Thoroughbred Holiday Lights Information

No. The annual neighborhood coordinated holiday lights display along Thoroughbred and Jennet Street is not a city-sponsored or city-sanctioned event; the City has no role in coordinating or planning this resident-led event. The decision to do, or not to do, these displays is entirely upon each of the homeowners and the City is not in any way involved in that decision-making process.    

The annual holiday lights display is NOT a city-sponsored or city-sanctioned event and the City has no role in coordinating or planning the displays, including when the lights are turned on/off. The City is not able to answer inquiries related to when the residents turn on their light displays.

The City has requested that residents consider turning their lights off at 10:00 p.m. during the week and at 11:00 p.m. on the weekends, as a courtesy to surrounding neighborhoods that are affected by the increase in visitors to the area. 

No. The City cannot shut down the light display or prevent it from occurring. The City of Rancho Cucamonga does not have the authority to prohibit homeowners from decorating their private property during the holiday season. The City cannot “cancel” the displays on Thoroughbred/Jennet Streets as the nature of the event is such that each individual homeowner chooses to decorate or not, chooses the theme of their decorations, and the days and times they turn the lights on. 

As previously noted, the City has no authority to regulate the holiday lights display, including the hours and days when the lights are turned on, as it is considered a private activity. The City may request that the lights be turned off at a certain time; however, it would be up to each homeowner to voluntarily consider honoring that request.

No. The Rancho Cucamonga Police Department has phased out the need for distributing parking passes. Instead, residents should be prepared to show their California Driver’s License or other proof of residence in order to access their home located in any restricted-access area.                                            

The City had previously implemented a "Drive-Thru Only" Ordinance during high peak evening/weekend hours to reduce the mix of vehicles and pedestrians, with the goal to reduce the risk of serious injury, negative behaviors, as well as preserve the quality of life for surrounding residents. 

Portions of Thoroughbred and Jennet Street and Turquoise Avenue will be Drive-Thru Only from December 6th through December 24th between 5:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m.; general public/pedestrians will not be allowed to walk the holiday display during these designated dates.    

Specific accommodations have been made for residents that live within the “Drive-Thru Only” area and their guests accessing their residences as pedestrians. Homeowners within this restricted area have received specific information regarding these exemptions and processes. There is no street parking allowed within the “Drive-Thru Only” area.

While it is not a city-sponsored or city-sanctioned event, the City of Rancho Cucamonga has no choice but to respond to the massive crowds that visit the neighborhood to see the holiday lights. The neighborhood is ill-equipped to handle such a large influx of visitors and the traffic and additional pedestrians present significant public safety and traffic concerns that affect an area much larger than just the immediate Thoroughbred/Jennet Streets neighborhood. In order to partially alleviate the traffic congestion and provide some level of public safety to the large crowds in the area, the City’s Police Department is strategically deployed to the area during the most impactful times. 

On busy nights during the holiday season, thousands of visitors arrive to enjoy the holiday lights displays. The residential streets in the neighborhood along with Sapphire and Carnelian Streets were not designed to handle the extremely high volume of cars and pedestrians. This traffic congestion has a negative impact on critical services such as Police and Fire services and their ability to respond to emergencies in the area. In order to minimize these impacts, the City created an event traffic management plan. The plan is reviewed each year for adjustments based on the experience of the previous season. Portions of Thoroughbred and Jennet Streets and Turquoise Avenue will be Drive-Thru Only areas, on the high-impact evenings of December 6th through December 24th, 2024, from the hours of 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., general public/pedestrians will not be allowed to walk the holiday display during these designated dates.

These streets can become very crowded with cars and pedestrians and pose a public safety concern. The added space gained by restricting parking allows for more room for pedestrians and cars to spread out, lessen vehicle-pedestrian interactions and provides Police and Fire Vehicles a path for emergencies, if needed. It also improves safety by minimizing congestion points where pedestrians have to maneuver around parked cars on the route.  Portions of Thoroughbred and Jennet Streets and Turquoise Avenue will be Drive-Thru Only areas, on the high impact evenings of December 6th through December 24th, from the hours of 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. to further increase pedestrian and vehicle safety. 

