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Short-Term Vacation Rental Program
Short-Term Rental Ordinance
Short-term rentals are residential units rented for 30 days or less, typically advertised as vacation rentals. The ordinance adopted in April 2022 is intended to preserve residential neighborhood character and address community concerns regarding nuisances caused by STR operations. 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. The ordinance also contains new cap provisions limiting the quantity of STR operations in East Placer County. Anyone operating or advertising an STR without an issued permit will be subject to the penalties as defined in section 9.42.100 (A) of the STR Ordinance.
Let's make sure you have everything you need to apply for your Short-Term Rental (STR) Permit.
1 Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) Certificate
You must hold a Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) Certificate to use your property as a short-term rental. To apply for a TOT certificate please use this link.
2 Proof of Bear Bin/Dumpster
You will need a Bear Box photo that includes the front of the house (or house number on the bear box), with the address showing if possible. If not, simply a pic of the bear box with the front of house in the background should suffice. If you have a condo, a picture of the closest dumpster will suffice.
3 Local Contact Person
A Local Contact Person is an individual who is personally available by telephone on a twenty-four (24)-hour basis and who maintains the ability to be onsite within sixty (60) minutes (25 driving miles, considering weather and traffic) and who has access and authority to assume management of the unit. An agent or professional property management company that meets the availability requirements can serve as the local contact person.
4 STR Fire Life Safety and Defensible Space Inspection
We are allowing STR homeowners to apply for their STR permits until March 31, 2024 without proof that your STR property has passed either or both of the required inspections. After that date, all STR applicants will be required to have both passing fire inspections. BOTH interior and exterior fire inspections will be verified at time of 2024 permit renewal. If you do not have both passing inspections at the time of renewal your permit will not be renewed. You will have to reapply once your inspections are completed.
5 Proof of Primary Homeowner Exemption (copy of the property tax bill with the correct homeowner exemption designation)
If you propose to use your primary residence as a short-term rental, a copy of your property taxes is required to document a homeowner's exemption. For information about how to apply for the homeowner exemption, please visit here.
6 Payment Fee
There is a Short-Term Rental Application fee of $306 that is applicable for both privately and professionally managed properties.
Ok, now you're ready to apply for your STR permit. Please follow this link to the online STR permit application: Apply for your STR permit hereproperty
You can only renew your STR permit 30 days prior to your permit expiration date. Please make sure to renew before your expiration date, or your permit will expire and you will have to reapply.
Let's make sure you have everything you need to renew your Short-Term Rental (STR) Permit.
1 Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) Certificate
You must hold a Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) Certificate to use your property as a short-term rental. This certificate does not need to be renewed.
2 Local Contact Person
A Local Contact Person is an individual who is personally available by telephone on a twenty-four (24)-hour basis and who maintains the ability to be onsite within sixty (60) minutes (25 driving miles, considering weather and traffic) and who has access and authority to assume management of the unit. An agent or professional property management company that meets the availability requirements can serve as the local contact person.
3 Proof of STR Fire Life Safety and Defensible Space Inspection
We are allowing STR permit holders to renew their STR permits until March 31, 2024 without proof that your STR property has passed either or both of the required inspections. After that date, all STR renewal applications will require passing inspections. BOTH interior and exterior fire inspections will be verified at time of 2024 permit renewal. If you do not have both passing inspections at the time of renewal your permit will not be renewed. You will have to reapply once your inspections are completed.
4 Proof of Primary Homeowner Exemption (copy of the property tax bill with the correct homeowner exemption designation)
If you propose to use your primary residence as a short-term rental, a copy of your property taxes is required to document a homeowner's exemption. For information about how to apply for the homeowner exemption, please visit here.
5 Payment Fee
There is a Short-Term Rental Application fee of $306 that is applicable for both privately and professionally managed properties.
Ok, now you're ready to renew, please follow this link to the online renewal application: Renew your permit here
STR Fire Inspections
Please use these checklists to prepare for your Fire Inspections:
Interior Fire Life Safety Inspection Checklist
Exterior Defensible Space Inspection Checklist
Please schedule your inspection for the correct neighborhood below. To upload your passing inspections, please go here. Version OptionsShort-Term Vacation Rental ProgramHeadlineSTR Fire Inspections
North Tahoe Fire District (Tahoe City, Kings Beach, Tahoe Vista, Carnelian Bay, Homewood, Tahoma, Alpine Meadows)
Placer County will begin conducting the Fire Life Safety interior inspections beginning January 2024. Placer County will be contacting all North Tahoe Fire district permit holders via email in the upcoming weeks with a calendar link to schedule your STR Fire Life Safety interior inspection. In the meantime please begin preparing for your inspection using the Fire Life Safety inspection checklist above, this inspection must be complete before 3/31/24, please be prepared for this inspection.
North Tahoe Fire will continue conducting the Defensible Space inspections, they currently do not have any available inspections for the remainder of the year, they will open their calendar back up in the spring once the snow has melted. We will be requesting the board of supervisors to give one final extension for defensible space to be completed by fall of 2024.
NorthStar and Olympic Valley
Placer County will be collecting the fee and conducting the interior fire life safety inspection for all Northstar and Olympic Valley STR’s. The non-refundable cost for the Fire Life Safety interior inspection is $475.88.
To schedule Fire Life Safety Inspection for Northstar and Olympic Valley
The Northstar and OV Fire Departments will collect the fee and conduct the Defensible Space inspections for this same area.
Schedule Northstar Defensible Space
Olympic Valley Fire District Defensible Space Inspection: Please contact them at (530) 583-4692 to schedule an inspection.
Truckee Fire District (Soda Springs and other Truckee homes in Placer County NOT including NorthStar)
Truckee Fire Department will be collecting their own fees and conducting their own inspections as of 4/1/23. Please go to the links below to pay and schedule both interior and exterior inspections.
- STR Ordinance
- STR Ordinance Fact Sheet
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Eastern Placer Boundary for STR Ordinance (Map)
STR Owners/Managers
Mandatory Postings
It is the owner's responsibility to ensure the short-term rental unit and all guests comply with the ordinance and that all mandatory postings are posted in each unit in accordance with the ordinance requirements. Fines may be cited towards the owner and guests for noncompliance.
1. Sticker or bear box magnet (available for pick up at Tahoe City office after your STR permit has been issued)
Supplemental Optional Postings
Access your STR Portal
If you need to update any of your permit information, such as a change in your Property Manager or Local Contact, use the link below. You can also upload any documents such as passing Fire Inspections, Bear Bin Photo, or a Primary Homeowner documentation.
Please use this link: Update Permit
Complaints
It is important for our Code Compliance team to witness violations so please call the hotline for the fastest response.
1. For the fastest response, please call our 24/7 hotline at 530-448-8003 to report a violation. Be sure to include your name, phone number, address of the property you are reporting and a description of the violation occurring.
2. As a backup option, you may also submit complaints via email to [email protected]. Be sure to include your name, phone number, address of the property you are reporting and a description of the violation occurring.
*NOTE: All complaints are kept confidential.
Contact Us:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 530-581-6234
Hours
Office Hours: Monday through Friday - 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Public Counter Posting Pickup Hours: Monday through Thursday - 9 a.m. to 4 p.m
Address
Tahoe City Office