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Recreation Residences

Image
A small cabin in the woods.

Recreation Residence Cabin at Stanislaus National Forest.

(USDA Forest Service)

Back in the early 1900's the Forest Service Recreation Residence program started to give private citizens the opportunity to own a single-family cabin in designated areas on the National Forests. They are commonly called "summer homes" or "recreation cabins". These privately owned cabins (improvements) are located within formally established "tracts" on individual "lots" designated for that purpose.  The last formally established tract in the Region was in 1959 and no new tracts or cabins are allowed to be built.  These recreation residence permits are authorized and administered under the terms and conditions of a special use authorization (SUA) called a permit. 

View a sample Term Special Use Permit (FS-2700-5a form) for Recreation Residences.

Responsibilities of a cabin owner

  • Keeping the cabin neat, in good repair, and the overall use must be in compliance with Forest Service regulations and local, county, state, and federal codes and laws.
  • Paying the annual fee each year, based on an annual fee schedule that is updated for inflation.
  • Notify the Forest Service if your address changes.
  • Self-Inspection Form (FS-2700 6b) to be completed annually and submitted to your Special Uses Permit Administrator.  

Additional information 

Preserving Historic Integrity 

Depending on the historic nature of your cabin, you may not be able to use the convenient and modern windows or siding, for example. You need to replace items in-kind to preserve the historic integrity. 

Sale of a Cabin 

Permit holders who wish to sell their improvements must contact the Special Use Permit Administrator. Form, FS-2700-3a is required to begin the reissuance process. Part I is the relinquishment and the permit holder signature is required.  Part II is the application for the purchaser to complete.  It is important that a Stanislaus National Forest representative be involved early on in the process, to ensure all regulations and requirements are met. The Forest Service does not handle the sale of recreation residences, nor does it keep track of those that are for sale.  This information is best obtained from a local real estate office. 

Note: In 2025, the Transfer Fee was $1,464 (check with special use permit administrator for current fee). 

Permit Re-Issuance 

The last permits were issued in 2008 with terms of 20 years, expiring in 2028. Permit holders must be in compliance with the terms and conditions of their current term permit. Those permittees not in compliance either due to maintenance issues or missing documents will be issued an annual permit until the issues have been resolved and a new term permit can be issued.  

Maintenance and Repairs 

An objective for a recreation residence tract is to give the impression of a forest having a few cabins - rather than a subdivision with a few trees. The dominant character of the tract must therefore be the forest environment, not human improvements. The residences and lots should be cared for to retain the tract's visual and historic character. 

Permit holders are required to keep their cabins maintained and be in compliance with the terms and conditions of their permit. The following are a few items that usually need attention: fire clearances need to be maintained, structures kept in good repair with natural looking materials and colors, vehicles parked in appropriate places, no storage of any personal items outside of your recreation residence, such as kayaks, boats, tables, and chairs. Remember that the season is usually short for handling repairs. Your Special Use Permit Administrator must approve any of the repairs and projects, such as reconstruction, new construction, additions, and exterior modification.  

When it becomes time to repaint, repair, or reconstruct an improvement, contact your Special Use Permit Administrator to determine the appropriate process (for construction) or colors for the project. Have a color or product sample of the material you intend to use to speed the process along. Applications for construction and modification must be submitted before the annual deadline date, December 31st. 

Information about the terms of use, maintenance, or reconstruction of a cabin may be found in chapter 40 of the Forest Service Handbook​.

Forest Service Handbook: Region 5 Supplement 2709.11-40-2021-1 (pdf).

Self-inspection forms by district (FS-2700 6b):

Operation & Maintenance Plan (pdf)

New Construction or Reconstruction - Plans 

Whether you are planning to repair your septic system, re-roof the building, or fix your deck, you need to have a plan and talk to your Special Use Permit Administrator. 

  1. The special use permit requires a permit holder to submit conceptual design and site plans for proposed development or changes to the Special Use Permit Administrator for review and approval by the District Ranger. The conceptual plans should be detailed enough to allow preparation of an analysis, and details shown should include roads, trees, rock outcrops, planned and existing improvement location, structure size, and lot boundary accurately as possible.
  2. The District Ranger will review the proposal for environmental, visual, and historic concerns and, if there are no concerns, give written approval-in-concept.
  3. The permit holder will submit their construction plans to the respective County Building Department for approval and obtain the required permits.
  4. After the Forest Service receives copies of any necessary permits and gives final written authorization, construction may proceed. 

The Forest Service will approve only the conceptual design and site plan for the construction project. The permit holder must obtain required permits or authorization from other agencies (where applicable) before the project can start. This is to ensure health and safety standards, such as snow loading and septic location, are met. 

Recreation Residence Application for Modification Form 

Recreation Residence Permit Holder Resources 

Recreation Residence Rental Agreement Form

Recreation Residences may be rented as an incidental use to family and friends. You may rent your cabin for a total of 14 days per calendar year. It is a violation of your permit to rent your cabin for commercial purposes. You need to acquire prior approval to rent your cabin. 

Fill out the recreation residence rental agreement form and email it to SM.FS.R5StanPermit@usda.gov or mail it to your local district office. 

 Recreation Residence Rental Agreement Form

Construction, Maintenance, and Historic Preservation

Outdoor Residential Waste Burning Information

Defensible Space Self-Inspection Form

Fire Safe Landscaping

National Forest Homeowners Information and Cabin Fee Act

Recreation Residence Application Submission  

All modifications and construction applications need to be submitted by December 31st for next summer implementation.  Transfers and sales of cabins may be submitted at any time.  

Please submit all requests to: SM.FS.R5StanPermit@usda.gov

Last updated July 16, 2026

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