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

Unlike some California jurisdictions, unincorporated Placer County does not restrict short-term rentals to a host's primary residence. Non-owner-occupied vacation rentals, which make up the overwhelming majority of Tahoe Basin STRs, are permitted in eastern Placer County so long as the owner obtains an STR permit, a TOT certificate, and a business license and meets the operational standards in Article 9.42. The ordinance does, however, treat owner-occupied STRs differently. The total number of residential STR permits is capped at 3,900, but owner-occupied STRs are excluded from that cap, meaning an owner who lives at the property can still obtain a permit even after the 3,900 limit is reached. Owner-occupied units in good standing with a current TOT certificate are also exempt from the future 30-night minimum rental requirement that applies once the cap is reached. To claim the homeowner exemption, an applicant provides documentation such as a copy of the property tax bill showing a primary-homeowner exemption. Deed-restricted affordable or secondary housing units are not eligible to be used as STRs. Operators should verify current eligibility with the county program, since cap status affects whether new non-owner-occupied permits are available.