Local Airbnb rules2026 16 sources cited

Is Airbnb Legal in San Bernardino? 2026 Rules, Permits & Taxes

On paper, neither yes nor no: San Bernardino's code does not mention short stays, and the council voted 4-3 on June 17, 2026 to deny a citywide ban. In practice, hosts list without a permit, though city staff say a commercial use in a residential zone is generally prohibited; the 10% hotel tax applies.^2,5,8

Source: AirROI Reviewed by Jun Zhou, Founder @ AirROI Updated November 4, 2026

From 13 official sources, 2 Airbnb help pages and 1 news report, checked October 17, 2026. Not legal advice.

The short answer

San Bernardino Airbnb Rules in Brief

No city short-term rental permit exists, and no ban is in force after the council voted 4-3 on June 17, 2026 to deny Ordinance MC-1661.
The code neither allows nor prohibits short stays; staff say a commercial use is generally prohibited in residential zones unless specifically permitted.
Accessory dwelling units, and homes on lots from urban lot splits or two-unit projects, cannot be rented for under 30 days.
The city's Transient Lodging Tax is 10% of the room rental, and the code enforcement maximum is $1,000 a day for an unlawful property nuisance.

Map of Airbnb listings in San Bernardino

Browse the live San Bernardino Airbnb market Search by revenue, occupancy and neighborhood on an interactive map See Every San Bernardino Listing

Revenue, occupancy and nightly rates are in the San Bernardino Airbnb market report .

At a glance

San Bernardino Airbnb Rules at a Glance

Permit: None
Taxes on a stay: 10%
Top fine for a property nuisance: Up to $1,000
Active Airbnb listings: 119
Latest rule change: Apr 15, 2026

The rules in brief

The rules a San Bernardino host meets first, each linked to the ordinance, statute or official page it comes from. Details and exceptions follow below.

San Bernardino Airbnb Rules at a Glance
Topic	Rule
Permit	No short-term rental permit exists⁵
Who can host	Urban lot split lots: no short-term rentals²
Where	The code neither allows nor bans short stays⁵
Minimum stay	Accessory dwelling units: 30-night minimum²
Listing display	Advertised price must include mandatory fees⁴
Platforms	Airbnb's tax list has no entry for the city¹⁵
Neighbors	Property nuisance: up to $1,000 a day⁹

Your home

Can You Host an Airbnb in San Bernardino? It Depends on the Home

Whether you can host in San Bernardino turns on whose home it is and whether you live there.

Your own home, rented whole or in part

Unsettled

No permit or ban applies, but the code does not expressly allow short stays and city staff treat commercial use of residential zones as generally prohibited unless specifically permitted, so hosting carries legal uncertainty until the council adopts rules. The 10% Transient Lodging Tax applies.^5,6

A second home or investment property you don't live in

Unsettled

There is no primary-residence requirement or night cap because the city has no short-term rental ordinance, but the same zoning uncertainty applies and a business registration certificate needs an approved Zoning Verification Review from Planning.^5,8

An accessory dwelling unit (granny flat)

Not allowed

An accessory dwelling unit or junior accessory dwelling unit cannot be rented for fewer than 30 days.²

A home on a lot from an urban lot split or a two-unit project

Not allowed

No dwelling on a lot created by an urban lot split or on a lot with a two-unit project may be rented for fewer than 30 days.²

A home outside city limits in unincorporated San Bernardino County

Allowed with conditions

County rules apply instead of the city's: a county short-term rental permit is required for private homes in the mountain and desert areas, and the county's lodging tax applies only in unincorporated areas.^1,10,11

Permit

Do You Need a Permit for Airbnb in San Bernardino?

