Alpine County, CA Short-Term Rentals: Occupancy Limits (2026)

Unlike some counties, Alpine County Code Chapter 18.73 does not impose a fixed persons-per-bedroom formula. Instead, Section 18.73.120(B) requires the owner to declare the maximum occupancy permitted for the dwelling on the license application, and that figure becomes the binding cap. Section 18.73.070(J)(2) requires the maximum occupancy to be posted on a clearly visible interior notice at or adjacent to the front door, and Section 18.73.060 requires the County's neighbor notice to state the maximum occupancy of the dwelling. Section 18.73.150 governs gatherings: advertising a short-term rental as an event venue is prohibited, and guests may not hold a special event unless the owner has obtained a conditional use permit for a home occupation under county code Chapter 18.70. Noncommercial weddings and other private single-day life events such as birthday or holiday parties are exempt from the home-occupation permit requirement, but total attendance at those events should not exceed 150 percent of the occupancy approved with the rental license unless a home occupation permit has been obtained. Section 18.73.030 separately treats the one-bedroom owner-occupied exemption, which is capped at no more than three overnight guests. Because the occupancy ceiling is fixed at application, owners cannot quietly increase it later; changing it requires County action.