrical Codes for spa installation under HMC Title 15. Permanently installed spas require a building and electrical permit through the Hesperia Building & Safety Division. A locking safety cover meeting ASTM F1346 is the most common way to satisfy one of the two required SB 442 drowning prevention features.
Above-ground pools holding water more than 18 inches deep are 'swimming pools' under Cal. HSC §115921(a) and are treated the same as in-ground pools by the Hesperia Building & Safety Division. A building permit is required under HMC Title 15, the pool must comply with the California Building Code/California Residential Code, and at least two of the seven SB 442 drowning prevention features must be installed. The pool wall itself (if 60+ inches high) may satisfy the enclosure requirement, provided ladders are removable or secured.
Hesperia contracts with San Bernardino County Fire Hazard Abatement to enforce defensible space. Weeds and grasses must be cut to no more than 4 inches in height within 30 feet of any structure. The High Desert/Mojave WUI environment makes overgrown vegetation a year-round fire hazard, especially tumbleweeds in the fall.
Hesperia's Weed Abatement Program is administered under contract by San Bernardino County Fire Hazard Abatement. Each parcel is inspected spring (weeds/grasses) and fall (tumbleweeds/summer vegetation). Weeds and grasses must be cut to under 4 inches within 30 feet of any structure. Non-compliance triggers administrative abatement billed to the property tax roll.
Rainwater harvesting is broadly legal in California under AB 1750 (Rainwater Capture Act of 2012, codified at Water Code §10574). Hesperia has no specific local ordinance regulating residential rain barrels; harvesting from rooftops for non-potable landscape use is allowed without a permit. Larger cisterns or any potable use require state and county health department approval.
Hesperia Municipal Code §16.24.110 incorporates San Bernardino County Code §88.01.060 for plant preservation, which protects Joshua trees as well as other native desert species. Statewide, the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act (Fish & Game Code §1927) prohibits removal, trimming, damaging, moving, or killing a Western Joshua tree without a CDFW take permit — fines start at $1,000+ per tree.
Hesperia Municipal Code §14.04.170 (Water Conservation Emergency Plan) is currently in Stage 2, enacted by joint Hesperia City Council/Hesperia Water District Resolutions 2022-46 and 2022-10. Irrigation of non-functional turf is prohibited at commercial, industrial, and institutional properties. Parks, golf courses, and schools may only irrigate between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.; all runoff is prohibited.
Hesperia Municipal Code §16.24.110 requires preservation of native desert plants per San Bernardino County Code §88.01.060, including Joshua trees, Mojave yucca, desert willow, and creosote. California Civil Code §4735 prohibits HOAs from forbidding low-water native landscaping, and Cal. Government Code §65595 supports xeriscape. The Mojave Water Agency offers turf-replacement rebates for converting to native/drought-tolerant landscapes.
Hesperia's Development Code (Title 16) does not prohibit residential artificial turf. State law (AB 1164, codified at Cal. Government Code §53087.7) prohibits cities and HOAs from banning artificial turf for residential properties, and Cal. Civil Code §4735 prohibits HOAs from banning low-water alternatives. Synthetic turf must still meet landscape design and front-yard coverage requirements in the Development Code.
San Bernardino County requires CDFW permits for Joshua tree removal and county permits for trees in the public right-of-way. Private property removal is generally permitted without a permit.
SB 1383 requires every California resident and business to separate food scraps and yard waste from trash, with universal collection or on-site composting.
California's Cottage Food Law (Health & Safety Code §113758, §114365, et seq., AB 1616 / AB 1144 / AB 1325 amendments) authorizes home-based production of approved low-risk foods. Hesperia must allow Class A and Class B Cottage Food Operations (CFOs) as a permitted home occupation; state law preempts local bans (HSC §113758).
Hesperia permits home occupations in residential zones subject to a Home Occupation Permit and operating standards in Hesperia Municipal Code Title 16 (Development Code). California AB 1184 (Gov. Code §65852.2 et seq. on housing) and the state's home-occupation framework limit cities from banning low-impact home work, but Hesperia retains standards on use intensity, employees, signage, and outside storage.
Hesperia limits client/customer visits to home occupations to preserve residential character. HMC Title 16 home-occupation standards typically restrict scheduled customer visits to specific daytime hours and prohibit traffic generation that exceeds normal residential levels.
California Health & Safety Code §1597.30 et seq. (the California Child Day Care Facilities Act) deems Small Family Day Care Homes (up to 8 children) and Large Family Day Care Homes (up to 14 children) a residential use. Hesperia cannot require a Conditional Use Permit and cannot impose stricter standards than state law for licensed family child care homes.
Hesperia prohibits exterior signs for home occupations. Hesperia Municipal Code Title 16 home-occupation standards require the residential character of the property to be preserved, which is interpreted to bar commercial signage, window lettering, and illuminated advertising at the home.
