Bolthole Index

San Bernardino County, California

Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Rialto, California

The City of Rialto, in San Bernardino County, California, adopts and administers its own zoning code1, and its Building and Safety Department handles plan check, building permits and inspections inside city limits2. Camping on private property is unlawful except in narrow cases3. We could not confirm who issues septic permits inside Rialto; ask the city first, then San Bernardino County Environmental Health Services4.

At a glance

Zoning
City of Rialto zoning code (Title 18)1
Building permit
Issued by Rialto Building and Safety inside the city2
Septic permit
Not confirmed inside the city; ask the city and County Environmental Health Services4
Camping or RV living
Unlawful on private property except in narrow cases3
Manufactured homes
Conditional in the R-1D zone5
Accessory dwelling units
Permitted on single-family and multi-family lots6
Owner-builder
Owner-builders must pull all building permits7

Who to call

Building permits

City of Rialto Building & Safety Department

Plan check, building permits and inspections inside the City of Rialto

909.820.2505

[email protected]

Online permits →

Planning & zoning

City of Rialto Planning Department

Zoning, environmental review and conditional use permits inside the City of Rialto

909.820.2505

[email protected]

Online permits →

Septic permits

San Bernardino County Environmental Health Services - Land Use & Wastewater Program

County septic and well review; ask whether it applies to your Rialto address

(800) 442-2283

385 N. Arrowhead Ave, 2nd Floor, San Bernardino, CA 92415-0160

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 16, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Rialto means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Does Rialto, California have zoning, and what does it allow?

Yes. The City of Rialto adopts and administers its own zoning code, Title 18 of the Rialto Municipal Code, for land inside city limits1. The Rialto Planning Department handles zoning questions8. The county's unincorporated-area zoning does not apply inside the city; for land outside city limits, see the San Bernardino County page.

Rules differ by zone. In the R-1D single-family zone, a dwelling must have at least 1,800 square feet of living area, excluding garages, porches and eaves9. Front setbacks in R-1D are 20 feet and rear setbacks are 20 feet10, and lot coverage is capped at 50 percent11. In R-1A-10,000, lots need at least 10000 square feet12. In R-1B, lots need at least 8400 square feet13. In R-1C, lots need at least 7700 square feet14.

Do you need a building permit in Rialto, and who issues it?

Yes. Inside Rialto city limits, the city's Building and Safety Department handles plan check, building permits and inspections under the California Building Code and the Rialto Municipal Code2. San Bernardino County's building office serves only unincorporated land. Applications go through the city's Online Permitting Center2.

Owner-builders are not exempt from permits. California owner-builders who sign a building permit application must pull all building permits, and the project must pass code inspections7. We could not confirm Rialto's permit fees, inspection steps or certificate of occupancy process; ask Building and Safety.

Can you live in an RV, tiny home or manufactured home in Rialto?

Camping on private property in Rialto is unlawful except as the city code provides3. It is allowed with the owner's permission where the property has restroom and shower facilities and water, sewer, trash and electrical services, within a licensed campground, or with city council permission3. Living in an RV on a vacant lot is therefore not an option to count on.

California law treats RVs as not intended for permanent occupancy, generally limited to mobilehome parks or special occupancy parks unless a local ordinance says otherwise15. A tiny home must qualify as a recognized type such as a manufactured home, a code-built home or a recreational vehicle to be occupied16. We found no Rialto provision specific to tiny homes; ask Planning.

Manufactured homes are conditional in the R-1D zone: the home must meet federal HUD standards, no more than ten years may pass between manufacture and the permit application, and Planning decides compatibility5. Accessory dwelling units are a permitted use on lots in single-family and multi-family zones6.

How do septic permits work inside Rialto?

We could not confirm who issues septic permits inside Rialto, or whether septic systems are allowed at all on a given city lot. Start by asking the Rialto Building and Safety Department whether your address must connect to city sewer2.

For unincorporated San Bernardino County, Environmental Health Services reviews septic systems, but its local program does not establish county administration inside incorporated cities and towns17. Statewide, septic systems are overseen by the State Water Board and regional boards, and local agencies may run approved programs18. Contact4 to ask whether it has any role at your address.

Well permits are separate: the county requires a permit for constructing, destroying or rehabilitating any well in San Bernardino County19.

