"RENTAL DWELLING UNIT LICENSE" is required in SBC when renting your home long-term. But how many do?

Updated: Feb 5

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RENTAL DWELLING UNIT LICENSE PROGRAM RESOURCES & CONTACTS The following County Departments can provide additional information about the Rental Dwelling Unit License program:

Clerk of the Board of Supervisors Rental Dwelling Unit License Program, license applications and fee waiver (909) 387-3841 Environmental Health Services Health safety requirements and permits 1-800-442-2283

County Sheriff's Public Affairs Division Crime-Free Multi-Housing Program (909) 387-3700 Code Enforcement Report non-licensed rental dwellings (909) 884-4056 County Fire Fire safety requirements and permits (909) 386-8400 Building & Safety Building safety requirements and permits (909) 387-8311 COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO RENTAL DWELLING UNIT LICENSE The Rental Dwelling Unit License Program is coordinated by Clerk of the Board of Supervisors County of San Bernardino 385 N. Arrowhead Ave, 2nd Floor San Bernardino, CA 92415-0130 Phone (909) 387-3841 Visit us on the web at: www.sbcounty.gov/cob (since bringing attention to this link, they've removed the link) Clerk of the Board of Supervisors County of San Bernardino 385 North Arrowhead Ave., 2nd Floor San Bernardino, CA 92415-0130 909-387-3841

RENTAL DWELLING UNIT LICENSE On February 5, 2008, the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors adopted Ordinance 4044 which requires that a “Rental Dwelling Unit License” be obtained annually for all rental dwellings in the unincorporated areas of the County. This requirement applies to all single and multi-family dwellings, except for specific exclusions described in the Ordinance. Several key provisions of the Rental Dwelling Unit License program are summarized in this brochure. LICENSE REQUIREMENT Every owner of one or more rental properties in County unincorporated (non-city) areas is required to obtain a Rental Dwelling Unit License. This license applies to rentals lasting 30 or more consecutive days in any consecutive 12-month period and is in addition to any other State or County requirements, including health permits that may be required by the Environmental Health Division of the County Public Health Department. Rental properties requiring a license generally include single family homes, apartments, condominiums, and multi- family dwellings. The following types of properties, as defined within the Ordinance, are exempt from the licensing requirement: hotels/motels (NOTE: Operation of a hotel or motel in an unincorporated area requires a valid San Bernardino County Hotel/Motel Business License, which can be obtained from the Clerk of the Board); hospitals; community and medical care facilities; convents, monasteries; fraternity/sorority houses; housing owned, operated or managed by an educational institution for occupancy by students; housing owned, operated or managed by the federal, state or local government; mobile homes and recreational vehicles; dwellings that have a valid short-term private home rental permit; owner occupied single family dwellings; owner occupied or unoccupied single or multi-family dwellings if rented/leased entirely to members of the owner’s family. OBTAINING A LICENSE The owner of one or more rental dwellings in the County unincorporated area must complete and submit a Rental Dwelling Unit License application along with the license fee, as set forth in the San Bernardino County code schedule of fees, to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors office at 385 North Arrowhead Avenue, 2nd Floor, San Bernardino, CA 92415- 0130. Only one application, and one fee, is required per owner, provided the application lists all properties to be licensed. The application form can be obtained by visiting the Clerk of the Board office or the Clerk’s website at www.sbcounty.gov/cob. The license is issued by the Clerk of the Board for a period of one year. LICENSE FEE WAIVER Owners who participate in the International Crime Free Multi-Housing Program, which is offered by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Public Affairs Division and other law enforcement agencies, may apply for a waiver of the license fee. To qualify for a fee waiver, the applicant must submit the following documents with the license application: 1) a valid certificate of completion of the training course, issued in the name of the owner or the owner’s authorized representative; 2) a valid final certification for each property listed on the application. Additional information about the International Crime Free Multi-Housing Program can be obtained from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Public Affairs Division. VIOLATION & PENALTIES Rental dwelling units operating in a manner contrary to the requirements set forth in Ordinance No. 4044 shall be declared unlawful and a public nuisance. The County may commence actions for the abatement, removal and/or enjoinment of the property, as well as other legal or criminal proceedings. In addition, violation of the provisions of the Ordinance will be considered an infraction or misdemeanor as described in the County Code. ORDINANCE NO. 4044 AN ORDINANCE OF THE COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, ADDING CHAPTER 25 TO DIVISION 1 OF TITLE 4, ADDING SUBSECTION 16.026(q) TO CHAPTER 2 OF DIVISION 6 OF TITLE 1, AND ADDING CHAPTER 26 TO DIVISION 1 OF TITLE 4, ALL OF THE SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY CODE, RELATING TO THE LICENSING OF RENTAL DWELLING UNITS. The Board of Supervisors of the County of San Bernardino, State of California, ordains as follows: SECTION 1. Chapter 25 is added to Division 1 of Title 4 of the San Bernardino County Code, to read: Title 4 BUSINESS AND SPECIAL LICENSES, REGULATIONS BUSINESS LICENSES AND REGULATIONS Rental Dwelling Units. 41.2501 Findings and Declarations. 41.2502 Definitions and Scope. 41.2503 License Required. 41.2504 Duration of License. 41.2505 License Non-Transferable. 41.2506 Application for License, Standards of Operation, License Application