San Bernardino County Development Code Chapter 84.07 requires a Home Occupation Permit from Land Use Services before operating most home businesses in unincorporated areas, plus a business license.
California Gov. Code 66314(a)(6) prohibits Hesperia ADUs and JADUs from being rented for terms shorter than 30 days, effectively banning Airbnb-style nightly stays of accessory units citywide.
Hesperia permits one ADU plus one JADU per single-family lot under HMC 16.12.360 (Article 16.16 for JADUs), with detached ADUs up to 1,200 sq ft, JADUs up to 500 sq ft, and 4-foot side/rear setbacks - implementing California Gov. Code 66314 et seq.
Hesperia treats permanently sited tiny homes as Accessory Dwelling Units under §16.12.360, allowing detached ADUs up to 1,200 sq ft (minimum 150 sq ft) on lots with an existing single-family residence. Detached ADUs are capped at 16 ft in height with 4-foot side/rear setbacks. Manufactured homes under 10 years old qualify. RVs explicitly do not qualify as ADUs under §16.12.360(E)(2).
Hesperia's Development Services Department issues ADU permits ministerially under HMC 16.12.360. California Gov. Code 66317 mandates approval or denial of a complete ADU application within 60 days (the Hesperia ordinance still references the older 120-day window).
Carports in Hesperia are classified as 'accessory structures' under §16.08.007 because they are 50% or more open to the elements. They count against the §16.20.400 cap of 15% of net lot area for aggregate accessory structures and cannot exceed 16 feet in height under §16.20.415. Demolition of a carport in conjunction with an ADU does not require parking replacement (§16.12.360(E)(10)).
Hesperia Municipal Code §16.20.390 caps total enclosed accessory buildings (sheds, workshops) at 1,000 sq ft plus 7.5% of net lot area in residential zones. Sheds count as 'accessory buildings' under §16.08.005 when at least 50% enclosed. Building permits are required for sheds over 120 sq ft per the California Building Code.
Per California Gov. Code 66314(a)(7) (made permanent by SB 477), standard ADUs in Hesperia carry no owner-occupancy requirement. JADUs under HMC Article 16.16 and Cal. Gov. Code 66333 still require the owner to live in either the main dwelling or the JADU.
Hesperia Municipal Code §16.12.360(E)(9) requires no setback for an existing garage converted to an ADU, and §16.12.360(E)(10) waives off-street parking replacement when the garage is demolished or converted in conjunction with an ADU. This implements California state ADU law (Gov. Code §65852.2), which preempts local barriers to garage-to-ADU conversions.
California Gov. Code 66315 prohibits Hesperia from imposing impact fees on ADUs under 750 sq ft. Larger ADUs may only be charged fees proportional to the primary dwelling's square footage. School fees and Mojave Water Agency capacity fees may still apply.
Hesperia Municipal Code Chapter 16.24 (Protected Plants) protects native Mojave Desert vegetation, with the Western Joshua tree (Yucca brevifolia) as the primary protected species. Joshua trees are additionally protected statewide as a candidate threatened species under the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act of 2023 (Fish & Game Code §1927 et seq.). Other commonly protected desert species in Hesperia development reviews include Mojave yucca (Yucca schidigera), desert willow (Chilopsis linearis), juniper (Juniperus californica), and Joshua tree clonal groups. A Protected Plant Preservation Plan is required whenever development affects these species.
Hesperia Municipal Code Chapter 16.24 (Protected Plants) regulates removal of native desert vegetation, including the Western Joshua tree (Yucca brevifolia), which is also protected statewide under the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act (2023, Fish and Game Code §1927 et seq.). You may not remove, trim, damage, move, or kill a Western Joshua tree without a take permit from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). Non-protected ornamental trees on private residential lots generally do not require a city permit, but any tree on a parcel undergoing discretionary development review is subject to a Protected Plant Preservation Plan and a Protected Plant bond submitted prior to ground disturbance.
Hesperia does not maintain a separate 'heritage tree' registry typical of coastal California cities. Instead, Hesperia Municipal Code Chapter 16.24 (Protected Plants) treats the Western Joshua tree (Yucca brevifolia), Mojave yucca (Yucca schidigera), and other native desert vegetation as the city's protected species. The Western Joshua tree is also protected statewide under the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act (Fish & Game Code §1927 et seq.), enacted July 2023. Mature Joshua trees in the Hesperia city limits function as the local equivalent of heritage trees and cannot be removed, trimmed, or relocated without a CDFW take permit.
Under Hesperia Municipal Code Chapter 16.24, Joshua trees and other protected native plants impacted by development must be relocated/transplanted on-site whenever feasible, or moved to an off-site area approved by the City of Hesperia. Trees unsuitable for relocation (due to size, poor health, damage, excessive branches, leaning, clonal growth, or exposed roots) must be disposed of per City requirements, and replacement vegetation may be required as a condition of project approval. A Protected Plant bond must be posted before any ground disturbance for single-family tract, multi-family, commercial, or industrial development. The Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act (FGC §1927) also requires CDFW mitigation fees for development takes.
