San Bernardino Supervisors Approve Fee Waivers to Speed Rebuilding After Devastating December Storms
San Bernardino County supervisors unanimously approved fee waivers on Jan. 13, 2026, to help property owners rebuild after December 2025 storms that caused widespread flooding, mudslides and structural damage in mountain and high desert communities, including Wrightwood and Hesperia.
- Board action: Unanimous approval by the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors on Jan. 13, 2026; see the county press release and the Board District 1 notice.
- Scope: Waivers cover plan review and permit fees (Land Use Services) and standard gate rate disposal fees (Public Works – Solid Waste Management).
- Limits: Permit fee waivers up to $5,000 per property (combined) with a countywide cap of $200,000; debris waivers limited to an estimated 48 properties (5 tons each), total cap $16,800.
Storms, damage and county response
Beginning Dec. 23, 2025, severe winter storms dumped more than 17 inches of rain in parts of San Bernardino County. Flooding, mudslides and debris flows swept mountain canyons and high desert drainages, closing roads and damaging homes and businesses. County CEO Luther Snoke issued an emergency declaration on Dec. 25 that the Board ratified on Dec. 29 to unlock resources and coordinate with state and federal partners.
Local officials and emergency managers conducted preliminary damage assessments with the U.S. Small Business Administration and state agencies. A Local Assistance Center operated Jan. 8–10 at the Rick Novack Community Center in Hesperia to connect residents with recovery resources and information.
Damage assessment — structures affected
The Office of the Fire Marshal reported the following preliminary figures: 2 buildings destroyed, 31 with major damage, roughly 23–37 with moderate or minor damage, and 93 structures affected in total. Affected communities include Wrightwood, Lytle Creek, Phelan, Piñon Hills and Hesperia, with additional roadway damage near Mt. Baldy.
What the fee waivers cover and limits to watch
Permit fee waivers: Land Use Services will waive plan review and permit fees for qualifying post-disaster repairs — capped at $5,000 per property (combined) with a countywide cap of $200,000. The county said the process will be expedited and administered on a first-come, first-served basis through June 30, 2027.
Debris disposal waivers: Public Works’ Solid Waste Management will waive standard gate rate disposal fees for acceptable debris from qualifying properties in Lytle Creek, Wrightwood, Phelan and Hesperia. The debris waiver is limited to an estimated 48 residential properties, 5 tons per property, with a total cap of $16,800 and runs through June 30, 2026. Hazardous materials and asbestos are excluded.
Note: The limited number and tonnage mean many households will still face out-of-pocket costs for larger cleanups or hazardous-waste removal.
Quotes from county leaders
“Recovering from a disaster is hard enough without additional costs standing in the way,” Board of Supervisors Chairman and Third District Supervisor Dawn Rowe said after the vote. “Waiving recovery fees removes barriers and helps families and property owners move forward safely and legally, so our communities can rebuild as quickly as possible.”
“From the mountains to the high desert, residents have been dealing with damage, debris and disrupted access,” First District Supervisor Col. Paul Cook (Ret.) said. “By reducing their out-of-pocket costs to rebuild, we’re helping residents and business owners get repairs started. We’ll keep coordinating across departments and with our partners to support a steady recovery.”
Investigative look: benefits, limits and questions
Benefits: The waivers are a practical, short-term tool to lower immediate costs and speed permit approvals for repairs such as roof replacement, foundation work or unsafe-structure abatement. The expedited process could reduce delays that increase contractor rates and leave homes exposed to further damage.
Limits and concerns: The debris waiver’s small allocation (48 properties, 5 tons each) and the countywide permit cap of $200,000 may exhaust funds quickly in widespread damage. Documentation requirements, hazardous-material exclusions and a first-come, first-served system could disadvantage elderly residents, renters without clear proof of ownership, and households lacking internet or transportation to county offices.
Steps for property owners
- Contact San Bernardino County Land Use Services to begin the permit fee-waiver application and learn about expedited review.
- Contact Public Works (Solid Waste Management) to confirm debris-waiver eligibility and acceptable materials.
- Document damage: take photos, record insurer communications and keep receipts for emergency repairs.
- Be prepared for documentation requirements and possible out-of-pocket costs beyond waiver limits.
Implications for California
Economic: The waivers represent modest county fiscal exposure but meaningful relief for individual property owners. By reducing upfront regulatory costs, they can help speed contracting work that supports local small firms and suppliers — though the limited caps constrain broader economic stimulus.
Political: The unanimous Board vote signals cross-district agreement on targeted relief that minimizes large direct payouts. Still, the program’s structure may prompt calls for further action if many residents miss out.
Social: Faster permit approvals and some debris assistance help preserve housing stock and local services, but gaps remain for lower-income and older residents who may need additional aid from state or federal programs.
Available resources and next steps for residents
San Bernardino County continues to coordinate recovery work with state and federal agencies. For details and to start applications, consult the county and local notices below:
County officials will monitor demand and may recommend additional measures as recovery needs evolve. Residents are advised to document damage, keep receipts for repairs, and contact county staff with eligibility questions to begin the expedited permit or debris-waiver process.
