Big Bear Lake Short-Term Rental Regulations
| Permit | ✓ Required — Vacation Rental License ($605) |
| Primary Residence | Not required |
| Annual Day Limit | No limit |
| Tax Rate | 13% |
| Max Penalty | $5,000 per violation |
| Insurance | ✓ Required |
New to short-term rentals? Jump to the compliance checklist →
Permit & Licensing
Vacation Rental License
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Initial cost | $605 |
| Renewal | fee varies |
This permit type does not require primary residence.
Application Process
Submit online Vacation Rental Program Registration Application with proof of ownership, entity documents, and liability insurance declaration pages (PDF), pay the $605 registration fee, then complete a city inspection. Registration and inspection takes 2-4 weeks and the home may not be rented during this period. Limit of two licenses per owner/entity.
Tax Obligations
| Tax | Rate | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) | 10% | City of Big Bear Lake |
| Big Bear Lake Tourism Business Improvement District (BBLTBID) | 3% | City of Big Bear Lake (collected on behalf of Visit Big Bear) |
Combined rate: 13% of gross rental income.
Collection: Owner/operator self-remits monthly via the City's GovPilot online portal (paper forms on request). Airbnb remits TOT only; Evolve and VRBO/HomeAway remit both TOT and BBLTBID; owners must remit directly for bookings outside a platform and must file every month even with zero income.
Filing: Monthly; remittances due the last day of the month following the reporting month
Rental Limits
Big Bear Lake does not impose an annual cap on the number of nights you can rent.
Occupancy & Density Limits
2 adults per bedroom plus 2 additional adults; total persons may not exceed 1 per 200 sq ft of living space or 16 persons, whichever is less
Zoning & Restrictions
Check with local government
Insurance & Safety
Insurance
Liability insurance is required for the property's use as a short-term rental, though the required coverage amount is not publicly specified.
Safety & Operating Requirements
- City inspection required before the property may be rented (registration and inspection process takes 2-4 weeks)
- Exterior weatherproof sign (max 2 sq ft) showing the code compliance hotline, 24/7 agent phone number, maximum occupants, and maximum vehicles
- 24/7 Complaint Response Agent who must respond in person within 30 minutes of city dispatch
- Outdoor spa use and any peace-disturbing activity prohibited between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
- Annual owner/agent certification exam (25 questions, 100% pass score)
Penalties for Non-Compliance
- Renting/advertising without a valid current license (Section 4.01.100 A): $1,500 first violation, $2,500 second within 12 months, $5,000 third within 12 months
- Operational requirement violations (Section 4.01.100 B / 4.01.060): $500 first violation, $1,000 second within 12 months, $1,500 third within 12 months
Platform Requirements
License number must be included in all advertisements and solicitations (hosting sites, websites, social media, emails, print ads)
Compliance Checklist
Follow these steps to legally operate a short-term rental in Big Bear Lake:
- Meet safety requirements. City inspection required before the property may be rented (registration and inspection process takes 2-4 weeks). Exterior weatherproof sign (max 2 sq ft) showing the code compliance hotline, 24/7 agent phone number, maximum occupants, and maximum vehicles. 24/7 Complaint Response Agent who must respond in person within 30 minutes of city dispatch. Outdoor spa use and any peace-disturbing activity prohibited between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. Annual owner/agent certification exam (25 questions, 100% pass score).
- Obtain liability insurance. Required for property's use as a short-term rental.
- Apply for Vacation Rental License. Submit application + $605 fee.
- Register for tax accounts. Set up lodging tax accounts with City of Big Bear Lake (Management Services Department).
- Display your permit number. Include your permit/license number in all listings and advertisements.
- Collect and remit taxes. 13% on all bookings.
- Renew annually. Contact city for renewal fee details.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do you need a permit to run an Airbnb in Big Bear Lake?
- Yes. Operating a short-term rental — including an Airbnb or Vrbo — in Big Bear Lake requires a Vacation Rental License.
- How much does a short-term rental permit cost in Big Bear Lake?
- A Vacation Rental License in Big Bear Lake costs $605 per year.
- Does Big Bear Lake require a short-term rental to be your primary residence?
- No. Big Bear Lake allows non-owner-occupied short-term rentals, so investment properties can qualify provided you hold the required permit.
- How many days a year can you short-term rent in Big Bear Lake?
- Big Bear Lake does not cap the number of nights per year you can short-term rent, though permitting, zoning, and occupancy rules still apply.
- What taxes do you pay on a short-term rental in Big Bear Lake?
- Short-term rental stays in Big Bear Lake are subject to a combined 13% in lodging taxes. This combines 10% Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) + 3% Big Bear Lake Tourism Business Improvement District (BBLTBID). The host is responsible for collecting and remitting them.
- What happens if you run a short-term rental without a permit in Big Bear Lake?
- Operating without a permit can cost up to $5,000 per violation.
Tools for Short-Term Rental Hosts
AdServices that help hosts handle the legal, management, pricing, and cleaning side of a short-term rental.