Fee and Renewal of License. 41.2507 Issuance or Renewal of License. 41.2508 License Denial. 41.2509 Revocation of License. 41.2510 License Revoked. 41.2511 Appeal Rights. 41.2512 Violations. 41.2513 Abatement. 41.2514 Severability.

41.2501 Findings and Declarations. The Board of Supervisors finds and declares as follows: (a) It is found and declared that there exist in the County of San Bernardino, substandard and unsanitary residential buildings and dwelling units, the physical conditions and characteristics of which render them unfit or unsafe for human occupancy and habitation, and which conditions and characteristics are such as to be detrimental to or jeopardize the health, safety and welfare of their occupants and of the public. (b) It is further found and declared that the existence of such substandard buildings and dwelling units threatens the physical, social and economic stability of sound residential buildings and areas, and of their supporting neighborhood facilities and institutions; necessitates disproportionate expenditures of public funds for law enforcement and remedial action; impairs the efficient and economical exercise of governmental powers and functions; and destroys the amenity of residential areas and neighborhoods and of the community as a whole. (c) Finally, it is found and declared that the business of renting or leasing “Rental Dwelling Units”, as defined herein, has resulted in instances of absentee landlords and/or off-site managers, which, in turn, has increased the likelihood of instances of substandard buildings and dwelling units, health violations and crime, all of which are a public nuisance. (d) For these reasons it is hereby declared to be the policy of the County of San Bernardino: (1) That it is in the public interest of the people of the County of San Bernardino to protect and promote the existence of sound and wholesome residential buildings, dwelling units and neighborhoods by the adoption and enforcement of such standards, regulations and procedures as will remedy the existence or prevent the development or creation of dangerous, substandard, or unsanitary and deficient residential buildings and dwelling units; and, (2) That the adoption of this Ordinance related to the licensing of Rental Dwelling Units is in the interest of the health, safety and welfare of the people of the County of San Bernardino. 41.2502 Definitions and Scope. (a) Definitions. For purposes of this Chapter, the following terms, phrases, words and their derivations shall have the meanings set forth herein. Words used in the present tense include the future tense, plural words include the singular and singular words include the plural. Words not specifically defined shall be given their common and ordinary meaning. The word "shall" is mandatory and not merely directory. (1) “Applicant” means the owner, or the Owner’s Authorized Representative, applying for a License pursuant to this Chapter. (2) “Board of Supervisors” means the Board of Supervisors for the County of San Bernardino. (3) "Clerk of the Board" means the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors. (4) “County” means the County of San Bernardino.

(5) “County Code” or “Code” means the San Bernardino County Code.

