🎯 STRisker: Bulletin - South Lake Tahoe, CA
South Lake Tahoe Implements Stricter STR Rules
South Lake Tahoe Turns Up the Heat on Vacation Rentals
Big news out of South Lake Tahoe — the City has officially kicked off enforcement of its updated Vacation Home Rental (VHR) rules, and things are moving fast. Since the amended ordinance opened back in June, the City has already waded through hundreds of applications and is now putting the new system to the test.
Here’s the breakdown: An initial 60-day application window opened on June 23 for “preferred applicants.” This group included property owners who either lost their permits back in 2021 due to Measure T or had Qualified Vacation Home Rental (QVHR) permits. But not just anyone could slip through the cracks — the City was clear that only applicants in good standing made the cut. Out of 608 applications received so far, just 66 permits have been issued. Nearly 300 were rejected outright, either for not qualifying as part of that preferred group or failing to meet other eligibility requirements.
The gates are now open wider. As of August 23, property owners who weren’t in that preferred category can finally submit their applications through the City’s online portal. This shift is expected to bring another wave of interest, especially as more property owners scramble to adjust to the new rules.
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And speaking of rules, South Lake Tahoe’s ordinance is pretty detailed — all aimed at protecting neighborhoods from rental-related headaches. Some of the big-ticket items? A 150-foot buffer between VHRs, strict occupancy limits (two people per bedroom plus up to five kids under 13), and mandatory in-person or virtual check-ins by local property managers. Every renter must also sign a “good neighbor contract,” making the expectations crystal clear.
The City isn’t stopping there. Noise and disturbance rules are front and center: spa use cut off at 10 p.m., no amplified outdoor music after 10, and local managers required to be on-call 24/7 to handle complaints. Add in mandatory bear boxes for trash, bans on camping or RV use, and rules against weddings or commercial events — and it’s clear the City is taking no chances with neighborhood peace.
While the rollout hasn’t been without bumps, residents who’ve been pushing for tighter controls see this as a win for balance. With enforcement underway and more permits in the pipeline, all eyes are on how the rules will play out over the next few months. Will Tahoe find that sweet spot between tourism and tranquility? Stay tuned.
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