Bridgeport, California Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Bridgeport, California?

Yes, short-term rentals are allowed in Bridgeport, California, but with significant restrictions and requirements. Bridgeport is located within Mono County, and all STR operations are governed by Mono County regulations rather than city-specific ordinances. The regulatory environment is currently undergoing significant changes as Mono County updates its STR policies in 2025.

Key Point: The Bridgeport Valley specifically has no community-specific short-term rental policies, meaning investors must follow the broader Mono County regulations.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Bridgeport?

Bridgeport hosts earn a median $13,798/year with $109 ADR and 45% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $29,256+ per year.

See the full Bridgeport market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Bridgeport Market

Step 1: Determine Property Eligibility

Before pursuing an STR permit, investors must verify that their property is located in an appropriate land use designation that allows short-term rentals:

Commercial (C) - Short-term rentals permitted subject to Use Permit
Commercial Lodging Moderate (CL-M) and High (CL-H) - Short-term rentals permitted subject to Use Permit
Mixed Use (MU) - Short-term rentals permitted subject to Use Permit
Multi-Family Residential High (MFR-H) - Short-term rentals permitted subject to Use Permit
Rural Resort (RU) - Short-term rentals permitted subject to Use Permit

Critical Restrictions:

Prohibited: Multi-Family Residential Low (MFR-L) and Moderate (MFR-M) designations (except for existing permitted units that don't transfer upon ownership change)
No new authorizations in Multi-Family Residential (MFR) designations

Step 2: Understand Current Regulatory Status

Mono County has implemented several recent policy changes affecting STR operations:

Use Permit Requirement: All overnight rental authorizations now require use permit approval (except single units in multi-family residential complexes in CL-H zones)
Third-Party Inspection Requirement: Properties must undergo inspection by a County-approved inspector before submitting STR applications
Annual Renewals: All STR permits require annual renewal
Two-Year Waiting Period: Newly constructed units or properties under new ownership must wait two years before applying for STR permits

Step 3: Apply for Required Permits

The permitting process has been consolidated into a unified procedure with single terms and requirements for all permits regardless of land use designation.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Primary Permits and Applications:

Short-term Rental Activity Permit - Required for all STR operations
Use Permit - Required for most overnight rental authorizations
Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) Registration - Required for tax collection

Supporting Documentation Required:

Third-Party Inspection Report - From County-approved inspector
Property ownership verification
Proof of insurance
Emergency contact information for guests
Cleaning service arrangements
Site plan and occupancy information
Compliance with Chapter 25 and 26 of Mono County Code

Operating Requirements:

Maintain emergency contact information available 24/7
Comply with occupancy limits
Follow noise ordinances and good neighbor policies
Ensure regular property maintenance and cleaning
Adhere to waste management protocols

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

Mono County Regulations (Unincorporated Areas Including Bridgeport):

Land Use Designation Changes:

Recently Updated Regulations (2025):

Commercial (C):

Removed transient rentals as use permitted subject to Director Review
Added short-term rentals as use permitted subject to Use Permit

Commercial Lodging (CL-M and CL-H):

Removed transient rental from permitted uses list
Added short-term rentals as use permitted subject to Use Permit
Traditional lodging facilities under 2,500 square feet added as permitted use subject to Director Review

Multi-Family Residential (MFR):

MFR-H: Short-term rentals added as use permitted subject to Use Permit
MFR-L and MFR-M: STRs prohibited in units not already permitted
Previously permitted transient rentals in MFR-L and MFR-M will not transfer upon ownership change

Rural Resort (RU) and Mixed Use (MU):

Short-term rentals added as use permitted subject to Use Permit
Previous transient rental provisions removed

Host Responsibilities:

Hosted STRs allowed with specific host responsibilities
Non-Hosted rentals subject to stricter regulations
Enhanced compliance standards for both hosted and non-hosted operations

Special Provisions:

ADU Policy: Long-term renters may occupy accessory dwelling units while allowing STRs in main home, but ADUs cannot be rented as STRs if main unit is occupied by owner or long-term renter
Property Rights: STR permits do not run with the land
Eviction Restrictions: STR permits prohibited where eviction has occurred on property in previous two years

State-Level Regulations (California):

Compliance with California Civil Code regarding STRs
Tax obligations under state revenue and taxation codes
Safety and habitability standards under state building codes
Consumer protection requirements

Contact Information for Local Authorities

Mono County Community Development Department:

