Short-Term Rental Rules Around Lake Tahoe (Updated Sept 5th, 2025)

Thinking about renting your Tahoe property on Airbnb or Vrbo? Rules change across city and county lines, so here’s a clean, up-to-date playbook that covers the entire lake—South Shore, East Shore, West/North Shore, and Truckee—so you know what’s allowed (and where).

Quick snapshot

• City of South Lake Tahoe (CA): STRs allowed citywide under a new 2025 ordinance; 150-ft anti-clustering buffer outside the Tourist Core; no total cap (but permits roll out in batches), occupancy is stricter outside the Core. 

• El Dorado County – Unincorporated Tahoe Basin (CA): Cap = 900 permits in the Basin + 500-ft buffer from any active VHR; county map shows active/pending locations. 

• Douglas County – Tahoe Township (NV: Stateline, Zephyr Cove, Glenbrook, Cave Rock, etc.): Cap = 600 permits + neighborhood density limits; new permits only in unconstrained areas, waitlist for full areas. 

• Washoe County – Incline Village/Crystal Bay (NV): STRs permitted in unincorporated Washoe County only (not Reno/Sparks); no countywide cap posted; permit required. 

• Placer County – North & West Shore (CA: Tahoe City, Kings Beach, Tahoe Vista, Homewood, Tahoma, Olympic Valley, Northstar): Cap = 3,900; once cap is reached a 30-night minimum kicks in (owner-occupied exempt); multiple STRs per parcel allowed under certain conditions. 

• Town of Truckee (CA): Cap = 1,255 certificates; waitlist currently in effect; 365-day wait after a sale before a new owner can even apply; ADUs and multi-family phased out for new registrations. 

City of South Lake Tahoe (inside city limits)

In June 2025 the City adopted Ordinance 2025-1200, making STRs (called “Vacation Home Rentals” or VHRs) legal citywide with guardrails. Highlights:

• Allowed citywide with a 150-ft anti-clustering buffer outside the Tourist Core Area Plan. Condominiums are exempt from this buffer. 

• Monthly issuance limit: the City issues up to 150 VHR permits per month as applications are processed (no overall citywide cap is stated). 

• Occupancy rules: occupancy is tied to paved parking spaces and bedroom count, with stricter occupancy limits outside the Tourist Core than inside. 

• Operations: property manager required outside the Core; TOT required; no commercial events (weddings, etc.); check-in ID verification; bear-safe trash. 

• Timing note: the ordinance took effect July 17, 2025, with an initial 60-day application window prioritized for prior/qualified permittees. 

El Dorado County – Unincorporated Tahoe Basin (outside the City, CA side)

If your home is in the county (Meyers, county pockets around SLT, West Shore areas of El Dorado County within the Basin):

• Permit cap: 900 permits in the Lake Tahoe Basin portion of El Dorado County. A waitlist applies when full. 

• Anti-clustering: 500-ft buffer around every active VHR (countywide). 

• Where they exist: use the county’s VHR map to see active/pending/inactive. 

Douglas County – Tahoe Township (NV: Stateline → Glenbrook)

Nevada’s South/East Shore (Stateline, Zephyr Cove, Round Hill, Cave Rock, Glenbrook):

• Permit cap: 600 total in the Tahoe Township. 

• Density controls: neighborhood density limits apply; GIS viewer shows constrained/unconstrained areas. New permits accepted only in unconstrained neighborhoods; waitlist for full areas. 

• Annual renewal with Fire & Life Safety inspections. 

Washoe County – Incline Village/Crystal Bay (NV)

For the Incline Village/Crystal Bay area (not Reno or Sparks):

• Jurisdiction: STR permits are only for unincorporated Washoe County. If you’re in Reno/Sparks, you can’t apply here. 

• Program: WCC Chapter 10, Article 319 governs STRs; county posts permit guidance, fees, and FAQs. (No countywide numeric cap is posted on the program pages.) 

Placer County – North & West Shore (CA)

For Tahoe City, Tahoe Vista, Kings Beach, Homewood, Tahoma, Olympic Valley, Northstar:

• Permit cap: 3,900 STR permits. 

• Once cap is reached: a 30-night minimum rental rule activates (owner-occupied STRs excluded). Amendments adopted Dec 17, 2024; effective Jan 16, 2025. 

• Multiple STRs per property may be allowed under specific conditions; check the county page for details and fee schedule. 

Town of Truckee (CA)

If your home is in Truckee (separate from the county shore communities):

• Registration cap: 1,255 STR certificates (cap reached; waitlist in place). 

• After a sale: 365-day waiting period before the new owner can apply (even to join the waitlist). 

• No new registrations for ADUs or multi-family units (existing may renew while in good standing). 

A few universal tips (read this before you list)

• HOAs, CC&Rs & Condo rules can be stricter than local law—always check your association first.

• TOT/TLT: All jurisdictions require transient occupancy tax registration and regular remittance. See your city/county page above for details.   

• Life-Safety & Wildlife: Expect fire inspections, defensible space requirements, and bear-resistant trash rules across the lake. 

Need help figuring out where your property falls?

Lines get squiggly around the lake. If you’re not sure whether your address is inside the City of SLT vs El Dorado County, or in Truckee vs Placer County, shoot me a text—I’ll look it up, confirm your jurisdiction, and send the exact steps to get compliant.

About the author

Ryan Smith | COMPASS – South Lake Tahoe

Helping sellers and second-home owners navigate Tahoe’s evolving STR landscape with clear guidance and local expertise.

Call/Text: [your number] • Email: [your email] • IG: @RyanLionTahoe

Sources (official)

• City of South Lake Tahoe VHRs: Program page + FAQ about 2025 ordinance timing; Ordinance 2025-1200 with permit buffers, issuance, occupancy & operations. 

• El Dorado County (Unincorporated): Ordinance 5135 (900-permit cap in Basin); VHR Ordinance Information (500-ft buffer) + interactive VHR map. 

• Douglas County, NV: VHR program overview, 600-permit cap and density limits; application/waitlist details. 

• Washoe County, NV: STR program & permits (Incline Village/Crystal Bay, unincorporated only). 

• Placer County, CA: STR program, 3,900-cap and 2025 amendments (30-night rule trigger, multiple STRs per property). 

• Town of Truckee, CA: STR program overview, 1,255-cap, waitlist status, 365-day post-sale wait, ADU/MF limitations.