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

Nevada County is unusual among California jurisdictions in that it has not adopted a dedicated short-term rental permit or licensing ordinance for its unincorporated areas. According to the County's official Short-Term Rental FAQs, no permits are needed from the Planning Department to operate an allowed short-term rental, to rent a room within a primary residence, or to rent out a primary residence on a short-term basis. There is no conditional use permit, vacation rental permit, or annual STR license requirement of the type found in many resort counties. The only structural requirement is that all structures in which short-term rentals are offered must be permitted for residential use through the Building Department, meaning the dwelling must be a legal, code-compliant residence. The single mandatory registration is for Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT): operators must obtain a TOT Certificate before renting to transients. One important exception applies to accessory dwelling units (ADUs): ADUs permitted after the April 2019 ADU ordinance change generally cannot be rented for under 30 days and carry a recorded deed restriction prohibiting short-term rental, with limited exceptions. Owners should confirm zoning for the specific parcel, since rules differ inside the incorporated cities of Nevada City, Grass Valley, and the Town of Truckee, which each have their own STR programs.