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San Bernardino, CA

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STR Regulations for San Bernardino, California

San Bernardino County, CA Short-Term Rental (STR) Guide

Overview: Short-Term Rentals (STRs) are explicitly allowed in San Bernardino County, California, specifically within the Mountain and Desert regions. They are defined as rentals for 30 consecutive calendar days or less. A county-issued permit is mandatory for all STR operations.

1. How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business

Starting an STR in San Bernardino County involves a multi-step process focused on compliance and verification.

Step 1: Apply for a Permit

  • Submit an application online through the County's EZ Online Permitting Portal. This is the official and only method for application.
  • Key Application Details: You will need to provide property details and contact information. You will also be responsible for acknowledging and agreeing to comply with all relevant regulations (Fire, Building, Zoning, and Health and Safety Codes).
  • Application Fee: The non-refundable initial application fee is $667.

Step 2: Property Inspection

  • Exterior Inspection: A Code Enforcement Officer will conduct a mandatory exterior inspection of your property to verify it meets county requirements.
  • Interior Self-Certification: You must submit a completed "Interior Checklist & Owner Acknowledgement" form to self-certify that the interior of the rental property complies with safety standards (e.g., smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguisher). This form is available on the county website.

Step 3: Receive Your Permit

  • Upon successful completion of the application, inspection, and submission of the interior form, you will be issued a unique STR permit number.
  • Display of Permit: The registration certificate must be displayed prominently within the rental property.

Step 4: List and Operate

  • Once you have your permit number, you may list your property on platforms like Airbnb. The permit number must be included in your listing.
  • Tax Registration: You must also apply for a Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) Registration Certificate from the San Bernardino County Tax Collector to collect the 7% TOT from guests.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in San Bernardino?

San Bernardino hosts earn a median $30,729/year with $190 ADR and 62% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $47,760+ per year.

See the full San Bernardino market breakdown

2. Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

The following are essential to operate legally:

  • Short-Term Rental Permit: Issued by San Bernardino County Code Enforcement after application and inspection.
  • Interior Checklist & Owner Acknowledgement Form: Self-certification of interior safety requirements.
  • Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) Registration Certificate: Required to collect and remit the 7% TOT.
  • 24-Hour Contact Number: You must provide a phone number that is monitored 24/7 for complaint resolution.

Guidelines to Follow:

  • Occupancy Limits: The number of guests and vehicles allowed per rental is strictly limited.
  • Allowed Property Types: Single-family dwellings, duplexes, condominiums, a room in a dwelling, guest houses, and some accessory dwelling units (ADUs).
  • Prohibited Property Types: Multi-family structures (apartments), yurts, travel trailers, and RVs.
  • Commercial Activity Ban: The property cannot be used for commercial activities such as weddings, corporate retreats, business meetings, filming, or parties unless regulated under a separate, approved county permit.

3. Specific Regulations (County, State)

County Regulations (San Bernardino County Code)

  • Permit Requirement: Mandatory for all STRs in the Mountain and Desert regions.
  • Operational Rules: Adherence to Fire, Building, Zoning, and Health and Safety Codes.
  • Enforcement: Non-compliance can result in fines of $1,000 per day for operating without a permit. There is also a 24/7 complaint hotline to report violations.
  • Permit Renewal: The permit must be renewed annually with a fee of $600 and a re-inspection.
  • Noise Regulations: You must comply with San Bernardino County's Noise Ordinance (§ 83.01.080).

State Regulations (California)

  • While the county provides the primary regulations for STRs, California state law governs other general aspects of your business, including taxation, business operations, and landlord-tenant law for any long-term rental relationships.

4. Contact Information for Local Authority

5. Important Resources & Links to Source Pages

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San Bernardino

Market Saturation Score

036912
High Saturation
8/ 12
months with declining YoY revenue
8–10 declining months: high saturation - supply likely outpacing demand.
View Full San Bernardino Market Analysis

Photos of San Bernardino

Overview of San Bernardino

San Bernardino sits in the Inland Empire region of Southern California as the county seat of San Bernardino County, the largest county by area in the United States. The city is home to a population of roughly 220,000 residents and carries the feel of a working Inland Empire hub with a multicultural, blue-collar character and an economy historically shaped by railroads, warehouses, and logistics. It functions as a natural gateway to the San Bernardino Mountains and the high desert communities beyond, and lies approximately 60 miles east of downtown Los Angeles, typically reached in about an hour by car via Interstate 10.

Just north of the city, the San Bernardino National Forest spreads across roughly 800,000 acres of pine-covered mountains and serves as the primary outdoor playground for the region. The forest offers hiking, camping, picnicking, and scenic drives, and its trailheads around Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear can be reached in roughly 90 minutes to two hours from the city, making day trips and overnight mountain getaways very accessible for visitors based in town.

Big Bear Lake, a four-season mountain resort tucked inside the national forest, lies about 100 miles northeast of San Bernardino and offers a very different climate and pace from the city below. In winter it is a popular Southern California skiing and snowboarding destination, while summer brings boating, fishing, hiking, and a walkable village with shops and restaurants. Its combination of alpine scenery and proximity to the Inland Empire makes it a reliable draw for guests looking to pair a city stay with a mountain experience.

The city also preserves a stretch of the historic Route 66 alignment, the celebrated "Mother Road" that once carried travelers from the Midwest to the Pacific coast. Although much of the original roadway has been absorbed by Interstate 215, the corridor retains period architecture, vintage signage, and a sense of mid-century travel history that adds a layer of cultural interest for visitors passing through the region. The nearby U.S. Route 66 corridor is well documented and easy for guests to explore on foot or by car.

San Bernardino's appeal as a short-term-rental base comes from its position at the meeting point of mountains, desert, and the major population centers of Southern California. Visitors can base themselves in a more affordable, centrally located city and still reach Los Angeles, Orange County, Big Bear, Lake Arrowhead, and the Mojave Desert within reasonable driving distances, giving the destination a year-round mix of urban, outdoor, and historic appeal for a wide range of traveler types.

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