No. No short-term rental permit exists. Anyone who conducts a business in the city needs a business registration certificate, and city staff say the 10% Transient Lodging Tax applies to short-term rentals.^2,5,8

Issued by: City of San Bernardino Finance Department, Business Registration Division (business registration certificate only; the city issues no short-term rental permit)
Valid for: Not applicable: the city issues no short-term rental permit, so there is nothing to renew.
Processing: A business registration certificate is mailed in approximately two to three weeks.
On listings: No number needed on listings
Platform checks: The city has no short-term rental registration number, so platforms have none to check.

Who qualifies

The business registration application must include an approved Zoning Verification Review from the Planning Division
Accessory dwelling units, and homes on lots from urban lot splits or two-unit projects, cannot be rented for under 30 days
No primary-residence, owner-occupancy or night-cap rule applies, because the city has no short-term rental ordinance

How to apply

Ask the Planning Division (909-998-2300) for a Zoning Verification Review for the home's address and use.
Complete the Business Registration Application online or at the Business Registration Division, and submit it with the approved Zoning Verification Review.
Pay the registration fee; the certificate is mailed in about two to three weeks.
Ask the Business Registration Division how to report and pay the 10% Transient Lodging Tax on guest stays.

Applications go through the official application page .

Permit rules

No short-term rental permit exists: San Bernardino has no ordinance that expressly regulates short-term rentals, so the city issues no short-term rental permit or registration number.⁵
Business registration certificate for any business: Anyone who conducts a business in the city must first obtain a city business registration certificate, with a separate certificate for each location.⁸
Airbnb's tax list has no entry for the city: Airbnb's California tax list covers unincorporated San Bernardino County but excludes the incorporated City of San Bernardino and has no city entry, so a host reports the city tax to the city.¹⁵
County permit covers unincorporated mountain and desert homes: San Bernardino County requires a short-term rental permit for private homes in the unincorporated mountain and desert areas; the county's permit search shows only unincorporated properties, not homes inside city limits.^10,11 Applies to: Unincorporated San Bernardino County
Advertised price must include mandatory fees: Since July 1, 2024, California's Honest Pricing Law (SB 478) bars a host or platform from advertising a short-term rental price that leaves out mandatory fees; government taxes and fees may be listed separately.⁴ In force since July 1, 2024
Airbnb asks hosts to check local rules: Airbnb's responsible hosting guidance tells hosts to look up the permitting, zoning, safety and health regulations that apply to their home.¹⁴

Who can host

Who Can Host an Airbnb in San Bernardino, and Where

California state law applies on top of San Bernardino's own rules: the California short-term rental regulations page covers the state license and what cities and counties can and can't regulate.

The code neither allows nor bans short stays: City staff report that the municipal code does not expressly prohibit or allow short-term rentals, and residential property owners who want to host tourists dispute what the code intends.⁵
Commercial uses need specific approval in residential zones: City staff state that a commercial use is generally prohibited in residential zones unless specifically permitted, and the code does not specifically address short-term rentals.⁵ Applies to: Residential zones
Unlisted uses need a similarity finding: When a use is not listed in the Development Code, it may be permitted only if the Director finds it similar to a listed use and meets the General Plan, the zone's purpose and health and safety findings.³
Urban lot split lots: no short-term rentals: No dwelling on a lot created by an urban lot split may be rented for fewer than 30 days.² Applies to: Lots created by an urban lot split
Two-unit projects: no short-term rentals: No dwelling on a lot with a two-unit project may be rented for fewer than 30 days.² Applies to: Lots with a two-unit project
Zoning Verification Review with the registration: A business registration application is submitted with an approved Zoning Verification Review from the Planning Division.⁸

