Short-Term Rental Fact Sheet

COUNTY OF PLACER

www.placer.ca.gov/str

Please contact our 24/7 hotline at 530-448-8003 to report a violation.

Short-Term Rental

Fact Sheet

SHORT-TERM RENTAL DEFINITION

• Short-term rentals are defined as any unit, or portion thereof, permitted for residential use and rented

for occupancy, dwelling, lodging, or sleeping purposes for a period of not less than one night and not

more than thirty (30) days. Commercial lodging use (hotel, motel, condo-hotel [as defined in the

ordinance] or timeshare) is not included in the short-term rental definition and not subject to the

ordinance.

EXEMPTIONS

• Any unit rented for less than 30 days outside of a commercial lodging use (hotel, motel, condo-hotel or

timeshare) requires a short-term rental permit.

• Condo-hotels are defined as a facility meeting the definition of a hotel or motel, rented to the

general public for overnight or other temporary lodging, with ownership structured as a

condominium, cooperative or other ownership/financing arrangement, but shall not include

timeshares in or interval or fractional ownership of a hotel. The condo-hotel has front desk in-

person management with access to all units who responds to complaints, enforces trash, noise,

and parking rules, and includes NFPA 13-R or 13 fire sprinkler systems and NFPA 72 centrally

monitored fire alarm system connected to all individual units and is inspected annually.

CAP

• Effective March 31, 2022 the total number of residential short-term rental unit permits issued shall be

capped at 3,900 (“overall cap inventory”). Hotels, motels, condo-hotels and timeshares are not subject

to this ordinance and therefore not subject to this cap.

• Owner-occupied property with a STR unit in good standing and a current TOT certificate is exempt from

the cap.

APPLICATION PROCESSING

• A change of ownership of property with a permitted STR Unit shall result in the automatic termination of

the STR permit. The new owner may apply for a new STR permit.

• Permits are valid for one year from date of permit issuance.

• STR Permit Renewal. Provided a STR unit permit in good standing is renewed prior to the expiration date

of the permit, that permit application will be processed and included in the cap. The County will contact

the owner 30 days prior to the permit expiration date with renewal process information.

OPERATIONAL STANDARDS

• Local Contact Person

o A local contact person shall be personally available by telephone on a twenty-four (24) hour

basis and maintain the ability to be physically present at the short-term rental within sixty (60)

COUNTY OF PLACER

www.placer.ca.gov/str

Please contact our 24/7 hotline at 530-448-8003 to report a violation.

minutes (25 driving miles) of contact by code compliance, the Placer County sheriff, or the

guest(s), and has access and authority to assume management of the short-term rental in order

to respond to and remedy calls or complaints.

• Parking

• On-site parking for all vehicles, boats and trailer parking shall be provided for each short-term

rental. If the property does not have on-site parking the property owner shall have a county-

approved parking plan designating the location of off-site parking.

• Parking shall not encroach into the roadway.

• Snow area parking must comply with all applicable Placer County Code sections, including

Section 10.12.020 (Illegal Parking—Generally).

• All permitted parking locations and the quantity of vehicles that fit on said locations shall be

clearly set forth in all rental agreements and in all online advertisements and listings per Section

9.42.080 (F).

• Noise

• All short-term rental guests are required to comply with the standards of Placer County Code

Article 9.36 (Noise) and the community noise equivalent levels (CNEL) of the Tahoe Basin Area

Plan with the following additions:

 1. The daytime and nighttime noise limits shall be posted inside the vacation rental in a

location readily visible to all guests.

 2. Amplified sound, meaning sound whose volume is increased by any electric,

electronic, mechanical, or motor-powered means (such as speakers), shall not be used

outside or be audible from the parcel line of any short-term rental at any time.

 3. Quiet hours shall be imposed from 9:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. Pacific Standard Time. No

sound from the STR shall be audible from the parcel line of any short-term vacation

rental unit during this time.