Hesperia does not maintain a comprehensive street-tree program of the kind seen in coastal California cities. Parkway (the strip between curb and sidewalk where it exists) and street-tree plantings are addressed primarily through Hesperia Municipal Code Title 16 (Development Code) landscaping standards and conditions of approval for new development. Property owners maintain landscaping in the parkway adjoining their lot. New plantings must comply with the California Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO, Cal. Code Regs. tit. 23, §490 et seq.) and Mojave Water Agency conservation standards. Joshua trees and protected native plants in any parkway remain subject to Hesperia MC Ch. 16.24 and Fish & Game Code §1927.
Hesperia's SWMP requires Erosion and Sediment Control Plans (ESCPs) for construction sites, including single-family residences, to prevent sediment discharge into the Mojave River watershed. Projects disturbing one acre or more must enroll under the statewide Construction General Permit (Order 2022-0057-DWQ) via the State Water Board's SMARTS system and prepare a SWPPP signed by a Qualified SWPPP Developer. Standard BMPs include silt fences, fiber rolls, stabilized construction entrances, soil stockpile covers, and post-construction revegetation.
Hesperia is an inland city in the High Desert of San Bernardino County, located approximately 85 miles inland from the Pacific coast at an elevation of roughly 3,200 feet. The California Coastal Act of 1976 (Cal. Public Resources Code §30000 et seq.) applies only within the defined coastal zone — Hesperia is far outside that zone, so no Coastal Development Permit (CDP) or Local Coastal Program (LCP) review applies. There is no local coastal-development ordinance because the city is not coastal. State coastal statutes are listed below for completeness.
Hesperia is a regulated small MS4 under the California State Water Resources Control Board's Phase II General Permit (Order WQ 2013-0001-DWQ as amended). The city's Storm Water Management Program (SWMP) is enforced by the Hesperia Engineering Department. All construction sites disturbing one acre or more must obtain coverage under the statewide Construction General Permit (Order 2022-0057-DWQ) and prepare a SWPPP; smaller residential sites must implement Erosion and Sediment Control Plans (ESCPs). Post-construction Water Quality Management Plans (WQMPs) are required for development projects per the Phase II Permit's post-construction provisions. Discharge of anything other than uncontaminated stormwater into the MS4 is prohibited.
Hesperia enforces grading and drainage through HMC Title 15 (Buildings and Construction), which adopts the California Building Code (Title 24 CCR Part 2) effective January 1, 2023. California Building Code Appendix J (Grading) governs grading permits, cut/fill slope ratios, drainage terraces, and setbacks from property lines when adopted. Grading permits are issued by the Hesperia Engineering Department; drainage analysis must comply with the city's standard drainage requirements and Water Quality Management Plan (WQMP) post-construction BMPs.
Hesperia regulates development in special flood hazard areas (SFHAs) under Hesperia Municipal Code Chapter 8.28 (Flood Hazard Protections Regulations), implementing the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The city's Floodplain Administrator (Cassandra Sanchez, (760) 947-1059) reviews proposed development in mapped FEMA flood zones. The city's website warns that current FIRMs are out of date and many formerly rural areas lack detailed mapping; a flood map modernization effort is underway. Property-specific flood risk can be checked via the city's GIS viewer at hesperia.geoviewer.io or the FEMA Map Service Center.
California Title 24 Building Energy Efficiency Standards mandate cool-roof reflectance values for new and re-roofed buildings in San Bernardino County climate zones 10, 14, 15, and 16, covering desert and mountain communities prone to extreme heat.
California AB 1346 bans the sale of new gas-powered leaf blowers, mowers, and similar small off-road engines starting in 2024. San Bernardino County does not impose a separate operational ban but enforces noise rules.
Properties in San Bernardino Mountain WUI zones must clear 100 feet of defensible space around structures. SBCFPD inspects annually before fire season; failure to comply triggers abatement orders, contractor cleanup at owner cost, and potential criminal citations.
California Air Resources Board limits commercial diesel idling to 5 minutes statewide, enforced aggressively in San Bernardino County warehouse hubs like Fontana, Ontario, and the Inland Empire. SCAQMD adds local enforcement in non-attainment basins.
San Bernardino County adopted a Climate Action Plan and updated Renewable Energy and Conservation Element setting greenhouse gas reduction targets aligned with California SB 32. New developments must demonstrate consistency with CAP measures during CEQA review.
Hesperia Municipal Code Chapter 16.36 (Sign Regulations), implemented via Ord. 2007-05 and posted by the City Clerk, allows political/campaign signs to be placed no earlier than 60 days before an election and requires removal within 15 days after election day. Signs left up are removed by the city. California BPC §5405.3 caps state-highway temporary political signs at 32 sq ft and bars them from Caltrans right-of-way.