(6) “Family” means a person or persons living together as a single

housekeeping unit in a Rental Dwelling Unit. (7) “Licensee” means the person issued a Rental Dwelling Unit License pursuant to this Chapter. (8) “Owner’s Authorized Representative” or “Authorized Representative of the owner” means any person authorized by a writing signed by the owner to act on the owner’s behalf in regards to an owner’s Rental Dwelling Unit(s). (9) “Person” means any individual, firm, co-partnership, corporation, company, association, organization, joint stock association or body politic; and includes any trustee, receiver, assignee or other similar representative thereof. (10) “Rental Dwelling Unit” means any structure or part of a structure, including but not limited to, a home, apartment, condominium, and units of multiplexes and apartment buildings, which is used as a home, residence or sleeping place by one or more persons and that is rented or leased, in whole or in part, for thirty (30) consecutive days or greater in any consecutive twelve (12) month period. (11) “Rental Dwelling Unit License or License” means the License issued pursuant to this Chapter. (12) “Subject Property” means the underlying real property where the Rental Dwelling Unit is located. (b) Scope. The provisions of this Chapter shall not apply to: (1) Housing accommodations subject to a license under section 41.211 et seq. of the County Code. This exception does not apply to residential hotels as defined in California Health and Safety Code Section 50519(b)(1). (2) Housing accommodations in any hospital; state licensed community care facility; convent, monastery, or other facility occupied exclusively by members of a religious order; extended medical care facility; asylum; on-campus fraternity or sorority houses; or on-campus housing accommodations owned, operated or managed by an institution of higher education, a high school, or an elementary school for occupancy by its students. (3) Housing accommodations which a federal, state or local government unit, agency or authority owns, operates, or manages, or which are specifically exempted from municipal regulation by state or federal law or administrative regulation. This exception shall not apply once the governmental ownership, operation, or management regulation is discontinued. (4) Mobilehomes, mobilehome parks, recreational vehicles as defined in Health and Safety Code Section 18010, or recreational vehicle parks. (5) Rental Dwelling Units that have a valid short-term private home rental permit pursuant to Chapter 84.28 of Title 8 of the County Code. (6) Owner occupied single family dwelling. (7) Owner occupied/unoccupied single or multi-family dwelling if rented/leased entirely to member(s) of the owner’s family. 41.2503 License Required. On and after July 1, 2008, every person who owns a Rental Dwelling Unit, as defined in this Chapter, shall procure and maintain a License from the County, which License shall authorize the person to operate the Rental Dwelling Unit(s) at the subject property/properties described in the License. Only one License is required for a person that owns one or more Rental Dwelling Units in the unincorporated region of the County.

41.2504 Duration of License. A Rental Dwelling Unit License issued or renewed under this Chapter shall terminate at the expiration of one (1) year from the date of its issuance unless revoked prior to said termination pursuant to section 41.2509.

41.2505 License Non-Transferable. All Rental Dwelling Unit Licenses issued under this Chapter are non-transferable both as to the location(s) and as to the person holding the License. When the owner of the Rental Dwelling Unit procures such a License, any other person who conducts, manages or carries on such business as an Authorized Representative of the Owner, is not required to obtain an additional License, however, the Authorized Representative must verify that a valid License has been issued and is in effect at all times while operating the Rental Dwelling Unit.

