Loma Linda Municipal Code Art. 5.26 Short-Term Rentals

A. Purpose. The purpose of this chapter is to establish requirements for short-term rentals in areas designated for residential use, including as part of a planned community development plan or specific plan, and to provide development standards to ensure the orderly processing of short-term rental permits in appropriate areas of the city.

B. Intent. A short-term rental that conforms to the standards of this chapter shall be deemed to be consistent with the general plan designation and zoning designation for the parcel on which the short-term rental is located.

C. This chapter is not intended to allow any residential property owner to violate any private conditions, covenants, and restrictions applicable to the owner's property that may prohibit the owner from using his or her property as a short-term rental, as defined in this chapter.

D. The city reserves the right to change the regulations provided in this chapter at any time, including discontinuing the issuance of short-term rental permits, notwithstanding any impact to existing or future short-term rental permit holders. Anyone accepting a short-term rental permit pursuant to this chapter acknowledges and accepts that possibility.

(Ord. 795, 8/11/2026)

The following definitions apply to enact the specific requirements of this chapter:

"Booking transaction"

means any reservation or payment service provided by a person who facilitates a short-term rental, home sharing, or similar transaction between a prospective guest and a host.

"Calls of service"

means any request for response made to or initiated by the San Bernardino County Sheriff's department or Loma Linda Fire department resulting in personnel being dispatched to the subject short-term rental property.

"Director"

means the community development director of the city of Loma Linda or a designee as assigned by the city manager.

"Dwelling unit"

means a structure or portion thereof which is used for human habitation, as more particularly described in Section 17.02 Introduction and Definitions. A dwelling unit for purposes of this chapter is a detached single-family dwelling unit, single family-attached (townhome) unit, or multifamily dwelling unit. For the purposes of this chapter, an accessory dwelling unit, junior accessory dwelling unit, mobile home unit, and recreational vehicle are not considered a dwelling unit.

"Enforcement officer"

means the director, building official, fire marshal, code enforcement officer, or another city employee designated by the city manager to enforce this chapter of the Loma Linda Municipal Code.

"Group"

means a single guest or any number of guests who are occupying a short-term rental on a single rental agreement.

"Guest"

means a person who rents or occupies the short-term rental.

"Host"

means the owner or manager of a dwelling who rents the dwelling on a short-term basis.

"Hosted stay"

means short-term rental activity whereby the host remains on the site of the host's primary residence throughout the duration of the guest's stay, except during daytime and/or workhours.

"Hosting platform"

means a marketplace in whatever form or format which facilitates the short-term rental activity, through advertising, match-making, or any other means, using a medium of facilitation, and from which the operator of the hosting platform derives revenues, including booking fees or advertising revenues, from providing or maintaining the marketplace.

"Short-term rental"

means a dwelling unit, or any portion thereof, that is rented by the host to a guest or group for a period of 30 consecutive calendar days or less, counting portions of calendar days as whole days, in exchange for any form of monetary or non-monetary consideration, including trade, fee, swap, or any other consideration in lieu of cash payment. Hosted stays, un-hosted stays, and vacation rentals are types of short-term rentals.

"Transient occupancy tax" or "TOT"

means the local tax imposed on occupancies of 30 consecutive calendar days or less under Chapter 3.12 of the Loma Linda Municipal Code.

"Un-hosted stay"

means a short-term rental activity whereby the host remains off the site of the dwelling unit for some or all of the duration of the guest's stay.

(Ord. 795, 8/11/2026)

A. No host, person, or entity, either for themselves, or any other person, shall cause, allow, conduct, permit, maintain, or facilitate a short-term rental at any dwelling unit within the city without first obtaining a short-term rental permit pursuant to this chapter and complying with all other applicable provisions of this chapter. A short-term rental permit shall only be issued to authorized hosted and un-hosted stays.

B. A host of the short-term rental shall apply with the city to obtain a permit and shall be responsible for complying with all requirements of this chapter. Application for a short-term rental permit shall be in a form prescribed by the director and include all the information determined by the director to be necessary to evaluate the eligibility of the host, consistent with this chapter.

C. An application for a short-term rental permit shall be accompanied by a non-refundable processing fee.

D. Hosts of an existing, unpermitted short-term rental shall submit a complete permit application for the short-term rental permit.

(Ord. 795, 8/11/2026)

To apply for a short-term rental permit, the applicant must file a complete application accompanied with a non-refundable processing fee in an amount established by a resolution of the city council. The application shall be in the form prescribed by the director and shall contain, at minimum, the following:

A. The legal name, current address, telephone number, and email address of the applicant, including contact information for 24-hour response.

B. The address of the short-term rental property, and if applicable, location telephone number.

C. A detailed floor plan of the dwelling unit identifying all sleeping areas, the proposed maximum occupancy, the approximate total square footage of the unit, and the designated guest parking location.

1. All sleeping areas shall have smoke alarms and each floor shall have a carbon monoxide (CO2) monitor. Identify the location of each on the floor plan.

