San Bernardino · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in San Bernardino
San Bernardino sets its own rules on fence permits and on which businesses may not run from a home.
Key points
- Fence permits: Fences up to 6 feet high need no building permit, except concrete and masonry fences more than 3 feet above grade (city rule).
- Barred businesses: The city bars home businesses such as barber shops, animal grooming or breeding, vehicle repair, medical offices, and welding.
Each rule below is marked San Bernardino code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Fences and walls
| Permit |
|
|---|
Running a business from home
| Businesses not allowed |
|
|---|
Swimming pools
San Bernardino code No openings, holes or gaps larger than 4 inches square. Gaps between pickets or vertical members at most 4 inches wide and at least 36 inches tall.
All 9 San Bernardino rules on swimming pools, with the code text →
Pets, chickens and bees
San Bernardino code No more than 3 dogs 4 months or older. No more than 5 cats 4 months or older.
All 4 San Bernardino rules on pets, chickens and bees, with the code text →
Building in a flood zone
| Floodplain permit |
|
|---|
Building on a hillside
San Bernardino code A soils engineering report is required with a Conditional Use Permit application. Graded slopes may be no steeper than 50% (2:1).
All 5 San Bernardino rules on building on a hillside, with the code text →
Noise and construction hours
San Bernardino code 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Gas or electric leaf blowers may run only from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
All 4 San Bernardino rules on noise and construction hours, with the code text →
Garage and yard sales
San Bernardino code Daylight hours only. Up to 3 days in a row.
All 6 San Bernardino rules on garage and yard sales, with the code text →
Family child care homes
| Zoning | A small or large family child care home is a residential use and a use by right under all local ordinances, including zoning |
|---|---|
| Business license or fee | A city or county may not charge a business license, fee or tax to run a family child care home |
| Local rules | Local limits on height, setbacks, lot size, health and safety must be the same as for every other home in the same zone |
| Small home | Up to eight children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there |
| Large home | 7 to 14 children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there |
Parking spaces required for homes
San Bernardino code 1 uncovered guest space for every 5 units 1 uncovered guest space for every 5 units
All 12 San Bernardino rules on parking spaces required for homes, with the code text →
Home alarm permits and false alarms
| Alarm permit |
|
|---|---|
| When a permit can be revoked |
|
Trash and recycling carts
| Where carts are kept |
|
|---|
Other San Bernardino rules on this
San Bernardino's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Permit to remove several trees from a lot (Ch. 15.34)
- Grading permit and plan (§ 15.04.140)
- Development impact fees (Ch. 3.27)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
How tall can a fence be in San Bernardino?
Fences up to 6 feet high need no building permit, except concrete and masonry fences more than 3 feet above grade (city rule).
Can I run a business from my home in San Bernardino?
The city bars home businesses such as barber shops, animal grooming or breeding, vehicle repair, medical offices, and welding.
What are the rules for building in a San Bernardino flood zone?
San Bernardino's code: Any development in a flood hazard area needs a floodplain development permit. (§ 8.79.190).
Can I run a family child care home in San Bernardino?
California law sets this for every city, including San Bernardino: Zoning: A small or large family child care home is a residential use and a use by right under all local ordinances, including zoning (Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(a)); Business license or fee: A city or county may not charge a business license, fee or tax to run a family child care home (Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(b)); Local rules: Local limits on height, setbacks, lot size, health and safety must be the same as for every other home in the same zone (Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(e)); Small home: Up to eight children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there (Health & Safety Code § 1596.78(c)); Large home: 7 to 14 children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there (Health & Safety Code § 1596.78(b)).
Do I need a permit for a home alarm in San Bernardino?
San Bernardino's code: Yes; a registration fee and annual fees apply; the annual fee rate is set by resolution (§ 8.81.070); Yes; the permit fee is $5 (Telephonic device activated electronically to automatically dial a telephone within the city) (§ 8.78.030).
When can trash carts go out to the curb in San Bernardino?
San Bernardino's code: Out of sight of the public right-of-way (Except on days established for collection) (§ 8.24.060); Containers may be stored in alleys if they do not obstruct emergency, solid waste collection or other vehicles (§ 8.24.060).
General information, not legal advice.
Ask about a specific San Bernardino property
Ask GoCodebook how these rules apply to your address and get an answer that cites the section.
Ask your question