| Rule | Details |
|---|---|
| Regulatory Status | Restricted — rules apply |
| Permit / License Required | Yes — a Business Tax Certificate (BTC) and a Certified Property Authorization (and/or TOT Certificate) are required before renting transiently. |
| Tax Rate | 13% TOT plus 1% TBID (14% total) on total gross rents including nonrefundable fees (e.g., cleaning, pet fees). |
| Night / Day Cap | No annual day cap; even one night per year of transient rental triggers TOT/BTC obligations. Transient stay = less than 31 days. |
| Minimum Stay | Transient defined as less than 31 days; no separate minimum-stay rule sourced. |
| Permit Fee | Unknown (Business Tax Certificate fee and certified-property fees apply; specific amounts not sourced). |
| Penalties | Town monitors listing platforms and imposes fines for illegal/unpermitted nightly rentals; specific fine schedule Unknown. |
| Primary Residence Required | No (not specified). |
| Occupancy Limit | Unknown (governed by zoning/building code; not specified in sources). |
Short-term rentals in Mammoth Lakes, California are allowed but subject to significant restrictions under local regulations as of 2026. Hosts operating on Airbnb, VRBO, or other vacation rental platforms must obtain proper licensing: Yes — a Business Tax Certificate (BTC) and a Certified Property Authorization (and/or TOT Certificate) are required before renting transiently.. The associated permit fees are Unknown (Business Tax Certificate fee and certified-property fees apply; specific amounts not source.
Short-term rental operators in Mammoth Lakes should be aware of these tax obligations: 13% TOT plus 1% TBID (14% total) on total gross rents including nonrefundable fees (e.g., cleaning, pet fees).. Yes — operators must obtain a Business Tax Certificate and TOT/Certified Property authorization and remit TOT/TBID monthly..
Key operational rules for vacation rental hosts in Mammoth Lakes include: Primary residence requirement: No (not specified).. Rental day cap: No annual day cap; even one night per year of transient rental triggers TOT/BTC obligations. Transient stay = less than . Occupancy limit: Unknown (governed by zoning/building code; not specified in sources).. Minimum stay: Transient defined as less than 31 days; no separate minimum-stay rule sourced..
Zoning considerations for short-term rentals in Mammoth Lakes: Transient rentals limited to certain zones only — Commercial, Residential Multi-Family 2, Resort, and Specific Plan zones. Generally NOT permitted in Residential Single Family, Rural Residential, or R. Density rules: Unknown (controlled primarily through zoning eligibility rather than a numeric cap).. Insurance: Unknown (not specified in sources)..
Hosts who fail to comply with Mammoth Lakes's short-term rental regulations may face enforcement action. Town monitors listing platforms and imposes fines for illegal/unpermitted nightly rentals; specific fine schedule Unknown..
Platform obligations for services like Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com operating in Mammoth Lakes: If a reservation company collects and remits TOT/TBID on its bookings, the owner only remits on directly-handled bookings; owner remains responsible for compliance..
Apply for your STR permit or registration directly through the official government portal.
Official Source ↗Airbnb and short-term rentals are legal in Mammoth Lakes but subject to restrictions. Hosts must comply with local permit requirements and zoning rules. Renew BTC annually (calendar-year basis); TOT/TBID filed monthly (zero returns required). Use the Town's TOT Property Search Tool/Zoning Reference Guide to confirm an address is zoned for transient re
Yes. Mammoth Lakes requires the following for short-term rental operation: Yes — a Business Tax Certificate (BTC) and a Certified Property Authorization (and/or TOT Certificate) are required before renting transiently..
Short-term rental hosts in Mammoth Lakes are subject to the following tax obligations: 13% TOT plus 1% TBID (14% total) on total gross rents including nonrefundable fees (e.g., cleaning, pet fees)..
Hosts who operate without proper permits in Mammoth Lakes may face enforcement. Town monitors listing platforms and imposes fines for illegal/unpermitted nightly rentals; specific fine schedule Unknown..
Single-family residential transient rentals have historically been prohibited in most residential zones; the Town has periodically studied expanding allowed areas but had not broadly legalized SFR transient rentals as of sources reviewed — verify current status.
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