Cabin Inspections are underway! The Forest Service recently sent the following 2025 Cabin Inspection information to all Recreation Residence Special Use Permittees and Partners. If you have any questions about cabin inspections, please contact the Special Uses and Lands Program Manager, Dave Anderson at david.anderson2@usda.gov.
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Dear Permittees and Partners:
In 2028, Recreation Residence Special Use Permits will be re-issued to all Forest Service permittees who are compliant with their permits for the next 20-year permit cycle. In preparation for this process, the Forest Service would like to set all permittees up for success by providing a list of items that will be reviewed during our 2025 cabin inspections. Please note that a cabin must be in full compliance or have received conditional acceptance of non-conforming improvements and/or structures to receive a re-issued term permit. All other permittees will be issued a temporary permit until any non-compliant items are remedied.
Please note that recreation residences are historic structures on the National Forest lands, and, per State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), cabins should maintain their original historic character and should reflect the sight of rustic cabins in a natural forest setting. Over time, some cabins may have deviated from this by adding gardens, gates, signs, fences, ponds, oversized decks, etcetera. These additions are prohibited under the regional directive R5 Forest Service Handbook (FSH) 2709.11 Ch 40 without explicit written authorization from the District Ranger (Authorized Officer). Visible use of modern building materials, including composite decking, vinyl windows, and plywood siding is also incompatible with our Handbook standards. Maintaining the historic character of your cabin means that it must look like a historic cabin.
In certain circumstances, District Rangers may conditionally approve nonconforming structures under section 41.23e 2. of the FSH 2709.11. If, for example, a deck was constructed without a proposal, written authorization or heritage review, the Ranger may have granted conditional acceptance. Under the same authority, the Ranger can require modification or removal of conditionally accepted structures during permit re-issuing. Such requirements may be triggered by “resource concerns, non-compliance, change in ownership, or previous agreement.” In other words, conditional acceptance is not an indication of permanent approval, and the Forest may ask you to make changes to your cabin lot even if the nonconforming issue has existed for many years.
Recreation residence cabin inspections have begun. You can assist the re-permitting process by addressing minor noncompliance issues before your lot is inspected. Below is a short list of items that will be reviewed during inspections. You can find a full description of cabin maintenance standards in Forest Service Handbook 2709.11 Special Uses Handbook, Chapter 40: Supplement No: R5 2709.11.2021.1 as well as in your permit Operating and Maintenance Plan.
41.23f General Recreation Residence Use
1. Discontinue permanent residency (permittees should provide a billing address that is not a PO Box or a street address for the cabin)
2. Terminate any commercial uses, including unauthorized rentals
3. Remove any conversions of detached outbuildings to guest quarters
4. Remove any animals other than common household pets
5. Remove any permanent animal enclosures
6. Remove any unregistered or inoperable vehicles
7. Remove motor homes, trailers, and RVs parked for more than 2 weeks
41.23g Construction/Reconstruction/Maintenance Standards
2.a. Remove any unauthorized outbuildings
1.d. and 2.d. Complete any repair of decks and walkways, when the total deck area does not exceed 60% of the cabin footprint, up to 800 sq. ft., (i.e., when the deck does not exceed size standards)
2.d.(2) Remove any unauthorized screen enclosures on porches
2.h.(1) Remove any unauthorized surface water diversions and systems that are not State approved
3.b. Remove metal sheds and mobile homes
3.d. Fix lot numbers so that they are visible from the driveway
3.f. Remove any modern signs
3.f.(1) Paint, so long as the new paint color matches the existing paint exactly
3.f.(2) Remove any signs with Private Property, No Trespassing, No Parking, etc.
3.g. Remove decorative outdoor lighting
3.h. Remove any unauthorized fences
3.j. Paint or screen your propane tank with forest colors
3.k. Move or remove conspicuous satellite dishes and antennas
3.l. Remove unauthorized permanent outdoor fireplaces, fire pits, and barbeques
3.m. Remove all freestanding saunas, spas, and hot tubs
3.o. Remove basketball hoops, swing sets, and outdoor recreation equipment
3.p. Remove any mailboxes not approved in writing by the Ranger
41.23h General Lot Maintenance
2.a. Remove any items attached to trees, including but not limited to security cameras, yard lights, antennas, benches, tree houses, benches, signs, clotheslines, swings, and wires
2.b. Remove lawn decorations and non-native plants
2.b. Remove any painted or whitewashed rocks
2.c. Stack firewood AWAY from trees and buildings
2.d. Remove blue tarps—temporary use of green or brown tarps is allowed
Please remember that any activity involving ground disturbance must be proposed to the Forest in writing before any work is performed. Other common activities that require prior written approval include new paint colors, roof replacements, and/or adding or removing structures.
We appreciate your assistance in addressing non-compliant issues before recreation inspections. After inspections are completed, permittees will receive notification with issues that need to be remedied to be in full compliance for permit re-issuing.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the Special Uses and Lands Program Manager, Dave Anderson at david.anderson2@usda.gov.
Sincerely,
LESLEY YEN
Acting Forest Supervisor
San Bernardino National Forest
See Detailed 2025 Recreation Residence Compliance Inspection Checklist