| Rule | Details |
|---|---|
| Regulatory Status | Restricted — rules apply |
| Permit / License Required | Yes — Placer County Short-Term Rental Permit required (applicable to unincorporated areas including North Lake Tahoe). |
| Tax Rate | 10% Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) plus local North Lake Tahoe tourism assessments. |
| Night / Day Cap | No nightly cap in permitted zones, but properties without a permit are subject to a 30-night minimum stay requirement. |
| Minimum Stay | None (short-term defined as stays of 30 consecutive days or fewer). |
| Permit Fee | Application and renewal fees apply. Code compliance and fire safety inspection fees are mandatory. |
| Penalties | Operating an unpermitted STR results in fines starting at $1,000/day, escalating to permit revocation and misdemeanor charges. |
| Primary Residence Required | No (but owner-occupied properties are exempt from the caps). |
| Occupancy Limit | Max 2 people per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, up to a county-wide cap based on septic/parking. |
Short-term rentals in Placer County, 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 — Placer County Short-Term Rental Permit required (applicable to unincorporated areas including North Lake Tahoe).. The associated permit fees are Application and renewal fees apply. Code compliance and fire safety inspection fees are mandatory..
Short-term rental operators in Placer County should be aware of these tax obligations: 10% Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) plus local North Lake Tahoe tourism assessments.. Yes — must obtain a Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) certificate..
Key operational rules for vacation rental hosts in Placer County include: Primary residence requirement: No (but owner-occupied properties are exempt from the caps).. Rental day cap: No nightly cap in permitted zones, but properties without a permit are subject to a 30-night minimum stay requirement.. Occupancy limit: Max 2 people per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, up to a county-wide cap based on septic/parking.. Minimum stay: None (short-term defined as stays of 30 consecutive days or fewer)..
Zoning considerations for short-term rentals in Placer County: Residential STR permits are capped at 3,900 county-wide. Hotels, commercial lodging, and tourist-zoned zones are exempt. Active waitlist exists for new permits. Permits do not transfer with property s. Density rules: Cap limits total number of active residential permits in unincorporated county sectors.. Insurance: Yes — commercial liability covering short-term lodging is required..
Hosts who fail to comply with Placer County's short-term rental regulations may face enforcement action. Operating an unpermitted STR results in fines starting at $1,000/day, escalating to permit revocation and misdemeanor charges..
Platform obligations for services like Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com operating in Placer County: None formally active; hosts must display their valid permit number and TOT certificate on all platforms..
Apply for your STR permit or registration directly through the official government portal.
Official Source ↗Airbnb and short-term rentals are legal in Placer County but subject to restrictions. Hosts must comply with local permit requirements and zoning rules. Mandatory annual fire safety inspections. Quiet hours (10 p.m. to 7 a.m.) strictly enforced with county-funded hotlines. Dedicated local contact must respond within 60 minutes.
Yes. Placer County requires the following for short-term rental operation: Yes — Placer County Short-Term Rental Permit required (applicable to unincorporated areas including North Lake Tahoe)..
Short-term rental hosts in Placer County are subject to the following tax obligations: 10% Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) plus local North Lake Tahoe tourism assessments..
Hosts who operate without proper permits in Placer County may face enforcement. Operating an unpermitted STR results in fines starting at $1,000/day, escalating to permit revocation and misdemeanor charges..
Governs the unincorporated North Lake Tahoe region (Kings Beach, Tahoe City, Olympic Valley). The 3,900 permit cap is strictly enforced.
LawfulStay tracks STR regulations across 1,026+ cities & countries on 6 continents, updated daily.
View in Full Database →