How to get a short-term rental permit in Big Bear Lake, CA (2026)
Big Bear Lake requires Vacation Rental License (City of Big Bear Lake Vacation Rental Program registration) — the fee is $635, renewed annual. Here's how to get and keep it.
Permit at a glance
| Permit required | Yes |
|---|---|
| Permit name | Vacation Rental License (City of Big Bear Lake Vacation Rental Program registration) |
| Permit fee | $635 |
| Renewal | Annual |
Step by step
- 1
Confirm your property is eligible
Confirm the property's zoning allows short-term rentals. Section 4.01.110 contains a vacation rental eligibility table: single-family homes in R-L, R-1, and R-3 zones are eligible; on lots with multiple detached or attached single-family units in R-L/R-1, only 1 unit is eligible; in R-3, 2-4 attached units are all eligible, apartments (>4 units, single ownership) are not, condominiums (>4 units, multiple ownership) are all eligible; Village Commercial single-family homes are eligible but other commercial zones and mixed-use buildings are not. ADUs themselves are never eligible; after Ord. 2025-524 (12/10/2025) the primary dwelling on a lot with an ADU is 'Eligible for primary residence only, ADU is not eligible' (previously the whole property was ineligible), though a retained footnote still states no property with an ADU is eligible - the codified text is internally inconsistent. Properties licensed as of January 11, 2021 that don't comply with the table may continue renewing. City rules apply only within city limits (zip 92315); San Bernardino County rules govern surrounding Big Bear areas.
- 2
Apply for the Vacation Rental License (City of Big Bear Lake Vacation Rental Program registration)
Submit the Vacation Rental License (City of Big Bear Lake Vacation Rental Program registration) application to Big Bear Lake and pay the $635 fee. City registration page (retrieved July 2026) states 'Pay the registration fee of $635 at the end of the online application.' The Master Fee Schedule adopted 8/13/2025 phases the 'Vacation Rental Program' fee (per year, per property) from $550 to $605 (Year 1, effective 10/12/2025), $635 (Year 2), and $731 (Year 3). Fee is non-refundable, set by council resolution per Section 4.01.040, and covers the required pre-license home inspection. Separate fees: transfer of vacation rental $74; home-sharing registration phasing $200/$400/$635. Industry blogs still citing $605 reflect the earlier Year 1 fee.
- 3
Register for occupancy taxes
Register to collect and remit the applicable lodging/occupancy taxes for Big Bear Lake. Some are collected automatically by the booking platform and some you may need to remit yourself.
- 4
Renew on schedule
The permit renews annual — set a reminder so it never lapses, since operating on an expired permit typically triggers fines.
STR rules change without warning.
Get an email the moment Big Bear Lake changes its short-term rental rules — plus renewal reminders before your permit expires.
Watch Big Bear Lake for changes →Free monthly digest · same-day alerts from $5/mo · cancel anytime
Keep going
Verified July 10, 2026. Informational only — not legal, tax, or financial advice. Permit requirements and fees change; confirm current requirements with Big Bear Lake before applying.