El Dorado County, CA Short-Term Rentals: Occupancy Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Occupancy limit
- 2 persons per bedroom
- Age counted
- 6 years and older
- HHR overall cap
- 4 occupants maximum
- Can occupancy rise later?
- No, only be lowered after permit issued
- Nighttime visitor cap
- Same limit, 10 p.m.-8 a.m., excludes host
Summary
El Dorado County short-term rentals are capped at two overnight occupants per permitted bedroom under Section 5.56.090(A)(1), counting every guest age six and up. A hosted home rental tops out at four people total, the number can never be raised after the permit issues, and it must be spelled out in every listing and rental contract.
Occupancy means the number of individuals six years of age and older permitted to be in the residence during the rental period. Occupancy is based on two persons per bedroom. Hosted home rentals have a maximum occupancy of four persons, six years of age and older. ... 1.Maximum occupancy. The number of overnight occupants shall not exceed two persons per permitted bedroom. Children six years of age or older are counted towards the occupancy limits. Occupancy may be lowered pursuant to the outcome of the fire and life safety inspection. Occupancy cannot be increased after a HHR or VHR permit is issued.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 13 Update 4).
Full Breakdown
040 defines "Occupancy" as "the number of individuals six years of age and older permitted to be in the residence during the rental period," based on two persons per bedroom, with hosted home rentals capped at four total occupants six and older. 090(A)(1) operationalizes this: "the number of overnight occupants shall not exceed two persons per permitted bedroom," children six or older count toward the limit, and occupancy "cannot be increased after a HHR or VHR permit is issued," though it can be lowered based on the outcome of the mandatory fire and life safety inspection.
Bedroom count itself is fixed by the Building Division and cross-checked against Assessor's records, not simply claimed by the owner. Owners must ensure every online listing, advertisement, and rental contract states the exact maximum overnight guest count, and by written agreement must limit the actual renter's group to that number. , not counting the host. 095 likewise require every listing to state the bedroom count and maximum occupancy, excluding children five and under.
Violations & Fines
Exceeding the permitted occupancy is a standards-of-operation violation enforced under Section 5.56.140: fines run up to $1,500 for a first violation within 12 months, up to $3,000 for a second, and up to $5,000 for a third or later violation in that period, with the property owner liable if the host or renter fails to pay. A permit is suspended for six months after three violations in an 18-month period and revoked after four.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are young children counted in El Dorado County's short-term rental occupancy limit?
Can a host raise the occupancy limit on their El Dorado County rental permit later?
What's the maximum number of guests allowed at a hosted home rental in El Dorado County?
What's the penalty for exceeding occupancy limits at an El Dorado County rental?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in El Dorado County
California rules heatmap·Compare El Dorado County to another location·View the California short-term rentals overview
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