Sierra County, CA Short-Term Rentals: Registration Rules (2026)

Registration in unincorporated Sierra County is the administrative use permit process under Sierra County Code Section 15.10.060. Applications are filed with the Planning Department and reviewed by multiple county departments. A core registration requirement is that the applicant provide a valid Transient Occupancy Tax certificate or letter issued by the County Treasurer-Tax Collector, and the applicant must be current on all property taxes before a permit is issued. Ownership matters: the property must have been owned by the record owner/applicant as of January 1, 2023, and property that transfers ownership after the ordinance's effective date does not qualify for a permit for two years following the transfer - the County describes this as a requirement to have owned the home for roughly two years before applying. Permits are non-transferable and carry a two-year hold once a property is sold, so a buyer cannot simply inherit the seller's STR permit. Permits last up to three years and expire on December 31 of the third year; continuing to operate requires filing a new application with a new fee. The County also requires a designated local contact person reachable 24 hours a day who can reach the property within 30 minutes. Failure to remain current on Transient Occupancy Tax or property taxes can lead to suspension or revocation of the permit.