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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) STR Fire Life Safety and Defensible Space Inspection
Beginning 4/1/2024, all STR permit applicants will be required to have passed a fire life safety inspection in order to be permitted.
- After you submit your permit application, STR staff will reach out to you to help you schedule and pay for your required interior Fire Life Safety inspection. To prepare for the inspection, please review the Interior Fire Life Safety Inspection Requirements and Guidelines.
- You will also be required to pass an exterior Defensible Space inspection by 11/30/24. Please see our Fire Inspections tab for more information on Defensible Space inspection scheduling and requirements.
3) 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.
- Our Bear Box Grant Program is now open! Placer County property owners in the Tahoe Basin can receive up to $2,200 to install a bear-resistant garbage can, also known as a bear box. Funding is limited so apply today! Learn more 239805849520 l__;!!MpIowJlgPhsLWIc!mEzQy6ft6tx2dbbjQfA 6PCqQq7W9JAlNsfC35S41QC6m14OfjMj71kZib66_MoZOS1e7NgIpgrRmz9Nq8itnziQ43zd7unsknVHFw$.
4) 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 (35 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.
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. If this is a secondary home, you do NOT have to apply for this exemption.
6) Payment Fee
There is a Short-Term Rental Application fee of $306 that is applicable for both privately and professionally managed properties. You will have the option to pay with credit, debit, or bank account. Paying by check is not an option.
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 may renew your STR permit 30 days prior to your permit expiration date.
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. Please update it if any information has changed.
(2) Proof of STR Fire Life Safety and Defensible Space Inspection
Beginning 4/1/2024, all STR renewal applications will require a passing Fire Life Safety interior inspection. The fire inspection will be verified at the time of permit renewal. Please note that both FLS and Defensible Space inspections are good for three years. If you do not have the passing interior inspection at the time of renewal your permit will not be renewed and will be held until completed; you will not legally be able to STR your property once your expiration date has passed. All permit holders must have a passing defensible space exterior inspection completed by 11/30/2024. On 12/1/2024 permits will be suspended for not completing a Defensible Space inspection. See our "Fire Inspections" tab for more details.
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) 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. You will have the option to pay with credit, debit, or bank account. Paying by check is not an option.
Ok, now you're ready to renew, please follow this link to the online renewal application: Renew your permit here
STR Fire Inspections
Beginning 4/1/2024, all new STR permit applicants will need to have a paid and passing Fire Life Safety inspection before the permit can be processed. For those that are renewing STR permits, they will be required to have a passing Fire Life Safety interior inspection by their permit renewal date.
Defensible Space exterior inspections must be completed by 11/30/2024 for all permit holders. On 12/1/2024 permits will be suspended if a Defensible space inspection is not passed.
Please use these checklists to prepare for your Fire Inspections:
Interior Fire Life Safety Inspection Requirements and Guidelines For specific questions regarding this inspection, you can directly email our Code Enforcement officers here: STRcompliance@placer.ca.gov
Exterior Defensible Space Inspection Checklist
Please schedule your inspection for the correct neighborhood below. 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 staff will be conducting the STR Fire Life Safety interior inspections beginning January 10, 2024, for all North Tahoe Fire district STR's. Placer County scheduling staff will be contacting all North Tahoe Fire district property managers or permit holders via phone to schedule your STR Fire Life Safety interior inspection. Please begin preparing for your inspection by reading the Fire Life Safety inspection guidelines above. The non-refundable cost for the Fire Life Safety interior inspection is $475.88.
To contact our scheduling staff please email scheduleSTR@placer.ca.gov
North Tahoe Fire department will collect the fee for and conduct the STR Defensible Space inspections for their district. This inspection is only able to be conducted when snow is clear from the ground. All permit holders must have their Defensible Space inspection completed by 11/30/2024.
https://www.ntfire.net/ > Home Rental Inspection > Schedule a Short-Term Home rental inspection > STR Defensible space inspection (Placer County) > select available date.
Northstar and Olympic Valley
Placer County staff will be conducting the STR Fire Life Safety interior inspections all Northstar and Olympic Valley STR’s. Placer County scheduling staff will be contacting all Northstar and Olympic Valley property managers or permit holders via phone to schedule your STR Fire Life Safety interior inspection. Our scheduling staff will be prioritizing inspections by permit expiration dates. In the meantime, please begin preparing for your inspection using the Fire Life Safety inspection requirements and guidelines above. The non-refundable cost for the Fire Life Safety interior inspection is $475.88.
To contact our scheduling staff please email scheduleSTR@placer.ca.gov
The Northstar and Olympic Valley Fire Departments will collect the fee for and conduct the STR Defensible Space inspections for their districts. This inspection is only able to be conducted when snow is clear from the ground. All permit holders must have their Defensible Space inspection completed by 11/30/2024.
Click here to schedule Northstar STR Defensible Space Inspection
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 link below to pay and schedule both interior and exterior inspections. If you have already paid your fire inspection fee to Placer County, please email us at STR@placer.ca.gov and we will assist you with scheduling your inspection without paying the fee to Truckee Fire.
- 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 strcompliance@placer.ca.gov. 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: str@placer.ca.gov
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