Pop. 222,101 · San Bernardino County
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.
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.
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.
San Bernardino County Animal Care responds to hoarding complaints under Title 3 cruelty rules and California Penal Code section 597. Excessive animals creating unsanitary or neglectful conditions are seized; owners face misdemeanor charges and animal forfeiture.
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 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 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.
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.
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.
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 County Fire Protection District enforces California Fire Code propane storage limits, with stricter setbacks in the San Bernardino Mountains and high-fire WUI zones around Big Bear, Lake Arrowhead, Crestline, and the Cajon Pass corridor.
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.
SB 1383 requires every California resident and business to separate food scraps and yard waste from trash, with universal collection or on-site composting.
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.
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.
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.
Unincorporated San Bernardino County does not require an STR operator to occupy the property during guest stays. Most desert and mountain rentals are non-hosted whole-home stays operated by remote owners.
Unincorporated San Bernardino County does not limit short-term rentals to a host's primary residence. Investor-owned vacation homes are explicitly allowed across desert and mountain zones, subject to standard permit conditions.
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.
Bookings of thirty-one consecutive days or longer fall outside the SBC short-term rental program and are treated as standard residential tenancies subject to AB 1482 statewide rent and eviction protections.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
San Bernardino County is entirely inland - Mojave Desert, Inland Empire, and the San Bernardino Mountains - with no coastline and no California Coastal Commission jurisdiction. The relevant program is the Floodplain Safety (FP) Overlay in Title 8, Section 82.14, plus the Floodplain Administrator duties in Section 86.04, requiring a permit before any development in a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area or designated desert wash.
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 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 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.
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 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 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.
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 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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 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 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.
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 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.
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.
Western Joshua trees are protected under California's Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act of 2023. Removing or relocating them in San Bernardino County requires a state permit and mitigation fees, with additional county Native Desert Plant Protection rules.
San Bernardino County requires permits to remove protected native trees, including oaks, sycamores, junipers, and pinyon pines on undisturbed parcels. Mountain communities also protect specific conifer species under community-plan tree ordinances.
California provides statewide protections for native oak woodlands and heritage trees through CEQA review, Public Resources Code, and Forest Practice Rules that apply uniformly.
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.
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 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 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.
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.