Sierra County, CA Short-Term Rentals: Host Presence Rule (2026)

Sierra County's short-term rental ordinance (Code Section 15.10.060) does not mandate that the host be physically present for a whole-home rental, but it substitutes a strict local-contact requirement so that someone is always reachable and able to respond quickly. The ordinance requires a local contact person or management company representative who is accessible at all times, 24 hours per day, and available to respond to phone calls, emails, or be on site of the short-term rental property as required within 30 minutes. This 30-minute response standard is the County's mechanism for handling noise, parking, trash, and over-occupancy complaints when the owner does not live on the property - a practical necessity given that many owners of Downieville, Sierra City, and Lakes Basin rentals live out of the area. There is a true host-presence rule for partial rentals: when only a portion of a residence is rented short term, the owner or the owner's representative must be present on the property during the rental. The ordinance also prohibits special events that generate traffic, parking, noise, or sewer impacts, reinforcing the expectation that the responsible party keeps the rental within neighborhood norms. The County distributes a Good Neighbor Policy flyer covering these expectations for guests and operators.