With the rise of vacation rentals, short-term rental hosts or those considering becoming one should stay informed on the permitting requirements for the different areas of Tahoe. Short-term rentals are defined as “residential units rented for 30 days or less, typically advertised as vacation rentals”. The California side of the Lake Tahoe area is split up into three different counties so it’s important to know the rules for the area you are located in. The permitting requirements differ for each area and we’ll be sharing information for the new permitting process in Placer County, which is along the lake in North Lake Tahoe, from Kings Beach to the county line in Tahoma and some outlying areas of Truckee, the Town of Truckee and El Dorado County, which is from Tahoma to the South Lake Tahoe “County” locations.
In February 2022, an ordinance intended to preserve residential neighborhood character and address community concerns regarding nuisances caused by STR operations was adopted by the Placer County Board of Supervisors. It includes updates to noise, trash, parking, and occupancy, increased penalties and fines, and additional requirements to ensure each STR is operating in compliance with building and fire codes. It’s important to keep in mind that the permitting process and rules vary depending on where you are located, so be sure to stay informed on your area’s specific requirements. The ordinance also contains new cap provisions limiting the number of STR operations in Eastern Placer County. This cap went into effect in March 2022 and requires the total number of residential short-term rental unit permits issued to be capped at 3,900 (“overall cap inventory”), as of September 9th, 2022 there are approximately 700 available. Hotels, motels, condos, and timeshares are not subject to this ordinance and therefore not subject to this cap.
Truckee has a Short Term Rental (STR) registration cap of 1,255 and there are currently 119 applicants on the waitlist. In El Dorado County, if your property is within a 500-foot buffer zone of a permitted property, it is not eligible for a VHR permit. If it is in the Tahoe area, it is subject to the 900 permit cap and there are not any permits available at this time. When the house sells, the permit becomes null and void. If you don’t have an STR permit you can still rent your home as a ski lease, which typically runs from December or January to April/May. This is a great option for homeowners who won’t be using their home in the winter months or they can use it in January and after April when most of the ski resorts are still open. The renters also cover your utilities and snow removal. Monthly rentals and Summer rentals have become more popular. If you have any more questions regarding Short Term Rentals, please get in touch!
Short Term Rental Resources:
Town of Truckee Website:
https://www.townoftruckee.com/government/administrative-services/short-term-rental-division
El Dorado County:
https://www.edcgov.us/Government/planning/vhr
Placer County:
https://www.placer.ca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/58222/Placer-STR-Fact-Sheet?bidId=
https://www.placer.ca.gov/6109/Short-Term-Rental-Program
For more information, please contact me and I’d be happy to help navigate your way through the process.
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