• Trash and Refuse

o With the exception of trash properly deposited in trash collection receptacles, accumulation of

trash and debris outside of the short-term rental at any time is prohibited.

o A minimum service level or equivalent of two trash containers per short-term rental per week

must be maintained.

o Each exterior trash collection receptacle shall be “animal proofed” and shall comply with Placer

County Code Chapter 8, Article 8.16, Part I, Division II Recollection and Storage Practices. Each

short-term rental shall provide a bear box enclosure or dumpster as defined and pursuant to the

requirements of Placer County Code Chapter 8, Article 8.16, Part I, Division III Prevention of Bear

Access to Garbage Can Enclosure.

• Posting Requirements

o Interior Postings. The Placer County Good Neighbor flyer shall be posted within the interior of

the rental unit in a visible location by the front door and on the interior of each bedroom door,

as well as in all online or printed advertisements and listings. The Good Neighbor Flyer shall

contain the contact information for the local contact person and emergency information, and

operational standards at a minimum pertaining to noise, parking, fire and life safety, occupancy

limits, bears and trash, and pets.

o Exterior Postings. Each short-term rental shall post the STR permit registration number of the

unit as well as the Placer County STR Hotline phone number on the exterior of the wildlife proof

COUNTY OF PLACER

www.placer.ca.gov/str

Please contact our 24/7 hotline at 530-448-8003 to report a violation.

trash receptacle, if applicable, visible from the street, or in the front window or front door of

each STR, visible from the front entrance.

o Requirements for Advertisements. All permitted short-term rentals shall include the following

information in any online or printed advertisement:

 1. Valid Placer County Short-Term Rental Permit number

 2. Maximum daytime and nighttime occupancy

 3. All permitted parking locations and the quantity of vehicles that fit on said locations

 4. Link to Good Neighbor Flyer

• Visible Address

o Each short-term rental shall have an address identification. The address identification shall be

legible and placed in a position that is visible from the street or road fronting the property.

• Fire & Life Safety

 New Applicants, and current STR permit holders, will need a passing FLS and

Defensible Space inspection by 04/01/2024.

o Smoke alarms shall be installed in accordance with the California Building Code and at a

minimum shall be installed in each bedroom, and at least one alarm on every level of the short-

term rental, including basements and habitable attics.

o Carbon monoxide alarms shall be installed in accordance with the California Building Code and

at a minimum shall be installed outside each bedroom, on every level of the rental unit,

including basements and habitable attics, and bedrooms or attached bathrooms with a fuel-

burning appliance, and shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation

instructions.

o Each short-term rental shall be equipped with one five-pound fire extinguisher, type 3-A:40-B:C,

installed at a readily available location near the kitchen. If the short-term rental has more than

one level, an extinguisher must be mounted within each level. Fire extinguishers shall be

inspected annually by a certified professional to ensure the extinguishers are in good working

order.

o Each short-term rental unit shall contain at least one working landline phone or Voice Over

Internet Protocol.

o The property owner shall be responsible for maintaining the property at all times in compliance

with the county’s Hazardous Vegetation and Combustible Material Abatement Ordinance

pursuant to County Code Chapter 9, Article 9.32, Part 4.

• Active Buliding Permits

o Short-term rentals shall not be rented during construction, remodeling, additions, or an active

building permit, unless the building permit for the same has been approved by final inspection

or county issued occupancy certificate, or approval by the county’s building official, and upon an

affirmative showing by the agent that the safety and welfare of occupants can be maintained.

• Maximum Occupancy

o Nighttime occupancy is defined as two people per bedroom, plus two additional people, up to a

maximum of 12 guests, excluding children under twelve (12) years of age. Nighttime occupancy

limits begin at 9:00 p.m. Daytime occupancy is defined as one and a half times the maximum

number of occupants allowed to stay overnight at the unit, excluding children under twelve (12).

• Snow Removal

COUNTY OF PLACER

www.placer.ca.gov/str

Please contact our 24/7 hotline at 530-448-8003 to report a violation.

o Snow removal services, provided by either the owner, manager, or a professional service, shall

be included for any STR booked between December 1 and April 1.

PROHIBITIONS AND RESTRICTIONS

• Prohibited and restricted structures:

o Affordability and Deed Restrictions. A structure or property with a recorded county covenant,

deed restriction or agreement restricting its use, including, but not limited to, affordable or

achievable dwelling units or deed-restricted secondary dwelling units, shall not be used for

short-term rentals, except for those deed restricted to allow a maximum duration of short-term

rental use under the Workforce Housing Preservation Program. Short-term rentals are not

allowed in structures not intended for residential occupancy under the California Building Code

Standards and county code.

o Types of Units. Short-term rental of tiny homes or mobile or manufactured home units is

prohibited.

o Maximum STR Units per Property. Only one STR unit per property is permitted, including single-

family and multi-family properties.

