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

Tuolumne County regulates short-term rentals (STRs) in its unincorporated areas, which include the heavy vacation-rental corridors of Groveland and Pine Mountain Lake near Yosemite, plus Twain Harte and Pinecrest. The City of Sonora has separate rules. Rather than a discretionary use permit or conditional use permit, the County's STR framework rests on two requirements. First, every operator must register with the Tuolumne County Treasurer-Tax Collector for a Transient Occupancy Tax certificate (see Ordinance Code Chapter 3.32). Second, under Ordinance Code Chapter 8.70 (Inspection of Short-Term Rental), adopted by the Board of Supervisors and effective January 19, 2024, it is unlawful to maintain, operate, or use a short-term rental in the unincorporated area without a current Tuolumne County Fire Department (TCFD) Fire and Life Safety Inspection. A short-term rental is defined as a dwelling rented for overnight lodging for one night up to 30 days. Inspections are scheduled through the Fire Prevention Division, must be passed before operating, and must be renewed every two years. The inspection verifies smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, fire extinguishers, posted local-contact and evacuation information, address identification, and defensible space. As of the 2024 rollout, more than 1,100 STRs were certified through the Tax Collector's office. The County does not impose a separate countywide cap or a discretionary planning permit for most STRs, so the inspection certificate and TOT certificate are the core operating authorizations.