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Placer County, CA Short-Term Rentals: Short-Term Rental Permits (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified June 2026

Short-term rental permit rules in Placer County, CA, also called Airbnb permits, vacation rental licenses, or STR registration, list the application steps, fees, and operating requirements for hosting.

Key Facts

Governing code
Placer County Code Article 9.42
Where permit required
Eastern Placer County (North Lake Tahoe, above ~5,000 ft)
Western county
TOT certificate only (no STR permit)
Also required
TOT certificate + business license
Fire inspections
Interior Fire Life Safety + exterior defensible space
Interior inspection cost
$507.02 (North Tahoe/Northstar/Olympic Valley)

Summary

In unincorporated eastern Placer County (North Lake Tahoe, above 5,000 feet), every short-term vacation rental needs a county STR permit under Code Article 9.42, plus a TOT certificate and business license. Western Placer County requires only a TOT certificate.

City-specific rules exist: Roseville has its own short-term rental permits rules that differ from Placer County's county-level regulations. If you live in Roseville, check the city-specific page instead.

Any property owner or professional property management company who leases, rents or otherwise makes available for compensation a short-term rental unit for a period of fewer than 30 days must first obtain a short-term rental permit pursuant to this article prior to advertising and/or operating the STR unit. The short-term rental permit is in addition to the transient occupancy tax permit that is required pursuant to Placer County Code Chapter 4, Article 4.16.

Source: Placer County Short-Term Rental ProgramView official code

Full Breakdown

42. The permit requirement applies to the unincorporated Eastern Placer County Short-Term Rental Area, generally properties above 5,000 feet in elevation in the North Lake Tahoe region (Tahoe City, Kings Beach, Carnelian Bay, Tahoma). In this eastern area, a property owner must obtain a short-term rental permit before renting, in addition to a Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) certificate and a business license. Western Placer County (Auburn, Roseville-area unincorporated land, lower elevations) does NOT require an STR permit, but operators there must still obtain a TOT certificate and comply with the TOT ordinance.

New eastern-county applicants must submit through the county's online portal and provide the rental address and Assessor Parcel Number, local contact information, bedroom count and maximum occupancy, parking spaces, garbage/bear-box service proof, and pass both an interior Fire Life Safety inspection and an exterior defensible space inspection. 02 in the North Tahoe, Northstar, and Olympic Valley fire districts (Truckee Fire District sets its own fees). Permits are issued per the program's standards and may be suspended if valid inspections are not on file.

Violations & Fines

Operating an STR in eastern Placer County without a valid permit subjects the operator to the penalties defined in Code Section 9.42.100(A). Renting without a permit or inspections can lead to suspension or revocation and daily fines.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a Placer County STR permit if my cabin is in west Placer?
No. The Article 9.42 STR permit applies only to the Eastern Placer County Short-Term Rental Area (North Lake Tahoe, generally above 5,000 feet). Western Placer County STRs do not need the permit but must still hold a TOT certificate and pay transient occupancy tax.
What inspections are required before I can get a permit?
New eastern-county applicants must pass an interior Fire Life Safety inspection and an exterior defensible space (fire) inspection. The interior inspection costs $507.02 in the North Tahoe, Northstar, and Olympic Valley districts; the Truckee Fire District charges its own fee. Both inspections are valid for three years.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Placer County

All Placer County rules

How Placer County compares: Most Airbnb-Friendly Cities in America·California rules heatmap·Compare Placer County to another location·View the California short-term rentals overview

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