San Bernardino County, CA Short-Term Rentals: Occupancy Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Per-Room Basis
- 70 sq ft = 1 person; +50 sq ft per additional person (84.28.060(b))
- Under 800 sq ft
- Max 6 persons
- Under 1,200 sq ft
- Max 8 persons
- Parcel under 1/4 to 1/2 acre
- Max 10 to 12 persons
- Parcel 1/2 to 1 acre / over 1 acre
- Max 15 / Max 20 persons
- Hard Cap
- Never more than on-site parking supports (84.28.060(c)(7))
Summary
Under Development Code Section 84.28.060, sleeping occupancy is set by room size (70 sq ft for one person, +50 sq ft per additional person), then capped by unit size and parcel acreage - from 6 persons (under 800 sq ft) up to 20 persons (parcels over one acre), and never beyond what on-site parking supports.
17920.3. Any building or portion thereof, regardless of zoning designation or approved uses of the building, including any dwelling unit, guestroom or suite of rooms, or the premises on which the same is located, in which there exists any of the following listed conditions to an extent that endangers the life, limb, health, property, safety, or welfare of the occupants of the building, nearby residents, or the public shall be deemed and hereby is declared to be a substandard building: (a) Inadequate sanitation shall include, but not be limited to, the following: (1) Lack of, or improper water closet, lavatory, or bathtub or shower in a dwelling unit.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.
Full Breakdown
060 sets occupancy limits for unincorporated San Bernardino County short-term rentals. Per-room limits under subsection (b): a room must be at least 70 square feet to count as habitable sleeping space; a 70-square-foot room may sleep one person, and each room occupied by more than one person must contain not less than 50 square feet of floor area for each additional person. Kitchens, bathrooms, halls, closets, and storage or utility spaces do not count toward the sleeping-area calculation. Subsection (c) then imposes maximum occupancy caps that override the per-room allowances: not more than 6 persons if the unit is smaller than 800 square feet; not more than 8 persons if smaller than 1,200 square feet; not more than 10 persons on parcels smaller than one-quarter acre; not more than 12 persons on parcels smaller than one-half acre; not more than 15 persons on parcels of one-half to one acre; and not more than 20 persons on parcels greater than one acre.
060(c)(7)) limits occupancy to what the required on-site parking will support. The County determines and approves the maximum occupancy at the initial inspection, and advertisements must state the maximum permitted occupants.
Violations & Fines
Exceeding the County-approved maximum occupancy is a violation of Chapter 84.28. Advertising more than the approved occupancy is prohibited under Section 84.28.070(d). Code Enforcement may issue administrative citations from $1,000 up to $5,000, and repeated or serious violations can lead to permit suspension or revocation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is maximum occupancy calculated for a San Bernardino County short-term rental?
What is the highest occupancy a San Bernardino County STR can have?
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
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