Owning a Forest Service Cabin
The area covered by the Special-Use Permit, including the improvements, must be maintained in good repair. Improvements are inspected periodically to insure compliance with the terms of the Special-Use Permit.
There is a nominal annual Land Use fee charged by the Government. These fees are based on the land value on which the cabin rests. Fees are based on appraisals, which consider location, slope, cover, access and view. The current annual fee paid by permittees in the Soda Flat tract is approximately $940 annually.
Recreation residence permit holders like owning a cabin on National Forest System lands because of the scenic setting, the rich history and sense of tradition, and because they appreciate the standards and regulations regarding the use and maintenance of the cabins and lots. Will a recreation cabin on National Forest System lands be the right fit for you? The following information should give you a good idea of the nuances of recreation cabin ownership.
Recreation Residences are cabins on National Forest System lands, owned and taken care of by private parties. The land is not "leased" as is often the belief, but rather "permitted" to the cabin owners (permittees). The special use permit does not convey any interest in real property, but it permits the permittee to maintain the cabin on National Forest land. The land itself belongs to the United States and is managed by the Forest Service.
The Forest Service is not involved in the actual sale of the cabins, and does not maintain a list of cabins for sale.
The Forest Service will conduct a presale inspection when a cabin goes up for sale. The owner must bring the cabin and lot into compliance with the permit terms and conditions before a permit will be issued to a new owner.
A Forest Service representative will meet with new cabin owners before a permit is issued to discuss the details of the Special-Use Permit and answer new owner questions, and both the new owner and the District Ranger then sign the paperwork to make the permit official.