No. The holiday light display is not a city-sponsored or city-sanctioned event. The City has no authority to regulate whether the event occurs or not, the city does not pay for or provide this type of amenity for a non-city-sponsored/sanctioned event. 

No. The holiday light display is not a city-sponsored or city-sanctioned event. Other than the obligation to ensure the safety of the public, the City does not pay for or provide event amenities or services. 

In response to concerns about trash and littering that have been expressed by area residents for many years, the City expanded its street sweeping service in the area surrounding the holiday lights display. 

For non-emergency situations, the Rancho Cucamonga Police Department can be reached at their Non-Emergency Dispatch number at 1-909-941-1488 anytime 24 hours/day, seven days a week. 

For emergencies, please call 9-1-1.

Contact Rancho Cucamonga Police Department's Traffic Division at 1-909-477-2800.          

City Manager’s Office

City of Rancho Cucamonga

1-909-774-2011     

Email – Holidaylights@CityofRC.us

Is food vending allowed at the holiday light display?   

Yes. The California State Cottage Food Operations Law allows certain low-risk foods to be made at home and sold directly to consumers.  All County and City permits, approvals, and requirements will need to be met in order to sell cottage food items.  This includes obtaining a County Health permit, Home Occupation Permit, and a Business License.   

What food can I sell out of my home? 

The California Department of Public Health maintains the list of approved cottage foods and items are regularly added or deleted. The current list of permitted Cottage Foods may be obtained at www.CDPH.ca.gov. 

What other restrictions are there for selling cottage food items from my home? 

• RCMC 17.92.030 (D) allows for the sale of cottage food products between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. 

• RCMC 17.92.020 (E) Visitors and customers. Not more than five customers or clients per day shall enter the dwelling for meetings, service, or products and not more than ten vehicle trips per day shall be created by customers or clients. Customers or clients must park either in the driveway of the dwelling or in front of the dwelling only. During the Thoroughbred Holiday light displays parking in front of the dwelling may not impede the flow of traffic or emergency vehicles which may in some instances necessitate parking in the driveway only.

• Food must be prepared inside a kitchen (not on the driveway or in the garage). 

• Only the resident, immediate family members, and one employee can be engaged in a cottage food operation. 

What if I want to sell something that is not on the list? 

Any foods not covered under the California State Cottage Food law (previously listed), including pre-packaged foods as well as beverages (cocoa, coffee, cider, tea) are strictly prohibited from being sold or distributed even if free of charge.  Additionally, selling retail products such as toys and holiday decorations is prohibited.   

Can I allow someone else to sell their cottage food from my residential property? 

No.  Outside food vendors (anyone other than the resident) are not allowed to sell cottage food items from a home where they do not reside.   

What is the penalty if I violate any of the vending laws? 

The Rancho Cucamonga Police Department, Community Improvement Division, Business Licensing Division and San Bernardino County Public Health Department will be actively enforcing all state and local vending regulations.  Citations are issued at $100 for first violation, $200 for second violation, and $500 for each subsequent violation.  Each retail transaction is considered a violation.  Repeat offenders may have their equipment and products impounded. 

Am I allowed to give away food and drinks? 

Homemade items which are not on the list of permitted Cottage Foods or which are not prepared in compliance with health regulations cannot be distributed, even if free of charge.  This includes coffee, tea, hot chocolate, cider or other prepared beverages.   

Distributing food and drinks free of charge is not considered a retail activity and therefore does not fall under the City’s food vending regulations.  Residents can give away pre-packaged, store-bought (non-homemade) food and drinks for free. However, any attempts to collect donations, “tips”, or make the item conditionally free when purchasing another item would make it subject to state and local food vending regulations.   

What licenses and permits do I need and what are their fees, if I want to establish a food cottage operation? 

City of Rancho Cucamonga: 

Business License - $27.00

Home Occupation Permit - $102.00

County of San Bernardino Department of Public Health Department:  

Cottage Food Health Permit/Registration - $199.00, Class A

Where do I start? 

If you are interested in cottage food operations, please call Business License Program at (909) 919-2948. 

Maps for Residents Within Restricted Neighborhoods - Proof of Residency Required