41.2506 Application for License, Standards of Operation, License Application Fee and Renewal of License. (a) Application for License. The Applicant for an initial, or subsequent renewal of, a License to engage in the business of renting or leasing a Rental Dwelling Unit(s), as defined in this Chapter, shall provide to the Clerk of the Board, on a form prepared by the Clerk of the Board, the following information: (1) The name, address, and telephone number of the owner of the Rental Dwelling Unit. (2) The name, address, and telephone number of the Applicant, if the Applicant is an Authorized Representative of the owner and a copy of the owner’s written and signed authorization. (3) A telephone number to contact the owner and/or the Authorized Representative, as provided in the Standards of Operation, as described in subsection (b), herein. A confidential/non-business twenty-four (24) hour contact telephone number, designated by the owner and/or the Authorized Representative as confidential, shall be treated as confidential by the County and shall only be available to authorized representatives of the County. (4) The location and address of the Subject Property/Properties and Rental Dwelling Unit(s). (5) A description of the size and character of the Rental Dwelling Unit(s), including, but not limited to, the type (home, apartment, condominium), the number of units, total square feet, and the number of bedrooms/bathrooms of the Rental Dwelling Unit(s). (6) A Certification signed by the owner/Authorized Representative under penalty of perjury that to the best of their knowledge and belief on the date of application, each Rental Dwelling Unit identified in the application complies with the Standards of Operation, as described in subsection (b), herein. (7) Any other information deemed necessary by the Clerk of the Board in carrying out the provisions of this Chapter. (b) Standards of Operation. As a condition to the issuance or renewal of a Rental Dwelling Unit License under this Chapter, the owner, and the Owner’s Authorized Representative (if any), shall be responsible for complying with the following standards: (1) Each Rental Dwelling Unit, and the Subject Property/Properties upon which each Rental Dwelling Unit is located, shall be in compliance with all applicable laws including, but not limited to, those laws enforced by the County Fire Department, County Land Use Services Department (Divisions of Building and Safety and Code Enforcement) and County Department of Public Health, Division of Environmental Health Services. (2) Each Rental Dwelling Unit, and the Subject Property/Properties upon which each Rental Dwelling Unit is located, shall be in compliance with all applicable provisions of the County Code. (3) Each Rental Dwelling Unit, and the Subject Property/Properties upon which each Rental Dwelling Unit is located, shall not be operated, conducted or maintained so as to constitute a public nuisance. (4) The Rental Dwelling Unit(s) and the Subject Property/Properties may be inspected by the County. (5) The owner or any Authorized Representative(s) of the owner shall be available in person, by telephone, by telephone answering machine, or by other electronic messaging device to authorized representatives of the County on a twenty- four (24) hour, seven (7) days a week, basis to receive calls regarding the condition and/or operation of the Rental Dwelling Unit(s) and Subject Property/Properties. Failure to respond to calls in a timely and appropriate manner may result in revocation of the License. For purposes of this subsection, responding in a timely and appropriate manner shall mean that: (A) A response to an initial call shall be made in a prompt and timely manner for the purpose of acknowledging the call and communicating a preliminary plan for any necessary corrective action, and, (B) Within thirty (30) calendar days of the initial call, any necessary corrective action to address any violation of this Chapter shall be completed, unless: (i) Failure to complete the necessary corrective action may jeopardize the health and safety of the occupants, in which case the corrective action shall be completed as quickly as reasonably possible; and/or, (ii) The Director of Land Use Services or the Division Chief of Environmental Health Services determines that additional time to complete the corrective action was reasonable, based on licensee’s demonstration that the delay was not caused by the licensee, and the delay was caused by extraordinary circumstances that justify an extension of time to complete the corrective action. (6) A smoke detector(s) shall be installed, in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, in each Rental Dwelling Unit, as provided by State law and regulations. (c) License Application Fee. The application/license fee set forth in the San Bernardino County Code Schedule of Fees shall accompany all written applications for a Rental Dwelling Unit License, including applications to renew a Rental Dwelling Unit License, issued under this Chapter. (d) Renewal of License. Prior to the expiration of the License, an Applicant shall renew a Rental Dwelling Unit License following the same procedures stated in this section. To ensure County review of an application for renewal prior to expiration of a License, an application to renew must be provided to the Clerk of the Board at least thirty (30) days prior to the expiration of the License. However, no application for renewal of the Rental Dwelling Unit License shall be accepted earlier than ninety (90) days prior to the expiration of the License.

41.2507 Issuance or Renewal of License. (a) The Clerk of the Board shall not issue or renew a Rental Dwelling Unit License unless and until the Clerk of the Board has received a correct and complete application and the appropriate License fee. (b) No License shall be issued or renewed if the County determines that the Rental Dwelling Unit(s) and/or Subject Property/Properties upon which the Rental Dwelling Unit(s) is/are located is/are not in compliance with any provision of this Chapter. (c) In the event that the application to issue or renew a Rental Dwelling Unit License is denied by the County, the Clerk of the Board shall cause a “Notice of Denial” to be mailed by registered mail, postage prepaid, to the Applicant at the Applicant’s mailing address shown on the most recent application or otherwise filed by the Applicant with the Clerk of the Board. Service may also be made by personal service on the Applicant or by leaving the notice at the Applicant’s residence in the custody of a person over the age of eighteen (18) years of age or older.

41.2508 License Denial. Any person denied a License pursuant to this Chapter shall not operate a Rental Dwelling Unit within the unincorporated region of the County. An Applicant may appeal the denial to the Board of Supervisors as provided in section 41.2511.

