Overview and explicit answer: Are STRs allowed in Granite Bay, CA?

• Yes—short-term rentals (rentals of 30 days or fewer) are allowed in Granite Bay, provided you comply with Placer County’s STR ordinance. Granite Bay is an unincorporated area of Placer County; there is no city-level STR code. The county’s rules therefore apply. Note: As of late 2024, Placer County’s overall STR permit cap is 3,900 permits (owner-occupied STRs are exempt from the cap), and the County implemented an amendment requiring a 30-night minimum stay once the cap is reached (excluding owner-occupied STRs). This policy applies once the cap is reached; because owner-occupied units are not counted toward the cap, owner-occupied STRs are not subject to the 30-night minimum. [See the cap, owner-occupancy exemption, and minimum-stay amendment in the County’s STR pages and ordinance.]

Who regulates STRs in Granite Bay?

• Jurisdiction: Unincorporated Placer County.
• Local authority: Placer County Community Development (Code Enforcement Services) administers the STR program. Contact the STR Program directly or the County’s 24/7 hotline for complaints. State-level rules (California) also apply (see “State-level regulations” below).

How to start a short-term rental business in Granite Bay

• Step 1: Confirm eligibility and zoning
  • Confirm the property is a legal residential unit and not subject to deed restrictions, affordability covenants, or other prohibitions under the ordinance.
  • STRs are prohibited in structures not intended for residential occupancy; tiny homes and mobile/manufactured homes are not allowed as STRs.
  • Only one STR unit per property is permitted. Subletting by guests is prohibited. The property owner or an agent with a valid permit may advertise and rent.
• Step 2: Obtain a Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) Certificate
  • Apply for the TOT certificate online through the County’s TOT portal. Keep the TOT certificate current; it does not need to be renewed but must be updated if information changes.
• Step 3: Pass required fire inspections
  • Exterior Defensible Space inspection: Conducted by your local fire district. It must be completed within the last year (good for three years) before you submit your STR permit application.
  • Interior Fire Life Safety (FLS) inspection: After you submit your STR permit application, County staff will contact you to schedule and pay for the interior inspection (good for three years).
  • Note: Fire district-specific scheduling and fees vary by location (see Fire Inspection Information below).
• Step 4: Provide bear-proof trash compliance
  • Submit a photo of a bear box (or dumpster for condos/HOA-managed landscaping) that clearly shows the unit’s address or front of the house. A 0% interest loan (repaid through garbage bills) is available through TTSD to help purchase and install a bear box.
• Step 5: Designate a Local Contact Person
  • The local contact must be reachable by phone 24/7, live within 35 driving miles of the STR, and have access and authority to manage the property. A professional property manager or agent can serve as the local contact if they meet the availability criteria.
• Step 6: Submit your STR Permit application
  • Nonrefundable application fee: $326.02 (effective as of the 2025 fee schedule). Pay online by credit, debit, or bank account; paper checks are no longer accepted.
  • Online application portal: Apply for a new STR permit (link below).
• Step 7: Postings and recordkeeping
  • Interior postings: Good Neighbor Flyer at the front door and on each bedroom door; include local contact and emergency info, plus operational standards (noise, parking, fire/life safety, occupancy limits, trash/bears, pets).
  • Exterior postings: STR permit number and County STR hotline phone number on the bear box/dumpster (visible from the street) or in a front window/door.
  • Advertisement requirements: Include the valid STR permit number, maximum daytime/nighttime occupancy, and all permitted parking locations with capacity. Link to the Good Neighbor Flyer in listings.
• Step 8: Maintain and renew annually
  • Permits are valid for one year. Renew up to 30 days prior to expiration. Renewals require current passing FLS and Defensible Space inspections (good for three years), updated local contact, and proof of TOT certificate (and homeowner’s exemption for owner-occupied units).
• Operational safeguards
  • Provide on-site parking or an approved off-site plan. No parking may encroach into the roadway.
  • Comply with noise standards (quiet hours 9 p.m.–8 a.m.; amplified sound prohibited outside). Post daytime/nighttime noise limits inside the unit.
  • Maintain visible address identification from the street.
  • For bookings December 1–April 1, arrange snow removal services (owner/manager or professional).
  • Forbid special events (weddings, corporate events, etc.) unless separately permitted by the County.
  • Comply with all fire restrictions: no open wood burning pits or campfires; gas/propane devices permitted with distance requirements; prohibit grills under flammable sources; stop all outdoor flame during Red Flag Warnings.
  • Secure pets; no fireworks; comply with bear safety and trash rules.
  • Do not rent during active construction or remodeling without final inspection/occupancy approval.
• Taxes and fees
  • Collect and remit Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT). Hosts must also comply with any applicable Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID) assessments.
  • Application fee: $326.02. If interior FLS inspections are scheduled by County staff, a separate inspection fee applies; see Fire Inspection Information below for district-specific costs.