Operating rules

Operating Rules for San Bernardino Short-Term Rentals

Council declined to ban short-term rentals on June 17, 2026: On June 17, 2026 the Mayor and City Council voted 4-3 to deny Ordinance MC-1661, which would have banned short-term and vacation rentals in all residential zones. No ban is in force.⁶ In force since June 17, 2026
Staff directed to bring back a regulatory ordinance: The council directed staff to return with an ordinance regulating short-term rentals, first for the first regular meeting in September 2026, and asked for fire hazard zone boundaries, enforcement staffing and complaint data. The agenda posted for the council's October 21, 2026 meeting lists no short-term rental item, and no regulatory ordinance has been adopted.^6,13 In force since June 17, 2026
Accessory dwelling units: 30-night minimum: An accessory dwelling unit or junior accessory dwelling unit cannot be rented for fewer than 30 days, including units created before the rule.² Applies to: Accessory dwelling units (ADU and JADU)
Transient Lodging Tax applies, city staff say: In April 2026 city staff stated that the existing Transient Lodging Tax language applies to short-term and vacation rentals and that the city would begin charging the tax, which is 10% of the room rental.⁵ Applies to: Stays of 30 consecutive calendar days or less · In force since April 15, 2026
Property nuisance: up to $1,000 a day: The Municipal Code penalizes an unlawful property nuisance with a criminal citation or administrative civil penalty of up to $1,000 for every day the violation exists; no fine written for short-term rentals is in force.⁹
The city monitors listings through Deckard Technologies: The city has engaged Deckard Technologies, whose Rentalscape platform identifies short-term rental listings by address, and had identified about 108 listed properties by April 2026.⁵ In force since April 15, 2026

Taxes

How Much Are Airbnb Taxes in San Bernardino?

10% of the room rental charge under the city's Transient Lodging Tax; no county lodging tax applies inside city limits.

Median nightly rate, booked nights: $200
Taxes on that night (10%): $20
Guest pays, before Airbnb and cleaning fees: $220

How Much Are Airbnb Taxes in San Bernardino?
Tax	Rate	Collected by
City of San Bernardino Transient Lodging Tax 10% of the room rental, the total charge for lodging space, on stays of 30 consecutive calendar days or less	10%^5,8,15	Host

Total on a stay 10% · All by the host

At San Bernardino's median booked rate of $200 a night, the taxes collected on a booking come to about $20 a night.

What the host still handles

A city business registration certificate from the Finance Department's Business Registration Division, which also collects the Transient Lodging Tax; the application needs an approved Zoning Verification Review from Planning
The 10% Transient Lodging Tax, reported and paid to the Business Registration Division, because Airbnb's California tax list has no entry for the city^1,5,8,15

Fines

What Are the Airbnb Fines in San Bernardino, and Do They Apply?

No fine written for short-term rentals is in force: the council voted 4-3 on June 17, 2026 to deny a ban, and the city counted five complaints about short-term rentals in four years. City staff say a commercial use in a residential zone is generally prohibited unless specifically permitted, so the city's general penalty below is the one on the books.^5,6,9

The Municipal Code penalizes an unlawful property nuisance with a criminal citation or administrative civil penalty of up to $1,000 for every day the violation exists. No fine written for short-term rentals is in force.⁹
The ban the council denied on June 17, 2026 (MC-1661) would have allowed a fine of $1,000 per day on owners who kept renting; it was not adopted.^6,12

Changes

What's Changed in San Bernardino's Airbnb Rules

No change was scheduled when the rules were checked on October 17, 2026; the most recent are listed first.

June 17, 2026 Lapsed
Council denies the ban and asks for regulations
On June 17, 2026 the council voted 4-3 to deny adoption of Ordinance MC-1661 and directed staff to return with an ordinance regulating short-term rentals, first for the first regular meeting in September 2026. The agenda posted for the council's October 21, 2026 meeting lists no short-term rental item.^6,13
April 15, 2026
City says its hotel tax applies to short-term rentals
City staff reported that the existing 10% Transient Lodging Tax language applies to short-term and vacation rentals and that the city would begin charging it; staff also reported about 108 listed properties identified through Deckard Technologies.⁵
April 15, 2026 Not in force
Council introduces a ban, 4-3
On April 15, 2026 the council voted 4-3 to introduce Ordinance MC-1661, banning short-term and vacation rentals in the city. Introduction was the first reading; the ordinance still needed adoption.⁷
December 9, 2025
Planning Commission rejects a ban
On December 9, 2025 the Planning Commission rejected a staff proposal to ban short-term rentals and again recommended a regulatory program.⁵
June 5, 2024
Council votes narrowly to ban, then asks for an enforcement plan
On June 5, 2024 the council, by a narrow majority, voted to ban short-term rentals and asked staff for an enforcement plan; no ban entered the code.⁵
December 12, 2023 Not in force
Planning Commission backs a short-term rental program
On December 12, 2023 the Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend a short-term rental program (Development Code Amendment 23-01) to the Mayor and City Council.⁵

