The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously approved recovery fee waivers to help eligible property owners repair and rebuild following severe winter storms that started on Dec. 23.
The storms delivered more than 17 inches of rain to some areas, causing flooding, mudslides and debris flows, impacting mountain and high desert communities including Wrightwood, Lytle Creek, Phelan, Piñon Hills and Hesperia, as well as multiple roadways, including areas near Mt. Baldy. San Bernardino County continues to support residents and coordinate response and recovery operations with partner agencies as communities navigate ongoing impacts and begin long-term recovery.
“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.”
“From the mountains to the high desert, residents have been dealing with damage, debris and disrupted access,” said First District Supervisor Col. Paul Cook (Ret.). “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.”
In the days immediately following the storm, San Bernardino County Fire’s inspection teams surveyed homes and businesses. The Office of the Fire Marshal completed a damage assessment and found two buildings were destroyed and 31 sustained major damage. Another 23 buildings sustained moderate damage, 37 sustained minor damage and a total of 93 buildings were categorized as “affected” by the storm.
Plan review and permit fee waivers
The board approved waivers of San Bernardino County Land Use Services’ plan review and permit fees, up to $5,000 per property (both fees combined), with an aggregate countywide limit of $200,000, available on a first-come, first-served basis through June 30, 2027, for post-disaster recovery and repairs to properties in communities damaged by the December 2025 storms.
Under the board’s action, the Land Use Services’ plan review and permit process for impacted residents will be expedited.
Debris disposal fee waivers
The board also authorized San Bernardino County Public Works – Solid Waste Management to waive Standard Gate Rate Disposal fees for impacted property owners. This allows qualifying residents to dispose of acceptable debris at county landfills at no cost. The waiver applies to properties identified by the San Bernardino County Office of Emergency Services in the Lytle Creek, Wrightwood, Phelan and Hesperia areas, with a total waiver amount not to exceed $16,800. The program is limited to an estimated 48 residential properties, with a maximum of five tons per property, and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis through June 30, 2026.
Debris must be acceptable for disposal and cannot contain asbestos, hazardous materials or other unacceptable waste. For a detailed list of acceptable and prohibited materials at county landfills, visit the “Can I take it to the landfill” webpage.
Background
In response to the storms, county CEO Luther Snoke proclaimed a local emergency on Dec. 25, which was ratified by the Board of Supervisors on Dec. 29, enabling swift mobilization of resources and coordination with state and local partners.
Last week, emergency crews were in Wrightwood, Lytle Creek, Hesperia, Phelan and Piñon Hills accompanying the U.S. Small Business Administration and state and county partners to conduct preliminary damage assessments. The assessments help officials evaluate storm impacts and identify potential recovery resources.
As part of recovery support, the San Bernardino County Office of Emergency Services hosted a Local Assistance Center at the Rick Novack Community Center in Hesperia from Jan. 8 through Jan. 10.