Short-Term Rentals in Alpine County, CA (2026)

10 rules for unincorporated Alpine County, California.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Alpine County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply — see the city list below.

Permit Requirements

Unincorporated Alpine County requires a residential short-term rental license under Code Chapter 18.73 before renting any dwelling for fewer than 30 days. Only the property owner may apply, a separate license is needed for each property, and the license is non-transferable. Rentals of five nights or fewer per year and one bedroom in an owner-occupied home are exempt.

Alpine County Short-Term Rental License (Chapter 18.73)

Some Restrictions

Alpine County Code § 18.73.110 (Ord. 740-21 § 1, 2021)

No person shall rent, offer to rent, or advertise for rent a residential unit to another person or persons for a short-term rental without a license approved and issued in a manner provided for by this chapter. Only owners of a residential unit are eligible to apply for and receive a short-term rental license. Separate licenses are required for each individual property.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Noise Rules

Alpine County short-term rentals must meet the county noise standards in Code Section 18.68.090(B), and guests must keep voices to conversation levels so neighbors are not disturbed between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. A rental that draws three or more noise complaints in 12 months must install a county-approved noise monitoring system.

Alpine County STR Noise Standards & Quiet Conduct

Some Restrictions

Alpine County Code § 18.73.070(J)(5) (Ord. 740-21 § 1, 2021)

Occupants and/or guests of the rental shall not create unreasonable noise or disturbances, engage in disorderly conduct, or violate provisions of this code or any state law pertaining to noise or disorderly conduct, voices shall be kept to average conversation levels and shall not produce noise such that neighboring properties are disturbed between the hours of nine p.m. and seven a.m.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Taxes & Fees

Every short-term rental in unincorporated Alpine County must collect and remit a 14% Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT), raised from 10% by Measure G effective January 1, 2025. Even rentals exempt from licensing owe TOT. Proof of full payment is confirmed each year by April 1, and a Board-set annual license fee applies.

Alpine County Transient Occupancy Tax: 14% (Measure G)

Some Restrictions

Alpine County Code § 18.73.090 (Ord. 740-21 § 1, 2021; Ord. 723 § 1(8), 2017)

On or before April 1st of each year, payment in full of all transient lodging taxes due for the preceding calendar year shall be confirmed by the community development department. Nonpayment of transient lodging taxes is a violation of this chapter and the county may take action against the property owner and/or operator of the residential short-term rental pursuant to the applicable sections o...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Parking Rules

Alpine County requires no additional parking beyond what the property's residential use already requires. However, each rental must post the number and location of on-site parking spaces and the seasonal snow-removal parking rules on its interior guest notice. Winter snow-removal compliance is a practical condition of operating in this mountain county.

Alpine County STR Parking & Snow-Removal Rules

Few Restrictions

Alpine County Code § 18.73.070(E) (Ord. 740-21 § 1, 2021; Ord. 723 § 1(7), 2017)

E. Parking. No additional parking in excess of what is required for the residential use of the property shall be required.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Occupancy Limits

Alpine County sets each rental's maximum occupancy on the license application rather than by a fixed countywide formula. The permitted maximum must be posted inside the unit and given to neighbors. Private single-day life events may not exceed 150% of approved occupancy without a home-occupation permit; advertised event venues are prohibited.

Alpine County STR Maximum Occupancy & Event Limits

Some Restrictions

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Insurance Requirements

Alpine County Code Chapter 18.73 does not require short-term rental operators to carry liability insurance or name the County as an additional insured. The County instead mandates concrete life-safety measures: working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, at least one fire extinguisher, posted emergency contacts, and East Slope wildlife-proof trash storage.

No Insurance Mandate; Life-Safety Equipment Required Instead

Few Restrictions

Alpine County Code § 18.73.070(G) (Ord. 740-21 § 1, 2021; Ord. 723 § 1(7), 2017)

G. Life Safety Measures. The following life safety measures are required to be in place within the area to be used for the residential short-term rental: 1. Operating smoke detector(s) and carbon monoxide detector(s) installed in accordance with state law; 2. At least one functioning fire extinguisher in an easily accessed location inside the space; 3. Written information available to the occup...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Night Caps

Alpine County sets no limit on how many nights a year a licensed rental may operate. It controls supply through density instead: Code Section 18.73.130 caps licensed rentals in the East Slope overlay district at thirty-five and bars a new license within 100 feet of another licensed rental. Denied applicants may join a waitlist.

No Annual Night Cap; East Slope 35-License Cap & 100-Foot Buffer

Some Restrictions

Alpine County Code § 18.73.130(A)-(B) (Ord. 740-21 § 1, 2021)

A. The number of licensed short-term rentals within the East Slope short-term rental overlay district does not exceed thirty-five; B. The property is not within one hundred feet distance as measured from the property boundary to a licensed short-term rental property in the residential neighborhood or residential estate zoning district or within one hundred feet of a dwelling unit for a licensed...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Registration Rules

Alpine County STR applicants register through the Iworq portal with owner and local-contact details, maximum occupancy, and parcel information under Section 18.73.120. After approval, the County mails notice to neighbors within 300 feet. Licenses run July 1 to June 30 and auto-renew on payment of the renewal fee and TOT documents.

Alpine County STR Registration, Neighbor Notice & Renewal

Some Restrictions

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Host Presence Rule

Alpine County does not require a host to be present during stays. Instead, Code Section 18.73.070(N) requires every rental to designate a 24/7 emergency contact - which may be the owner, a property manager, or a realtor - who has authority to manage the unit and must abate any noise, trash, or parking nuisance within one hour of being notified.

No On-Site Host Rule; 24/7 Contact Must Respond in 1 Hour

Some Restrictions

Alpine County Code § 18.73.070(N) (Ord. 740-21 § 1, 2021)

The property owner shall designate an emergency contact. The contact may be a professional property manager, realtor, property owner, or other designated person who is available twenty-four hours per day, seven days per week during all times that the property is rented, and has access and authority to assume management of the unit and take remedial measures. The emergency contact shall be requi...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Primary-Residence-Only Rule

Alpine County does NOT limit short-term rentals to a host's primary residence. Code Section 18.73.020 allows STRs in any zone that permits residential use, and the chapter expressly includes both owner-occupied and non-owner-occupied rentals. Whole-home and investment-owned vacation rentals are permitted, subject to the license, the East Slope cap, and the 100-foot buffer.

No Primary-Residence Requirement in Alpine County

Few Restrictions

Alpine County Code § 18.73.020 (Ord. 740-21 § 1, 2021; Ord. 723 § 1(2), 2017)

Residential short-term rentals may be located in any zone that allows residential use; provided, that the residential short-term rental complies with all the requirements of this chapter. Residential short-term rental means the use of a dwelling unit by any person or persons for the purpose of providing overnight lodging in exchange for payment for a period of less than thirty consecutive days....

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

All Alpine County ordinances

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