San Bernardino Board Approves Recovery Fee Waivers to Speed Rebuilds After December 2025 Storms
High Desert, California (High Desert News Online) – San Bernardino County property owners hit by the December 2025 winter storms can access fee waivers and expedited permits after the Board unanimously approved recovery relief in mid‑January, aimed at speeding rebuilding in Wrightwood, Hesperia, Lytle Creek and nearby High Desert communities.
Key takeaways
- What: County-approved recovery fee waivers and expedited permitting to help storm-hit property owners rebuild — see the San Bernardino County press release.
- When: Board action approved mid‑January 2026 following a local emergency proclaimed Dec. 25 and ratified Dec. 29, 2025 — details in the Supervisor Dawn Rowe office release and the county press release.
- Who: Property owners in identified storm‑impacted areas — including Wrightwood, Lytle Creek, Phelan, Piñon Hills and Hesperia — as reported in local coverage such as the Victor Valley News coverage.
- Limits: Permit/plan-review waivers up to $5,000 per property (combined), countywide cap $200,000; debris disposal waivers up to 5 tons per property, countywide cap $16,800, with program deadlines and caps described in the county press release.
What the board approved
In mid‑January 2026 the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a package of disaster recovery measures to accelerate rebuilding after the late‑December storms. The measures include waivers of plan review and permit fees up to $5,000 per property (combined), an aggregate countywide cap of $200,000 for those waivers, expedited permitting and plan‑review prioritization for eligible applicants, and gate‑rate debris disposal fee waivers for qualifying properties.
The county summarized the action in its press release, and local district communications provided additional details on eligibility and timelines (Supervisor Dawn Rowe office release).
Storm scope and damage assessments
Severe winter storms beginning Dec. 23, 2025, brought localized totals exceeding 17 inches of rain in parts of San Bernardino County, triggering widespread flooding, mudslides and debris flows across mountain and high‑desert communities. Local reporting and county assessments document significant infrastructure and property impacts (Victor Valley News coverage).
A county preliminary damage assessment, completed with the Office of the Fire Marshal and federal partners, identified: 2 destroyed buildings, 31 with major damage, 23 with moderate damage, 37 with minor damage and 93 categorized as affected. Roadways near Mt. Baldy and other travel corridors were also impacted, complicating response and access for residents and emergency teams (local coverage).
What the fee waivers cover
Plan review and permit fees
San Bernardino County Land Use Services will waive combined plan review and permit fees up to $5,000 per property (combined). The program is funded with a $200,000 countywide budget and operates on a first‑come, first‑served basis through June 30, 2027. The county also committed to expedited permitting and plan review for eligible applicants to shorten rebuild timelines (county press release, district release).
Debris disposal fees
San Bernardino County Public Works – Solid Waste Management will waive standard gate‑rate disposal fees for qualifying property owners identified by the county Office of Emergency Services in named communities (Lytle Creek, Wrightwood, Phelan and Hesperia). The program targets an estimated 48 residential properties, allows up to five tons of acceptable debris per property, and carries a countywide cap of $16,800. The debris waiver is available through June 30, 2026. Prohibited materials include asbestos, hazardous waste and other unacceptable debris that require special handling or separate disposal contracts (press release, district release, local reporting).
Emergency response actions and coordination
County CEO Luther Snoke proclaimed a local emergency on Dec. 25; the Board ratified that proclamation on Dec. 29 to enable faster coordination with state and federal partners and free resources for response and recovery. County staff conducted preliminary damage assessments with federal representatives, including the U.S. Small Business Administration, to evaluate assistance needs and referral pathways (county press release).
A Local Assistance Center opened at the Rick Novack Community Center in Hesperia from Jan. 8–10 to connect residents with recovery resources and guidance for applying to the county programs.
Leadership and local officials’ statements
“Recovering from a disaster is hard enough without additional costs standing in the way,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman and Third District Supervisor Dawn Rowe. “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.” (Supervisor Dawn Rowe office release)
First District Supervisor Col. Paul Cook (Ret.) said reducing out‑of‑pocket costs will help residents and businesses start repairs sooner and pledged continued interdepartmental coordination for recovery efforts (Victor Valley News coverage, district release).
Investigative questions and practical limits
The county relief package removes immediate financial barriers but leaves practical questions for impacted residents:
- Funding limits: The $200,000 aggregate cap on permit and plan review waivers could be exhausted quickly if many properties apply, and homeowners with extensive damage may still face costs beyond the $5,000 per‑property cap (county press release).
- Debris disposal scope: The debris waiver limits relief to up to five tons per property and excludes hazardous materials; properties with large mudslide deposits or demolition needs may exceed these allowances and require separate contracts or state assistance (district release, local reporting).
- Equity and access: Because waivers operate on a first‑come, first‑served basis, residents with limited internet access, transportation or awareness may miss the window for expedited permitting or fee relief unless outreach continues into affected communities (county press release).
How to apply and where to get help
San Bernardino County’s Land Use Services and Public Works departments manage application and verification for the waivers and expedited permitting. Property owners should document damage thoroughly, contact county offices directly for eligibility verification, and begin the expedited permit process as soon as possible. For program details and next steps see the county press release and recent local outreach summaries (Victor Valley News coverage).
Implications for The High Desert, California
Economic: Waiving permit and disposal fees and accelerating approvals should reduce downtime for contractors and help homeowners and small businesses restore operations faster in Phelan, Piñon Hills, Hesperia and surrounding areas. However, the program’s countywide caps ($200,000 permits, $16,800 debris) may limit assistance if many properties require extensive work.
Political: For moderate conservative voters in the High Desert, the county’s strategy emphasizes targeted relief and streamlined government action rather than large direct payouts, aligning with a preference for enabling private recovery and business continuity (district release).
Social and cultural: Faster permitting and lower disposal costs can shorten displacement times and reduce strain on families, but outreach and clear guidance will be essential to ensure equitable access for older residents, service members and low‑income households. High Desert communities’ culture of local resilience may help speed recovery, provided rebuilding follows code and debris restrictions to ensure long‑term safety.
Practical applications for residents
Property owners in Wrightwood, Lytle Creek, Phelan, Piñon Hills and Hesperia should:
- Document damage with photos, dates and brief descriptions.
- Contact San Bernardino County Land Use Services and Public Works to verify eligibility and begin expedited permitting.
- Apply promptly — waivers are first‑come, first‑served — and explore federal options (such as SBA disaster loans) if needs exceed program caps (county press release, local reporting).
Sources and further information
- San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors press release
- Supervisor Dawn Rowe office release
- Victor Valley News coverage
