Sierra County, CA Short-Term Rentals: Primary-Residence-Only Rule (2026)

Unlike some California jurisdictions that restrict short-term rentals to a host's primary residence, Sierra County Code Section 15.10.060 does not impose a primary-residence-only requirement. Whole-home, non-owner-occupied vacation rentals are permitted in the unincorporated county, which reflects the reality that many properties in Downieville, Sierra City, and the Lakes Basin are second homes or dedicated vacation rentals. What the ordinance does require is an administrative use permit, an eligible zoning district, and ownership tenure: the property must have been owned by the applicant as of January 1, 2023, and property transferred after the ordinance's effective date is ineligible for a permit for two years following the transfer. Only one STR is allowed per legally created parcel. The ordinance does draw a distinction for partial rentals: a short-term rental of a portion of a residence (renting out part of a home while the rest is occupied) is allowed only if the owner or the owner's representative is present on the property during the rental. So while whole-home rentals do not require the owner to live there, partial-home rentals do require on-site presence. There is no requirement in the ordinance that the STR be the operator's domicile or that the operator hold a homeowner's exemption.