Bishop, CA Short-Term Rentals: Permit Requirements (2026)

Operating a short-term rental (a rental of residential property for 30 days or less) in the unincorporated areas of Inyo County requires a permit from the Inyo County Planning Department under County Code Chapter 18.73, 'Short-Term Rental of Residential Property.' The ordinance was first adopted in February 2018; on February 11, 2020, the Board of Supervisors amended it so that only 'hosted' short-term rentals may operate. Per Section 18.73.030(C), all short-term rentals shall be hosted rentals, meaning the owner or a designated representative must reside on the parcel during the renter's stay. Short-term rentals are permitted only on land zoned Open Space (OS), Rural Residential (RR), and the residential R-1 and R-2 districts. Applicants apply on the Planning Department's main application form, submit a site/parking plan and house rules, and complete a Neighborhood Agreement (acknowledgment) process notifying owners within 300 feet. Applications are routed to Environmental Health, the Assessor, and Building and Safety for review. Permits are limited terms; on expiration the operator must reapply. Importantly, the Board imposed a moratorium in December 2022 suspending acceptance of new STR permit applications while it studies housing impacts, so new permits are generally not being issued in unincorporated areas. Applicants should confirm current availability with the Planning Department at (760) 878-0263.