D. Proof that the applicant is either the property owner or a tenant who has written permission from the property owner to operate a short-term rental.

E. Any other information required by regulations promulgated pursuant to this chapter or deemed necessary by the community development director.

(Ord. 795, 8/11/2026)

A. Upon receipt of a completed application, the director, or designee, shall review the application as submitted and render a decision in a timely manner. The applicant shall be notified of the decision in writing.

B. If the director determines that the application meets all of the application requirements and no grounds for denial exist, the permit shall be approved. The permit shall contain the name, address of the permittee, a description of the short-term rental to be offered, the date of issuance and term of the permit, and the signature of the director or assigned designee.

C. A short-term rental permit application may be denied for any of the following reasons:

1. Information contained in the application, or supplemental information is false or materially misleading;

2. The applicant failed to provide a complete application after having been notified of the requirement to produce additional information or documents;

3. The applicant is delinquent in payment of any city or county taxes, fines, or penalties in relation to short-term rentals, or has outstanding code violations at the subject property;

4. The applicant has previously held a short-term rental permit which was revoked by the city during the 12-month period prior to submittal of the application;

5. The applicant has failed to pay any previous administrative fines, remediate any other violations, and/or complete any other alternative disposition associated with a previous violation of this chapter;

6. The applicant has failed to demonstrate an ability to conform to the operating standards set forth in Section 5.26.100;

7. Occupancy for short-term rentals shall be limited to two persons per bedroom, plus an additional two persons. Children under the age of two would be exempt from this occupancy limit; or

8. Only one short-term rental unit per 300 feet lineal feet measured from the property line.

a. Notwithstanding any other provision of this code, a short-term rental that operated prior to the establishment of this code may obtain a valid short-term rental permit within 60 days of the initial notification to obtain a short-term rental permit from the city and shall be exempt from the above requirement.

b. The exemption provided in the above subsection shall continue for so long as the short-term rental maintains a valid permit and remains in compliance with all other applicable provisions of this code. If a short-term rental permit expires, is surrendered, is revoked, or otherwise lapses due to the failure of the permit holder to timely renew the permit, the property shall lose the exemption provided by this section. Any subsequent application for a short-term rental permit shall be subject to the distance and separation requirements, and all other regulations, in effect at the time of the subsequent application.

c. The exemption provided by this section shall run only with the short-term rental use and property that qualified for the exemption and shall not be construed to authorize a new short-term rental use at another location or the expansion of an existing use in a manner that would otherwise violate this code.

D. If the application is denied, the applicant shall receive written notice stating the reasons for denial.

(Ord. 795, 8/11/2026)

The director may revoke a short-term rental permit issued at any time if found in violation of this chapter or for any violation to Chapter 3.12 relating to Transient Occupancy Tax. A short-term rental host whose permit is revoked may apply for a new permit one year after the revocation of the permit.

The director may also revoke a short-term rental permit for the following reasons:

A. The property has received two or more calls for service from the Sheriff's department or fire department.

1. Calls of service shall include, but not limited to, incidents involving:

a. Excessive noise or public disturbances.

b. Disorderly conduct or illegal activity.

c. Fire alarms, false alarms, or unsafe conditions.

d. Medical emergencies resulting from unsafe conditions or overcrowding.

e. Parking violations or traffic safety complaints.

f. Code enforcement referrals or safety hazards verified by the responding agency.

2. The following shall not be counted as a call for service:

a. Medical emergencies unrelated to property misuse.

b. Natural disasters or unrelated third-party criminal activity.

B. The property is the subject of two or more code enforcement violations as outlined in Title 9 of the Loma Linda Municipal Code.

C. The property has any ongoing zoning or fire code violations.

(Ord. 795, 8/11/2026)

A. A short-term rental permit shall expire and become null and void on the one-year anniversary of its issuance and shall be renewed annually by application with the business license.

B. Any person may apply for a permit renewal on a form or process provided by the city no later than 30 days prior to the expiration of the permit.

C. There is no limitation on the number of renewals that may be granted by the director.

D. The applicant shall be required to pay the short-term rental permit fee for the permit renewal in the amount established by the city council resolution at the time of the renewal.

(Ord. 795, 8/11/2026)

Any person whose short-term rental permit or renewal is denied or revoked may appeal the decision in writing with the city clerk pursuant to the procedures established in Section 17.30.430 of the Loma Linda Municipal Code.

(Ord. 795, 8/11/2026)

A short-term rental permit granted pursuant to this chapter shall not be transferable to another person, another property, or to another property owner. Said permits shall not run with the land or property to which it applies.

(Ord. 795, 8/11/2026)

A. The dwelling unit must be located within the residential zones established by Chapter 17.32 Residential Zones or is a legally established single or multifamily residence in a specific plan or planned community.

B. Accessory dwelling units, junior accessory dwelling units, and dwellings with recorded affordability covenants may not be used as short-term rentals.

C. All advertising for the dwelling unit as a short-term rental that is displayed on a hosting platform or other media shall display the number of the current and valid permits as issued by the city.

