🎯 STRisker: Bulletin - South Lake Tahoe, CA
South Lake Tahoe Cracks Down on Vacation Rentals: What You Need to Know
A Deep Dive into Your Area’s STR Updates — Helping You Navigate the Ever-Changing Rental Landscape.
South Lake Tahoe Cracks Down on Vacation Rentals: What You Need to Know
South Lake Tahoe is taking another big step to tighten the reins on vacation rentals. In a first reading on June 3, the City Council advanced a revised Vacation Home Rental (VHR) ordinance that brings in a host of new regulations aimed at protecting residential neighborhoods. If formally adopted on June 17, the ordinance will take effect July 17.
About Vacation Home Rental (VHR)
Among the most impactful changes is a 150-foot buffer between VHR properties outside the Tourist Core. This replaces the former hard cap of 1,400 rentals, giving the City more flexibility to manage spacing and reduce density in residential areas.
South Lake Tahoe City Council votes to cap VHRs at 1,400...
The ordinance also cracks down on VHRs in multifamily housing—excluding them altogether unless it’s an attached condo with a permit in place before September 1, 2016. Those legacy condos are also exempt from the buffer rule, offering some breathing room for longtime operators.
The role of property managers is expanding significantly. They’ll need to be on call 24/7 and now have to oversee in-person or virtual guest check-ins. That includes verifying renter identities and collecting signatures on a “good neighbor contract,” which clearly spells out rental rules.
Monitoring will be key to enforcement. The ordinance now requires both indoor noise monitors and outdoor video devices to help managers prevent nuisances before they escalate. That’s a first for South Lake Tahoe and a strong signal that community peace is a top priority.
Occupancy is being adjusted, too. Rentals can house two people per bedroom, plus up to five children under age 14 who don’t count toward the limit. And everyone—from guests to family and friends—must follow the same rules.
Another notable update? All VHR properties must now pass a defensible space inspection before obtaining permits, aligning with wildfire prevention efforts.
STRisker Calendar Tracker
Staying ahead of STR regulations isn’t just about deadlines—it’s about knowing what’s coming. Our Calendar Tracker keeps you informed on upcoming meetings, key votes, and policy changes, so you never miss a critical update.
There’s a glimmer of hope for past operators, too. The City Council is exploring a process to give preference to prior permit holders who lost their status due to Measure T but remained in good standing.
The City Council plans to review the ordinance again in September, keeping the door open for further tweaks.
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