Bridgeport Office:

Phone: (760) 932-5420
Fax: (760) 932-5431
Address: Annex 1, 74 N. School St., PO Box 8, Bridgeport, CA 93517
Hours: 8am - noon, 1pm - 5pm

Mammoth Lakes Office:

Phone: (760) 924-1800
Fax: (760) 924-1801
Address: 1290 Tavern Road, Suite 138, PO Box 347, Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546
Hours: 8am - noon, 1pm - 5pm

Code Compliance (For Violations):

Phone: (760) 924-1826
Online: Code Compliance Complaint Form available on county website
Website: monocounty.ca.gov/community-development

Planning Contact:

Aaron M. Washco, Community Development Planning Analyst
Phone: (760) 924-1810
Email: awashco@mono.ca.gov

Links to Source Pages

Important Notes for STR Investors in Bridgeport:

Market Considerations:

Bridgeport Valley has no community-specific restrictions, making it potentially more accessible than other areas in Mono County
The regulatory environment is actively changing with 2025 policy updates
Properties in appropriate land use designations (C, CL, MU, MFR-H, RU) are eligible but require use permits

Compliance Requirements:

Enhanced inspection and compliance standards implemented
Annual permit renewals required
Two-year waiting period for newly constructed or newly acquired properties
Strict enforcement through Code Compliance division

Investment Strategy Recommendations:

Verify land use designation before purchasing property
Budget for use permit application costs and third-party inspections
Consider property management requirements for non-hosted operations
Stay informed about ongoing regulatory changes through RPAC and Planning Commission agendas

Current Status: Mono County Community Development Department continues working on new regulations. Investors should subscribe to relevant county meeting agendas to stay updated on policy developments.

The regulatory environment for STRs in Bridgeport/Mono County remains dynamic, with significant changes implemented in 2025. Professional guidance from local real estate professionals familiar with Mono County regulations is highly recommended for investors considering STR operations in this market.

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Ask the AI Advisor about Bridgeport

Bridgeport is a small, sparsely populated community set against the eastern flank of the Sierra Nevada in Mono County, California, where it serves as the county seat. With a permanent population of roughly 500 to 600 residents, the town has the unhurried character of a high-desert crossroads, surrounded by sagebrush flats, granite peaks, and pine-covered canyons. It is best known as a launching point for some of the most dramatic landscapes in the American West, including the eastern approach to Yosemite National Park, the well-preserved ghost town of Bodie, and the trout-filled waters of the nearby Walker River. Bridgeport sits along U.S. Route 395 approximately 80 miles south of Reno, Nevada, the nearest major city.

Just outside town, Bodie State Historic Park preserves one of the best-known gold-mining ghost towns in the American West. About thirteen miles east of Bridgeport via a paved road, the park maintains dozens of original buildings in a state of "arrested decay," offering visitors a remarkably intact look at a late-nineteenth-century boomtown. The site is open seasonally and is a centerpiece of any trip to the Eastern Sierra.

North of Bridgeport, Mono Lake is a vast, ancient saline lake famous for its otherworldly tufa towers — calcium-carbonate spires formed where freshwater springs meet the alkaline waters. The lake, roughly thirty miles from town, draws photographers, birders, and geology enthusiasts, and its South Tufa area is easily accessed by a short walk from a parking area. The lake's unique ecosystem and stark setting make it a frequent stop on Highway 395 road trips.

West of Bridgeport, the seasonal Tioga Pass entrance to Yosemite National Park lies about 25 to 30 miles over the Sierra crest, typically open from late spring through early fall depending on snowpack. Travelers coming from the east side often pass through Bridgeport as a final stop for fuel, food, and lodging before crossing into the park's high-country meadows, glacial lakes, and the iconic Tuolumne Meadows area.

A short drive from the town center, the Travertine Hot Springs offers a small but popular network of natural mineral pools set against a backdrop of snow-dusted peaks. The pools, free and accessible year-round, are favored by visitors looking to soak under open skies after a day of hiking, fishing, or skiing in the surrounding mountains.

Bridgeport's combination of small-town quiet and immediate access to some of California's most photographed landscapes — ghost towns, alpine lakes, geothermal pools, and a major national park — makes it a natural base for short-term rentals. Guests drawn to the Eastern Sierra for outdoor adventure, scenic drives, and stargazing under exceptionally dark skies find that a few nights in Bridgeport place a remarkable range of experiences within easy reach.