Group homes and residential care in San Bernardino County

Each rule below links to the section of the San Bernardino County Municipal Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What San Bernardino County's code says

San Bernardino County code What San Bernardino County's code adds
Parking	At least one on-site parking space is required for each bedroom. Applies: Applies to unlicensed residential care facilities serving 6 or fewer persons. § 84.32.030 · code text Parking shall be provided on-site to meet the occupancy of each facility at a ratio of not less than one parking space for each bedroom in compliance with § 83.11.040 (Number of Parking Spaces Required).
Homes for 7 or more	A Conditional Use Permit is required. Applies: Applies to an existing unlicensed residential care facility serving 7 or more persons in an RM (Multiple Residential) district. § 85.20.020 · code text If the facility is not a small unlicensed residential care facility but is serving seven or more persons in a RM (Multiple Residential) Land Use Zoning District, the operator must seek and obtain an approved Conditional Use Permit. A certificate of occupancy is required before occupancy. Applies: Applies to licensed residential care facilities serving 7 or more persons. § 84.23.030 · code text A certificate of occupancy shall be obtained from the Building and Safety Division before occupancy of licensed residential care facilities.
Homes for 6 or fewer	Unlicensed facilities need an unlicensed residential care facilities permit when the zoning district allows them. Applies: Applies to a small unlicensed residential care facility serving 6 or fewer persons. § 85.20.020 · code text The establishment of a small unlicensed residential care facility serving six or fewer persons that is allowed by a Land Use Zoning District subject to a residential care facilities permit Facilities must conform to the property development standards of the zoning district. Applies: Applies to licensed residential care facilities serving 6 or fewer persons. § 84.23.030 · code text Each licensed residential care facility shall conform to the property development standards for the land use zoning district in which it is located.
Distance between homes	No more than 2 facilities per block; the County will not require more than 300 feet from an existing one. Applies: Applies to unlicensed residential care facilities in the Single Residential (RS) zone; more may be sited through reasonable accommodation. § 84.32.030 · code text No more than two unlicensed residential care facilities shall be located on the same block within a Single Residential (RS) Land Use Zoning District. Spacing is as provided by State law. Applies: Applies to licensed residential care facilities serving 7 or more persons. § 84.23.030 · code text The separation of licensed residential care facilities shall be as provided by State law.

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Frequently asked questions

Where are group homes and residential care homes allowed in San Bernardino County?

San Bernardino County's code: At least one on-site parking space is required for each bedroom. (Applies to unlicensed residential care facilities serving 6 or fewer persons.) (§ 84.32.030); A Conditional Use Permit is required. (Applies to an existing unlicensed residential care facility serving 7 or more persons in an RM (Multiple Residential) district.) (§ 85.20.020).

Group homes and residential care in San Bernardino County

What San Bernardino County's code says

Who this affects

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