El Dorado Hills, California Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in El Dorado Hills, CA?

Yes, short-term rentals are allowed in El Dorado Hills, CA. El Dorado Hills is located within the unincorporated areas of El Dorado County, and therefore falls under the county's Vacation Home Rental (VHR) regulations. The county's VHR ordinance is county-wide and applies to all unincorporated areas, including El Dorado Hills. The regulations distinguish between two types of short-term rentals: traditional Vacation Home Rentals (VHRs) and Hosted Home Rentals (HHRs), with specific rules, permits, and compliance requirements for each.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in El Dorado Hills?

El Dorado Hills hosts earn a median $25,902/year with $305 ADR and 52% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $26,189+ per year.

See the full El Dorado Hills market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in El Dorado Hills

Step 1: Determine Your Rental Type

El Dorado County offers two distinct short-term rental categories:

Vacation Home Rentals (VHRs): Traditional short-term rentals
Hosted Home Rentals (HHRs): Rentals where the host lives on-site and rents out bedrooms

Step 2: Understand Buffer Requirements

A critical consideration for new VHR operations is the 500-foot buffer requirement adopted on October 1, 2021. This county-wide regulation requires that new VHR permits maintain a 500-foot distance from all active VHR permits. However, if you currently have a VHR permit and are in good standing, this buffer requirement will not affect your property.

Step 3: Prepare for Application Process

The county recommends calling or making an appointment to review the process before applying online. The application process includes:

Property assessment for compliance
Fire safety inspection
Local contact certification
Sign placement requirements

Step 4: Use the County's Online Application System

Applications must be submitted through the HDL online permitting system at: https://eldoradocounty.hdlgov.com/home/index/vhrpermit

Step 5: Prepare for Fire Inspection and Signage

Before permit issuance, you must:

Pass fire safety inspection (includes defensible space compliance)
Purchase and post county-issued signs ($20.83 fee)

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Permit Fees

New VHR Permits: $564.00
New HHR Permits: $282.00
VHR Renewals: $282.00
VHR/HHR Sign Fees: $20.83
VHR/HHR Waitlists: $141.00
Permit Modification Fee: $71.00
Technology Fee Surcharge: $31.00 (applied to new and renewing applications)

Note: Fire safety inspection fees are additional and based on dwelling size

Required Inspections

Fire Safety Inspection: Required with new permit and every two years thereafter
Defensible Space Compliance: Must be verified during fire inspection

Documentation Requirements

Proof of Primary Residence (for HHR applicants): Two forms of ID required
Local Contact Certification: All local contacts must pass new certification test
Good Neighbor Policies: Compliance with rental rules when owner is staying on property

Key Application Links

Online Application: HDL VHR/HHR Permitting System
Application Forms: VHR Applications, Forms & Policies

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals in El Dorado County

Occupancy Limits

Standard VHRs: 2 individuals aged 6+ per bedroom (children 5 and under do not count toward occupancy)
Hosted Home Rentals: Maximum 2 bedrooms total (can be in main home or attached guest house)

Fire and Safety Regulations

Solid Fuel Fires: Prohibited county-wide
Outdoor Burning: Limited to natural gas and propane only
Defensible Space: Required compliance during fire inspections
Emergency Access: Must be maintained at all times

Hosted Home Rental (HHR) Specific Rules

Host Requirements: Can be owner or lessee (with owner's permission)
Primary Residence: Two forms of ID required to prove primary residence status
Buffer Requirements: Subject to 500-foot buffering in West Slope only
Bear Box: Not required for HHRs
Inspection Frequency: Fire inspections every other year
Application Fee: Reduced compared to VHR

Operational Requirements

Local Contact Certification: All local contacts must pass new certification test
Response Procedures: New complaint response procedures and penalties for violations
Proof of Rental Activity: At renewal, proof of 10+ nights rented required
Parking: Must be contained within parcel (no blocking neighboring driveways)

Prohibited Activities

Events: Defined as violations in the ordinance
Commercial Activities: No large parties or commercial events
Noise Violations: Subject to quiet hours and noise restrictions

