Big Bear Lake vacation rental rules

"A current, valid and active annual license issued by the city to the owner is required for each property prior to advertising."Sec. 4.01.030A

• Any stay of 28 days or less counts. City homes only (zip 92315); homes outside register with the county.
• Apply online (city page): proof of ownership, any LLC or trust papers, proof of liability insurance, and the $635 fee at the end.
• Inspection: the city says registration and inspection can take 4 to 6 weeks, and "You are NOT allowed to rent your home during this period."
• Exam: owners and agents pass a 25-question exam every year with a perfect score (city page).
• Limits: two licenses per owner (sec. 4.01.040B); ADUs and some apartments can't be licensed (sec. 4.01.110). A sale ends the license, except family transfers (sec. 4.01.030C).
• Fines (sec. 4.01.100): renting without a license $1,500, then $2,500, then $5,000; other violations $500, then $1,000, then $1,500.

"post a copy of the current license and the requirements of this section at the interior entrance or other prominent location"Sec. 4.01.060L

The city's checklist asks for a notice inside with: most occupants, adults and vehicles; music not heard at the property line ($500); spa closed 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. ($500); no street parking ($500); barking dog ($500); trash to Clean Bear sites and where they are; the 24/7 agent's phone; how to handle fireplace and BBQ ashes; $500 occupancy and parking fines; and the Good Neighbor Policy. A sign at the spa shows its closed hours.

Outside: "no more than a single informational sign not to exceed two square feet", visible from the street, with the city's code compliance hotline, the 24/7 agent's phone, most occupants and most vehicles (sec. 4.01.060I).

• Guests: "two adults per bedroom, plus two additional adults", no more than one person per 200 square feet, and never more than 16 (sec. 4.01.060C).
• Parking: driveway and garage only; boats and trailers count; clear snow over 2 inches.
• Quiet hours 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., outdoor spa included; no sound devices heard at the property line.
• Response: the owner or agent responds in person within 30 minutes when the city calls.
• Check-in: the guest signs the Good Neighbor Policy; keep it a year.
• Ads: the license number on every ad, site and post (sec. 4.01.030B).
• Checklist gear: no wood-burning fire pits, a lidded metal ash can, spark arresters, extinguishers, smoke and CO alarms, battery lights on exit routes.

"As of January 1, 2025, a tax in the amount of ten (10) percent."Sec. 3.20.030, transient occupancy tax

• Plus a 3% tourism business improvement district assessment for vacation rentals: 13% of gross receipts, cleaning fees included, filed monthly by the end of the next month, zero months too.
• The city code has rental platforms collect both (sec. 4.01.050B), but the city's tax page says Airbnb agreed to collect the TOT only, so hosts send the 3% themselves and still file every month.