Planning commission approves Big Bear Rodeo, adds no‑event parking signage requirement

The Planning Commission approved a major special‑event permit for the Big Bear Rodeo, proposed for Labor Day weekend (Sept. 4–6), with staff estimating roughly 15,000 total spectators and about 200 rodeo participants over three days.

Staff described a reconfigured event site across six vacant parcels on Sandalwood Drive featuring carnival rides, grandstand bleachers, vendor areas, live music, food trucks, a phased parking plan using resort lots and private lots, shuttle service and measures intended to reduce noise projection toward sensitive residential areas. Staff said the applicant provided a noise assessment, reduced hours and days of operation from earlier iterations, and proposed perimeter noise patrols during the event.

Commissioners and the public focused on traffic and parking. Resort operations staff said Fox Farm lot holds 700 cars and the event team plans to move cars among Fox Farm, Brownie and Moonridge lots and use shuttle operations. Commissioners and neighbors requested protections to prevent spillover parking into adjacent shopping centers; in response the commission amended Condition 33 to require temporary “no event parking” signage around surrounding facilities as part of the traffic and circulation plan.

Public‑safety measures discussed included on‑site ambulance service, medical staffing (Bear Valley Community Healthcare District offered registered nurse staffing for a first‑aid tent), and coordination with the health department and vendors. The organizer said the event would encourage cashless payments where possible and use temporary power poles from Bear Valley Electric to reduce generator noise.

A motion to approve SE2026‑000013, as amended to add temporary no‑event parking signage, passed by roll call; the final vote was recorded as four in favor and zero against (a recusal was noted earlier). The commission adopted resolution 2026‑11; it will take effect in 10 days unless an appeal is filed.

Next steps: Conditions in the resolution, the traffic circulation plan and monitoring commitments will govern event operations; staff and the applicant will implement the temporary signage and active lot‑capacity monitoring during the event.