San Bernardino County, CA Short-Term Rentals: Host Presence Rule (2026)

Unincorporated San Bernardino County does not require an on-site host during a short-term rental stay - whole-home, unhosted rentals are permitted in the Mountain and Desert Regions. Instead, Chapter 84.28 imposes a responsive-contact obligation. Under Section 84.28.070(f) (Call Response), the short-term rental owner or agent must be personally available by telephone on a 24-hour basis and must maintain the ability to be physically present at the property within one hour to respond to and remedy calls or complaints about the unit's condition or guests' behavior. Within one hour of receiving a complaint, the owner must confirm whether it is valid and, if so, immediately take corrective action - which can include contacting law enforcement to remove guests where authorized by law. The owner must keep a written log of complaints, responses, and resolutions for the permit term. The 24-hour contact name and number must be supplied at application (Section 84.28.050(a)(6)), included in the notice the County sends to surrounding property owners (Section 84.28.050(b)(3)), and posted inside the unit on the required notice (Section 84.28.070(e)). The County also operates a 24/7 STR complaint line (1-833-SBC-STR1). This is a 'local responsible person' framework rather than a host-present mandate.