Morongo Valley, California
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Morongo Valley, CA
Generally Investor Friendly
Local STR Agent
Local STR Agent
STR Regulations for Morongo Valley, California
Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Morongo Valley?
Yes, short-term rentals are explicitly allowed in Morongo Valley, California. Morongo Valley is located in unincorporated San Bernardino County, and the county permits short-term rentals in the mountain and desert areas for residential units rented for 30 days or less. However, STR operations are strictly regulated and require proper permitting and compliance with county ordinances.
What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Morongo Valley?
Morongo Valley hosts earn a median $38,183/year with $221 ADR and 63% occupancy.
Top performers pull in $61,044+ per year.
See the full Morongo Valley market breakdownHow to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Morongo Valley
Starting an STR business in Morongo Valley involves a systematic process governed by San Bernardino County regulations:
1. Initial Assessment and Planning
- Verify Property Eligibility: Confirm your property is in the designated mountain or desert area of San Bernardino County
- Understand Zoning Compliance: Ensure your property meets zoning requirements for STR operations
- Review Cap Limitations: Be aware that San Bernardino County placed an interim cap on STRs in unincorporated areas (research current status as caps may change)
2. Application Process
- Register Online: Create an account through the EZ Online Permitting (EZOP) system at https://wp.sbcounty.gov/ezop/
- Submit Application: Complete and submit your STR permit application via EZOP
- Pay Fees: Pay applicable fees after receiving notification that your application is ready for payment
3. Review and Inspection Phase
- Application Review: County staff reviews for completeness (average time: 1 week)
- Fee Assessment: Once complete, staff assigns appropriate fees and sends payment notification
- Exterior Inspection: Schedule and complete required exterior inspection
- Notification Period: Mandatory waiting periods for surrounding property owner notifications
4. Permit Issuance and Operation
- Permit Approval: Receive permit, Conditions of Operation, and Good Neighbor Brochure
- Display Requirements: Post permit and brochure visibly within the STR unit
- Begin Operations: Legal operation can commence only after all permits and licenses are approved and issued
Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines
Primary Permits and Licenses
1. Short-Term Rental Permit (Primary Requirement)
- Application through San Bernardino County EZOP system
- Valid for mountain and desert area dwellings
- Required for rentals 30 days or less
2. Business Registration
- County-level business registration may be required
- Contact San Bernardino County for requirements
Required Documentation
Property Information:
- Property address and Assessor's parcel number
- Total square footage of dwelling
- Total square footage of habitable sleeping space
- Single dwelling unit verification (or permitted accessory dwelling unit)
- Current building permits for any recent remodels or alterations
Owner/Operator Information:
- Name and contact information of property owner
- Applicant information (if different from owner)
- Managing agency, agent, or property manager details (if applicable)
- 24-hour contact number for complaint resolution
Legal Documentation:
- Recorded grant deed for ownership verification
- Trust documents if property held in trust
- Articles of Organization if held in LLC with officer information
- Notarized letter of authorization if agent acts on behalf of owner
Compliance Documentation:
- Certificate of Insurance (minimum $1,000,000 single limit liability)
- Septic certification (dated within one year)
- Dimensioned floor plan with all rooms labeled
- Plot plan showing property boundaries and designated parking
Safety and Operational Requirements
Mandatory Safety Equipment:
- Fire extinguishers in accessible locations
- Posted notices containing:
- Owner/manager name and 24-hour contact
- Maximum number of occupants
- Maximum number of vehicles allowed
- Location of utility emergency shut-off valves
- Local emergency numbers for hospitals and police
- Property boundary maps
- Noise monitoring equipment notices (if applicable)
Property Standards:
- Shielded outdoor lighting (light must project below horizontal plane)
- Secure trash receptacles with locking handles or suitable alternatives
- Compliance with all Fire, Building, Zoning, and Health and Safety Codes
Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals
San Bernardino County Regulations (Governing Authority for Morongo Valley)
Operational Standards:
- Rentals limited to 30 days or less
- Single dwelling units only (or permitted accessory dwellings)
- Occupancy limits as specified in permit
- Prohibited uses: commercial events, filming, corporate retreats, conferences, wedding receptions
Notification Requirements:
- Mandatory notification to surrounding property owners for new applications
- 20-calendar-day comment period for project notice
- 30-day appeal period following permit issuance notice
- $259 notification fee for management/occupancy changes
Good Neighbor Obligations:
- Maintain neighborhood peace and quiet
- Prevent nuisance behavior
- Provide renters with complete rules and regulations
- Obtain signed acknowledgment of rental terms
- Trash removal after each occupancy or regular commercial pickup
Noise Monitoring Program:
- Outdoor noise monitoring system required or strongly encouraged
- $150 credit available for approved outdoor sound monitoring system installation
- Quiet hours: 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.
