San Bernardino supervisors approve recovery fee waivers to speed storm rebuilds across mountains and high desert
San Bernardino County supervisors unanimously approved recovery fee waivers on Jan. 13, 2026 to accelerate rebuilding after severe storms that began Dec. 23, 2025. The package expedites permits, waives fees, and provides limited debris-disposal relief for affected mountain and high desert properties.
- Unanimous Board action: Recovery fee waivers approved Jan. 13, 2026. See the San Bernardino County press release.
- Two-part relief: Plan review and permit fee waivers (up to $5,000 per property, county cap $200,000) plus debris disposal relief (up to 5 tons per property, county cap $16,800).
- Geographic focus: Mountain and high desert communities including Wrightwood, Lytle Creek, Phelan, Piñon Hills and Hesperia were hard-hit by storms that dumped up to 17+ inches of rain.
Storm damage and where it hit
The storms that began Dec. 23, 2025, dumped more than a foot of rain in parts of San Bernardino County; county officials report some locations recorded more than 17 inches, triggering widespread flooding, mudslides and debris flows that affected mountain and high desert communities, roadways and homes. See the county notice.
Areas cited by the county include Wrightwood, Lytle Creek, Phelan, Piñon Hills and Hesperia, with damage along routes near Mt. Baldy. Local damage tallies compiled by emergency teams and summarized in reporting show the storms destroyed 2 buildings, left 31 with major damage, 23 moderate, 37 minor, and categorized 93 structures as affected. See VVNG local reporting for the detailed tally.
What the fee waivers cover — and the limits
The county’s recovery package has two main components: plan review and permit fee waivers, and debris disposal relief. Officials emphasize these measures remove some immediate cost barriers but do not cover all rebuilding expenses.
Plan review and permit fee waivers
- Amount: Waivers of combined plan review and permit fees up to $5,000 per property.
- Timing & limits: Offered on a first-come, first-served basis through June 30, 2027; countywide aggregate cap of $200,000. See the San Bernardino County press release.
- Expedited reviews: County staff say permit reviews for qualified applicants will be expedited to speed repairs and rebuilding.
Debris disposal fee waivers
- Coverage: San Bernardino County Public Works — Solid Waste Management will waive standard gate rate disposal fees for qualifying residents in Lytle Creek, Wrightwood, Phelan and Hesperia.
- Allowance: Free disposal of up to 5 tons per qualifying property through June 30, 2026; program applies to about 48 residential properties and has a countywide spending cap of $16,800. See the county notice and VVNG reporting.
- Exclusions: Asbestos, hazardous wastes and other prohibited items are not accepted under the waiver.
Important: The per-property and countywide caps plus the first-come, first-served design mean some homeowners may still face out-of-pocket costs or delays depending on demand.
How the county coordinated response and damage assessment
County CEO Luther Snoke declared a local emergency on Dec. 25, 2025; the Board ratified the declaration on Dec. 29, unlocking faster coordination with state and federal partners and allowing quicker resource deployment to affected communities. See coverage at VVNG and the county notice.
Emergency crews coordinated with the U.S. Small Business Administration to conduct preliminary damage assessments from Jan. 8–10 in impacted areas to determine potential federal disaster loan eligibility. The county also operated a Local Assistance Center in Hesperia to connect residents with resources, applications and guidance. See reporting at VVNG.
Leadership comments and county priorities
“Recovering from a disaster is hard enough without additional costs standing in the way,” Board Chairman and Third District Supervisor Dawn Rowe said. “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.”
First District Supervisor Col. Paul Cook (Ret.) said the county would continue coordinating across departments and with partner agencies to support recovery: “We are committed to supporting a steady recovery.” (See the county notice.)
Questions the relief package raises
While the board’s unanimous vote drew praise, practical questions remain:
- Coverage gaps: The $5,000 per-property cap and the $200,000 countywide limit may not fully cover permit or plan-review costs for extensive or complex rebuilds.
- Access & equity: First-come, first-served rules may advantage residents with faster access to information or better means to file claims.
- Debris limits: The five-ton disposal allowance and limited property eligibility could leave larger cleanups facing fees.
These details suggest the waivers are an important first step in recovery but not a complete solution for every affected household. See the county press materials and local reporting.
How to apply and where to get help
County officials advise eligible residents to contact the county departments listed on the county’s storm recovery pages for application details, documentation requirements and expedited permit instructions. Program information and contact points are posted online; residents can also visit the Local Assistance Center in Hesperia for one-on-one help. See the county notice.
Implications for the Inland Empire
Economic: The waivers reduce upfront permitting and disposal costs, which can help contractors and supply businesses get work sooner, supporting near-term jobs and cash flow. However, caps mean larger rebuilds may still rely on insurance or state and federal aid, possibly slowing some projects. (See the county press release.)
Political & social: The unanimous vote signals cross-district agreement on emergency aid and may affect future expectations about preparedness and recovery. Fee caps and limited debris allowances could prompt calls for additional assistance if unmet needs are identified. Tightly knit mountain and high desert neighborhoods may benefit from quicker, legal rebuilding, but households with larger cleanups could still face hardship. (See VVNG.)
Ongoing recovery steps
County officials say coordination with state and federal agencies will continue as the region moves from emergency response to long-term recovery. Preliminary SBA damage assessments and the Local Assistance Center are intended to identify further needs and potential aid. Residents should monitor county updates for application windows and any expansions of relief programs. See ongoing updates at the San Bernardino County press release and the county notice.