• Incidental Camping

o A short-term rental permit does not authorize incidental camping, which means any overnight

camping, sleeping in tents or on decks attached to the short-term rental unit, or sleeping in

travel trailers or recreational vehicles parked on the short-term rental property.

• Fire Restrictions

o 1. Grills and Barbeques. Grills and barbeques are not permitted beneath a potentially flammable

source including trees, umbrellas, decks, or other appurtenant structures, and shall be no less

than ten (10) feet away from a structure or as far as can be accommodated and any flammable

materials. Charcoal grills of any type are strictly prohibited. Guests shall not bring personal grills

and barbeques to the short-term rental; only those provided with the short-term rental are

permitted to be used as installed.

o 2. Outdoor Fireplaces. No open wood burning pits, bonfires, or campfires are permitted to occur

at short-term rentals. Natural gas/propane burning fireplaces and fire pits with twenty (20)

pound tanks or smaller are acceptable outside provided the device is at least ten (10) feet from

a structure and any flammable materials and is existing at the short-term rental. Guests shall not

bring personal fireplaces or firepits to the short-term rental.

o 3. Red Flag Days. When a National Weather Service Red Flag Warning is in effect for the

geographical area where the short-term rental is located, all sources of outdoor open flame

(including gas/propane/pellet bbqs) are prohibited.

• Pets

o Pets shall be secured within the boundaries of the STR parcel at all times. If the STR parcel is not

fenced, pets must be kept on a leash and accompanied by the owner at all times while outside.

• Subletting

o Guests are prohibited from subletting a short-term rental. Only property owners and/or agents

with a valid short-term rental permit and TOT certificate are allowed to advertise and rent a

residential unit as a short-term rental.

• Special Events

COUNTY OF PLACER

www.placer.ca.gov/str

Please contact our 24/7 hotline at 530-448-8003 to report a violation.

o Weddings, corporate events, commercial functions, and any other similar events which have the

potential to cause traffic, parking, noise or other problems in the neighborhood are prohibited

from occurring at the short-term rental property, as a component of short-term rental activities,

unless a permit has been issued by the county pursuant to Placer County Code Section

17.56.300(B).

• Fireworks

o No person shall use, discharge or possess any fireworks, as defined in Sections 12505 or 12529

of the State Health and Safety Code, unless issued a permit pursuant to County Code Chapter 9,

Article 9.33.

PENALTIES

• Operating or Advertising a Short-Term Rental Unit Without a Permit

o Failure to apply for the same within thirty (30) days of written notice from the county shall

result in an administrative penalty of one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500.00) (“first

administrative penalty”). Failure to comply within thirty (30) days of issuance of the first

administrative penalty shall result in a second administrative penalty of three thousand dollars

($3,000.00) (“second administrative penalty”). Failure to comply within thirty (30) days of the

second administrative penalty shall result in a third administrative penalty of five thousand

dollars ($5,000.00) (“third administrative penalty”).

o The penalty amounts are cumulative. If the property owner fails to comply after the imposition

of the third administrative penalty, the county may initiate nuisance abatement and/or seek

judicial remedies to prohibit continued operations and/or advertising of the unpermitted STR

unit.

• Operating a Short-Term Rental Unit in Violation of Prohibitions and Restrictions

o The county shall notify the property owner and/or agent of the same and require the use of the

unit as an STR be discontinued within thirty (30) days of notice.

o Additionally, the county shall issue an administrative penalty of one thousand five hundred

dollars ($1,500.00) (“first administrative penalty”) to the property owner. Failure to comply

within thirty (30) days of issuance of the first administrative penalty shall result in a second

administrative penalty of three thousand dollars ($3,000.00) (“second administrative penalty”).

