VHR deadline for bear box installation extended

Citing a lack of bear boxes and contractors to install them, the South Lake Tahoe Police Department has extended the July 31, 2018 deadline their installation at vacation home rentals (VHRs) for two months.

The new ordinance that went into effect December 22, 2017 gave homeowners of the VHRs until this month to have them installed. While hundreds have been installed, there are still many waiting to get them in the ground and they are on waiting lists.

City Council approved the new ordinance requirement for bear box garbage container installation to keep trash away from bears and other wildlife.

In a call to three Lake Tahoe bear box installers, South Tahoe Now found that the Tahoe Bear Box Company out of Carnelian Bay is only about a week out on job requests, which about normal for them. Tahoe Bear Busters is no longer installing bear boxes and a Brown Bear Home Care is about a week or two out for installation. They also manufacture the boxes.

South Tahoe Refuse has a Bear Box Loan Program to help with the costs involved in the purchase of a box. Upon approval they will spread the cost over a period of time on their refuse bill. Their list of approved vendors has several companies listed including manufacturers, some of which may have waiting lists.

Additionally, certain VHR properties that are part of a common interest development (including Home Owners Associations or condominium developments) which have shared trash facilities such as dumpsters, will no longer be required to install or maintain bear boxes (Amendments to City’s VHR Code reflecting this change will likely be effective on September 20, 2018).