Cedar Glen, California Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Overview: Are STRs allowed in Cedar Glen?

Yes—short‑term rentals (30 days or less) are permitted in Cedar Glen and other unincorporated areas of San Bernardino County subject to a county permit, local ordinances, and strict operational standards. There is no separate city of Cedar Glen. STR activity is governed primarily by San Bernardino County (SBC) in mountain/desert regions. SBC maintains a countywide STR program that issues permits, conducts inspections, and enforces rules. A density and impacts study is ongoing, and a 2022 ordinance established key limitations and enforcement tools.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Cedar Glen?

Cedar Glen hosts earn a median $33,513/year with $336 ADR and 33% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $51,485+ per year.

See the full Cedar Glen market breakdown

How to Start an STR Business in This Market

Confirm eligibility: properties must be within the county’s designated mountain/desert unincorporated areas and comply with zoning, building, fire, health and safety codes.
Confirm legal access: ensure the property is suitable for year‑round access and parking typical for mountain communities (e.g., Lake Arrowhead/Cedar Glen terrain and seasonal conditions).
Obtain a county STR permit:
1. Create an account on the SBC “Citizen Access” portal.
2. Complete the online application and upload required documents (see next section).
3. Payment of fees.
4. Review and permit issuance once all requirements are satisfied.
Operate responsibly:
- Comply with occupancy limits and parking on‑site.
- Post the 24/7 contact for guests and respond to complaints within one hour.
- Ensure safety compliance (smoke/CO alarms, fire extinguishers, safe egress).
- Maintain and dispose of trash properly; avoid street parking by guests.
Monitor announcements and the density study outcomes for future changes.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

San Bernardino County STR Permit (required for rentals ≤ 30 days in mountain/desert unincorporated areas).
Proof of ownership or legal authority to operate the property.
Contact information for an on‑call responsible person (24/7 responsiveness).
Fire, building, zoning and health and safety compliance; the county verifies these standards.
Required posting and guest communication: provide rules and on‑call contact; ensure guests understand occupancy/parking/noise expectations.
Online application is initiated through SBC’s Citizen Access portal.

Operational guidelines to follow:

Occupancy: 4 guests in a one‑bedroom/studio; add 2 guests per additional bedroom up to a maximum of 12 guests.
Owner/manager must provide a 24‑hour phone number for complaints and respond within one hour.
Rentals ≤ 30 days are permitted; rentals ≥ 31 days are standard tenancies and not subject to the STR permit process.
Compliance with outdoor noise and nuisance rules; additional monitoring program may apply.

Note: Specific county application document checklists and fee schedules can change. Confirm current requirements on the SBC STR website and portal.

Specific Regulations (County and State)

San Bernardino County (applies to Cedar Glen STRs):

Permit requirement: mandatory for private homes in the mountain/desert regions rented for 30 days or less.
Occupancy caps: 4 guests in a one‑bedroom/studio; +2 per additional bedroom; max 12.
Parking: guests must park on the property; street parking violations trigger fines.
Responsible contact: 24/7 contact required; one‑hour response to complaints.
Complaint enforcement: 24/7 hotline; escalating penalties for violations; online complaint filing available.
Permit caps and parcel limits (effective July 28, 2022):
- One STR per parcel under 2 acres.
- Two STRs per parcel of 2 acres or more.
- Cap of two STR permits per individual/corporation/trust/LLC/LLP; “grandfathered” provision for those exceeding two before adoption.
Density and impact study: countywide study begun in January 2023; board review of findings and recommendations by end of 2023; potential future cap/mitigation measures pending board direction.
Enforcement and penalties:
- Example fines: $1,000 for first street‑parking violation by guests.
- Fines escalate; repeated violations can lead to $2,500 penalties and potential permit loss.
- Example: an owner received $1,000 fine over a holiday weekend for guest parking violation.
Noise monitoring: SBC may deploy outdoor noise monitoring; owners should prepare to manage guest noise and comply with monitoring directives.
Annual statistical reporting: SBC publishes complaint and enforcement statistics by region.

California (State context):

Real Estate and Business Brokers Act (REBAA): operating STRs without a real estate license is permitted (California Department of Real Estate guidance).
AB 3182 (2020): prohibits covenants, conditions, and restrictions (CC&Rs) that wholly ban STRs; however, local governments retain authority to regulate STRs (zoning, permits, safety). This preempts only private HOA bans, not municipal/county rules.
Taxes: California’s Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) typically applies to STRs; local rates and collection rules vary. Ensure TOT registration and remittance per county rules. Consult SBC for current local TOT obligations.

Enforcement and Complaint Handling

Residents and neighbors can file complaints via:
- 24/7 hotline: 1‑833‑SBC‑STR1 (1‑833‑722‑7871)
- Online complaint portal
Enforcement steps follow SBC’s documented process; owners receive notices/citations and must correct violations promptly.
Violations can lead to fines, permit suspension, or revocation.