D. The host shall comply with all requirements of and be subject to the transient occupancy tax (TOT) pursuant to Chapter 3.12 and the business license fees pursuant to Title 5 of this code for short-term rental use. The host shall have the duty and liability to ensure timely remittance of the TOT to the city in compliance with Chapter 3.12 of this code.

E. The short-term rental permit shall be conspicuously displayed within a prominent area of the dwelling unit available for occupancy.

F. The short-term rental shall comply with all applicable provisions of this code, state, and Federal law.

G. There shall be no exterior signs or advertising except as provided in Chapter 17.18 Signs for signage permitted for a dwelling use within the applicable zone.

H. Noise from short-term rental uses shall comply with Chapter 9.20 of this code. Pools and hot tubs shall have hours of operation clearly posted adjacent to the facility and shall comply with the exterior noise standards of Chapter 9.20.

I. Lighting on the premises shall be directed, controlled, screened, or shaded in such a manner as not to shine directly on surrounding properties.

J. Structures not intended for permanent habitable use, including but not limited to trailers, tents, tree houses, garages, sheds, or temporary structures such as recreational vehicles shall not be used for short-term rentals.

K. A host for a short-term rental must maintain for a period of three years a detailed and accurate record of their guest information pertaining to hosting dates, including financial documentation of the rent received, and make this information available to the city or sheriff's department upon request.

L. The host or authorized agent must be available to the city by telephone 24 hours per day, when the short-term rental is rented.

M. The permittee for a short-term rental shall to the fullest extent permitted by law, indemnify, defend, and hold the city, its elected officials, officers, contractors serving as city officers, agents, and employees ("indemnitees") free and harmless from: (i) any and all claims, liabilities, and losses whatsoever occurring or resulting to any and all persons, firms, entities, or corporations furnishing or supplying work, services, materials, or supplies in connection with, or related to, the performance of work or the exercise of rights authorized by the approval of permits for short-term rental; and (ii) any and all claims, lawsuits, liabilities, and/or actions arising out of, or related to the approval of permits for short-term rental and/or the granting or exercise of the rights authorized by said approval; and (iii) from any and all claims, liabilities, and losses occurring or resulting to any person, firm, entity, corporation, for property damage, personal injury, or death, arising out of or related to the approval of, or exercise of rights granted by this permit. Permittee's obligation to indemnify, defend, and hold the indemnitees free and harmless as required hereinabove shall include, but not limited to, paying all fees and costs incurred by legal counsel of the indemnitees' choice in representing the indemnitees in connection with any such claims, losses, lawsuits, or actions, and any award of damages, judgements, verdicts, court costs, or attorney fees in any such lawsuit or action.

N. Host for a short-term rental shall be responsible for informing their guests of the "House Rules." Such rules shall, at a minimum, include rules explained in this section:

1. A copy of the house rules and the short-term rental permit.

2. In order to comply with all provisions of state law and this code related to emergency vehicle access, no limousine or bus parking, and no stopping without the driver's presence, shall be allowed in any manner that would interfere with emergency vehicle access.

3. Guests of short-term rental units shall maintain the property free of debris both on-site and in the street. Trash receptacles shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary manner in conformance with this code. Trash receptacles shall not be placed on the street prior to 24 hours before the scheduled pick-up day and shall be promptly removed from the street following service.

4. Quiet times shall be from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.

5. The guests of the short-term rental shall not create unreasonable noise or disturbances, engage in disorderly conduct, or violate provisions of the Loma Linda Municipal Code or any state or county law pertaining to noise or disorderly conduct. Further, the host shall contact the sheriff's department in the event guests fail to comply with this chapter or this code.

6. No short-term rental unit may be used for any wedding, receptions, auctions, commercial functions, or any other similar events that are inconsistent with residential uses permitted by the Loma Linda Municipal Code.

7. Guests shall utilize designated on-site parking spaces provided by the short-term rental host. Hosts shall advise guests of any available street parking options or permit parking requirements.

a. The traffic advisory committee shall have the authority to limit short-term rental parking on streets with a substandard width.

b. If a short-term rental permit was submitted for a property on a substandard street, the short-term rental permit shall be brought forth to the committee for review.

8. Discharge of fireworks shall be prohibited at any time.

9. A copy of the property owner's, and authorized manager, if applicable, contact information shall be kept on site for guests in case of an emergency.

(Ord. 795, 8/11/2026)

A. Operating a short-term rental without a valid short-term rental permit, business license, and valid Transient Occupancy registration certificate is prohibited. Advertising shall be considered prima facie evidence of operation. Additional evidence of operation may include, but shall not be limited to, guest testimony, online reviews, rental agreements, receipts, or any other information deemed relevant by the city.

B. A violation of this chapter shall constitute a public nuisance, which may be abated by any means provided by law, including, but not limited to, injunctive relief and issuance of administrative fines pursuant to Chapter 9.24 and penalties pursuant to Chapter 1.12.

(Ord. 795, 8/11/2026)