Old Station, California Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Overview: STR Status in Old-Station, CA

Short-term rentals are allowed in Old-Station, California, but under strict regulations enforced by Mono County. As an unincorporated community within Mono County, Old-Station operates under county-wide short-term rental regulations rather than city-specific ordinances. The county maintains a comprehensive regulatory framework designed to balance tourism benefits with housing availability and neighborhood character preservation.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Old Station?

Old Station hosts earn a median $40,712/year with $316 ADR and 54% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $49,580+ per year.

See the full Old Station market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Old-Station

Starting a short-term rental in Old-Station requires navigating Mono County's multi-layered permitting process:

Step 1: Property Qualification Assessment

Verify your property meets basic eligibility requirements
Confirm no safety or infrastructure conflicts (emergency access, road conditions, water/sewer adequacy)
Check HOA restrictions if applicable
Ensure compliance with underlying land use designation

Step 2: Permit Acquisition Process

Obtain Use Permit (Chapters 25 and 32 of Mono County Code)
Apply for STR Activity Permit (Chapter 5.65 of Mono County Code)
Secure Business License
Obtain Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) Certificate
Complete any additional applicable regulations

Step 3: Operational Setup

Ensure all safety and health standards are met
Establish proper insurance coverage
Set up tax collection and remittance systems
Create rental agreements and house rules

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Primary Permits and Licenses:

Use Permit - Required under Mono County Code Chapters 25 and 32
STR Activity Permit - Chapter 5.65, specific to property owner and non-transferable
Business License - Mono County business registration
Transient Occupancy Tax Certificate - Required for tax collection/remittance

Compliance Requirements:

Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in all sleeping areas
Fire extinguishers (2A:10B:C type) mounted 3-5 feet above floor
Clearly visible property address
Structural safety compliance (stairs, decks, handrails)
Proper ash disposal containers for fireplaces
Emergency escape route compliance
Utilities in good operating condition
Fenced/locked pools, hot tubs, and spas

Restrictions and Limitations:

One permit per person/entity and one per parcel
Owner must apply directly; management companies cannot be primary applicants
Permit terminates upon property sale/transfer
No STR operation in avalanche zones November 1 - April 15
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) prohibited from STR use

Specific Regulations by Level

County-Level Regulations (Mono County)

Hosted Rentals: Owner must live on-site during all rentals
Non-Hosted Rentals: Allowed with additional restrictions
500-foot notification radius for neighboring properties
Community-specific restrictions may apply based on location

Neighborhood-Specific Restrictions (if applicable)

Note: Old-Station doesn't have specific neighborhood restrictions listed in the provided documents, but general county-wide policies apply.

State-Level Regulations (California)

Compliance with California Building Code for transient lodging
Transient Occupancy Tax collection and remittance
Health and safety standards per state regulations

Contact Information for Local Authority

Primary Contacts:

Mono County Community Development Department

Phone: (760) 924-1800
Email: communitydevelopment@mono.ca.gov
Address: Mono County Courthouse, 278 North Main Street, P.O. Box 347, Bridgeport, CA 93517
Website: www.monocounty.ca.gov

Mono County Planning Division

Phone: (760) 924-1810
Email: planning@mono.ca.gov

Mono County Tax Collector

Phone: (760) 932-5480
Website: www.monocounty.ca.gov/tax-collector

Additional Resources:

Mono County Sheriff's Department (Enforcement)

Phone: (760) 932-7549
Website: www.monocounty.ca.gov/sheriff

Important Links to Source Pages

Official County Resources:

Mono County General Plan: monocounty.ca.gov/planning
Land Use Maps: monomammoth.maps.arcgis.com
Business Licensing: www.monocounty.ca.gov/finance
Transient Occupancy Tax: www.monocounty.ca.gov/tax-collector
Short-Term Rental Regulations: monocounty.ca.gov/sites/default/files/fileattachments/mono_basin_rpac/meeting/34268/4a.1_draft_str_policy_revisions_-_clean_version.pdf

Regulatory Documents:

Mono County Code Chapter 5.65: STR Activity Permits
Land Use Element Chapter 25: Short-Term Rentals
Land Use Element Chapter 26: Transient Rental Standards
Development Standards: Various chapters covering operational requirements

Key Investment Considerations

Financial Obligations:

Transient Occupancy Tax: Currently 10% of rental rates
Permit fees: Vary by permit type and property characteristics
Business license fees: Annual renewal required
Compliance costs: Safety equipment, insurance, property improvements

Operational Challenges:

Owner-residency requirement: Limits passive investment opportunities
Seasonal restrictions: Avalanche zone limitations
Strict safety standards: Higher upfront compliance costs
Limited scalability: One permit per person/entity restriction

Market Positioning:

Tourism-driven demand: Strong summer and winter recreation markets
Competition with hotels: County promotes "level playing field" with traditional lodging
Housing stock concerns: 32.8% of county housing is vacation homes, creating political pressure

This regulatory environment requires careful consideration of both compliance costs and operational constraints before investing in short-term rental properties in Old-Station, California.

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Ask the AI Advisor about Old Station

Old Station is a tiny unincorporated community in Shasta County, in the northeastern part of California, where the Sacramento Valley gives way to the volcanic plateau of the southern Cascades. With only a few dozen full-time residents, it has the feel of a quiet roadside stop, but its location on Highway 89 just north of Lassen Volcanic National Park makes it a meaningful waypoint for travelers exploring the region. It sits roughly sixty miles east-northeast of Redding, the nearest sizable city, and about two hundred miles north of Sacramento.

The most prominent attraction tied to Old Station is the national park just to its south. Lassen Volcanic National Park is best known for Lassen Peak, the large plug-dome volcano that last erupted in the early twentieth century, and for its extensive hydrothermal areas, including the boardwalk trails through Bumpass Hell. The park's northern gateway around Manzanita Lake, with its campground, lake loop trail, and Loomis Museum, is reached in roughly twenty to twenty-five minutes by car from Old Station via Highway 89.

Just a few minutes west of town, Subway Cave is a self-guided lava tube formed by a long-ago eruption of Hat Creek. Visitors can walk a short loop through the cool, dimly lit passage, which the U.S. Forest Service manages as part of the surrounding Lassen National Forest. The cave is open seasonally and tends to be especially popular with families looking for an easy, memorable stop on the way to or from the park.

To the north, McArthur–Burney Falls Memorial State Park is about a forty-five-minute drive from Old Station. The centerpiece is Burney Falls, a 129-foot waterfall fed by springs above the rim that has been called one of the most beautiful in the country. The park also offers campgrounds, a network of hiking trails, and access to Lake Britton, making it a natural day trip for visitors based in Old Station.

Old Station's appeal as a base for a short-term rental is straightforward: it sits in a beautiful, lightly developed landscape at the doorstep of one of Northern California's marquee national parks, and it offers easy access to other volcanic, forested, and waterfall destinations nearby. The community's small size keeps the atmosphere calm and uncrowded, while its position along a main route into the park means that visitors in any season can enjoy hiking, sightseeing, fishing, and stargazing in a setting that feels far removed from the busier parts of the state.