Current permit-cap status, minimum-stay requirements, owner-occupancy rules, and jurisdiction breakdown for short-term rentals in South Lake Tahoe. Every field is cited to a primary source below. Always verify the specific parcel with the operating jurisdiction before writing an offer.
The City of South Lake Tahoe caps Vacation Home Rental (VHR) permits at 900 in residential districts under Ordinance 2026-1203 (effective April 23, 2026), replacing the Measure T phase-out that was overturned in March 2025; unincorporated El Dorado County parcels (Meyers, Tahoma) use a separate 900-permit basin-wide cap and 500-foot buffer under County Ordinance Chapter 5.56.
Have a specific property in mind? Analyze it with a $99 report →Buyers must verify jurisdiction first. City of South Lake Tahoe parcels are governed by Ord. 2026-1203 (effective April 23, 2026) - 900-permit cap in residential districts, no buffer between VHR properties in that zone, attached condominiums may obtain VHR permits unless HOA rules prohibit, advertising must include 'family friendly' language for residential-district VHRs, and guest count is limited by paved parking spaces and bedroom count. The prior Measure T (2018) phase-out framework was overturned by El Dorado County Superior Court in March 2025 and is no longer in effect. Unincorporated El Dorado County parcels - particularly Meyers, Tahoma, and the eastern basin - fall under County Ordinance Chapter 5.56 with a separate 900-permit cap for the entire Lake Tahoe Basin and a hard 500-foot buffer around active VHRs (parcels inside the buffer of an active VHR cannot obtain a permit). Add California TOT and Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) building-height/coverage constraints for any exterior modifications. City-side and county-side permit queues are separate; a moratorium was in place during the transition and lifted with Ord. 2026-1203.
Short-term rentals in South Lake Tahoe are classified as restricted as of 2026-08-16. The City of South Lake Tahoe caps Vacation Home Rental (VHR) permits at 900 in residential districts under Ordinance 2026-1203 (effective April 23, 2026), replacing the Measure T phase-out that was overturned in March 2025; unincorporated El Dorado County parcels (Meyers, Tahoma) use a separate 900-permit basin-wide cap and 500-foot buffer under County Ordinance Chapter 5.56.
Yes, South Lake Tahoe has a permit cap in place. City of South Lake Tahoe caps VHR permits at 900 in residential districts (Ord. 2026-1203, effective April 23, 2026). El Dorado County caps VHR permits at 900 in the Lake Tahoe Basin plus a 500-foot buffer between active VHRs. Both jurisdictions moved off previous Measure T phase-out framework after El Dorado County Superior Court overturned Measure T in March 2025.
The primary source does not specify a minimum stay for short-term rentals in South Lake Tahoe.
South Lake Tahoe does not require owner-occupancy for short-term rental operators as of 2026-08-16. Verify the specific parcel with the operating jurisdiction before offering, as owner-occupancy rules interact with zoning overlays.
Contact the operating jurisdiction directly using the primary-source links published on this page. Zoning, HOA restrictions, and pending regulatory changes are parcel-specific and can override the citywide profile above. DepreciMax's $99 property report separately sizes the Year-1 §168(k) bonus depreciation deduction for a specific address, once regulatory clearance is confirmed.
Once you've verified the regulatory profile of a listing you're considering, run a $99 DepreciMax property report to size the actual Year-1 §168(k) bonus depreciation deduction. The report analyzes the listing photos to classify finishes as 5-year personal property, 15-year land improvements, or 39-year structural — producing a line-item estimate closely calibrated to a formal cost seg study.
Use the DepreciMax STR Regulations Database for the full top-50 market fleet — every market cited to a primary jurisdiction source, updated quarterly.
Not legal or tax advice. Short-term rental regulations change frequently and vary by parcel, zone, and HOA. The information on this page is a summary of publicly available primary sources as of 2026-08-16. Before acting — buying, listing, or operating a short-term rental in South Lake Tahoe — verify current rules with the operating jurisdiction and consult a local attorney and CPA.