Listing data

What San Bernardino's Listings Show

AirROI, a short-term-rental data firm, counted 119 active Airbnb listings in San Bernardino over the 12 months to October 2026. 4% of them displayed a permit, license or registration number.

Minimum stay set on San Bernardino listings

Share of active listings by the shortest stay they accept

46%

29%

10%

Minimum stay in numbers

Minimum stay set on San Bernardino listings
Shortest stay accepted	Share of listings
1 night	46%
2 nights	29%
3 nights	5%
4–6 nights	3%
7–29 nights	10%
30+ nights	6%

What officials report

108: Short-term rental properties identified by the city · as of April 15, 2026City staff reported that Deckard Technologies had identified approximately 108 properties in the city advertised through rental platforms.⁵
5: Complaints about short-term rentals over four years · as of April 15, 2026The city had received five complaints over the previous four years about short-term rental operations, mostly to the Police Department.⁵

Earnings

What Could a San Bernardino Short-Term Rental Earn?

The rules shape the numbers: taxes of 10% that hosts collect from guests. For a specific address, the Airbnb profit calculator estimates revenue, occupancy and nightly rate from comparable listings, so you can test the numbers before applying.

Estimate what a San Bernardino home could earn

FAQ

San Bernardino Airbnb Rules: Frequently Asked Questions

Is Airbnb legal in San Bernardino?

It is unsettled. The council voted 4-3 on June 17, 2026 to deny a citywide ban, so no ban is in force, but the code does not expressly allow short-term rentals and city staff say a commercial use is generally prohibited in residential zones unless specifically permitted.^5,6

Has San Bernardino banned short-term rentals?

No. The council introduced a ban (Ordinance MC-1661) on April 15, 2026 by a 4-3 vote, then voted 4-3 on June 17, 2026 to deny its adoption and asked staff to bring back an ordinance regulating short-term rentals. April 2026 news reports that a ban would begin May 15 described only the first reading; the ban was never adopted.^6,7,16

Do I need a permit for Airbnb in San Bernardino?

There is no short-term rental permit because the city has no ordinance that expressly regulates short-term rentals. Anyone conducting a business in the city still needs a city business registration certificate, which requires an approved Zoning Verification Review.^5,8

How much is a short-term rental license in San Bernardino?

No short-term rental license exists, so there is no license fee. A draft program the council did not adopt was costed at an estimated $500 to $675 a year without an inspection.⁵

Can I rent a home I don't live in on Airbnb in San Bernardino?

The city has no primary-residence or owner-occupancy rule, but the code does not expressly allow short stays and city staff say commercial use of residential zones is generally prohibited unless specifically permitted. Accessory dwelling units and homes from urban lot splits or two-unit projects cannot be rented for under 30 days.^2,5

Does Airbnb collect hotel tax in San Bernardino?

Airbnb's California tax list collects 7% in unincorporated San Bernardino County but excludes the City of San Bernardino and has no city entry, so a host reports the city tax to the city.¹⁵

What is the hotel tax in San Bernardino?

The city's Transient Lodging Tax is 10% of the room rental, and city staff said in April 2026 that it applies to short-term and vacation rentals. It covers stays of 30 consecutive calendar days or less.⁵

What is the fine for an illegal Airbnb in San Bernardino?