41.2509 Revocation of License. (a) A Rental Dwelling Unit License issued under this Chapter shall be revoked by the Clerk of the Board upon one (1) or more of the following grounds: (1) That the Licensee practiced fraud or deceit in obtaining a License under this Chapter. (2) That the Licensee violated any provision of this Chapter. (3) That the Rental Dwelling Unit(s) and/or Subject Property/Properties

upon which the Rental Dwelling Unit(s) is/are located is/are not in compliance with any provision of this Chapter. (4) That the Rental Dwelling Unit License was issued in error. (b) In the event that a Rental Dwelling Unit License is revoked, the Clerk of the Board shall cause a “Notice of Revocation” to be mailed by registered mail, postage prepaid, to the Licensee at the Licensee’s mailing address shown on the most recent application or otherwise filed by the Licensee with the Clerk of the Board. Service may also be made by personal service on the Licensee or by leaving the notice at the Licensee’s residence in the custody of a person over the age of eighteen (18) years of age or older.

41.2510 License Revoked. Any person whose License is revoked pursuant to this Chapter shall not operate a Rental Dwelling Unit within the unincorporated region of the County. A Licensee may appeal the revocation to the Board of Supervisors as provided in section 41.2511. A License shall remain revoked unless and until the Board of Supervisors reinstates the License through the appeal process, or the person applies for and is issued a new License.

41.2511 AppealRights. Any person denied a License under this Chapter, or any person whose License has been revoked under this Chapter, may appeal the Clerk of the Board's determination to the Board of Supervisors. Any such appeal must be in writing and must be filed with the Clerk of the Board not more than fifteen (15) days following the Clerk of the Board's deposit into the mails of the Notice of Denial or Revocation pursuant to sections 41.2507(c) or 41.2509(b). The Board of Supervisors may hear appeals directly or in its sole discretion, may appoint a hearing officer to hear any appeal and make a recommendation to the Board of Supervisors pursuant to section 12.270, et seq., of the County Code. All decisions of the Board of Supervisors shall be final as to any appeal presented to them.

41.2512 Violations. Any person violating any of the provisions of this Chapter shall be guilty of an infraction or misdemeanor, and, upon conviction thereof, the penalty shall be as described in section 11.021 of the County Code. In addition, all other sections of Chapter 2 of Division 1 of Title 1 shall apply to this Chapter. 41.2513 Abatement. Any Rental Dwelling Unit and/or Subject Property operated, conducted or maintained contrary to the provisions of this Chapter shall be, and the same is hereby declared to be, unlawful and a public nuisance, and the County may, in addition to, or in lieu of any other legal or criminal proceedings, commence an action or actions, proceeding or proceedings, for the abatement, removal and/or enjoinment thereof, in the manner provided by law; and shall take such other steps, and shall apply to such court or courts as may have jurisdiction to grant such relief as will abate or remove the nuisance and restrain and enjoin any person from operating, conducting or maintaining a Rental Dwelling Unit and/or Subject Property contrary to the provisions of this Chapter. 41.2514 Severability. The provisions of this Chapter are severable, and, if any sentence, section, or other part of this Chapter should be found to be invalid, such invalidity shall not affect the remaining provisions, and the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect. SECTION 2. Subsection 16.026(q) is added to Chapter 2 of Division 6 of Title 1 of the San Bernardino County Code, to read: 16.026 Clerk of the Board. (q) Rental Dwelling Unit License.

(1) Application/Initial License............................................. $50.00
(2) Annual Renewal........................................................... $50.00

SECTION 3. Chapter 26 is added to Division 1 of Title 4 of the San Bernardino County Code, to read: DIVISION 1. Chapter 26: Sections: 41.2601 41.2602 41.2603 41.2604 Title 4 BUSINESS AND SPECIAL LICENSES, REGULATIONS BUSINESS LICENSES AND REGULATIONS Rental Dwelling Units-License Application Fee Waiver Findings and Declarations. Definitions and Scope. Rental Dwelling Unit License Application Fee Waiver. Severability. 41.2601 Findings and Declarations. (a) The Board of Supervisors finds and declares as follows: (1) That participation by owners of Rental Dwelling Units and participation by their on-site or off-site managers in the Crime Free Multi-Housing 11