Hesperia Municipal Code Chapter 5.56 (Garage Sales) requires a city-issued garage-sale permit and limits each sign to 4 square feet. Signs may only be displayed during sale hours, must be removed at sale close or nightfall (whichever comes first), and must show the permit number. Off-site directional signs require written permission from the property owner where the sign is placed.
Hesperia Municipal Code Chapter 16.36 (Sign Regulations) regulates signs, not seasonal residential decorations. Christmas lights, inflatables, jack-o'-lanterns, and yard décor on a private single-family lot are not 'signs' under §16.36 and require no permit. However, decorations may not block sidewalks, public right-of-way, or sightlines at driveways/intersections. Wildfire safety: PRC §4291 still requires 100 ft of defensible space — combustible decorations near structures in WUI zones can be flagged by CAL FIRE.
Hesperia's franchise rules and Advance Disposal operating standards require automated carts to be at the curb by 6 a.m. with wheels against the curb, handles toward the home, lid fully closed, and at least 2 feet of clearance from cars, mailboxes, and other carts. Carts may not exceed 200 lb loaded weight. Hesperia Municipal Code Chapter 8.04 backs the placement rules with general penalty enforcement.
Dumping trash, mattresses, appliances, construction debris, or yard waste on Hesperia streets, vacant desert lots, alleys, or washes violates Hesperia Municipal Code Chapter 8.04 (Solid Waste Management — Ordinance No. 56) AND California Penal Code §374.3. State law sets a mandatory $250–$1,000 first-offense fine, doubled for tires; commercial-quantity dumping (≥1 cubic yard or business-generated) is a misdemeanor carrying $1,000–$3,000 and up to 6 months in county jail. Report to the City's HEART program.
The City of Hesperia franchises all residential and commercial solid waste collection to Advance Disposal under Hesperia Municipal Code Chapter 8.04 (Solid Waste Management). Single-family homes are typically issued two 95-gallon waste wheelers (tan carts) for combined trash, recyclables, and organics — Advance Disposal runs a single-stream comingled system sorted downstream at its Material Recovery Facility. Carts must be at the curb by 6 a.m. on the scheduled service day.
Single-family Hesperia residents get up to four free bulky item pickups per year through Advance Disposal, capped at eight bulky items total per year. Items must be scheduled at least one week in advance and placed curbside by 6 a.m. on the assigned collection day. Multi-family complexes earn 10 free pickups per year for each weekly trash service day.
Recycling is mandatory in Hesperia under California AB 939 (50% diversion), AB 341 (commercial recycling), AB 1826 (commercial organics), and SB 1383 (statewide organic-waste reduction). Hesperia complies via Advance Disposal's single-stream comingled system — every cart is sorted at a CalRecycle-approved High Diversion Organic Waste Processing Facility (HDOWPF), so residents and businesses do not source-separate but they are still subject to state-level enforcement.
Hesperia does not run a separate green-cart program. Per Advance Disposal's franchise, residents bag green waste (grass, leaves, weeds, small trimmings) and place it in the regular tan 95-gallon cart with all other waste — sorted downstream at the MRF and turned into compost, mulch, or landfill cover. Excess seasonal green waste (Spring/Fall) gets a special pickup: bundles ≤4 ft long, ≤16 in diameter, ≤50 lb, scheduled one week in advance.
Hesperia regulates food trucks under Hesperia Municipal Code Chapter 5.26 (Mobile Food Vehicles, Ice Cream Trucks and Sidewalk Vendors), adopted as Ordinance 2013-01 after San Bernardino County eased its hot-food-truck prohibition. Operators need a Hesperia business license (HMC Title 5), San Bernardino County Department of Public Health mobile food facility permit, and California Department of Tax and Fee Administration seller's permit. SB 946 (2018, codified at Gov. Code §51038) preempts criminal sidewalk-vendor bans statewide.
California Retail Food Code (Health and Safety Code 113700-114437) sets uniform mobile food facility permit, equipment, and food safety standards enforced by counties statewide.
California's Safe Sidewalk Vending Act (SB 946) preempts most local bans on sidewalk vending, allowing only objective health, safety, and welfare regulations.
Hesperia parks are operated by the Hesperia Recreation and Park District (a separate special district, not the city). The Hesperia Municipal Code has no Title regulating parks or UAS, and the Recreation District's posted facility rules govern site use. Recreational drone fliers must still comply with FAA rules (visual line of sight, ≤400 ft AGL) and California Civil Code §1708.8 aerial-privacy law. Flights within the Class E surface area around Apple Valley Airport require LAANC.
Commercial drone work in Hesperia is governed by FAA 14 CFR Part 107 — operators must hold a Remote Pilot Certificate, register the drone, comply with Remote ID, and stay under 400 ft AGL at no more than 100 mph. Hesperia has no local commercial UAS ordinance, but a Hesperia business license under Title 5 of the Hesperia Municipal Code is required for any business operating in city limits. Flights near Apple Valley Airport (APV) and Southern California Logistics Airport (KVCV) require LAANC authorization.