Compliance and Enforcement

Owner Responsibility: Owners are ultimately responsible for renter violations and resulting fines
Violations: Subject to penalty system outlined in ordinance
Complaints: Enforcement hotline available for reporting violations

Contact Information for Local STR Authority

El Dorado County VHR Division

Placerville Office

Address: 2850 Fairlane Ct, Placerville, CA
Phone: 530-642-4888
Email: VHRPermits@edcgov.us
Walk-in Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Phone Appointments: 9:00, 9:30, or 10:00 AM

South Lake Tahoe Office

Address: 924 B Emerald Bay Rd, South Lake Tahoe, CA
Walk-in Hours: Tuesday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Phone Appointments: 9:00, 9:30, or 10:00 AM
Online Scheduling: Phone Appointment Booking

General County Contact

Address: 330 Fair Lane, Placerville, CA 95667
Website: Department Phone Numbers

Enforcement Contacts

VHR Code Enforcement Hotline: 530-573-7999
VHR Code Enforcement Email: VHREnforcement@edcgov.us

Important Email Communications

VHR Permits: VHRPermits@edcgov.us
VHR Email Updates: edcvhr@hdlgov.com (add to contact list for email delivery)
Complaints: VHREnforcement@edcgov.us

Source Links and Additional Resources

Important Note: This guide specifically applies to El Dorado Hills, CA, which is located within the unincorporated areas of El Dorado County. The regulations outlined above are county-wide requirements that govern short-term rental operations in El Dorado Hills. South Lake Tahoe City has separate, distinct regulations that do not apply to properties in El Dorado Hills. All information is current as of the latest ordinance updates and should be verified with the El Dorado County VHR Division before making investment or operational decisions.

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Ask the AI Advisor about El Dorado Hills

El Dorado is a small unincorporated community nestled in El Dorado County, California, set in the western foothills of the Sierra Nevada. The community carries the lingering character of the Gold Rush era, sharing its name with both the county and the legendary "El Dorado" myth that drew thousands of fortune-seekers to the region in the mid-1800s. Today it is a quiet foothill settlement that serves as a gateway between California's Central Valley and the high country of the Sierra. The nearest major city is Sacramento, which lies roughly 40 miles to the west and provides the closest major commercial airport and urban amenities.

Just a short drive northeast of El Dorado, Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park preserves the site where James W. Marshall first spotted gold at Sutter's Mill in January 1848, an event that set off the California Gold Rush. The park includes reconstructed buildings, a working mill, the Marshall Monument, and a museum of Gold Rush history, and it is reached from El Dorado in about 20 to 25 minutes along Highway 49.

To the west and southwest of El Dorado, the Apple Hill grower region offers a completely different seasonal draw. Beginning in late summer and running through the fall, dozens of family farms open their orchards for u-pick apples, fresh cider, baked goods, and hayrides. The cluster of farms around Camino and Placerville is about 15 to 25 minutes from El Dorado, making it one of the most popular agritourism destinations in Northern California.

Further east, the elevations rise into the Eldorado National Forest, a vast protected area of pine forests, granite outcroppings, and alpine lakes that covers much of the eastern half of the county. Within about an hour's drive, visitors can reach fishing and hiking spots around Ice House Reservoir, Wrights Lake, and the Loch Leven Lakes trailhead, all of which see heavy use from spring through early fall.

Beyond the national forest, Lake Tahoe sits roughly 90 miles to the east-northeast, putting El Dorado within reach of one of the most iconic alpine destinations in North America for a long day trip or an overnight excursion. Historic downtown Placerville, the county seat and a well-preserved Gold Rush town, is only about 10 minutes away and adds walkable Main Street dining, antique shops, and tasting rooms to the mix.

El Dorado's appeal for short-term rental owners rests on this layering of experiences: a peaceful foothill base within easy reach of Sacramento, anchored to a region where Gold Rush heritage, family-friendly farm visits, national forest recreation, and a path to Lake Tahoe all converge. It offers the kind of variety that draws couples, families, and outdoor travelers across multiple seasons without the crowds or price points of the Tahoe basin itself.