EL CHICANo Weekly
Vol 63, NO. 29
April 23, 2026
San Bernardino Bans Airbnb, Vrbo Rentals After 5 Documented Complaints in Contentious 4-3 Vote By Manny Sandoval
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an Bernardino city leaders voted 4-3 on April 15 to ban short-term rentals citywide, siding with residents and council members who argued the city lacks the resources to control party houses, nuisance properties and safety risks tied to Airbnb- and Vrbo-style rentals in residential neighborhoods.
IECN.com
Councilman Fred Shorett made the motion to ban, and Councilmember Treasure Ortiz seconded it. Councilmembers Mario Flores and Juan Figueroa joined them in support. Mayor Pro Tem Kim Knaus and Councilmembers Theodore Sanchez and Sandra Ibarra voted against the ban. The public hearing drew nine speakers, reflecting a chamber nearly as divided as the dais.
ACLU Files State Complaint Over Riverside's Denial of Housing Project Pg. 3
PHOTO MANNY SANDOVAL
Airbnb and Vrbo listings in San Bernardino are shown after the San Bernardino City Council voted 4-3 on April 15 to ban short-term rentals in residential areas following months of debate over enforcement, neighborhood safety and nuisance complaints.
Prado Regional Park Unveils New Gatehouse, Food Court, Boat Dock and More Upgrades
The vote followed months of debate over whether San Bernardino should regulate short-term rentals or prohibit them outright. City staff returned to council with both options, while City Manager Eric Levitt recommended regulation in the agenda materials.
But during the hearing, concerns about enforcement, fire danger, neighborhood disruption and quality of life pushed the majority toward a ban. Gabriel Elliott, the city’s director of community development and housing, told the council that about 108 properties in San Bernardino are currently listed across short-term rental platforms and said the city’s development code does not specifically recognize the use. “So part of what we’re trying to do here is to build some standards by which we would actually either regulate or ban the land use,” Elliott said. “Either way we have to go into our zoning code and modify certain parts of the zoning code.” Elliott said staff had explored both the cost and potential revenue of a regulatory program, including permit fees and transient occupancy tax. He said the city had estimated a potential annual contribution of up to $324,000, with enforcement and related costs still attached. Short-Term Rental, Cont. next pg.
Inland Empire Faces ‘Compound Crisis’ as Logistics Jobs Weaken, Inflation and Housing Costs Rise
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Fontana Unified Expands CrisisAlert, Launches Derek Fisher’s Be Better Pilot Pg. 8
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PHOTO DENISE BERVER Guests attend the National Orange Show Fair’s VIP dinner on April 17, where partners were thanked and hibachi was prepared.
PHOTO MANNY SANDOVAL A balloon artist entertains families outside the circus on April 15 during opening day of the National Orange Show Fair.
PHOTO JOSEPH RHINE Guests view citrus-themed and contemporary works during the National Orange Show Fair’s art exhibit kickoff.
By Manny Sandoval
free opening-day admission.
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Running April 15-19, this year’s fair introduced a redesigned circular layout that made it easier for visitors to move through the grounds and experience everything from food vendors and carnival rides to games, exhibits and live entertainment.
“We’re here on the opening day of the National Orange Show. It’s our 109th Citrus Fair,” National Orange Show CEO Sheri Raborn said at the opening ceremony. “We have a brand-new layout this year that we feel everyone will enjoy.”
ong before the gates opened at 5 p.m. on April 15, about 1,000 people were already lined up outside the National Orange Show as San Bernardino’s 109th fair kicked off with
NOS Fair, cont. next pg.