Contact Information (Local Authority)

San Bernardino County Code Enforcement (STR Program)
- Phone (24/7 complaint line): 1‑833‑SBC‑STR1 (1‑833‑722‑7871)
- Email (owner/applicant assistance): shorttermrental@lus.sbcounty.gov
- Mailing address: 268 W. Hospitality Lane, Suite 300, San Bernardino, CA 92415
- Website: str.sbcounty.gov/
- Apply for a permit: ezop.sbcounty.gov/citizenaccess/
- File a complaint: sbcounty-str-complaints.deckard.com/
- Permitted STR properties map: str.sbcounty.gov/permitted-str-properties/
- Enforcement process PDF (hotline announcement): str.sbcounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/58/2023/09/Short-Term-Rental-Hotline-Postcard.pdf

Source Pages (Links)

San Bernardino County STR Program (Homepage and Owners section): str.sbcounty.gov/
Apply for a STR Permit (Citizen Access portal): ezop.sbcounty.gov/citizenaccess/
San Bernardino County STR 24/7 Complaint Hotline Postcard: str.sbcounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/58/2023/09/Short-Term-Rental-Hotline-Postcard.pdf
Short‑Term Rentals Map (permitted properties): str.sbcounty.gov/permitted-str-properties/
STR online complaint portal: sbcounty-str-complaints.deckard.com/
County News Feature: County Assesses Effect of Short-Term Rentals on Long-Term Housing: www.mountain-news.com/news/county-assesses-effect-of-short-term-rentals-on-long-term-housing/article_70215778-20f2-11ee-b8f1-cfd1d0d93461.html

Practical Compliance Checklist for Cedar Glen Investors

Confirm parcel size and STR cap rules (≤2 acres = 1 STR; ≥2 acres = up to 2 STRs).
Verify total STR permits per owner (≤2 permitted; check grandfathering).
Apply for the county STR permit and complete all compliance reviews.
Post 24/7 contact; develop guest rules and house manual covering occupancy, parking, noise, trash, and emergency contacts.
Conduct pre‑season and ongoing safety maintenance (smoke/CO alarms, extinguishers, egress, signage).
Track complaint data; maintain on‑site guest parking; enforce quiet hours.
Register for and comply with TOT; maintain records for audits.
Monitor county announcements and the density study; adjust business model if future caps or rules change.

Next step

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Ask the AI Advisor about Cedar Glen

Cedar Glen is a tiny unincorporated mountain community tucked into the San Bernardino Mountains of San Bernardino County, California. With a population of only a few hundred residents, it has the feel of a quiet alpine hamlet rather than a town in the conventional sense. Cedar Glen sits within the San Bernardino National Forest and serves as a peaceful gateway to the Lake Arrowhead resort area, one of Southern California's most popular year-round mountain getaways. The community lies roughly 80 miles east of downtown Los Angeles, reached via Interstate 10 and State Route 330, typically in just over an hour and a half of driving.

Just a few minutes down the road, Lake Arrowhead anchors the surrounding mountain community with a private reservoir framed by forested shoreline and a charming village of shops, restaurants, and the historic Lake Arrowhead Resort. From Cedar Glen, the lake's main attractions are only about a five-to-ten-minute drive away, making it easy for visitors to enjoy boat tours, the lake's paved walking path, and seasonal events without staying in the busier parts of the village.

A short drive in the opposite direction leads to Lake Gregory Regional Park in the neighboring community of Crestline, roughly fifteen minutes from Cedar Glen. The park offers a small lake with paddleboat and kayak rentals in summer, a swimming area, picnic spots, and a network of walking trails through the surrounding pine and oak woods. It tends to draw a more local crowd than Lake Arrowhead, giving visitors a quieter alternative for a day on the water.

The entire area lies within the San Bernardino National Forest, which opens up thousands of acres of forest for hiking, mountain biking, and in winter, snow play at higher elevations. Several trailheads and forest roads branch off directly from the highways connecting Cedar Glen to the surrounding communities, and the Pacific Crest Trail passes through the higher ridges nearby, offering ambitious hikers a chance to walk a legendary stretch of long-distance footpath without driving far from their cabin.

Cedar Glen's appeal for short-term rentals lies in its combination of seclusion and accessibility. Visitors can enjoy cool mountain air, towering pines, and starry nights that are increasingly hard to find in Southern California, while still being within easy reach of Los Angeles, Orange County, and the Inland Empire. The community's small scale keeps the atmosphere authentic and uncrowded, while its proximity to Lake Arrowhead, Lake Gregory, and the surrounding national forest provides enough variety to fill weekends in every season. For travelers who want a genuine mountain cabin experience without committing to a remote drive, Cedar Glen offers a particularly attractive balance.