Vacation rentals in Big Bear: what owners need to know
The City of Big Bear Lake rations vacation rental licenses, while county communities around the lake use a separate permit. Know which side you are on.
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Big Bear is Southern California's mountain getaway, roughly a two-hour drive from much of the Los Angeles basin. Winter brings skiers and snowboarders to Bear Mountain and Snow Summit, and families come simply to see snow; summer turns the lake into the main attraction, with boating, fishing, mountain biking and cooler air than the valleys below. Holidays and weekends dominate the calendar. Rental stock is mostly A-frame cabins, chalets and newer family homes under the pines.
Two jurisdictions around one lake
The City of Big Bear Lake, on the south shore, runs its own vacation rental program. The communities of Big Bear City, Fawnskin and Sugarloaf follow San Bernardino County instead. The rules, the tax account and the enforcement office all change at the city line.
City of Big Bear Lake: a capped permit
The city limits the number of vacation rental licenses and keeps a waiting list once the ceiling is reached; our atlas recorded that ceiling at about 1,100 permits, fully allocated. Licensed homes must respect occupancy and parking limits, trash and noise rules, and have a responsive local contact. Because licenses are scarce, check with the city whether a property's license can be kept after a sale before paying a premium for it.
County areas: permit without a city cap
In unincorporated areas, the county's short-term private home rental permit applies to homes in its mountain and desert regions rented for 30 days or less. It sets occupancy limits, requires compliance with fire, building and health codes, and obliges the owner or manager to respond to complaints at any hour. The county publishes a map of permitted homes and runs a 24/7 hotline.
Taxes
The city and the county each levy transient occupancy tax on short stays in their territory. Local tourism assessments may be added. Register with the right one.
Mountain realities
- Snow removal, chains and parking are the most frequent sources of complaints; plan them.
- Fire risk affects insurance availability; get a quote before your offer.
- Bear-resistant trash containers and wood-stove safety deserve attention.
Our advice
Choose the side of the line first. Inside the city, secure clarity on the license before anything else; in county areas, get the permit and the operational basics right from day one. We study every request and tell you honestly whether and how we can help.
Read next
Sources
- City of Big Bear Lake - Short-Term Rentals (atlas source) (not readable 2026-09-27)
- San Bernardino County - Short-Term Rental Program (consulted 2026-09-27)
Updated 02/10/2026.
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