Ontario, California Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Overview: Short-Term Rentals in Ontario, California

Short-term rentals are explicitly allowed in Ontario, California, provided operators obtain the required permits and comply with all regulations. The City of Ontario permits both hosted and un-hosted short-term rentals, including vacation rentals, subject to specific requirements designed to maintain residential neighborhood compatibility.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Ontario?

Ontario hosts earn a median $33,773/year with $195 ADR and 69% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $52,349+ per year.

See the full Ontario market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Ontario, California

Starting a short-term rental business in Ontario requires several key steps:

Step 1: Property Eligibility and Ownership Verification

Owner Requirements: The host must be either:
- The property owner, or
- The spouse, parent, or adult child of the property owner, or
- A tenant who has occupied the property as their primary residence prior to application and has written authorization from the property owner

Step 2: Permit Application Process

Submit a Short-Term Rental Permit Application electronically through Citizen Portal Access
Follow the instructions provided in the official checklist
Application must demonstrate that the STR operation will not adversely impact surrounding residential districts

Step 3: Compliance Preparation

Ensure property meets all safety and zoning requirements
Prepare documentation as outlined in the permit checklist
Verify compliance with city regulations regarding short-term rental operations

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Required Documents

Based on the provided content, the following documents are required:

Short-Term Rental Permit Application
Written Authorization from property owner (if applicant is tenant)
Proof of Primary Residence (if applicable)
Property Documentation supporting the application

Application Process

Method: Electronic submission through Citizen Portal Access
Reference: Follow the Short-Term Rental Permit Application Checklist

Permit Purpose

The permit is specifically designed to ensure short-term rental operations do not negatively impact surrounding residential neighborhoods and maintain compatibility with the residential character of the area.

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

City-Level Regulations (Ontario, California)

Definition and Scope

Short-Term Rental: A dwelling unit or portion thereof rented for not more than 30 consecutive days in exchange for monetary or non-monetary consideration
Types: Includes hosted stays, un-hosted stays, and vacation rentals

Regulatory Purpose

The city regulates short-term rentals to ensure compatibility between vacation rentals and the residential character of neighborhoods where they may be located.

Host Eligibility Requirements

Owner Qualification: Property owner or immediate family member (spouse, parent, adult child)
Tenant Qualification: Tenant who occupied property as primary residence before application with written owner authorization

County-Level Regulations (San Bernardino County)

Geographic Limitations

STR permits required for private homes located in mountain and desert areas of San Bernardino County
Application area limited to Mountain and Desert regions of the county
Applicability applies to dwellings rented for 30 days or less

Operational Standards

Occupancy limitations: Specific limits on number of occupants
24-Hour Contact: Owner/manager must provide a 24-hour phone number for complaint resolution
Code Compliance: Must comply with Fire, Building, Zoning, and Health and Safety Codes

Permit Requirements

Application Process: Currently accepting applications for dwellings in Mountain and Desert areas
Permit Validity: Standard annual renewal requirements
Standards Compliance: Must meet specific operational standards

State-Level Regulations (California)

General Framework

No State-Level Permits: California does not issue state-level short-term rental licenses
Local Control: Most counties and cities require their own permits and licenses
Business Registration: Typically required by most California cities
Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT): Required certificate for tax collection and remittance

Tax Requirements

TOT Certificate: Required for all California STR operators
Business Taxes: Various business taxes may apply depending on operations
Platform Collection: Many platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo handle TOT collection on behalf of hosts

Health and Safety Standards

Safety Devices: Requirements for fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors
Occupancy Limits: Maximum occupancy restrictions
Quiet Hours: Noise control requirements
Inspections: Safety inspections often required before permit issuance

Zoning Compliance

Zoning Restrictions: Some cities allow vacation rentals only in specific zoning districts
Residential Compatibility: Must ensure zoning compliance before starting operations

Contact Information

City of Ontario, California

Primary Contact Information

Phone: (909) 395-2000
Website: City of Ontario Official Website
Business License Division: Available through the Financial Services department

Physical Addresses

City Hall: 303 East B Street, Ontario, CA 91764
City Hall Annex: 200 N. Cherry Avenue, Ontario, CA 91764

Social Media and Updates

Facebook: City of Ontario
Instagram: @cityofontario
LinkedIn: City of Ontario
Twitter/X: @cityofontario
YouTube: City of Ontario

San Bernardino County STR Program

Contact Information

Program Website: San Bernardino County STR Program
Email: shorttermrental@lus.sbcounty.gov

Complaint and Enforcement

24/7 Complaint Hotline: 1-833-SBC-STR1 (1-833-722-7871)
Online Complaint Portal: File a STR Complaint

Physical Address

San Bernardino County Code Enforcement
Address: 268 W. Hospitality Lane, Suite 300, San Bernardino, CA 92415

Program Assistance

The county email address supports:

General STR permit application questions
Application/Permit status checks
Application/Permit updates
Notice/Citation inquiries
Courtesy Notice questions

Links to Source Pages

Primary Ontario, California Sources

San Bernardino County Sources

Additional Resources

Important Note: This guide is based on the provided content from official sources. Investors should verify current regulations with local authorities, as short-term rental laws can change frequently. The City of Ontario and San Bernardino County maintain the most current information on their respective websites and through their contact channels.

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Ask the AI Advisor about Ontario

Ontario sits in the western reaches of San Bernardino County, California, in the heart of the Inland Empire. The city has a population of roughly 180,000 and serves as a major regional hub, anchored by the Ontario International Airport, which handles a significant share of Southern California's domestic flights. With a generally sunny, dry climate, broad commercial corridors, and a growing roster of hotels, restaurants, and entertainment venues, Ontario projects a practical, traveler-friendly character. It sits about 35 miles east of downtown Los Angeles, making it a convenient inland alternative to the busier coastal and central neighborhoods of the LA basin.

A short drive from Ontario's main hotel districts brings visitors to Toyota Arena, an indoor venue that hosts Ontario Reign AHL hockey games, concerts, and family shows. The arena anchors a cluster of dining and entertainment options near the city's airport and convention center. Toyota Arena draws guests from across the Inland Empire on event nights and is a reliable anchor for short-term stays.

Shoppers tend to gravitate toward Ontario Mills, a sprawling outlet and value retail center that opened in the late 1990s and remains one of the largest malls of its kind in California. With hundreds of stores, a movie theater, and a wide range of dining options, the complex functions almost like its own day-trip destination. Ontario Mills sits just off the Interstate 10 and I-15 interchange, only minutes from most Ontario hotels.

For outdoor recreation, the San Gabriel Mountains rise just a few miles north of Ontario, offering hiking, mountain biking, and winter snow play at higher elevations. Mount Baldy, the range's tallest peak at roughly 10,000 feet, can be reached from Ontario in well under an hour by car, with trailheads accessible for both casual walks and more serious backcountry outings. Within the city itself, Cucamonga-Guasti Regional Park provides picnic areas, a small lake, swimming pools, and a waterpark, giving short-term-rental guests an easy local option for an afternoon outdoors without leaving town.

Ontario's appeal as a short-term-rental base comes from its combination of accessibility, amenities, and proximity to a wide slice of Southern California. Guests can fly in directly through the airport, catch a concert or hockey game at the arena, shop at Ontario Mills, and still reach the beaches of Orange County in under an hour or the resorts and trails of the San Bernardino Mountains in well under two. The city itself offers the conveniences of a large suburban hub — plentiful dining, freeway access, and well-established lodging infrastructure — while functioning as a more affordable and less congested alternative to staying in Los Angeles proper.