Building a home in Rialto: the steps, in order

  1. Confirm the zone and its standards (lot size, dwelling size, setbacks) with the Planning Department8.
  2. Ask Building and Safety about sewer connection or septic for your address2.
  3. Apply for the building permit through the city's Online Permitting Center2.
  4. If you are the owner-builder, pull all building permits yourself and pass inspections7.
  5. In a mapped flood zone, manufactured homes must be elevated at least 1 foot above base flood elevation20.
  6. Driveways to garages must be at least 16 feet wide21.

What stays with San Bernardino County, and what to check before you buy

Rialto's rules cover land inside the city. For parcels outside city limits, the county's rules apply instead; see the San Bernardino County page. Well permits are issued under the county rule19.

Before buying, check the zone, the sewer question, and flood zone status. Property tax figures are county-level: San Bernardino County's effective property tax rate is about 0.7 percent22.

Watch-outs

  • We could not confirm who issues septic permits inside Rialto; ask Building and Safety and San Bernardino County Environmental Health Services before you buy4.
  • Dwelling size, lot size and setback figures here come from specific residential zones; confirm your parcel's zone with the Planning Department8.
  • The county's building and planning counters serve unincorporated land, not addresses inside Rialto city limits2.

Sources

  1. Rialto Code 18.10.020 R-1A permitted uses (Rialto), quoted and re-checked
  2. City of Rialto Building & Safety Department (rialtoca.gov)
  3. Rialto Code 9.38.020 Unlawful camping (Rialto), quoted and re-checked
  4. San Bernardino County Environmental Health Services - Land Use & Wastewater Program (ehs.sbcounty.gov)
  5. Rialto Code 18.18.040 R-1D permitted uses (Rialto), quoted and re-checked
  6. Rialto Code 18.10.070 Accessory dwelling units (Rialto), quoted and re-checked
  7. Owner-Builder Responsibilities (California statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  8. City of Rialto Planning Department (rialtoca.gov)
  9. Rialto Code 18.18.060 R-1D development standards (Rialto), quoted and re-checked
  10. Rialto Code 18.18.060 R-1D development standards (Rialto), quoted and re-checked
  11. Rialto Code 18.18.060 R-1D development standards (Rialto), quoted and re-checked
  12. Rialto Code 18.12.030 R-1A-10,000 regulations (Rialto), quoted and re-checked
  13. Rialto Code 18.14.030 R-1B regulations (Rialto), quoted and re-checked
  14. Rialto Code 18.16.030 R-1C regulations (Rialto), quoted and re-checked
  15. hcd.ca.gov (California statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  16. Information Bulletin 2016-01: Tiny Homes (California statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  17. San Bernardino County Local Agency Management Program, quoted and re-checked
  18. Water Quality Control Policy for Siting, Design, Operation and Maintenance of Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (OWTS Policy) (California statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  19. Do I need a permit to construct or destroy a well?, quoted and re-checked
  20. Rialto Code 18.75.200 Standards for manufactured homes (Rialto), quoted and re-checked
  21. Rialto Code 18.58.040 Residential design standards (Rialto), quoted and re-checked
  22. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data

Written October 16, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

Answers from the rulebook for Rialto

Rialto’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Installing a manufactured home in the R-1D zone inside Rialto city; general building permit rule not opened

    • Documentation of certification and construction date must be submitted to the building and safety department
    “documentation indicating certification and construction date must be submitted to the building and safety department in order to secure valid building permit(s).”
  • Local zoningPresent

    Land inside Rialto city limits; city adopts and administers Title 18 Zoning

    “uses permitted in the r-1 a zone are as follows:”
  • Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified

    R-1 A-10,000 single family zone, Rialto city

    • Exclusive of garages, porches, eaves or similar features

    minimum dwelling size: >= 1620 sq ft (median/average not less than 1,800)

    “d. median and average dwelling size shall be not less than one thousand eight hundred square feet, with a minimum dwelling size of one thousand six hundred twenty square feet, exclusive of garages, porches, eaves or similar features;”
    3 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Specified — R-1 B single family zone, Rialto city
      “Median and average dwelling size shall be not less than one thousand four hundred square feet, with a minimum dwelling size of one thousand two hundred and sixty square feet, exclusive of garages, porches, eaves or similar features.”
    • Specified — R-1 C single family zone, Rialto city
      “Median and average dwelling size shall be not less than one thousand two hundred square feet, with a minimum dwelling size of one thousand square feet, exclusive of garages, porches, eaves or similar features.”
    • Specified — R-1 D single family residential zone, Rialto city
      “e. dwelling sizes. minimum square footage of dwellings shall be not be less than one thousand eight hundred square feet of living area, exclusive of garages, porches, eaves or similar features.”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    R-1 A-10,000 single family zone, Rialto city

    minimum lot area: >= 10000 sq ft · minimum lot width: >= 100 ft · minimum lot depth: >= 100 ft

