Landscaping Regulations

The City of Big Bear Lake and Department of Water abide by the State of California Model Water Efficiency Landscape Ordinance. It is the responsibility of the property owner to research and abide by all applicable local, County, State and Federal regulations. 

MWELO Local Agency Review

The following projects are subject to MWELO, as implemented by the local agency (City of Big Bear Lake or County of San Bernardino). Please provide copies of landscape plans and permit approvals to the DWP prior to installation.

  • New construction projects with an aggregate landscape area equal to or greater than 500 square feet requiring a building permit, plan check, or design review
  • Rehabilitated projects (associated with re-landscaping or replacement landscaping) greater than or equal to 2500 square feet requiring a building permit, plan check, or design review
  • Please be aware that landscape areas that exceed 5,000 sq. ft have additional restrictions. 

Landscape plans inside City limits must be submitted to the City of Big Bear Lake. Landscape plans outside City limits, including Fawnskin, Sugarloaf, Erwin Lake, and Lake William must be submitted to the County of San Bernardino. 

BBLDWP Review

The following projects are subject to review and approval by the BBLDWP

  • Any new landscape area greater than or equal to 500 square feet that does not require a permit, plan check or design review by the local agency
  • Rehabilitated landscape projects greater than or equal to 500 square feet that do not require a permit, plan check or design review by the local agency
  • Any landscape project including any amount of turf

Those projects falling under BBLDWP review must abide by the regulations set forth below. 

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