Hesperia has no municipal drone ordinance — federal FAA rules and California state statutes control. Recreational fliers must follow 49 U.S.C. §44809 (Exception for Limited Recreational Operations), stay at or below 400 ft AGL, register drones weighing 0.55 lb or more with the FAA, pass the TRUST safety test, and avoid the Class E surface area around Apple Valley Airport (APV) just north of Hesperia. California Civil Code §1708.8 imposes $5,000–$50,000 fines for aerial intrusion of private activity.
Hesperia, as a contract law-enforcement city in San Bernardino County, defers minor-curfew enforcement to San Bernardino County Code of Ordinances §13.0301 — minors under 18 are prohibited from being in public places between 10:00 PM and sunrise (and 8:30 AM to 1:30 PM on school days under the day-curfew/truancy provisions), unless accompanied by a parent or covered by a state-law exemption. California Welfare & Institutions Code §625.5 establishes the constitutional framework.
San Bernardino County Code Chapter 34.01 prohibits minors under 18 from being in public places from 10 PM to 5 AM without a parent, guardian, or legitimate purpose such as work, school, or emergency.
HVAC units in unincorporated San Bernardino County must meet Title 8 residential property-line limits (55 dBA day, 45 dBA night). Title 24 Part 6 requires exterior units to publish sound ratings.
Bars and nightclubs in unincorporated San Bernardino County need a Conditional Use Permit. Amplified music must meet Title 8 residential limits (45 dBA at night). California Business and Professions Code 25612.5 also applies.
Standby and portable generators in unincorporated San Bernardino County must meet Title 8 limits (45 dBA night residential). PSPS and emergency use is exempt. SCAQMD Rule 1470 permits stationary units over 50 hp.
San Bernardino County limits maximum lot coverage by buildings to 40-50% in residential zones, 20-30% in rural zones, with impervious surface limits on hillsides and near watercourses.
San Bernardino County Development Code limits residential structures to 35 ft in most zones, with agricultural and rural zones permitting 50 ft, measured from finished grade to highest point of the roof.
San Bernardino County Development Code establishes minimum yard setbacks that vary by zoning district, with typical single-family residential requiring 25 ft front, 5 ft side, and 20 ft rear.
California Labor Code 7150-7157 and Title 8 CCR 1635-1662 govern scaffold safety in San Bernardino County, requiring competent person supervision, fall protection above 7.5 ft, and engineering for high scaffolds.
California Labor Code 7300-7323 and Title 8 CCR 3000+ require annual elevator inspections by Cal/OSHA in San Bernardino County, with permits to operate and licensed elevator contractors.
California Health and Safety Code 17920.10 and federal RRP rule require lead-safe work practices in San Bernardino County pre-1978 housing renovations, with EPA-certified contractors and tenant notifications.
Structural pest control in San Bernardino County requires licensing by the CA Structural Pest Control Board, with specific rules for termite fumigation, rodent control, and tenant notification under CA B&P Code 8500+.
San Bernardino County enforces California Building Code rules requiring egress doors to unlock with a single motion from the inside. Deadbolts must release with the same handle action, and key-operated locks are restricted to specific Group A, B, M, and E uses.
San Bernardino County adopts the California Residential Code requiring NFPA 13D automatic fire sprinklers in all new one and two-family dwellings. SBCFPD enforces stricter density and water-supply standards in mountain WUI subdivisions and remote desert parcels.
San Bernardino County applies floor area ratios, lot coverage, and height limits in mountain and foothill communities to limit mansionization. Big Bear, Lake Arrowhead, and Crest Forest community plans add stricter design review for oversized structures and bulky additions.
San Bernardino County licensed childcare centers must meet California Building Code Group E or I-4 occupancy rules with fire alarms, sprinklers, exit hardware, and accessible play areas. State Community Care Licensing inspects, while county Building and Safety verifies plan compliance.
San Bernardino County enforces the California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen, Title 24 Part 11) on all new construction and major remodels. Mandatory measures include water-efficient fixtures, EV-ready wiring, construction waste diversion, and indoor air quality controls.
California Civil Code 4765 requires HOA architectural committees to use fair, reasonable procedures with written decisions, deadlines, and appeal rights, applying to San Bernardino County communities.
CC&R enforcement by HOAs in San Bernardino County follows California Davis-Stirling Act procedures requiring written notice, hearing opportunity, and graduated discipline before fines or liens.
California Civil Code 5600-5740 governs HOA assessments in San Bernardino County, requiring annual budget disclosure, limits on increases without member vote, and specific collection procedures.
HOAs in San Bernardino County follow California Davis-Stirling Common Interest Development Act (Civil Code 4000+) for board meetings, notice requirements, open meeting rules, and election procedures.
