Hesperia · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Hesperia public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Entertainment and youth amenities on the west side
Commissioners keep hearing that young people leave the high desert for fun. The code update may add entertainment venues, concert halls, and food truck courts — especially along the I-15/Main Street corridor — to give residents more to do close to home.
Alcohol sales rules for restaurants
The commission discussed whether restaurants serving beer and wine should keep going through the full conditional use permit process or get a lighter review. Chair Abreo questioned why the city restricts single-can sales at convenience stores while freely approving on-site drinking.
2025 California Fire Code adoption
The church comes in at 4,995 square feet — five feet under the threshold that would require fire sprinklers. Commissioners flagged the gap, and the applicant committed to an on-site hydrant and a monitored alarm system instead.
Unpermitted sidewalk and mobile food vending
Commissioners described unpermitted food vendors setting up at night on Ranchero Road and other corners — lights in drivers' eyes, no parking, chairs by the roadway. They want code enforcement to have real teeth, though state law limits what cities can do.
Resolution 2016-05 on refugee relocation
The council pulled — without voting — a proposal to rescind the city's 2016 resolution opposing refugee relocation. Two residents urged the council to keep it, citing strained infrastructure, hospitals, roads, and public safety.
Apartment parking enforcement at the Crossings
Councilmember Lee flagged a new parking restriction at the Crossings apartments on C Street: residents with two-car garages get only one parking pass, and a tow company is charging $650 per vehicle on two days' notice.
Short-Term Rental Regulation
The code currently has no definition for short-term rentals — only bed-and-breakfasts, which require owner occupancy. Commissioners discussed requiring business licenses and transient occupancy taxes for Airbnbs, possible permit caps, and noise/party complaints tied to rentals.
Permitting, Fee Estimates and Technology Upgrades
Vice Chair Steeno and others described how hard it is to figure out total development fees up front and how plans sit untracked in the queue. Director Acevedo said the city is improving early fee estimates and rolling out Tyler software by late 2026/early 2027 to track applications online.
HOA and Maintenance Requirements for Housing Tracts
Commissioners debated whether new housing tracts should be required to form HOAs so landscaping and improvements don't deteriorate after build-out. Staff will research the current split of duties between the city and the Hesperia Recreation and Park District and report back.
Flock surveillance cameras
The conversation touched on the growing network of Flock cameras around town, with questions about what they're used for and worries about privacy and potential misuse, like getting a ticket over a phone left on a lap.
Delinquent Utility Collections on Property Tax Roll
About 1,100 properties with unpaid water and trash bills will have those costs placed on the county property tax roll. Council members questioned how renters, landlords, and paying ratepayers are affected; staff said the county route recovers roughly 95%+ of debt by year three versus 8-10% with private collectors.
Animal Shelter Operations and Leadership
A resident criticized the rising number of animal deaths at the city shelter; Councilmember Lee announced upcoming vaccine clinics at the shelter starting February 4.
Hesperia Lakes negotiations
Commissioner Burke raised alarms over reports the city might sell the lakes, which would mean giving up water rights the city owns. Losing them could force the city to buy water at higher rates from Mojave Water Agency.
Potential sale of the lakes and water rights
Commissioner Burke raised alarms over reports the city might sell the lakes, which would mean giving up water rights the city owns. Losing them could force the city to buy water at higher rates from Mojave Water Agency.
School-traffic congestion
Commissioners vented about school drop-off traffic spilling into city streets, citing Laverne School and Crystal Elementary. A commissioner who designs schools said districts know the fix — on-site stacking lanes — but it costs millions.
Fire protection for sub-5,000-square-foot buildings
The church comes in at 4,995 square feet — five feet under the threshold that would require fire sprinklers. Commissioners flagged the gap, and the applicant committed to an on-site hydrant and a monitored alarm system instead.
Mobile spay and neuter services for pets
The city funded its first real spay-neuter program — $75,000 for a year of PAW Mission mobile services — to cut accidental litters and shelter intake. A resident urged adding trap-neuter-return for community cats next.
Proposal to sell city assets to close budget gap
Councilmember Ochoa wants the city to look at selling Hesperia Lake, the library, the golf course and the animal shelter to balance the budget without new taxes. Nothing was decided — he asked for it to be added to an upcoming budget-cutting agenda item.
Fence ordinance selective-enforcement allegation
A resident said she was forced to cut her front-setback fence to 36 inches while her neighbor's identical six-foot fence was allowed to stand at five feet with no application, fee or records on file. She alleged selective enforcement and asked for a written explanation.
2025 Urban Water Management Plan
Hesperia's water plan projects 30,000 new residents over 20-30 years and demand rising to 16,000 acre-feet by 2055. The regional plan concludes supplies are reliable through 2050 with active groundwater and imported water management.
V-ditch code enforcement on Earhart Avenue
A 49-year resident says a neighbor's clogged dirt V-ditch is a flooding hazard to her property and that the city inspector passed it without a real look. She wants the supervisor sent back out before the next storm.
Animal shelter conditions
A resident criticized the rising number of animal deaths at the city shelter; Councilmember Lee announced upcoming vaccine clinics at the shelter starting February 4.
Cadiz water project concerns
A Sierra Club representative warned the council that Cadiz Inc. faces a 'strong sell' stock rating, tribal opposition, and regulatory hurdles, urging caution about the city's non-binding water agreement with the company.
Teamsters labor negotiations
A Teamsters Local 1932 business agent asked the council to direct its bargaining team to give union members the same benefits the city already gives non-represented employees.
Residency Requirements for Council Candidates
The council discussed whether it can require council candidates to actually live in the district they run in. State law caps residency requirements at 30 days, so options are limited to a 30-day ordinance or residency verification paperwork.
