Big Bear City, California Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Big Bear Lake?

Yes, short-term rentals are explicitly allowed in Big Bear Lake, California. The City of Big Bear Lake (zip code 92315) and San Bernardino County (zip codes including 92314) both permit short-term rental operations, though they operate under different regulatory frameworks with distinct requirements, fees, and enforcement procedures. Properties located within the City of Big Bear Lake jurisdiction must comply with city ordinances, while properties in the surrounding unincorporated county areas fall under San Bernardino County regulations.

The city has adopted a comprehensive vacation rental program (Ordinance No. 2023-518) that allows both hosted and un-hosted short-term rentals, with specific zoning allowances and operational standards. Similarly, the county permits short-term rentals in designated mountain and desert areas with their own permitting system and enforcement mechanisms.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Big Bear City?

Big Bear City hosts earn a median $28,248/year with $304 ADR and 35% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $45,312+ per year.

See the full Big Bear City market breakdown →

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in This Market

For Properties Within City of Big Bear Lake (Zip Code 92315)

Verify Property Location: Ensure your property falls within the 92315 zip code boundary. Properties outside this area must register with San Bernardino County.
Prepare Required Documentation: Gather all necessary documents before beginning the online application process.
Complete Online Registration: Submit your application through the city's Govpilot system with all required attachments.
Schedule Inspection: After application approval, complete the city-mandated inspection process.
Pass Certification: All owners and agents must pass the annual 25-question certification exam with 100% accuracy.
Pay Registration Fee: Remit the $550 registration fee upon application submission.
Display License: Print and post the approved vacation rental license prominently within the property.

For Properties in San Bernardino County (Zip Codes Including 92314)

Determine Eligibility: Confirm your property is located in the county's designated mountain or desert areas where STRs are permitted.
Apply for County Permit: Submit your permit application through the county's online portal at ezop.sbcounty.gov.
Complete Application: Provide all required information about the property, owner, and intended operations.
Meet Requirements: Ensure compliance with all county occupancy, safety, and operational standards.
Pay Fees: Remit the applicable permit fees as specified by the county.
Maintain Permit: Renew your permit according to the county's renewal schedule.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

City of Big Bear Lake Requirements

Required Documents:

Proof of ownership (recorded deed or final closing statement)
Entity documentation for trusts, LLCs, or corporations showing all involved parties
Liability insurance declaration pages
Owner/Agent Annual Certification exam results (100% score required)

Permits and Licenses:

Vacation Rental Program Registration Application
Annual vacation rental license (valid for one year)
Owner/Agent certification (renewed annually)
Proof of liability insurance coverage

Application Process:

Submit online application through Govpilot system
Pay $550 registration fee
Complete 2-4 week inspection process
Pass annual certification exam

Fee Structure:

Initial registration: $550
Annual renewal fees as specified by city ordinance

San Bernardino County Requirements

Required Documentation:

Property ownership verification
Contact information for 24/7 response capability
Compliance documentation for Fire, Building, Zoning, and Health & Safety Codes

Permits and Licenses:

County short-term rental permit (two-year validity)
Maximum occupancy approval based on property specifications

Permit Fees:

Two-year permit fee: $599
Additional fees may apply based on property characteristics

Specific Regulations by Jurisdiction

City of Big Bear Lake Regulations (92315)

Zoning Compliance:

R-L and R-1 Zones: Single family units only; combined single family and detached guest house must rent as single unit
R-3 Zone: Single family units permitted; limitations on multiple unit properties
Commercial Zones: Single family units allowed in Village Commercial zone

Occupancy Limits:

Maximum 2 adult persons per bedroom plus 2 additional adult persons
Total maximum occupancy: 16 adult persons per rental property
No rentals to unaccompanied minors under 18 years of age

Operational Requirements:

24/7 agent response capability within 30 minutes of city contact
In-person check-ins or virtual registration confirmation
Good Neighbor Policy acknowledgment by all guests
Annual home inspection required
Annual certification exam for all owners and agents
Off-street parking provision
10 PM to 7 AM quiet hours enforcement
Maximum 2 vehicles per property

Safety Requirements:

Smoke detectors in all sleeping areas
Fire extinguishers on each level
Carbon monoxide detectors where applicable
Clear evacuation routes and posted emergency information

Tax Obligations:

Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT): 9% of gross receipts
Tourism Business Improvement District assessment: 3%
Monthly remittance due by last day of following month

San Bernardino County Regulations

Geographic Coverage:

Mountain and desert areas of San Bernardino County
Properties in Big Bear City, Fawnskin, Sugarloaf, Baldwin Lake, Erwin Lake

Occupancy Determination:

Based on multiple factors including square footage, parking, and parcel size
Homes 800 sq ft or less: maximum 6 occupants
Homes 1,200 sq ft or less: maximum 8 occupants
70 square feet per person, with additional space requirements for multiple occupants
Parking-based calculations: 1 car = 4 guests, 2 cars = 8 guests
Parcel size limitations: Maximum 10 guests on parcels under 1/4 acre, 12 guests under 1/2 acre, 15 guests on 1/2 to 1 acre parcels, 20 guests on 1+ acre parcels

Inspection Requirements:

Interior inspections conducted every two years
Safety compliance verification
Parking and occupancy validation

Operational Standards:

24/7 complaint resolution phone number required
Compliance with Fire, Building, Zoning, and Health & Safety Codes
Maximum occupancy enforcement
Noise and nuisance prevention

Enforcement:

24/7 complaint hotline: 1-833-SBC-STR1 (1-833-722-7871)
Online complaint filing system available
Citation and fine system for violations

California State-Level Requirements

Business Registration:

Required for most California jurisdictions
Business tax certificate needed
Federal EIN and tax identification numbers

Tax Requirements:

Transient Occupancy Tax collection and remittance
Federal income tax reporting on rental income
State income tax obligations
Business tax payments

Insurance Requirements:

Liability insurance coverage highly recommended
Property damage protection
Loss of rental income coverage options

Contact Information

City of Big Bear Lake

Physical Address: 39707 Big Bear Blvd. Big Bear Lake, CA 92315

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 10000

Phone: (909) 866-5831

Business Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Department Directory: Available at city website for specific department contacts

San Bernardino County

Physical Address: San Bernardino County Code Enforcement 268 W. Hospitality Lane, Suite 300 San Bernardino, CA 92415

24/7 Complaint Hotline: 1-833-SBC-STR1 (1-833-722-7871)

Email: shorttermrental@lus.sbcounty.gov

Online Portal: ezop.sbcounty.gov

Complaint Filing: Available online through sbcounty-str-complaints.deckard.com

Links to Source Pages

Additional Resources

Big Bear Weather Information: Available through city website
Road Conditions: Check city website for current updates
Local Emergency Information: Available through city and county portals

Important Notes:

All applications must be submitted with complete documentation or risk automatic denial
Registration and inspection processes typically take 2-4 weeks to complete
Properties cannot be rented during the application and inspection period
Annual renewals are mandatory and subject to renewal notification systems
Tax remittances are required monthly, even for properties with no rental activity
Violations can result in fines ranging from $500 to $1,500 per offense
Code enforcement actively monitors compliance through complaint-based and proactive enforcement

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