California Civil Code 5900-5965 requires HOAs in San Bernardino County to offer internal dispute resolution (IDR) and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) before filing litigation over most disputes.
San Bernardino County issues solar permits through expedited online portal under AB 2188 (3-day processing for small rooftop systems), with Title 24 compliance and utility interconnection coordination.
California Civil Code 714 (Solar Rights Act) prohibits HOAs in San Bernardino County from banning solar panels, limiting restrictions to reasonable placement that does not significantly reduce efficiency or raise cost.
San Bernardino County has no countywide snow-clearing ordinance, but mountain communities (Big Bear, Lake Arrowhead, Crestline) customarily expect owners to keep walkways passable.
Trash and recycling carts in unincorporated San Bernardino County must be stored out of public view between collection days. Visible carts on non-collection days trigger citations.
Vacant-lot owners in unincorporated San Bernardino County must control weeds, debris, and fire hazards. Fire District requires annual weed abatement in high-fire-severity zones.
San Bernardino County Code Title 3 defines blight as debris, overgrown vegetation, inoperable vehicles, graffiti, or deterioration. Code Enforcement can abate with owner billed.
San Bernardino County Code prohibits obstructing sidewalks with merchandise, vegetation, or hoops. Trees must be trimmed to keep 8-foot vertical clearance over sidewalks.
Under CA Streets and Highways Code 5610, adjacent property owners in unincorporated San Bernardino County are responsible for maintaining and repairing sidewalks fronting their property.
California SB 54, the California Values Act, limits how San Bernardino County Sheriff and other local agencies may cooperate with federal immigration authorities in unincorporated areas and contract cities.
California prohibits state and local governments from requiring private employers to use the federal E-Verify system except where federal law mandates it, under Government Code 7285.1 and 7285.3. The restriction applies uniformly to every California city and county.
California Civil Code 1954.603 requires landlords to disclose bed bug information and prohibits renting units with known infestations; San Bernardino County enforces habitability complaints.
California law and San Bernardino County Solid Waste rules prohibit loose syringes and sharps in household trash; residents must use FDA-cleared sharps containers and approved drop-off sites.
San Bernardino County Public Health inspects restaurants countywide and posts color-coded grade placards (Pass, Conditional Pass, Closed) at the entrance after each routine inspection.
Property owners across San Bernardino County must keep premises free of rodent harborage, and Public Health may abate severe infestations on private land at the owner cost.
California AB 1884 bars full-service restaurants in San Bernardino County and statewide from automatically providing plastic straws; customers must specifically request them at sit-down meals.
California SB 54 phases out expanded polystyrene foam foodware statewide by 2030; some San Bernardino communities have earlier local bans on takeout containers and packing peanuts.
California SB 1383 organic waste rules push San Bernardino County restaurants toward compostable takeout containers and require commercial generators to subscribe to organics collection service.
California SB 270 bans most single-use plastic carryout bags at grocery and retail stores statewide; San Bernardino County retailers must charge at least ten cents for recycled paper or thicker reusable bags.
California AB 1276 prohibits restaurants and food delivery platforms in San Bernardino County from automatically including plastic utensils, condiments, and napkins; items must be provided only on customer request.
California SB 793, upheld by Proposition 31 in 2022, bans the retail sale of most flavored tobacco products and flavor enhancers across San Bernardino County, including menthol cigarettes and flavored vapes.
California Tobacco 21 law bars sale of cigarettes, vapes, and other tobacco products to anyone under 21 in San Bernardino County, with active duty military exempt to age 18.
California requires statewide licensing of tobacco and vape retailers under the STAKE Act and the Cigarette and Tobacco Products Licensing Act. Business and Professions Code 22970 establishes uniform retailer licensing, while local governments may adopt stricter rules.
For covered units in unincorporated San Bernardino County, no-fault evictions are limited to AB 1482's enumerated reasons: owner or family move-in, substantial remodel, government order, or withdrawal from the rental market.
Unincorporated San Bernardino County has not adopted a local relocation-assistance ordinance for displaced tenants. Only the relocation payment required by California AB 1482 for qualifying no-fault evictions applies.
San Bernardino County rentals follow California Civil Code 1950.5, which limits security deposits to one month's rent for both furnished and unfurnished units and requires return within twenty-one days of move-out.
San Bernardino County tenants who have occupied 12+ months are protected by CA AB 1482 just-cause eviction rules. Landlords must state a valid reason and pay relocation for no-fault terminations.
Unincorporated San Bernardino County has no local rent control, but California AB 1482 (Tenant Protection Act of 2019) imposes a statewide cap of CPI plus 5% annually (maximum 10%) on most rental units over 15 years old.
California Government Code 12955 bars San Bernardino County landlords from refusing to rent solely because the tenant uses a Housing Choice Voucher or other lawful government rental subsidy as part of their income.
California requires landlords to include or attach an AB 1482 disclosure in every covered lease and lease renewal, informing tenants of the rent cap and just-cause protections in plain statutory language.
