San Bernardino County, CA Short-Term Rentals: Host Presence Rule (2026)
Key Facts
- Phone response
- within 30 minutes, 24/7
- On-site response
- within one hour
- Complaint validity check
- within one hour
- Record retention
- for term of STR permit
- First-offense fine
- up to $1,000
Summary
STR owners in unincorporated San Bernardino County must answer complaint calls within 30 minutes and reach the property in person within one hour, 24 hours a day.
The STR owner or agent shall be personally available by telephone on a 24-hour basis and maintain the ability to make contact by phone within 30 minutes and be physically present at the property within one hour in order to respond to and remedy complaints regarding the condition or operation of the dwelling unit or the behavior of persons on the property in violation of this Chapter or other law.
(2) On a 24-hour basis, within one hour of receiving a report of a complaint, the STR owner must confirm whether or not the complaint is valid. If the complaint is valid, the STR owner shall immediately take corrective action within the lawful authority of the STR owner to resolve the violation, or stop the nuisance behavior that disturbs the peace for the entire duration of the occupancy of the person causing or allowing such violation or nuisance behavior. Corrective action may require immediate eviction of STR renters and contacting law enforcement, if necessary, for the removal of renters, guests and their vehicles from the property to the extent authorized by law.
(3) Calls or complaints about physical conditions or circumstances that constitute an immediate threat to the public health and safety shall obligate the STR owner to immediately contact the appropriate law enforcement, fire, or other authority.
(4) Each STR owner shall keep a written record of the times and type of complaints received, what response was undertaken by the STR owner, and when
Full Breakdown
County Code § 84.28.070(g) requires the short-term rental owner or agent to be personally reachable by phone around the clock, make phone contact within 30 minutes of a complaint call, and physically show up at the property within one hour to address violations of the chapter. Within that same hour the owner must confirm whether the complaint is valid and, if so, take corrective action or stop the nuisance behavior, up to evicting renters and calling law enforcement. Owners must also log every complaint and how it was resolved and keep that log for the term of the STR permit.
Violations & Fines
Misdemeanor, citable as an infraction; base fine up to $1,000 first conviction, $2,000 second, $5,000 third or later, or up to six months in County jail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the owner have to live at the San Bernardino County short-term rental?
What happens if the owner misses the one-hour window?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Bernardino County
California rules heatmap·Compare San Bernardino County to another location·View the California short-term rentals overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.