    “a. minimum lot area, ten thousand square feet; b. minimum lot width, one hundred feet; c. minimum lot depth, one hundred feet;”
    3 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Specified — R-1 B single family zone, Rialto city
      “Minimum lot area, eight thousand four hundred square feet;”
    • Specified — R-1 C single family zone, Rialto city
      “Minimum lot area, seven thousand seven hundred square feet;”
    • Specified — R-1 D single family residential zone, Rialto city (minimum site area for the development, not per lot)
      “a. site area. the minimum gross site area within an r-1 d zone shall be ten acres. b. density. density shall not exceed the net density of six units per acre”
  • SetbacksSpecified

    R-1 D single family residential zone, Rialto city

    • Front setbacks must be staggered by five feet
    • Corner lots/abutting a public street: fifteen-foot side setback
    • Private garages: eighteen-foot setback from public right-of-way

    front setback: >= 20 ft · side setback between structures: >= 10 ft · rear setback: >= 20 ft

    “1. the minimum front setback from a public street for all buildings and structures exceeding forty-two inches in height shall be not less than twenty feet. front yard setbacks must be staggered by five feet. 2. minimum side setbacks between structures shall be ten feet.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Lot coverageSpecified

    R-1 D single family residential zone, Rialto city

    • Excludes patios and patio enclosures

    maximum lot coverage: <= 50 percent

    “f. site coverage. buildings and accessory structures excluding patios and patio enclosures shall not occupy more than fifty percent of the lot coverage.”
  • Building heightSpecified

    R-1 D single family residential zone, Rialto city

    • Whichever is less

    maximum height: <= 35 ft (or two and one-half stories, whichever is less)

    “g. building height. a building, structure or portion thereof shall not exceed two and one-half stories or thirty-five feet, whichever is less.”
  • Camping on your landLimited

    Camping on private property inside Rialto city

    • Unlawful except as provided in chapter 9.38
    • Permitted with owner permission where property has restroom and shower facilities and water, sewer, trash and electrical services; within a licensed campground; or with city council permission
    “camping is permitted if: a. permission is granted for camping activity by the private property owner and such property has upon it restroom and shower facilities, and is provided with water, sewer, trash and electrical services; or b. within a licensed campground; or c. permission is granted for camping by the city council”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Manufactured homes in the R-1D zone inside Rialto city

    • Must meet federal HUD construction standards
    • No more than ten years between manufacture and permit application
    • Planning division determines compatibility; all zone development standards apply

    maximum age at permit application: <= 10 years

    “no more than ten years have elapsed between the date of manufacture of the manufactured home and the date of the application for the issuance of a permit to install the manufactured home in the affected zone.”
  • Accessory dwellingsAllowed

    Accessory dwelling units on lots in single-family and multi-family zones inside Rialto city

    • Ministerial approval within sixty days
    • One ADU and one JADU per single-family lot
    • ADU may not be sold separately; rentals must be longer than thirty days
    • JADU requires owner occupancy
    “accessory dwelling units shall be a permitted use on all lots in single-family and multi-family residential zones.”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    Driveways to garages of single-family residential units inside Rialto city

    • Minimum clearance fourteen feet
    • Maximum grade twelve percent, or as approved by the city engineer

    minimum driveway width: >= 16 ft

    “3. driveway. the driveway to a garage shall have a minimum width of sixteen feet and shall have a minimum clearance of fourteen feet. driveways shall have a maximum grade of twelve percent, or as approved by the city engineer.”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Manufactured homes placed in FEMA flood Zones A1-30, AH and AE inside Rialto city

    • Elevation certified by a registered professional engineer or surveyor and verified by the building inspector

    elevation above base flood: >= 1 ft (state recommends two feet)

    “shall be elevated on a permanent foundation such that the lowest floor of the manufactured home is elevated one foot above the base flood elevation (the state of california recommends at least two feet above the base flood elevation)”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Rialto or San Bernardino County directly.

  • Owner-builder exemption — Inside Rialto city
  • Building code adopted — Building code inside Rialto city
  • Inspections — Inside Rialto city
  • Certificate of occupancy — Inside Rialto city
  • Tiny homes — Inside Rialto city
11 more unanswered
  • Who permits septic
  • Septic permit
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Subdividing land
  • Short-term rentals
  • Permit fees
  • Permit process

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Rialto publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. San Bernardino County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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