The Housing Authority of the County of San Bernardino administers Housing Choice Vouchers across SBC, inspecting units for HUD habitability standards and paying the subsidy portion directly to the landlord.
Unincorporated San Bernardino County does not require general rental-property registration. However, short-term rentals require county permits and Transient Occupancy Tax registration.
California Density Bonus Law lets developers exceed San Bernardino County zoning density by up to 50 percent in exchange for affordable units. Recent updates under SB 1287 and AB 1287 raise the maximum bonus to 100 percent for highly affordable projects.
San Bernardino County's General Plan is implemented through 14 community plans covering distinct geographies like Bear Valley, Crest Forest, Joshua Tree, Lake Arrowhead, and Lucerne Valley. Each adds local zoning standards on top of the countywide Development Code.
San Bernardino Mountain communities under hillside overlays restrict grading volume, slope disturbance, and building height to protect views and reduce wildfire and landslide risk. Lake Arrowhead, Big Bear, Crestline, and Wrightwood enforce strict hillside standards.
San Bernardino County does not set a local minimum wage, so the California statewide rate of 16.50 dollars per hour applies in 2026 to most employers in unincorporated areas, with annual inflation indexing.
California requires most employers, including warehouse and logistics operators in the Inland Empire portion of San Bernardino County, to provide at least 40 hours of paid sick leave per year under SB 616.
San Bernardino County coordinates encampment sanitation responses through the Office of Homeless Services, providing advance notice, outreach offers, and storage of personal property removed during cleanup operations.
San Bernardino County prohibits obstructing public sidewalks, trails, and rights-of-way with personal property or encampments in unincorporated areas, applying offer-of-shelter principles consistent with Ninth Circuit precedent.
San Bernardino County funds bridge and interim housing through the Continuum of Care, including navigation centers, motel-voucher programs, and project-based interim sites in San Bernardino, Victorville, and the High Desert.
Unincorporated San Bernardino County prohibits commercial cannabis retail, manufacturing, and distribution; only Adelanto, Hesperia, Needles, and a few other cities permit licensed dispensaries with strict buffers.
California Business and Professions Code 26054 requires licensed cannabis businesses to sit at least 600 feet from schools, daycares, and youth centers; San Bernardino cities often expand these buffers.
San Bernardino County Development Code Chapter 84.34 bans commercial cannabis cultivation, manufacturing, and sales in all unincorporated zones, treating any such use as a public nuisance.
Adults 21 and older may grow up to six cannabis plants per private residence in San Bernardino County, but unincorporated areas require indoor cultivation inside a fully enclosed secure structure.
Unincorporated San Bernardino County allows personal cannabis cultivation only indoors. State Proposition 64 (Health & Safety Code Section 11362.1) permits up to six living plants per residence for adults 21+; medical patients may grow more under HSC 11362.77. County Code Section 84.34.040 requires cultivation in a fully enclosed, locked, secure area not perceptible from outside. Outdoor cultivation is prohibited.
Cucamonga Valley Water District, Inland Empire Utilities Agency, and Mojave Water Agency offer turf replacement rebates of 2 to 4 dollars per square foot to convert lawns to drought-tolerant landscaping. State law also blocks HOAs from banning xeriscaping.
Mojave Water Agency, Cucamonga Valley, and other San Bernardino County water districts impose day-of-week irrigation schedules during drought emergencies. State Water Board emergency rules can override locals, banning ornamental turf irrigation entirely.
San Bernardino County water districts require customers to repair visible leaks within 5 to 10 days of notice. Persistent leaks running into gutters or sidewalks during drought are treated as water waste and trigger escalating fines.
San Bernardino County's Non-Motorized Transportation Plan guides bike-lane and trail expansion across unincorporated areas, with major commuter routes along Pacific Electric Trail, Santa Ana River Trail, and segments connecting OmniTrans bus stops and Metrolink stations.
San Bernardino County designates specific truck routes through Fontana, Ontario, Bloomington, and Mira Loma warehouse corridors to keep heavy freight off residential streets. Operating outside designated routes risks weight-violation citations and impoundment.
Tobacco retailers in unincorporated San Bernardino County need a county tobacco retailer license alongside the state CDTFA license, and California prohibits sales of most flavored tobacco products under SB 793.
Operating an auto repair business from a home in unincorporated San Bernardino County is generally prohibited under Title 8 zoning, though minor repairs on personally owned vehicles remain allowed.
Secondhand dealers and pawnbrokers in unincorporated San Bernardino County must register with the Sheriff and report transactions through the California Department of Justice CAPSS reporting system under state law.
San Bernardino County requires conditional use permits for massage establishments in unincorporated areas, with operators and technicians holding California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC) certification under state law.
Tow operators that perform police-initiated tows in unincorporated San Bernardino County must hold a Sheriff rotation tow contract and follow California Vehicle Code rate posting and storage rules.