Program, as sponsored by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, substantially reduces the risk of substandard and unsanitary conditions that render residential buildings and dwelling units unfit or unsafe for human occupancy and habitation, and jeopardize the health, safety and welfare of their occupants and of the public. (2) That the training provided to owners and managers through the Crime Free Multi-Housing Program covers the eviction process, the Crime Free Lease Addendum (whereby criminal activity committed by renters; other members of their household; and their guests on the rented premises constitute a material breach of the rental agreement and, therefore, an independent basis for eviction), fair tenant screening procedures, the legal rights and responsibilities of tenants and landlords, improving working relationship with law enforcement, and reducing the property’s suitability for criminal conduct by identifying the physical or environmental features that invite criminal activity (e.g., inadequate lighting, lack of fencing, fencing that reduces or impairs visibility; overabundance of vegetation that creates hiding spaces or concealed routes of access to or escape from the property). (3) That participation by owners of Rental Dwelling Units and participation by their on-site or off-site managers in a Crime Free Multi-Housing Program substantially reduces the likelihood of such properties becoming blighted or promoting an environment conducive to criminal and nuisance activity, and actually reduces the occurrence of crime and calls for service. As a result, there is an improvement in the quality of life for the tenants of such properties, their neighborhoods, and the community as a whole. (b) For these reasons it is hereby declared to be the policy of the County of San Bernardino: (1) That it is in the public interest of the people of the County of San Bernardino to encourage owners of Rental Dwelling Units, as well as their managers, to participate and continue to participate in the Crime Free Multi-Housing Program, as sponsored by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department; and (2) That it is appropriate to encourage participation in the Crime-Free Multi-Housing Program by waiving the application fee for the Rental Dwelling License required of owners of Rental Dwelling Units under Chapter 25 of this Division, in that the waiver of the fee serves the public purposes described herein. 41.2602 Definitions and Scope. (a) Definitions. For purposes of this Chapter, the definitions set forth in Chapter 25 of this Division shall apply. Further, the following terms, phrases, words and their derivations shall have the meanings set forth herein. Words used in the present tense include the future tense, plural words include the singular and singular words include the plural. Words not specifically defined shall be given their common and ordinary meaning. The word "shall" is mandatory and not merely directory. (1) “Rental Dwelling Unit License Application Fee” shall mean the application fee set forth in the San Bernardino County Code Schedule of Fees for Rental Dwelling Unit Licenses required under Chapter 25 of this Division, including single-family residences. (b) Scope. The provisions of this Chapter shall only apply to Rental Dwelling Units, as provided in Chapter 25 of this Division. 41.2603 Rental Dwelling Unit License Application Fee Waiver. (a) The Rental Dwelling Unit License Application Fee required by Chapter 25 of this Division, including that required for single-family residences, shall be waived for those applicants who include with their application: (1) a valid certificate issued by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department’s Public Affairs Division (or other law enforcement agency participating in the International Crime Free Multi-Housing Program) to the applicant or the manager of the Rental Dwelling Unit(s) showing completion of the eight hour training course; and, (2) a valid, final certification (which must be updated yearly by the applicant) issued by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department’s Public Affairs Division showing that all of applicant’s real property/properties where the Rental Dwelling Units are located has/have completed all phases of the Crime Free Multi- Housing Program. (b) The application fee waiver available under this section shall apply to both initial and renewal applications. (c) The application fee waiver available under this section shall only apply to the Rental Dwelling Unit License Application Fee and does not apply to any special inspection or health permit fees. (d) The failure of the applicant to maintain a current, valid, final certificate for the property/properties where the Rental Dwelling Unit(s) is/are located shall render the waiver of the Rental Dwelling Unit Application Fee null and void; and such fee shall become immediately due and payable. 41.2604 Severability. The provisions of this Chapter are severable, and, if any sentence, section, or other part of this Chapter should be found to be invalid, such invalidity shall not affect the remaining provisions, and the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect. SECTION 4. This ordinance shall take effect thirty (30) days from the date of adoption. PAUL BIANE, Chairman Board of Supervisors Read this online by clicking here. _______

In 2008, San Bernardino County passed a law to begin counting the number of full-time residents. As of today, they report 534 full-time rentals. In Bear Valley, they only report a total of 25. Obviously, someone is not doing their job. The City Manager of Big Bear Lake reports that the City of Big Bear Lake does not track long-term rentals. So ask yourself, how can a County or City determine the adequate balance of full-time residents (rentals vs. owners) compared to the number of allowable vacation rentals? Below you will read the entire conversation I had with SBC in my efforts to obtain this information. 534 Total / 25 Recorded in Bear Valley

