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California · San Bernardino County

San Bernardino County

county Allowed with registration Needs review · last verified 2026-07-15

Short-term rentals (transient occupancy of 30 consecutive calendar days or less) are legal in the unincorporated areas of San Bernardino County ONLY within the designated Mountain and Desert Regions, and require a County-issued Short-Term Residential Rental (STR) Permit plus registration with the County Tax Collector (Transient Occupancy Registration Certificate). Governing law: San Bernardino County Development Code Chapter 84.28 "Short-Term Residential Rentals" (Title 8, Division 4), originally adopted by Ord. 4011 (2007) and amended by Ord. 4331 (2017), Ord. 4371 (2019) and Ord. 4400 (2021). [The draft additionally cited Ord. 4393, Ord. 4439 (2022) and Ord. 4504 (Jan 13, 2026) as "code current through"; these could not be independently verified — the accessible codified text reflects amendments through Ord. 4400 (2021).] Permits are administered by County Code Enforcement via the EZ Online Permitting (EZOP) system. Occupancy is capped by unit square footage and parcel size, NOT by bedroom count (§ 84.28.060): max 6 persons if the unit is <800 sq ft; 8 if <1,200 sq ft; 10 on parcels <1/4 acre; 12 on parcels <1/2 acre; 15 on parcels 1/2 to 1 acre; 20 on parcels >1 acre; and never more than on-site parking (1 space per 4 renters) supports. A maximum of two dwelling units per parcel may hold separate STR permits, and owner-occupancy of one unit is required unless the parcel is two acres or greater (§ 84.28.040); the county STR FAQ summarizes this as up to two permits on parcels >=2 acres and one permit on parcels <2 acres. Commercial activity/events (weddings, corporate retreats, business meetings, filming, fraternity parties) are prohibited unless separately permitted. Renters pay a 7% Transient Occupancy Tax (§ 14.0203); hosting platforms that collect payment are the owner's agent for TOT collection/remittance (§ 84.28.110). RENEWAL PERIOD IS IN CONFLICT BETWEEN OFFICIAL SOURCES: the codified ordinance § 84.28.050(g) states the permit "shall be renewed biennially," while the county STR program FAQ (str.sbcounty.gov) states the permit is valid one (1) year and renewed annually — this discrepancy is unresolved. New-application permit fees total $1,144 effective July 1, 2025 ($600 application + $285 permit + $259 surrounding-property-owner notification). November 2024 ballot Measure K, which would have raised the TOT from 7% to 11%, FAILED (56.77% no), so the rate remains 7% as of 2026.

Not legal advice. Last verified 2026-07-15 · sources linked below.

Requirements checklist

  • county Short-Term Residential Rental (STR) Permit Required
    Fee: $1,144 / per new application (renewal fee separate; annual vs biennial cycle disputed - see renewal) · Renewal: DISPUTED. Codified ordinance § 84.28.050(g): 'The short-term residential rental unit permit shall be renewed biennially.' Renewal requires the property to pass a renewal inspection and payment of the applicable renewal fee; late payment incurs a delinquent fee, and failure to submit renewal payment within 45 days of expiration results in closure of the permit (new application then required). CONFLICT: the county STR FAQ (str.sbcounty.gov/faqs) states 'A STR permit is valid for one (1) year and will need to be renewed annually.' The two official sources disagree on the renewal cycle; renewal period is flagged needs_review. · Applies to: A single-family dwelling unit (and, where at least one unit is owner-occupied, an accessory dwelling unit, primary dwelling, guesthouse, casita, caretaker unit or duplex) used for transient occupancy of 30 consecutive days or less in the unincorporated Mountain and Desert Regions. A separate permit is required for each eligible dwelling unit where there is more than one legal single-family dwelling or a duplex on the parcel. A maximum of two dwelling units per parcel may be approved for separate STR permits. An individual unit such as an apartment or condominium located within a multi-family residential project is NOT eligible. (Draft error corrected: condominium/apartment units in multi-family projects are ineligible.) · official page ↗
  • county Transient Occupancy Registration Certificate Required
    Fee: — · Renewal: — · Applies to: Every operator of a hotel/STR renting occupancy to transients in unincorporated San Bernardino County must register with the County Tax Collector and obtain a Transient Occupancy Registration Certificate. · official page ↗
  • county Building/fire code compliance and inspection (initial and renewal) Required
    Fee: — · Renewal: Renewal inspection required at each renewal (§ 84.28.050(g) conditions renewal on passing the renewal inspection). · Applies to: All STR properties. An inspection verifies compliance before permit issuance, and a renewal inspection verifies continued compliance. The unit must comply with the California Fire Code, California Building Code, NFPA standards, and other applicable uniform codes. · official page ↗
  • county 24-hour local contact / call response Required
    Fee: — · Renewal: — · Applies to: The STR owner or agent must be personally available by telephone on a 24-hour basis and able to be physically present at the property within one hour to respond to and remedy complaints. Within one hour of a call/complaint the owner must confirm validity and take corrective action. (Draft error corrected: the ordinance does NOT impose a 30-minute phone-contact requirement.) · official page ↗
  • county Renter registration and posted in-unit notices Required
    Fee: — · Renewal: — · Applies to: Before allowing occupancy, the owner must administer registration by reviewing the STR rules with at least one adult renter, provide a written/digital copy of the rules and penalties, and obtain a signed acknowledgement (§ 84.28.070(c)). The County-issued STR permit and an exit/emergency evacuation map must be posted inside the unit on or adjacent to the front door, plus a prominent notice stating the address, 24-hour contact, max overnight occupants, max vehicles, snow-removal contact, and trash arrangements (§ 84.28.070(e)). (Draft error corrected: the ordinance does NOT require a 'Good Neighbor brochure.') · official page ↗
  • county Hosting platform TOT collection and data disclosure Required
    Fee: — · Renewal: — · Applies to: Hosting platforms (e.g., Airbnb/Vrbo) facilitating STR rentals in unincorporated San Bernardino County. If the platform collects payment it is the STR owner's agent for TOT collection/remittance; on County request it must disclose listing address, responsible persons, length of stay and price paid. · official page ↗