California state law bans smoking in most outdoor public spaces near children, workplaces, and state parks, and San Bernardino County applies these rules in unincorporated parks and public buildings.
San Bernardino County treats loud and unruly gatherings as a public nuisance, and the Sheriff can bill responsible parties for repeat response calls under the County Code.
California limits criminal loitering to specific contexts, while San Bernardino County enforces trespass rules on county property, parks after closing, and unincorporated commercial centers.
California Proposition 64 and San Bernardino County rules ban smoking, vaping, or eating cannabis in public places, including streets, parks, and county buildings in unincorporated areas.
Unlike Los Angeles or Long Beach, San Bernardino County does not impose hotel worker retention or living-wage rules, leaving lodging employers to follow only state minimum wage and labor protections.
San Bernardino County imposes a 7 percent transient occupancy tax on stays of 30 days or fewer at hotels, motels, RV parks, and short-term rentals in unincorporated areas, including Big Bear and Joshua Tree.
The most common code violations in San Bernardino County include unpermitted construction, junk and debris accumulation, overgrown vegetation, inoperable vehicles, illegal cannabis cultivation, unpermitted short-term rentals, and zoning violations in unincorporated areas.
San Bernardino County Code Enforcement handles complaints in unincorporated areas via phone at (909) 884-4056 or online. The division enforces zoning, housing, public nuisance, and vehicle abatement ordinances under the County Development Code.
San Bernardino County Code Enforcement investigates complaints and provides a time frame for correction based on violation type. Health and safety violations are prioritized for faster response, while routine violations may take 5-10 business days for initial investigation.
San Bernardino County does not have specific ordinances banning or restricting bamboo cultivation. However, bamboo that encroaches on neighboring properties or creates a nuisance may be subject to general property maintenance code enforcement.
San Bernardino County follows the California Department of Food and Agriculture's noxious weed list and the California Invasive Plant Council's inventory. Notable invasive species in the region include Saharan mustard, tamarisk (salt cedar), and giant reed (Arundo donax).
California AB 2561 (2022) prohibits cities and HOAs from banning front-yard food gardens. San Bernardino County residents can grow vegetables and fruit in their front yards. The county also encourages drought-tolerant landscaping and has removed restrictions on replacing lawns with gardens.
In San Bernardino County, detached storage sheds of 120 square feet or less, single-story, and without plumbing or electrical do not require a building permit. Larger sheds require permits and must comply with zoning setbacks and building code requirements.
Wood and vinyl fences under 6 feet in San Bernardino County typically do not require a building permit. Masonry walls, retaining walls, and fences over 6 feet require a permit. Front-yard fences are limited to 42 inches in residential zones.
Decks over 30 inches above grade require a building permit in San Bernardino County. Ground-level patios and decks less than 200 square feet that are under 30 inches above grade and not attached to a dwelling generally do not require a permit.
Most renovation work in San Bernardino County requires a building permit if it involves structural changes, electrical, plumbing, or mechanical work. Cosmetic work like painting, flooring, and countertops does not require a permit.
Residential security cameras are legal in San Bernardino County without a permit. California's privacy laws prohibit recording in areas where people have a reasonable expectation of privacy. Audio recording requires all-party consent under California Penal Code §632.
California is an all-party consent state for audio recording. All parties to a confidential conversation must consent to being recorded under Penal Code §632. Video recording in public is legal, but recording in private areas violates Penal Code §647(j).
San Bernardino County allows privacy fences up to 6 feet in side and rear yards and 42 inches in front yards in most residential zones. Fences under 6 feet typically do not require a building permit. Barbed wire is prohibited in residential zones.
California regulates concealed carry weapons licenses statewide under Penal Code 26150 through 26225. Senate Bill 2 (2023) imposes uniform sensitive-place restrictions and applicant standards, preempting local variations on issuance criteria and qualifications.
California preempts most local firearm regulation under Government Code 53071 and Penal Code 25605, reserving licensing, registration, and manufacture authority to the state. However, local governments retain limited authority over discharge, sensitive places, and zoning of gun businesses.
California broadly prohibits open carry of firearms statewide under Penal Code 25850 (loaded firearms in public) and Penal Code 26350 (open carry of unloaded handguns). The prohibition applies uniformly across all California cities and counties without local variation.
California prohibits carrying loaded firearms in vehicles statewide under Penal Code 25400 and 25850. Unloaded handguns transported in private vehicles must be in a locked container or the vehicle's locked trunk; long guns must be unloaded but need not be locked.
The California Land Conservation Act of 1965 (Williamson Act), Government Code 51200-51297.4, allows landowners to enter contracts with counties restricting land to agricultural use for ten-year minimum terms in exchange for reduced property tax assessment based on farming income.
The California Right to Farm Act under Civil Code 3482.5 protects established agricultural operations from nuisance lawsuits brought by neighbors who moved in after farming began. The law applies statewide and limits both private and local government nuisance actions.