10 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Washoe County, Nevada.
Verified from official government sources
Renting a home for under 28 days in unincorporated Washoe County requires a county Short-Term Rental permit before you advertise or rent. Reno and Sparks properties are outside county jurisdiction and follow city rules.
WCC 110.319 (Art. 319, Short-Term Rentals)
A Washoe County permit is required prior to advertising for rental and prior to renting a private residence, such as a single-family home, apartment, or condominium for less than 28 days. A permit is required only for properties located in Unincorporated Washoe County.
In the Tahoe Basin (TRPA area), Washoe County STR quiet hours run daily from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. Guests must reduce outdoor activity, and repeat noise violations force the owner to file a noise-management plan and install decibel monitors.
WCC 110.319.15(c)
Within the jurisdictional boundaries of the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA), short-term rental quiet hours are in effect daily from 10 p.m. - 7 a.m. Guests shall be instructed to be respectful of the surrounding neighborhood and reduce outdoor activities during this timeframe.
Whole-home STRs in unincorporated Washoe County must obtain a Transient Lodging Tax (room tax) license from the Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority (RSCVA) and collect the county room tax (about 13%) from guests. County STR permit and inspection fees are set by the Master Fee Schedule.
WCC 110.319 (Art. 319, application requirements)
Transient lodging tax license number issued by the Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority (RSCVA).
In the Tahoe Basin (TRPA area), Washoe County STRs must provide one on-site parking space for every four occupants, all improved and on-site. Outside TRPA, the residential parking standard for the property applies. Too few spaces reduces your allowed occupancy.
WCC 110.319.15(b)
One parking space is required for every four occupants. No STR parking is allowed within access easements or the public rights-of-way.
Each unincorporated Washoe County STR gets an occupancy limit set by the Planning and Building Division. The occupant load is calculated as one occupant per 200 square feet of habitable space, with no age exemption and daytime and nighttime limits the same.
WCC 110.319.15(e)
The occupant load shall be calculated as one occupant for every 200 square feet of habitable space in accordance with Table 1004.5 of the 2018 International Building Code (IBC) or the currently adopted edition. No distinction is made based on the age of the occupant.
Every unincorporated Washoe County STR must carry a Certificate of Insurance providing a minimum of $500,000 liability coverage per occurrence. The owner acknowledges this coverage in the notarized Owner Affidavit at application.
WCC 110.319.15(12)
An appropriate Certificate of Insurance is required for the STR property that provides a minimum of $500,000 liability coverage per occurrence.
Washoe County sets no cap on the number of nights an STR may rent and no minimum booking length. Any rental under 28 days needs a permit. The permit prohibits events, parties, and weddings, and allows only one group at a time.
WCC 110.319.15(4)
No events, parties, or weddings (regardless of payment or familial association), are allowed or may be advertised.
STR permits in unincorporated Washoe County are valid for exactly 12 months and must be renewed and reissued annually to keep advertising or operating. Miss the expiration date and the permit becomes null and void.
WCC 110.319 (Art. 319)
STR Permits are valid for 12 months from the date of issuance. STR Permits must be renewed and issued annually in order to advertise or operate. Previous issuance of an STR permit does not guarantee that a subsequent permit will be issued.
Washoe County does not require on-site host presence, but every STR must designate one Local Responsible Party who can be reached 24/7 by text-enabled phone, respond within 30 minutes, and be physically present at the property within one hour of a complaint.
WCC 110.319.15(a)
This person must be able to respond 24/7 with a text enabled cell phone within 30 minutes of being contacted and be physically present at the STR location within 1 hour of notification of a complaint/problem at the property if a physical presence is required to address a complaint.
Washoe County does not require an STR to be the owner's primary residence. Non-owner-occupied whole-home rentals are permitted, and there is no cap on the number of STR permits issued countywide.
WCC 110.319 (Art. 319; county STR FAQ)
There is no cap on the number of STR permits in Washoe County.
1 cities in Washoe County have their own short-term rentals rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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