Request 22-3475

Closed

October 13, 2022 via web Requester

Theodore Trentman

theodoretrentman@gmail.com

1040 Hugo Lane, Big Bear City, CA, 92314

213-948-3165

Home OwnerStaff Assigned

Departments

Planning/Building & Safety/Code Enforcement

Point of contact

Alissa Guzman

Request

Hi:

It has been brought to my attention that San Bernardino County requires homes that choose to rent out their properties long-term (30 days or longer) are required to obtain a Rental Dwelling Unit License. As of October 2022, I am told this annual license costs $81 per year. Only those renting out their homes for 30 days or longer are required to obtain this license. I'm also told that no home inspection is required HOWEVER if there code violations currently exist of the structure, the permit will not be issued until the code violations are cleared up. I was also told that vehicles like RVs are not allowed to have these types of rental permits.

Since licenses have been issued since 2008, I'd like to know exactly "how many" rental applications are active starting in the year 2008 - 2022. In the reporting of this information, I'd like a report based on number issued and geographical areas where those licenses have been issued. For example, how many of those licenses exist in Big Bear City in the years 2008-2022. When I asked the phone operator how SB County monitored full-time rentals were actually licensed, it was explained to me that only when complaints come in to SBC does the County look into whether or not a rental has been issued a license.

That being said, I'd like an accounting of how many homes currently have these active licenses in the various areas of SB County while also including previous year data tracing back to 2008. If there is any other data collected about these rentals, I'd also like SBC to provide any additional data collected.

Regards,

Theodore Trentman

Home Owner in Big Bear City

October 27, 2022, 1:56pm by the requester

Public

Request Closed

This request has been fulfilled. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Public

Document(s) Released to Requester

22-3475

.xlsx

Download XLSX • 17KB

Dear Requester,

See responses below and attachment:

RV’s do not qualify for Rental Dwelling Unit Permits as they do not qualify as legal dwellings. Rental of an RV may be possible with a Conditional Use Permit, issued by Planning.

The information provided covers the time period that Code Enforcement has processed these applications. Code Enforcement started processing Rental Dwelling Unit applications in July 2020. As of that date, there are currently 534 active issued Rental Dwelling Unit licenses.

Prior to 2019, Rental Dwelling Unit permits were under the authority of the Clerk of the Board. There are currently 534 active licenses in SB County as shown on the attached report.

Thank you

October 27, 2022, 12:50pm by Elizabeth Perez, Secretary I (Staff)

Requester + Staff

External Message

I'm really confused as to why it would take so long to count the number of rental permits you have. Why would this take so long? This suggests to me that SBC doesn't manage this program you started in 2008. You should be able to log into a computer and see the number.

October 27, 2022, 8:03am by the requester

Requester + Staff

External Message

The San Bernardino County Land Use Services Department (“Department”) is in receipt of your Public Records Act request.

Pursuant to Government Code section 6253(c), we are requesting an extension of fourteen (14) days to review your request.

We will contact you again on or before 11/07/22 and provide you with an updated status.

October 24, 2022, 10:52am by Lupe Biggs, Administrative Assistant (Staff)

Requester + Staff

External Message

Please limit your search to Bear Valley including Big Bear Lake, Big Bear City, Fawnskin, Holcomb Valley, Sugarloaf, Erwin Lake, Baldwin Lake, Bluff Lake and Lake Williams.

Thank you,

Theodore Trentman

October 13, 2022, 2:33pm by the requester

Requester + Staff

External Message

Hello- We ask that you please narrow down your request to a specific city or area/community.

Thank you.

October 13, 2022, 2:30pm by Lupe Biggs, Administrative Assistant (Staff)

Requester + Staff

External Message

Dear Requester:

San Bernardino County is in receipt of your Public Records Act request. Pursuant to Government Code section 6253, the County anticipates providing you an initial response to your request within 10 days.

Should you have any questions, or if you would like to provide further information or clarification regarding your request, please reply to this email.

October 13, 2022, 12:36pm

Public

Department Assignment

Planning/Building & Safety/Code Enforcement

Public

Request Opened

Request received via web

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"RENTAL DWELLING UNIT LICENSE" is required in SBC when renting your home long-term. But how many do?

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