Big Bear Lake · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Big Bear Lake
Big Bear Lake sets rear setbacks for sheds and similar accessory structures by their height. Home businesses need a city permit and business license and are limited in visitors, employees and uses.
Key points
- Shed setbacks: In residential zones, Big Bear Lake sets sheds under 10 feet tall 10 feet from the rear lot line, and taller ones 15 feet.
- Home business: Big Bear Lake home businesses need a permit and a current business license, and may have 1 employee who is not a resident.
Each rule below is marked Big Bear Lake code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Sheds, garages and other accessory structures
Big Bear Lake code In residential zones, Big Bear Lake sets sheds under 10 feet tall 10 feet from the rear lot line, and taller ones 15 feet.
All 3 Big Bear Lake rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →
Running a business from home
Big Bear Lake code Big Bear Lake home businesses need a permit and a current business license, and may have 1 employee who is not a resident.
All 6 Big Bear Lake rules on running a business from home, with the code text →
Solar panels and EV chargers
Big Bear Lake code Administrative, nondiscretionary review limited to health and safety; the permit is issued when the application meets every checklist requirement. Electronic submittal is allowed.
All 5 Big Bear Lake rules on solar panels and EV chargers, with the code text →
Tree removal
Big Bear Lake code No permit fee. Written notice from the Big Bear Lake Fire Protection District serves as the removal permit. No permit fee. Written documentation of the determination serves as the removal permit.
All 7 Big Bear Lake rules on tree removal, with the code text →
Building in a flood zone
| Floodplain permit |
|
|---|---|
| Building in a floodway |
|
| Height of the lowest floor |
|
Building on a hillside
Big Bear Lake code A detailed geologic report is required. Cuts and fills up to 10 feet high each, at slopes up to 2:1.
All 5 Big Bear Lake rules on building on a hillside, with the code text →
Family child care homes
| Zoning | A small or large family child care home is a residential use and a use by right under all local ordinances, including zoning |
|---|---|
| Business license or fee | A city or county may not charge a business license, fee or tax to run a family child care home |
| Local rules | Local limits on height, setbacks, lot size, health and safety must be the same as for every other home in the same zone |
| Small home | Up to eight children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there |
| Large home | 7 to 14 children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there |
Home alarm permits and false alarms
Big Bear Lake code Audible alarms must have an automatic 15-minute shutoff. The charge is $25.00.
All 8 Big Bear Lake rules on home alarm permits and false alarms, with the code text →
Signs on homes
Big Bear Lake code One residential identification sign, up to 2 square feet, showing only the owner or occupant's name or address. Address numbers and residential identification are exempt from the permit.
All 6 Big Bear Lake rules on signs on homes, with the code text →
Other Big Bear Lake rules on this
Big Bear Lake's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Where animals and fowl may be kept (§ 8.76.030)
- Urban lot splits (SB 9) (§ 16.07.060)
- Two-unit projects (SB 9) (§ 17.25.130)
- Development impact fees on new building (§ 15.68.080)
- Fire suppression development fee (Ch. 15.70)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What are the rules for building in a Big Bear Lake flood zone?
Big Bear Lake's code: A development permit is needed before any construction or development begins in a special flood hazard area. (Within any area of special flood hazard.) (§ 15.64.120); At least 1 foot above the base flood elevation. (New or substantially improved homes in an A zone or any other flood zone.) (§ 15.64.150).
Can I run a family child care home in Big Bear Lake?
California law sets this for every city, including Big Bear Lake: Zoning: A small or large family child care home is a residential use and a use by right under all local ordinances, including zoning (Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(a)); Business license or fee: A city or county may not charge a business license, fee or tax to run a family child care home (Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(b)); Local rules: Local limits on height, setbacks, lot size, health and safety must be the same as for every other home in the same zone (Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(e)); Small home: Up to eight children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there (Health & Safety Code § 1596.78(c)); Large home: 7 to 14 children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there (Health & Safety Code § 1596.78(b)).
General information, not legal advice.
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