Current Recreation Residence Permit Holder Information

Being a recreation residence permit holder inherently comes with certain responsibilities. The obligation to maintain compliance with the terms and conditions of your special use permit is essential to being a successful permit holder. It is critical that you understand the expectations of the Forest Service Recreation Residence Program and maintain good communication with your administrator. If you have questions, reach out to your administrator by phone, email, or setup and appointment for a site visit. Your administrators are here to help.

General Responsibilities

Keep the cabin neat, in good repair, and in compliance with Forest Service regulations and all local, county, state, and federal codes and laws.

Submit timely payment of your annual land use fee each year.

Notify the Forest Service if your address changes.

Submit a request in writing to your administrator for modification/changes or additions to any proposed changes on the exterior of the cabin or lot.

Obtain written permission from the Forest Service before performing any external modifications to your cabin or lot.

Recreation vehicles (RV, or campers) may be used to expand the capacity of a recreation residence with written approval, but only on a short-term basis. Not to exceed two weeks.

Vehicles, boats, trailers, snowmobiles, and off-highway vehicles must be removed seasonally.

Trees, shrubs, grasses, and other plants may be removed from your lot only after receiving written approval from the Forest Service.

**MORATORIUM ON ALL BURNING FOR SPECIAL USE PERMIT HOLDERS - The USDA Forest Service and California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) have undergone policy changes in the last year regarding residential burning permits. Until an agency process is established, the on-site burning of lot debris material is prohibited. Without the option to burn on-site, all special use permitted lot clean-up material and debris must be removed from NFS land by hauling off-site and taken to an appropriate landfill facility for disposal.

Hazard Tree Management

Permit holders are responsible for identifying and removing trees that are hazardous to their improvements, whether or not the trees are located on their lot.

Prior Forest Service approval must be obtained in writing before cutting any trees or vegetation on National Forest lands. Dead limbs may be pruned from trees to eliminate potential fire hazards. Removal or pruning of trees will not be allowed to improve a view.

Hazard trees within the boundaries of the recreation residence lot may be authorized to be cut and used free of charge if (1) the volume is less than two cords and (2) the material is to be used on the lot.

Forest products or timber removed from the recreation residence tract requires a personal or commercial permit.

The Forest Service may identify hazardous trees during inspections and authorize permit holders to remove them. You can contact your administrator to inspect and mark hazard trees upon request.

Selling Your Cabin

What should I do if I decide to sell my cabin?

First, contact your Permit Administrator. Whether you put the cabin up for sale yourself or decide to use a realtor, speak with your administrator to ensure a smooth transition when you sell. Then when an interested party contacts you, give them the name and number of your Special Uses Administrator. When they contact your administrator, they will be given an overview of the program, sample copies of permits, Special Uses Handbook and will review any non-conforming improvements that must be brought into full compliance before issuing a Term Permit.

Is my Permit Transferrable?

The permit is not transferrable and terminates upon change of ownership of improvements. Once a change of ownership is pending, the current and future owner must complete and submit an FS-27003a Form, Holder Initiated Revocation of Existing Authorization– Request for a Special Use Permit Form, and General Bill of Sale (both forms available from you Special Uses Administrator).

Do I have to fix any non-conforming improvements before I sell?

Yes and no. Let's say your deck is 30 square feet over the maximum allowable size, and you sell the cabin to a new owner. As the seller, you must notify the new owner that the deck will have to be reduced before the issuance of a Term Special Use Permit. As the current owner, you may decide to complete the deck reduction before the cabin sale. However, you can negotiate with the new owner to do it. If the new owner has agreed to perform the deck reduction, the Authorized Officer will establish a timeline for the completion, and a temporary permit will be issued to the new owner until the deck is reduced and meets the current Forest Service standards. Once in full compliance, a term permit will be issued.

Is there a transfer fee?

As specified in Cabin Fee Act (CFA), a transfer fee will be charged upon issuing a new recreation residence permit. The current fee amount as of January 2024 is $1,412. Eagle Nest Cabin This fee must be paid prior to the generation of a new permit. Coordinate payment with your permit administrator.