Required documents, permits, licenses, and guidelines

• TOT Certificate (mandatory for all STRs)
• STR Permit (annual)
• Exterior Defensible Space inspection report (by local fire district; valid three years)
• Interior Fire Life Safety inspection (County; valid three years)
• Bear box/dumpster photo with address visibility
• Local Contact Person details (name, phone, 24/7 availability, proximity within 35 driving miles)
• Proof of Primary Homeowner Exemption (for owner-occupied STRs)
• Good Neighbor Flyer (interior posting)
• STR permit number and County hotline number (exterior posting)
• Fire and life safety equipment (smoke and carbon monoxide alarms per CBC; one 5-lb 3-A:40-B:C extinguisher near kitchen; extinguishers on each level; inspected annually)
• Visible address signage
• On-site parking or County-approved off-site parking plan
• Snow removal plan (December 1–April 1)
• Advertisement content: permit number, occupancy limits, parking plan, and link to Good Neighbor Flyer

Specific regulations for STRs in this market Placer County STR Ordinance (Key standards; abbreviated for clarity; see full ordinance for complete rules):

• Cap and minimum stay:
  • Overall cap on residential STR permits: 3,900. Owner-occupied STRs in good standing with a current TOT certificate are exempt from the cap.
  • 30-night minimum stay applies once the cap is reached, excluding owner-occupied STRs. (Amendment approved December 17, 2024; effective January 16, 2025.)
• Permits and renewals:
  • Permits are valid for one year. Renewals are processed if the permit is renewed prior to expiration.
  • Change of ownership terminates the STR permit; new owner must apply for a new permit.
• Occupancy limits:
  • Nighttime occupancy: two people per bedroom plus two additional people, up to 12 guests (excluding children under 12). Nighttime occupancy begins at 9 p.m.
  • Daytime occupancy: 1.5 times the maximum nighttime occupancy (excluding children under 12).
• Parking:
  • Provide on-site parking for all vehicles, boats, trailers; no encroachment into roadway. If no on-site parking, maintain a County-approved off-site parking plan. Clearly specify permitted parking locations and capacity in leases and listings.
• Noise:
  • Comply with County noise standards. Post daytime and nighttime noise limits inside the unit.
  • Quiet hours: 9 p.m.–8 a.m. No amplified sound outside or audible from the parcel line at any time.
• Trash and bear safety:
  • Minimum service level: two trash containers per unit per week.
  • Bear-proof containers required (enclosures/dumpsters must meet County code).
• Posting requirements:
  • Interior: Good Neighbor Flyer at front door and each bedroom door; include local contact and emergency info and operational standards (noise, parking, fire/life safety, occupancy limits, bears/trash, pets).
  • Exterior: STR permit number and County hotline phone number on bear box/dumpster (visible from the street) or in a front window/door.
• Advertisement requirements:
  • Include valid STR permit number, maximum daytime/nighttime occupancy, permitted parking locations and capacity, and a link to the Good Neighbor Flyer.
• Fire and life safety:
  • Smoke alarms per California Building Code (each bedroom, at least one on every level).
  • Carbon monoxide alarms per CBC (outside each bedroom, on every level, and in bedrooms or attached bathrooms with fuel-burning appliances).
  • Fire extinguisher: one 5-lb 3-A:40-B:C near kitchen; one per level; inspected annually.
  • At least one working landline phone or VoIP phone in the unit.
  • Maintain compliance with Hazardous Vegetation and Combustible Material Abatement Ordinance.
• Prohibited or restricted:
  • Affordability/deed-restricted units (subject to narrow exceptions under the Workforce Housing Preservation Program).
  • Tiny homes and mobile/manufactured homes are prohibited as STRs.
  • Incidental camping is not authorized under an STR permit.
  • Open wood burning pits, bonfires, and campfires are prohibited. Gas/propane devices must meet distance requirements; all outdoor flame prohibited during Red Flag Warnings.
  • Pets must be secured; no fireworks without a permit.
  • No special events (weddings, corporate events, etc.) without a separate County permit.
• Active building permits:
  • STRs may not be rented during active construction/remodeling unless final inspection/occupancy is approved and safety/welfare can be maintained.
• Multiple STRs per property:
  • The ordinance allows multiple STRs per property under specific conditions (see the December 2024 amendments). Confirm current criteria with County staff.
• Penalties and enforcement:
  • Operating/advertising without a permit: escalating penalties of $1,500, then $3,000, then $5,000; possible nuisance abatement and judicial remedies.
  • Operational standard violations: 30-day cure notice; escalating penalties; potential revocation after third citation within 24 months.
  • Parking/trash/occupancy violations: notice to guest and owner; one-hour cure window; escalating penalties if not cured; three notices within 90 days trigger a $1,500 citation and count toward revocation.
  • Noise violations: notice to guest and owner; one-hour cure window; escalating penalties for each hour uncured; three notices within 90 days trigger a $1,500 citation and count toward revocation.
  • Revocation grounds include false application statements, outstanding violations or delinquent payments, three citations within 24 months, public health/safety threats, failed or refused fire inspections, and absence/expiration of TOT or business licenses.

