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Lake Arrowhead

California · United States
Active
Last updated: 2026-07-29  ·  Last verified: 2026-07-29  ·  Region: US

At a Glance — Lake Arrowhead Airbnb & STR Rules

RuleDetails
Regulatory StatusPermitted with registration
Permit / License RequiredYes
Tax Rate7% TOT (San Bernardino County rate) on stays of 30 days or less. TOT registration certificate required from County Tax Collector (call 909-387-8308).
Night / Day Cap30 days or less per stay (STR defined as ≤30 days). No explicit annual day cap.
Minimum StayNo minimum stay; maximum 30 consecutive days.
Permit FeeEffective July 1, 2025 — New Application total: $1,144 (comprising: $600 Application Fee + $285 Permit Fee + $259 Surrounding Property Owner Notificat
PenaltiesOperating without a valid STR permit: $1,000 administrative fine per violation per day, or imprisonment in County jail for not more than 6 months, or
Primary Residence RequiredNo primary residence requirement. Owner/manager must provide a 24-hour phone number for complaint resolution. Any change in ownership requires a new a
Occupancy LimitOccupancy limit is property-specific, set upon permit approval based on parking and bedroom capacity determined during exterior inspection. Occupancy
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Lake Arrowhead Airbnb & Vacation Rental Regulation Overview

Lake Arrowhead Short-Term Rental Regulations Overview

Short-term rental operations in Lake Arrowhead, California are permitted under an active regulatory framework as of 2026. Hosts operating on Airbnb, VRBO, or other vacation rental platforms must obtain proper licensing: Yes. The associated permit fees are Effective July 1, 2025 — New Application total: $1,144 (comprising: $600 Application Fee + $285 Perm.

Tax Requirements for Airbnb Hosts in Lake Arrowhead

Short-term rental operators in Lake Arrowhead should be aware of these tax obligations: 7% TOT (San Bernardino County rate) on stays of 30 days or less. TOT registration certificate required from County Tax Collector (call 909-387-8308). Quarterly TOT return forms mailed to certificate holders..

Hosting Rules and Restrictions in Lake Arrowhead

Key operational rules for vacation rental hosts in Lake Arrowhead include: Primary residence requirement: No primary residence requirement. Owner/manager must provide a 24-hour phone number for complaint resolution. Any change. Rental day cap: 30 days or less per stay (STR defined as ≤30 days). No explicit annual day cap.. Occupancy limit: Occupancy limit is property-specific, set upon permit approval based on parking and bedroom capacity determined during e. Minimum stay: No minimum stay; maximum 30 consecutive days..

Zoning and Location Requirements in Lake Arrowhead

Zoning considerations for short-term rentals in Lake Arrowhead: STRs permitted only in unincorporated mountain and desert regions of San Bernardino County. Lake Arrowhead falls within this jurisdiction (San Bernardino County Code Ch. 84.28). Commercial activities . Density rules: No explicit countywide density cap stated. However, a temporary 45-day moratorium on new STR permits was reportedly enacted in areas like Lake Arrowhe. Insurance: Not explicitly mandated by ordinance, but compliance with Fire, Building, Zoning, and Health & Safet.

Penalties for Non-Compliance in Lake Arrowhead

Hosts who fail to comply with Lake Arrowhead's short-term rental regulations may face enforcement action. Operating without a valid STR permit: $1,000 administrative fine per violation per day, or imprisonment in County jail for not more than 6 months, or both (per San Bernardino County Code). In June 202.

Platform Obligations in Lake Arrowhead

Platform obligations for services like Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com operating in Lake Arrowhead: STR permit number must be included in all listings/advertisements. Platforms hosting unpermitted units should be reported to the County. 24/7 complaint hotline: 1-833-SBC-STR1 (1-833-722-7871)..

