Renting a vacation home
The City rules that affect guests, in plain language.
Checked Oct 1, 2026. Confirm before you go.
Short-term rentals inside the City of South Lake Tahoe need a City permit, and the rules are stricter in residential neighborhoods than in the Tourist Core. The current ordinance took effect April 23, 2026.
For guests
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The home needs a permit
Any rental of fewer than 30 consecutive days requires a Vacation Home Rental permit. The City publishes a map of issued permits.
City page: Vacation Home Rentalscityofslt.gov
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You must be 25
The ordinance sets a minimum age of 25 to rent a vacation home.
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Occupancy limits in residential areas
Two people per bedroom, with up to five children aged 13 and under not counted toward the limit.
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Monitoring and a local manager
In residential areas, owners must use a local property manager who checks guests in and goes over the rules, and who responds to complaints in person around the clock. These homes also use real-time indoor sound monitoring and outdoor video monitoring. Listings for residential rentals must include "family friendly" language.
What changed recently
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A cap and a waitlist
The ordinance caps residential vacation rental permits at 900. Since Aug 21, 2026, the City has put new residential applications on a waitlist. The Tourist Core and commercial zones are not capped.
All sources for this guide
- City of South Lake Tahoe, Vacation Home Rentalscityofslt.gov
Checked Oct 1, 2026. Confirm before you go.