Fire Inspection Information (district-specific)

• Interior Fire Life Safety inspection:
  • Conducted by Placer County staff in certain districts (e.g., North Tahoe Fire, Northstar/Olympic Valley).
  • Cost: $507.02 (nonrefundable). County will schedule after your application submission.
  • Contact: Interior inspection scheduling staff (email provided on County pages).
• Exterior Defensible Space inspection:
  • Conducted by your local fire district; must be completed within the last year before applying (valid for three years).
  • District guidance (summary):
    • North Tahoe Fire District: Use the district’s webpage to request an inspection for single-family homes (choose your zone) and a separate condo/townhouse request if landscaping is HOA-managed.
    • Northstar/Olympic Valley: Schedule via the district’s prevention pages (inspection only when snow is clear from the ground).
    • Truckee Fire District (Placer County portions, e.g., Soda Springs; not including Northstar): Pay and schedule both interior and exterior inspections directly on the Truckee Fire website.
• Helpful resources:
  • Defensible Space checklist and Readiness videos (County pages and readyforwildfire.org).
  • FLS inspection guidelines and checklist (County pages).

State-level regulations (California)

• STRs are generally subject to California health and safety codes (smoke and CO alarms, fire extinguishers, emergency egress, etc.) and local business/tax obligations.
• The County’s STR pages reference CBC smoke and CO alarm requirements; follow manufacturer installation instructions and local fire code guidance.
• State-level occupancy and fire safety specifics may be enforced through local code (Placer County) and the adopted building and fire codes.

Contact information

• STR Program (Placer County Community Development)
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Phone: 530-581-6234
  • Address: Tahoe City Office, PO Box 1909, 775 North Lake Blvd., Tahoe City, CA 96145
  • Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
  • Public Counter Posting Pickup Hours: Monday–Thursday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
• 24/7 Hotline (violations/complaints): 530-448-8003
• Complaint Email (backup): See County STR Program page (Hotline recommended for fastest response).
• Interior FLS inspection scheduling (County staff): See County Fire Inspection Information section.
• Local Fire Districts:
  • North Tahoe Fire District: Inspection requests via the district’s webpage.
  • Northstar and Olympic Valley: Defensible Space scheduling via district prevention pages; Olympic Valley phone: 530-583-4692.
  • Truckee Fire District: Payment and scheduling at truckeefire.org.

Permit, TOT, and renewal portals (applications and updates)

• Apply for STR Permit: Use the County’s online application portal (see Source #1 and #3 links).
• Renew STR Permit: County renewal portal (see Source #1 link).
• Update STR Permit (manager/contact, upload inspections, etc.): County update portal (see Source #1 link).
• TOT Certificate application: County TOT portal (see Source #1 and #3 links).
• Public STR maps and permit lookup: County public portal (see Source #3 link).

Optional condo-hotel classification

• Condo-hotel properties that meet ordinance criteria are exempt from individual STR permits (NFPA sprinkler/alarm requirements; 24/7 management; access to units; enforcement of rules; commercial lodging zoning or equivalent safety systems). Properties not meeting condo-hotel criteria require unit-by-unit STR permits. Apply via County’s condo-hotel