Tow yard on Lilac Street (CUP 24-00013)
A tow company with an existing Rialto yard — reportedly asked by CHP to expand north — got approval to build a tow yard with a small office on 1.84 industrial acres. Conditions cap passenger vehicle storage at 30 days and require paving and screen walls.
22-lot subdivision at Oak Valley and Fuente (TT 23-0004)
A new 22-home subdivision on 4.1 acres cleared the commission unanimously, with a new cul-de-sac street, required walls, water and sewer extensions and full street improvements. Commissioners welcomed continued homebuilding despite costs.
Homeless encampment near school bus stop
A resident flagged a homeless encampment on an Edison-owned dirt lot right next to a bus stop used by elementary and middle school kids. The sheriff didn't follow up; the council asked for the location so staff can look into it.
Closed equestrian arena at Hesperia Lake Park
The Hesperia Wranglers say the equestrian area is the only part of the lake park still barricaded, and they can't get answers from the Park District. They had to move their memorial scholarship rodeo show elsewhere. The council asked for a Park District update on the next agenda.
Car wash proliferation and Phelan Road commercial project
Hesperia has been flooded with new car washes, and the council had stripped the car wash from this gas station/convenience store project in April. After hearing from the developer, the council reversed course and let the car wash back in, 4-1.
Fire department drone program coming to Hesperia
San Bernardino County Fire is installing drone docks at Fire Stations 302 and 305 within two to three months, giving crews live aerial views of incidents before they arrive — and cutting wasted responses to false 'smoke sightings.'
Child Abuse Prevention Month
The city proclaimed April as Child Abuse Prevention Month; San Bernardino County logged 30,545 abuse reports in 2025, including 1,501 referrals from Hesperia.
Highway 395 Waterline Relocation Savings
Instead of the city doing a separate water line project alongside SBCTA's Highway 395 work, SBCTA will do it all at once — avoiding tearing up the road twice. The city only pays $24,000 extra to upgrade to ductile iron pipe.
2025 Development Activity and Housing Element Progress
The city permitted 505 new single-family homes and 23 ADUs in 2025 and now has about 4.2 million square feet of approved industrial space, including the Amazon facility. The annual report shows the city is keeping up with its state housing obligations.
Animal Control Services and Fees
One resident celebrated animal control reuniting her with her stolen dog; another complained about a $1,000 surrender fee and $3,600 in citations, saying she felt harassed by officers in bulletproof vests. Staff agreed to follow up.
Warehouse Appeal (SAFER v. Cargo Solutions Express)
An environmental group's appeal of two 75,000-square-foot warehouse buildings was put on hold for about two months while SAFER and the developer negotiate a possible settlement. The council will take the appeal back up if no deal is reached.
FY 2025-26 Mid-Year Budget
The city's budget is tracking close to last year, with the water fund balance expected to grow to $142.8 million. The council added $255,000 for street maintenance needs, including a worn-out dump truck and a traffic signal pole hit at I and Bear Valley.
Fleet maintenance costs and vehicle replacement strategy
The city is spending big on repairs to aging dump trucks and a patch truck while waiting for a replacement swap-loader truck due in March. A resident questioned whether repeated emergency repairs beat proactive replacement.
Emergency procedures and disaster assistance authority
Staff walked through how the city declares and ratifies local emergencies and how the city manager can waive up to $5,000 in fees to help residents hit by disasters like the recent storms.
Traffic control box decorative wraps criticized as wasteful
Robert Davy called the $30,000 traffic box wrapping program a waste, urging the money go toward left-turn signals and warning wraps invite graffiti. Council Member Lee defended wraps as cooler-running and easier to clean; Gregg called it a trial run.
Emergency fine suspension ordinance
Council Member Ochoa asked the city to suspend weed abatement and trash fines during emergencies and draft a standing ordinance within 30-45 days so the city can act proactively in future disasters.
County-owned drainage at Talisman
The city stopped maintaining a drainage area at Talisman after the county told it to cease work on county-owned property. Council Member Lee wants the city to explore annexation or hold the county accountable.
Hotel Development
Get ready for a new hotel in Hesperia! A 124-room StudioRes by Marriott is coming to Mariposa Road, right by the Texas Roadhouse. This could mean more places for people to stay when they visit.
Joshua tree protections
Hesperia is rolling out new rules to protect Joshua trees, and if you've got 'em on your land, you need to know what's up. A workshop is happening soon to break down the new protections, especially if you're thinking about developing your property.
Joshua tree protection workshop
Hesperia is holding a workshop to help residents understand the new rules for protecting Joshua trees on their property. If you've got these iconic desert plants, you'll want to know what you can and can't do.
Public Comment Disruption
Things got wild at a Hesperia City Council meeting with a councilman clashing with pro-Palestine protestors during public comment. Get ready for more fireworks at the next one!
Housing Discrimination Settlement
Hesperia is coughing up cash to settle a federal lawsuit over a rental housing program that was found to be discriminatory. The city and sheriff's department are being held accountable for how they handled housing for renters.
Housing Discrimination
Hesperia's housing policies are under fire from the federal government, specifically HUD Secretary Ben Carson. He's accusing the city of discriminating against people with disabilities, which could force major changes in how new housing is approved and built.
Council Member Departure
Eric Schmidt is leaving Hesperia City Council and looking back on his tenure, marking a changing of the guard at City Hall. The practical effect is a vacant council seat and a shift in local representation, though the source doesn’t say how or when it’ll be filled.
Illegal Fireworks Enforcement
Hesperia’s City Council wants a tougher crackdown on illegal fireworks, which is welcome news if July on your street feels like a warzone. The push likely means more enforcement and attention to noise, safety, and fire-risk complaints.