Taxes

TaxRateAdministered byAirbnb remitsVrbo remits
Uniform Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) — — — —

Operating rules

Primary residence
—
Min stay (nights)
—
Max nights / year
—
Max occupancy
—
Zoning-restricted
—
Cap on licenses
—

Enforcement

Active enforcement
unknown
Fines
—
Notes
Failure by an owner or hosting platform to collect/remit the TOT allows the Tax Collector to pursue remedies including imposing and collecting the tax from the owner or platform (§ 84.28.080(b)). Late/absent renewal payment triggers a delinquent fee and, if not cured within 45 days of expiration, closure of the permit (§ 84.28.050(g)).

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Frequently asked questions

Is Airbnb legal in San Bernardino County?
Short-term rentals (transient occupancy of 30 consecutive calendar days or less) are legal in the unincorporated areas of San Bernardino County ONLY within the designated Mountain and Desert Regions, and require a County-issued Short-Term Residential Rental (STR) Permit plus registration with the County Tax Collector (Transient Occupancy Registration Certificate). Governing law: San Bernardino County Development Code Chapter 84.28 "Short-Term Residential Rentals" (Title 8, Division 4), originally adopted by Ord. 4011 (2007) and amended by Ord. 4331 (2017), Ord. 4371 (2019) and Ord. 4400 (2021). [The draft additionally cited Ord. 4393, Ord. 4439 (2022) and Ord. 4504 (Jan 13, 2026) as "code current through"; these could not be independently verified — the accessible codified text reflects amendments through Ord. 4400 (2021).] Permits are administered by County Code Enforcement via the EZ Online Permitting (EZOP) system. Occupancy is capped by unit square footage and parcel size, NOT by bedroom count (§ 84.28.060): max 6 persons if the unit is <800 sq ft; 8 if <1,200 sq ft; 10 on parcels <1/4 acre; 12 on parcels <1/2 acre; 15 on parcels 1/2 to 1 acre; 20 on parcels >1 acre; and never more than on-site parking (1 space per 4 renters) supports. A maximum of two dwelling units per parcel may hold separate STR permits, and owner-occupancy of one unit is required unless the parcel is two acres or greater (§ 84.28.040); the county STR FAQ summarizes this as up to two permits on parcels >=2 acres and one permit on parcels <2 acres. Commercial activity/events (weddings, corporate retreats, business meetings, filming, fraternity parties) are prohibited unless separately permitted. Renters pay a 7% Transient Occupancy Tax (§ 14.0203); hosting platforms that collect payment are the owner's agent for TOT collection/remittance (§ 84.28.110). RENEWAL PERIOD IS IN CONFLICT BETWEEN OFFICIAL SOURCES: the codified ordinance § 84.28.050(g) states the permit "shall be renewed biennially," while the county STR program FAQ (str.sbcounty.gov) states the permit is valid one (1) year and renewed annually — this discrepancy is unresolved. New-application permit fees total $1,144 effective July 1, 2025 ($600 application + $285 permit + $259 surrounding-property-owner notification). November 2024 ballot Measure K, which would have raised the TOT from 7% to 11%, FAILED (56.77% no), so the rate remains 7% as of 2026.
Do I need a license or registration for a short-term rental in San Bernardino County?
Yes — San Bernardino County requires: Short-Term Residential Rental (STR) Permit; Transient Occupancy Registration Certificate; Building/fire code compliance and inspection (initial and renewal). See the requirements checklist for fees, renewal, and official links.
What taxes apply to short-term rentals in San Bernardino County?
Uniform Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT). Use the lodging-tax estimator on this page for a specific stay.

Official sources

Related coverage

In California

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Informational summary of publicly available sources; not legal advice. Verify against the linked official sources.