San Bernardino CountyShort-term rental rules

County territory / California

A new grant deed triggers a new permit application. The county allows continued operation when the buyer submits that application within 30 days.

Research reviewed Oct 31, 2026. Primary sources linked.

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Does the operating permit transfer?: New application
The current county guidance requires a new application for any ownership change resulting in a new grant deed, even a name change without a change in ownership responsibility. Continued operation is allowed if the application is submitted within 30 days of the effective ownership change.
Can the land-use approval continue?: Verify the property approval
The operating-permit rule does not establish whether this parcel’s zoning approval, variance or older-use protection continues. Obtain the actual approval and its conditions.
Can this buyer obtain approval?: The county accepts applications in the unincorporated Mountain and Desert regions. Eligible structures and occupancy must meet Chapter 84.28 and other building, fire and zoning requirements.
License or registration: County short-term residential rental permit for covered dwellings rented for 30 days or less, with inspection and operating standards.
Application availability: Applications accepted in covered regions
The county’s current page accepts applications in the Mountain and Desert regions. This does not establish an individual property’s eligibility or approval.
Timing to verify: Submit the new application within 30 days of the ownership change to use the county’s continuation provision.
Changes and uncertainty: Do not confuse the 30-day continuation provision with a permanent permit transfer. New ownership must be verified by a recorded deed before an application; confirm fees and outstanding violations with the county.

What this means for the appraisal

Obtain the buyer application requirements and confirm the earliest approved operating date before assuming continuity of rental income.
Verify the property’s land-use approval and continuation conditions. Research finding: Verify the property approval.
Check the proposed buyer against the recorded requirements: The county accepts applications in the unincorporated Mountain and Desert regions. Eligible structures and occupancy must meet Chapter 84.28 and other building, fire and zoning requirements.
In the assignment analysis, identify the evidence supporting the proposed rental use, any operating interruption and any unresolved assumptions.

Use these prompts to plan the property review. The appraiser must evaluate the evidence and reach the assignment-specific conclusions.

Record the property evidence in a worksheet

Request documents from the owner or agent

Copy this market-specific request, add the property address and edit it for the assignment.

Read or select the document request

Document request for San Bernardino County

Subject: STR property document request | San Bernardino County, CA

Please provide the following documents for the property under review. Identify any item that is unavailable or does not apply.

1. Property address, parcel ID and confirmation of the governing jurisdiction.
2. Current operating permit or registration, named holder, expiration date and renewal history, if applicable.
3. Written ownership-change instructions from the issuing office. Guide finding: The current county guidance requires a new application for any ownership change resulting in a new grant deed, even a name change without a change in ownership responsibility. Continued operation is allowed if the application is submitted within 30 days of the effective ownership change.
4. Zoning approval, conditional-use permit, variance or grandfathering record, including conditions and evidence of continued use. Guide finding: The operating-permit rule does not establish whether this parcel’s zoning approval, variance or older-use protection continues. Obtain the actual approval and its conditions.
5. Documents addressing the proposed buyer and property requirements: The county accepts applications in the unincorporated Mountain and Desert regions. Eligible structures and occupancy must meet Chapter 84.28 and other building, fire and zoning requirements.
6. Current confirmation of application availability, including any cap, waitlist, lottery or separation rule. Guide finding: The county’s current page accepts applications in the Mountain and Desert regions. This does not establish an individual property’s eligibility or approval.
7. Recorded covenants, HOA or condominium rental restrictions and applicable lease restrictions.
8. Rental operating statements and booking records, with the periods covered and any anticipated interruption at closing.
9. Confirmation of the applicable deadline and filing evidence: Submit the new application within 30 days of the ownership change to use the county’s continuation provision.

Market research reviewed: 2026-10-31. These requests need property-specific verification.
Official research sources:
County application and ownership-change guidance, §84.28.050: https://str.sbcounty.gov/getting-started/
County program scope and permitted structures: https://str.sbcounty.gov/about-str/
County owner acknowledgment, March 2026: https://str.sbcounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/58/STR-Owner-Acknowledgement-03_2026-.pdf

Subject: STR property document request | San Bernardino County, CA

Please provide the following documents for the property under review. Identify any item that is unavailable or does not apply.

1. Property address, parcel ID and confirmation of the governing jurisdiction.
2. Current operating permit or registration, named holder, expiration date and renewal history, if applicable.
3. Written ownership-change instructions from the issuing office. Guide finding: The current county guidance requires a new application for any ownership change resulting in a new grant deed, even a name change without a change in ownership responsibility. Continued operation is allowed if the application is submitted within 30 days of the effective ownership change.
4. Zoning approval, conditional-use permit, variance or grandfathering record, including conditions and evidence of continued use. Guide finding: The operating-permit rule does not establish whether this parcel’s zoning approval, variance or older-use protection continues. Obtain the actual approval and its conditions.
5. Documents addressing the proposed buyer and property requirements: The county accepts applications in the unincorporated Mountain and Desert regions. Eligible structures and occupancy must meet Chapter 84.28 and other building, fire and zoning requirements.
6. Current confirmation of application availability, including any cap, waitlist, lottery or separation rule. Guide finding: The county’s current page accepts applications in the Mountain and Desert regions. This does not establish an individual property’s eligibility or approval.
7. Recorded covenants, HOA or condominium rental restrictions and applicable lease restrictions.
8. Rental operating statements and booking records, with the periods covered and any anticipated interruption at closing.
9. Confirmation of the applicable deadline and filing evidence: Submit the new application within 30 days of the ownership change to use the county’s continuation provision.

Market research reviewed: 2026-10-31. These requests need property-specific verification.
Official research sources:
County application and ownership-change guidance, §84.28.050: https://str.sbcounty.gov/getting-started/
County program scope and permitted structures: https://str.sbcounty.gov/about-str/
County owner acknowledgment, March 2026: https://str.sbcounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/58/STR-Owner-Acknowledgement-03_2026-.pdf

Research and guide updates

Oct 31, 2026 Research record: Research recorded for this market. Primary sources linked. See the findings, open questions and official sources below.
Nov 1, 2026 Guide tools: Added assignment prompts, a document request and consistent research questions. This tool update does not change the market research date.

Changes and uncertainty to verify

Do not confuse the 30-day continuation provision with a permanent permit transfer. New ownership must be verified by a recorded deed before an application; confirm fees and outstanding violations with the county.

Sources and research limits

The sale summary cites official code, program guidance or a court record. Read its scope and any remaining questions; it is not a parcel determination.

Use this summary to identify the documents and questions for a property review. A seller's rental history alone does not establish a buyer's permission to operate.

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