- Noise violations can result in $1,000 penalties
Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT)
- San Bernardino County Rate: 7% for unincorporated areas
- Reporting: Quarterly accounting required
- Collection: Platform providers (Airbnb, VRBO) collect and remit TOT
- Owner Responsibility: Ensure proper reporting and payment compliance
State-Level Regulations (California)
- California has no specific state-level STR regulations beyond standard business requirements
- Local jurisdictions maintain primary regulatory authority
- Standard business licensing and tax obligations apply
Contact Information for Local Authority
San Bernardino County Code Enforcement (Primary Authority)
Physical Address: San Bernardino County Code Enforcement 268 W. Hospitality Lane, Suite 300 San Bernardino, CA 92415
Phone Numbers:
- 24/7 Complaint Hotline: 1-833-SBC-STR1 (1-833-722-7871)
- Main Office: Contact through county website
Email:
- General Assistance: shorttermrental@lus.sbcounty.gov
- Application status inquiries
- Permit updates
- General STR questions
- Notice/citation questions
- Courtesy notice inquiries
Online Resources:
- STR Program Website: https://str.sbcounty.gov/
- EZ Online Permitting: https://wp.sbcounty.gov/ezop/
- Permitted STR Map: https://str.sbcounty.gov/permitted-str-properties/
- Online Complaint Filing: https://sbcounty-str-complaints.deckard.com/
Social Media:
- Facebook: @SBCountyCode
- Twitter: @SBCountyCode
- YouTube: SBCountyCode channel
- Instagram: @sbcountycode
Email Updates and Notifications
- Subscribe for Updates: https://service.govdelivery.com/accounts/CASANBE/subscriber/new?topic_id=CASANBE_664
- Topics include: Ordinance changes, program information, property management tips
Source Links and References
Primary Government Sources:
- San Bernardino County STR Program: https://str.sbcounty.gov/
- Getting Started Guide: https://str.sbcounty.gov/getting-started/
- EZ Online Permitting System: https://wp.sbcounty.gov/ezop/
- Permitted STR Properties Map: https://str.sbcounty.gov/permitted-str-properties/
Legal Documents and Ordinances: 5. Short-Term Rental Ordinance §84.28: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/sanbernardino/latest/sanberncty_ca/0-0-0-172387 6. Noise Ordinance §83.01.080: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/sanbernardino/latest/sanberncty_ca/0-0-0-169172
Operational Guides: 7. Owner/Operator Guide: STR Owner and Operator Guide 8. Operational Standards Guide: STR Operational Standards 9. Good Neighbor Brochure: Good Neighbor Guidelines
Local Context: 10. Morongo Basin STR Overview: Z107.7 FM Article
Forms and Applications: 11. Appeal Forms: https://lus.sbcounty.gov/code-enforcement-home/forms/ 12. Owner Acknowledgement Form: Owner Safety Requirements 13. TOT Certification Guide: How to Submit TOT
Important Notes for Investors:
- Morongo Valley operates under San Bernardino County regulations as an unincorporated area
- Regulations are subject to change; subscribe to county updates for current information
- The county has implemented interim caps on STR numbers; verify current status before investing
- Strict enforcement includes 24/7 complaint monitoring and potential $1,000 penalties for violations
- Operating without proper permits is illegal and can result in immediate cease and desist orders
- Consider the noise monitoring program requirements as part of your investment analysis
Next step
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Morongo Valley
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Overview of Morongo Valley
Morongo Valley is a small unincorporated community in San Bernardino County, California, nestled at the transition between the Mojave Desert and the San Bernardino Mountains. With a population of roughly 3,500 residents, it carries a quiet, off-the-beaten-path character that has long appealed to artists, nature lovers, and travelers seeking solitude amid stark desert landscapes. The community sits along State Route 62 and is best known as a southern gateway to Joshua Tree National Park, drawing visitors who pass through on their way to the park's famed rock formations and Joshua tree woodlands. Los Angeles lies approximately 120 miles to the west, generally a two-and-a-half-hour drive via Interstate 10.
Joshua Tree National Park anchors the region's identity and is the marquee draw for anyone staying in Morongo Valley. The park's Cottonwood Visitor Center entrance, on the south side, is roughly a 30-minute drive from the community, while the busier Joshua Tree and Twentynine Palms entrances to the north sit about 45 minutes to an hour away. The park offers world-class rock climbing, hiking, backcountry camping, and exceptionally dark night skies, attracting visitors in every season.
Big Morongo Canyon Preserve, just a few miles east of town, provides a more intimate natural escape. The preserve protects a lush desert riparian habitat where natural springs sustain cottonwood and willow groves, drawing more than 240 recorded bird species. Raised wooden boardwalks make the preserve easy to explore, and the contrast between the wetland and surrounding high-desert terrain makes it a favorite stop for birdwatchers and photographers.
To the south and west, the Sand to Snow National Monument climbs from the desert floor up through the San Bernardino Mountains toward Mount San Gorgonio, the highest peak in Southern California. Within roughly a 30- to 45-minute drive of Morongo Valley, the monument links the low-elevation Mojave with alpine pine forest, offering hiking, wildlife viewing, and an unusually varied range of ecosystems for such a compact area.
For short-term rental investors and travelers, Morongo Valley's appeal rests on its combination of small-town tranquility, dark desert skies, and proximity to multiple major outdoor destinations. Quieter and more rustic than the busier gateway towns of Joshua Tree and Yucca Valley, the community offers visitors a sense of retreat while keeping Southern California's most iconic desert landscapes within easy reach.
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