REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
January 13, 2026
FROM
LUTHER SNOKE, Chief Executive Officer, County Administrative Office
SUBJECT
Title
Waiver of Certain Fees Related to Recovery from the December 2025 Adverse Weather Event
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Find that the waiver of Land Use Services Department plan review and permit fees, up to a maximum of $5,000 per property for both fees combined, up to a San Bernardino County aggregate total of $200,000 in fee waivers on a first-come, first-served basis until June 30, 2027, for post-disaster recovery and repairs to San Bernardino County properties in communities damaged by the extreme weather event that started on December 23, 2025, serves a public purpose by facilitating the repair of structures, assisting with the safety needs of county residents and aiding the residents impacted by the extreme weather event.
2. Direct the Director of Land Use Services Department to waive all applicable plan review and permit fees as they arise in relation to Recommendation No. 1.
3. Find that the waiver of the Department of Public Works - Solid Waste Management Division’s Standard Gate Rate Disposal fees for residential properties identified by the Office of Emergency Services as impacted by the extreme weather event, up to an aggregate total of $16,800 for no more than an estimated 48 residential properties in the Lytle Creek, Wrightwood, Phelan and Hesperia areas, and limited to a five ton maximum per residential property, on a first come first-served basis until June 30, 2026, for post-disaster recovery debris disposal for properties in communities damaged by the extreme weather event that started on December 23, 2025, serves a public purpose by facilitating the removal of debris, assisting with the safety needs of county residents and aiding the residents impacted by the extreme weather event.
4. Direct the Director of the Department of Public Works - Solid Waste Management Division to waive all applicable Standard Gate Rate Disposal fees as they arise in relation to Recommendation No. 3.
(Presenter: Luther Snoke, Chief Executive Officer, 387-4811)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Operate in a Fiscally-Responsible and Business-Like Manner.
Ensure Development of a Well-Planned, Balanced, and Sustainable County.
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
Focus on Recovery and Resiliency Following Major Emergency Responses such as the December 2, 2015 Terrorist Attack (SB Strong) and the Global COVID-19 Pandemic.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not result in the use of additional Discretionary Funding (Net County Cost). The services provided by the Land Use Services Department (LUS) that are covered by the recommended waived plan review and permit fees will be capped at a maximum of $5,000 per property in San Bernardino County for both fees combined, with an aggregate countywide limit of $200,000, administered on a first-come, first-served basis until June 30, 2027. The services provided by the Department of Public Works - Solid Waste Management Division (SWMD) that are covered by the fee waivers included in this item will not exceed $16,800, and will be administered on a first-come, first-served basis until June 30, 2026 for no more than an estimated 48 residential properties in the Lytle Creek, Wrightwood, Phelan and Hesperia areas. Any budget adjustments to offset waived fee revenue will be requested from the Disaster Relief Community Needs Budget Unit and presented to the Board of Supervisors (Board) for approval in a future Board agenda item, if necessary.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Beginning on December 23, 2025, the start of an extreme weather event impacted various sections of San Bernardino County (County) and Los Angeles County. This event produced conditions of peril to the safety of persons and property within the county. Homes and structures have been damaged due to debris flow and flooding from the extreme weather.
On December 24, 2025, Governor Newsom proclaimed a State of Emergency to make additional resources available to assist the County. On December 25, 2025, the County Chief Executive Officer, while serving as the Director of Emergency Services, proclaimed the existence of a local emergency as a result of the extreme weather event. At a special meeting on December 29, 2025 (Item No. 1), the Board ratified the proclamation of a local emergency as a result of the extreme weather event that began on December 23, 2025, and impacted the county
Under Recommendation Nos. 1 and 2, the LUS plan review and permit process for impacted San Bernardino County residents will be expedited to the fullest extent possible.
Under Recommendation Nos. 3 and 4, the refuse must be acceptable for disposal and cannot contain asbestos, hazardous materials, or other unacceptable waste. The Standard Gate Rate Disposal fees will be waived.
Approval of this item, authorized pursuant to San Bernardino County Code Subsection 16.0231(a), would serve a public purpose by assisting in the repair of properties damaged in communities in San Bernardino County by alleviating some financial burdens associated with the required building plan review and permitting costs, and debris removal, and addressing the safety needs of County residents.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Julie Surber, Principal Assistant County Counsel, 387-5455) on January 9, 2026; Office of Emergency Services (Crisanta Gonzalez, Director, 356-3988) on January 7, 2026; Land Use Services (Ibeth De La Cruz, Administrative Manager, 387-0295) on January 8, 2026; and County Finance and Administration (Kathleen Gonzalez, 387-5412, Iliana Rodriguez, 387-4205, and Erika Rodarte, Administrative Analysts, 387-4919) on January 9, 2026.