No fine is written for short-term rentals. The city's general maximum for an unlawful property nuisance is $1,000 for every day a violation exists; the ban the council denied would have allowed a $1,000 daily fine.^9,12

Can I rent an accessory dwelling unit on Airbnb in San Bernardino?

No. An accessory dwelling unit or junior accessory dwelling unit cannot be rented for a term shorter than 30 days, including units created before the rule.²

Is there a limit on how many nights I can host in San Bernardino?

The city sets no night cap, minimum stay or guest limit for houses, because it has no short-term rental ordinance. The 30-night minimum applies to accessory dwelling units and to lots from urban lot splits or two-unit projects.^2,5

Will San Bernardino adopt short-term rental rules?

On June 17, 2026 the council directed staff to return with an ordinance regulating short-term rentals, first for the first regular meeting in September 2026. The agenda posted for the council's October 21, 2026 meeting lists no short-term rental item.^6,13

What are the rules for a home just outside the city in San Bernardino County?

Unincorporated mountain and desert areas of the county require a county short-term rental permit, and the county's lodging tax applies only in unincorporated areas. Those rules do not apply to a home inside city limits.^1,10,11

How much does an Airbnb make in San Bernardino?

The average San Bernardino listing earned $26,000 in the 12 months to October 2026, according to AirROI, averaged across every active listing including those booked for only part of the year. The San Bernardino Airbnb market report breaks it down by month, property size and neighborhood.

Method

How These Rules Were Checked

Each rule on this page was checked in October 2026 against the official source cited beside it: the ordinance or statute, the permit office's own pages and the tax authority. Airbnb's help pages are cited on their own only for what Airbnb itself does, such as the taxes it collects and the permit checks it runs, and otherwise only beside an official source; news reports only for when a change was announced. Rules that could not be confirmed on an official page are left out.

Rules change with council votes, court rulings and new state laws, so the page is rechecked every three months and whenever a scheduled change takes effect. It summarizes the rules for information and is not legal advice; the local authority has the final word on any application.

Listing figures come from AirROI's tracking of 119 active San Bernardino Airbnb listings over the 12 months to October 2026.

Sources

Each rule above links to the source it comes from. Official ordinances, statutes and government pages come first, then Airbnb's own help pages.

1. California Revenue and Taxation Code section 7280 - Occupancy taxes · California Legislative Information
2. Development Code Chapter 19.04 Residential Zones (February 2025) · City of San Bernardino
3. Development Code Chapter 19.02 Basic Provisions (June 2024) · City of San Bernardino
4. SB 478 - Hidden Fees (Honest Pricing Law) · California Attorney General
5. Request for Council Action: Continuation of the Public Hearing of March 18, 2026 - Short Term Rentals (April 15, 2026 agenda packet) · City of San Bernardino Community Development & Housing
6. Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Mayor and City Council, June 17, 2026 · City of San Bernardino City Clerk
7. Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Mayor and City Council, April 15, 2026 · City of San Bernardino City Clerk
8. Business Registration · City of San Bernardino Finance Department
9. Code Enforcement Division · City of San Bernardino Community Development & Housing
10. Short-Term Rentals · San Bernardino County Code Enforcement
11. Permitted STR Properties · San Bernardino County Code Enforcement
12. Request for Council Action: Adoption of Ordinance No. MC-1661 Banning Short-Term Rentals (June 17, 2026 agenda packet) · City of San Bernardino Community Development & Housing
13. Agenda, Closed Session and Regular Meeting of the Mayor and City Council, October 21, 2026 · City of San Bernardino City Clerk
14. Responsible hosting in the United States · Airbnb Help Center
15. Occupancy tax collection and remittance by Airbnb in California · Airbnb Help Center
16. San Bernardino bans short-term rentals in city · San Bernardino Sun