The county has received numerous complaints that vacation rentals are continuing to operate within the county, particularly in the Joshua Tree area, in clear violation of state and county public health orders that clearly prohibit their operation, and despite the Federal closure of Joshua Tree National Park.
The orders are clear in that lodging facilities may not operate except under very narrow exceptions that are unlikely to apply to vacation rentals in the county. Those exceptions are limited to the housing of critical infrastructure workers for purposes of performing such work, and designation by the state or county to house confirmed COVID-19 patients.
Violation of state and county health orders are crimes punishable by fines, imprisonment, or both.
The county is providing the following information to short-term vacation rentals that are continuing to operate:
-Vacation rentals currently operating within the county are required to cease operations immediately.
-Bookings for the foreseeable future should be immediately canceled.
-No new arrivals should be processed.
-No new reservations should be accepted until the State and County orders have been rescinded.
-Any current guests in a vacation rental should be immediately directed to return directly home to “shelter in place” or should remain sheltered in place within their vacation rental until further notice.
The county regards compliance with the state and county orders as a high priority and vital to the health and well-being of the people of San Bernardino County.
For information about the coronavirus crisis, visit the County’s coronavirus website at wp.sbcounty.gov/dph/coronavirus. New information and resources have been added and the site is being updated daily. The public can also contact the coronavirus public information line from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday at (909) 387-3911, or email the County at coronavirus@dph.sbcounty.gov.