Investment Property Loans in San Bernardino, CA

Since a 2008 ordinance, San Bernardino requires owners renting out single-family homes, duplexes or triplexes in the city to have them inspected; the city estimates 30% of its single-family homes are rentals.

For investors: Inspections focus on exterior conditions such as yards, fences, parking areas and pools, and the owner need not attend. Clear visible code issues before the first notice, which arrives at least three weeks ahead of the visit.

Source: City of San Bernardino, Single-Family Rental Property Inspection Program, Oct 2026

San Bernardino's master fee schedule, effective July 19, 2020, sets $180 per single-family rental for an exterior inspection every two years, though the program page's FAQ still cites a $100 annual fee.

For investors: Budget $180 per house for each inspection, and ask Code Enforcement which amount it bills before closing, since the program page itself mixes annual and biennial wording. On a duplex or triplex, confirm whether the charge runs per unit or per parcel.

Source: City of San Bernardino, Master Fee Schedule (adopted May 20, 2020, effective July 19, 2020), Jul 2020

San Bernardino rentals found compliant can earn a self-certification certificate that waives inspection fees for the next three years while the property stays compliant; the application must include the $180 fee.

For investors: Send the application, with the fee enclosed, before the inspection week printed on the annual notice, or the city issues a denial. Falling out of compliance returns the property to regular inspections, so keep exteriors maintained between cycles.

Source: City of San Bernardino, Self-Certification Program, Oct 2026

San Bernardino's rental inspection ordinance presumes a property is a rental when the water bill is in a name other than the owner's or is mailed to an address other than the property.

For investors: A San Bernardino buyer who lives elsewhere and has the water bill mailed out of town will be flagged as a rental owner. To leave the program after moving in, keep utility bills or similar records that show owner occupancy.

Source: City of San Bernardino Municipal Code Title 15 (city-posted PDF, rev. November 2, 2009), Nov 2009

San Bernardino requires a Business Registration Certificate for property rental or leasing, with the fee computed from the prior 12 months of gross receipts, and its application states that collecting rent without one is unlawful.

For investors: File the San Bernardino form once a rental is first offered for rent; it asks new owners for that date and has a renewal box. It also warns that building code or property maintenance violations can lead the city to revoke the certificate.

Source: City of San Bernardino, Business Registration Certificate Application: Property Rental/Leasing (rev. 06/12/2017), Jun 2017

San Bernardino applies California's Chapter 7A wildfire building standards in its Foothill Fire Zones A, B and C and in state Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones, adding rules on fencing, trim and windows.

For investors: On an older foothill rental, replacing more than 60% of an element such as siding triggers a retrofit, and redoing over 25% of a shake roof must meet the standards. Price fire-resistant materials and wildfire insurance before buying in the northern foothills.

Source: City of San Bernardino Municipal Code Title 15 (city-posted PDF, rev. November 2, 2009), Nov 2009

San Bernardino's FY 2026/27 adopted budget describes a 7.75% utility users tax under Municipal Code Chapter 3.44 on utilities such as cable, gas, electric and telephone, a major source of city revenue.

For investors: The adopted budget says this tax supplies about 13.7% of San Bernardino's general fund revenue. On owner-paid gas and electric for a duplex or small apartment building, add 7.75% to projected bills when setting the operating budget.

Source: City of San Bernardino, Adopted Budget FY 2026/27 (glossary), Oct 2026

San Bernardino's Pre-Selected ADU Plans Program lists pre-approved designs, including a 738-square-foot two-bedroom, two-bath detached unit, that owners buy directly from the design firm; the city does not own them.

For investors: Budget the plan purchase on top of permit costs, and confirm the design suits the lot, since the city warns that its high wind, seismic and fire severity areas can raise costs or limit construction. Plans must follow the 2025 codes.

Source: City of San Bernardino, Accessory Dwelling Units, Oct 2026

First plan reviews for San Bernardino ADUs take 15 to 20 business days and later rounds 10 to 15, and units of 501 square feet or more need a school fee letter from the district.

For investors: Three school districts serve the city, San Bernardino City Unified, Redlands Unified and Rialto Unified, and the district decides whether a fee applies. Permit clearance also runs through San Bernardino County Fire and a sewer will-serve letter from the city water department.

Source: City of San Bernardino, Accessory Dwelling Units, Oct 2026

San Bernardino's 2025-2026 community profile says Cal State San Bernardino serves over 20,000 students a year and San Bernardino Valley College 12,000 a semester, and Loma Linda University Health runs a city complex.

For investors: Students and hospital staff form a large renter pool near Cal State San Bernardino and the Loma Linda University Health complex in the heart of the city. A San Bernardino house rented by the room near campus still falls under the single-family rental inspection program.

Source: City of San Bernardino Economic Development, 2025-2026 Community Profile, Oct 2026

Neither the City of San Bernardino nor San Bernardino County appears on FEMA's October 2026 Community Rating System list, so flood policies there receive no community discount.

For investors: A San Bernardino rental in a mapped flood zone pays the full NFIP rate with no local credit. Quote coverage early on properties near the Santa Ana River or the foothill washes, where flood and fire exposure can both raise insurance costs.

Source: FEMA, CRS Eligible Communities list (effective October 1, 2026), Oct 2026