Failure to comply within thirty (30) days of the second administrative penalty shall result in a

third administrative penalty of five thousand dollars ($5,000.00) and a hearing for revocation of

the permit. The penalty amounts are cumulative. If the property owner fails to comply after the

imposition of the third administrative penalty, the county may initiate nuisance abatement

and/or seek judicial remedies to prohibit continued operations.

• Operational Standards Violations

o General operational standard violations

 The county shall notice the property owner and/or agent for violations of operational

standards and require compliance within thirty (30) days.

 Failure to comply within thirty (30) days shall result in the issuance of a citation for a

first administrative penalty of one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500.00). Failure to

comply within thirty (30) days of issuance of first administrative penalty shall result in a

second citation for an administrative penalty of three thousand dollars ($3,000.00).

Failure to comply within thirty (30) days of the second administrative penalty shall result

COUNTY OF PLACER

www.placer.ca.gov/str

Please contact our 24/7 hotline at 530-448-8003 to report a violation.

in a third citation for an administrative penalty of five thousand dollars ($5,000.00) and

a hearing for revocation of the permit.

o Parking, trash, and occupancy violations

 The county is authorized to notice both the guest and the property owner separately for

violations.

 The county shall notify the local contact person and guests of the violation and the

requirement to cure the same within one hour.

 Failure to cure the violation(s) within one hour after notification shall result in the

issuance of a citation for a first administrative penalty of one thousand five hundred

dollars ($1,500.00) (“first administrative penalty”). If the violation continues, for one

day after the first administrative citation, the county is authorized to cite a second

administrative penalty of three thousand dollars ($3,000.00) (“second administrative

penalty”). Failure to comply within thirty (30) days of the second administrative penalty

shall result in a third citation for an administrative penalty of five thousand dollars

($5,000.00) and a hearing for revocation of the permit. The penalty amounts are

cumulative.

 A property owner and/or guest(s) staying on the property who together receive a total

of three notices of violation within a ninety (90) day period shall result in the issuance of

a citation for an administrative penalty of one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500.00)

regardless of whether the violations were cured within one hour after notification.

 A citation issued for three notices of violation within a ninety (90) day period will count

towards revocation of the permit.

o Noise violations

 The county is authorized to notice both the guest(s) and the property owner separately

for violations.

 The county shall notify the local contact person and guests of the noise violation and the

requirement to cure the same within one hour. Failure to cure the violation(s) within

one hour after notification shall result in the issuance of a citation for a first

administrative penalty of one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500.00) of each guest

and/or property owner. If the violation continues for one additional hour, the county is

authorized to issue a second administrative penalty of three thousand dollars

($3,000.00) for each guest and/or property owner. If the violation is not cured within

three hours after notification, the county is authorized to issue a third administrative

penalty of five thousand dollars ($5,000.00) of each guest/and or property owner. The

penalty amounts are cumulative.

 A property owner and/or guest(s) staying on the property who together receive a total

of three notices of violation within a ninety (90) day period shall result in the issuance of

a citation for an administrative penalty of one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500.00)

regardless of whether the violations were cured within one hour after notification.

 A citation issued for three notices of violation within a ninety (90) day period will count

towards revocation of the permit.

• Revocation of a permit

o The county may revoke a short-term rental permit for any of the following reasons:

COUNTY OF PLACER

www.placer.ca.gov/str

Please contact our 24/7 hotline at 530-448-8003 to report a violation.

 The short-term rental permit application contains a false or misleading statement or

omission of a material fact;

 The short-term rental, property owner, agent or guest is currently in violation of, has

previously been found to be in violation of, or is under investigation for violation of, any

local, state or federal laws, statutes, rules or regulations;

 The property owner or agent fails to comply with violations and payment of penalties.

 A short-term rental property owner and/or guest(s) staying on the property have

together received a total of three citations within any twenty-four (24) month period;

 The property owner or agent is delinquent on any payment to the county of any fees,

penalties, taxes, assessments, or any other monies related to the short-term rental

property, including, but not limited to, transient occupancy taxes;

 Prior revocation of a short-term rental permit;

 The operation of a short-term rental is a threat to the public health, safety, or welfare,

or where the chief building official has deemed the structure uninhabitable;

 A failed fire inspection, or a refusal to allow a fire inspection of the short-term rental;

 Absence/expiration of a TOT certificate or business license