Full Regulatory Details

Regulatory Status
Active
License / Registration
Yes
Tax Registration
Yes
Permit Fee
Effective July 1, 2025 — New Application total: $1,144 (comprising: $600 Application Fee + $285 Permit Fee + $259 Surrounding Property Owner Notification Fee). Renewal with physical changes requiring inspection: $885. Surrounding property owner notification change fee: $259. Modification fee outside renewal: $60. Permit valid 1 year; annual renewal required.
Primary Residence Rule
No primary residence requirement. Owner/manager must provide a 24-hour phone number for complaint resolution. Any change in ownership requires a new application.
Night / Day Cap
30 days or less per stay (STR defined as ≤30 days). No explicit annual day cap.
Occupancy Limit
Occupancy limit is property-specific, set upon permit approval based on parking and bedroom capacity determined during exterior inspection. Occupancy limit is posted inside the unit. Exceeding occupancy limit results in expulsion and/or fines.
Tax Rate
7% TOT (San Bernardino County rate) on stays of 30 days or less. TOT registration certificate required from County Tax Collector (call 909-387-8308). Quarterly TOT return forms mailed to certificate holders.
Zoning Restrictions
STRs permitted only in unincorporated mountain and desert regions of San Bernardino County. Lake Arrowhead falls within this jurisdiction (San Bernardino County Code Ch. 84.28). Commercial activities (weddings, corporate events, filming, etc.) are prohibited at STR properties unless separately permitted. Quiet hours enforced 10 PM–7 AM.
Minimum Stay
No minimum stay; maximum 30 consecutive days.
Density Rules
No explicit countywide density cap stated. However, a temporary 45-day moratorium on new STR permits was reportedly enacted in areas like Lake Arrowhead (date uncertain; verify current status at str.sbcounty.gov). Surrounding property owners are notified and given 20 calendar days to comment on new applications.
Insurance Required
Not explicitly mandated by ordinance, but compliance with Fire, Building, Zoning, and Health & Safety Codes required (including smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, etc.).
Platform Obligations
STR permit number must be included in all listings/advertisements. Platforms hosting unpermitted units should be reported to the County. 24/7 complaint hotline: 1-833-SBC-STR1 (1-833-722-7871).
Compliance Notes
Governed by San Bernardino County Code Chapter 84.28 (Short-Term Residential Rentals). Permit issued by County Code Enforcement Division. Mandatory exterior inspection by Code Enforcement Officer to verify parking capacity and compliance. Interior Checklist & Owner Acknowledgement must be self-certified. Permit must be renewed annually (within 45 days of expiration or permit is closed). Any change in ownership requires a new permit application (unit may continue operating if application submitted within 30 days of ownership change). Owner/manager must maintain 24/7 complaint contact. Lake Arrowhead Association (ALA) has additional rules for STR guests (guest registration, wristband purchase, no boat use on Lake Arrowhead, etc.) layered on top of County requirements.
Effective Date
San Bernardino County Code Ch. 84.28 in effect (ongoing); fee schedule updated July 1, 2025.
Key Notes
Lake Arrowhead is an unincorporated community within San Bernardino County — governed by County STR rules, not a separate city ordinance. The Arrowhead Lake Association (ALA) imposes additional private HOA-type guest registration, liability waiver, and access restrictions that STR operators and guests must comply with independently from County permit requirements. STRs may NOT be used for commercial events (weddings, retreats, filming) unless separately permitted. Operating without a valid permit: $1,000 administrative fine per violation per day.
Penalties
Operating without a valid STR permit: $1,000 administrative fine per violation per day, or imprisonment in County jail for not more than 6 months, or both (per San Bernardino County Code). In June 2021, fines were increased from $100 to $1,000 (1st offense), up to $5,000 (3rd offense). Notice of Violation or Administrative Citation issued for violations. Permit modification, suspension, or revocation possible.
Additional Context
San Bernardino County maintains a public interactive STR permit map at str.sbcounty.gov to verify whether any specific property holds a current permit. Airbnb and other platforms collect TOT on behalf of hosts in San Bernardino County under a voluntary collection agreement, but hosts must still register for a TOT certificate. The 45-day moratorium on new permits in Lake Arrowhead (if still active) should be confirmed directly at str.sbcounty.gov or by calling (909) 884-4056.
Sources
San Bernardino County STR official portal: https://str.sbcounty.gov/
County Land Use Services Code Enforcement STR page: https://cms.sbcounty.gov/lus/CodeEnforcement/ShortTermRentals.aspx
County STR permit costs (eff. July 1, 2025): https://str.sbcounty.gov/faqs/how-much-does-a-short-term-rental-permit-cost/
County STR Getting Started: https://str.sbcounty.gov/getting-started/
County STR FAQs: https://str.sbcounty.gov/faqs/
San Bernardino County Code Ch. 84.28 (amlegal): https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/sanbernardino/latest/sanberncty_ca/0-0-0-172387
EZ Online Permitting Portal: https://wp.sbcounty.gov/ezop/permits/special-use-permit-short-term-rental-application/
📋 Apply / Register with the Official Authority

Apply for your STR permit or registration directly through the official government portal.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Airbnb legal in Lake Arrowhead?

Yes, Airbnb and short-term rentals are legal in Lake Arrowhead with proper registration and permits. Governed by San Bernardino County Code Chapter 84.28 (Short-Term Residential Rentals). Permit issued by County Code Enforcement Division. Mandatory exterior inspection by Code Enforcement Officer to v

Do you need a permit for Airbnb in Lake Arrowhead?

Yes. Lake Arrowhead requires the following for short-term rental operation: Yes.

What taxes apply to short-term rentals in Lake Arrowhead?

Short-term rental hosts in Lake Arrowhead are subject to the following tax obligations: 7% TOT (San Bernardino County rate) on stays of 30 days or less. TOT registration certificate required from County Tax Collector (call 909-387-8308). Quarterly TOT return forms mailed to certificate holders..

What are the penalties for illegal Airbnb hosting in Lake Arrowhead?

Hosts who operate without proper permits in Lake Arrowhead may face enforcement. Operating without a valid STR permit: $1,000 administrative fine per violation per day, or imprisonment in County jail for not more than 6 months, or both (per San Bernardino County Code). In June 2021, fines were increased from $100 to $1,000 (1st o.

What are the key STR compliance requirements in Lake Arrowhead?

Lake Arrowhead is an unincorporated community within San Bernardino County — governed by County STR rules, not a separate city ordinance. The Arrowhead Lake Association (ALA) imposes additional private HOA-type guest registration, liability waiver, and access restrictions that STR operators and guests must comply with independently from County permit requirements. STRs may NOT be used for commerci

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