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Is short-term rental allowed in Big Bear Lake?
Yes, with a city vacation rental license. The City of Big Bear Lake licenses vacation rentals and limits any individual or entity to no more than two licenses.
This page covers the City of Big Bear Lake only. Areas outside city limits have their own rules.
The rules at a glance
| License | City vacation rental license. Apply online and pay the registration fee at the end of the application. |
|---|---|
| License term | Expires one year from the initial registration payment date |
| Limit per owner | No more than two licenses per individual or entity, including through trusts, corporations or multiple LLCs |
| Certification | Agents (check-in, 24/7 response and management company staff) and owners must be certified by the city every year: a 25-question exam passed with a score of 100%. Owners who hire a full-service management company and never rent the home themselves are exempt. |
| Before you rent | Registration and inspection can take 4 to 6 weeks, and you may not rent the home during that time. Don't apply until the home is ready for inspection. |
Fees
- Registration fee: $635, paid at the end of the online application.
The renewal fee isn't stated on the city page. Confirm it with the city.
Lodging tax and BBLTBID
The city's TOT page says Measure P raised the transient occupancy tax (TOT) from 8% to 10% over two years: 9% from January 1, 2024, then 10% from January 1, 2025. The TOT applies to short-term stays of less than 28 days. Vacation rentals also pay a 3% Big Bear Lake Tourism Business Improvement District (BBLTBID) assessment. The city lists fees that may be subject to TOT and BBLTBID, including cleaning fees. Airbnb collects and remits TOT only, so Airbnb hosts still file and pay the BBLTBID themselves. A monthly form is due even in months with no income. The city's FAQ page still shows the earlier 9% rate. The TOT page and the Vacation Rental Program page (13% in total with the BBLTBID) reflect the current 10%.
What this means for your numbers
In Big Bear Lake, licensing is the gate and the two-license limit matters if you own several homes. Our Rental Strategy Comparison shows a long-term lease and a short-term rental side by side for your address, with the city's lodging tax and rental rules looked up for each order. In a city with a minimum stay, the short-term column is based on that minimum.
Compare long-term and short-term for your home, $39
Official sources
- City of Big Bear Lake: Vacation Rental Program
- City of Big Bear Lake: Vacation Rental Program FAQ
- City of Big Bear Lake: TOT and BBLTBID collection
Last checked: October 17, 2026. Rules and fees change. Confirm with the City of Big Bear Lake, and with any HOA or lease, before you list. General information, not legal advice.