Placerville, California Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Executive Overview: STR Status in Placerville

Short-term rentals are NOT allowed in residential zones within the City of Placerville. This is a critical finding for investors: Placerville has adopted one of the most restrictive STR ordinances in California, prohibiting STRs entirely in residential areas while limiting commercial-zone STRs to a maximum of 10 permits citywide.

STRs are permitted exclusively in commercial zones: Central Business District (CBD), Commercial (C), and Highway Commercial (HWC) zones, where they are classified as commercial lodging facilities rather than residential uses.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Placerville?

Placerville hosts earn a median $27,729/year with $205 ADR and 51% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $43,160+ per year.

See the full Placerville market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Placerville

Step 1: Verify Zoning Eligibility

Before proceeding, confirm your property is located in one of the permitted commercial zones:

Central Business District (CBD)
Commercial (C)
Highway Commercial (HWC)

Properties in residential zones are ineligible for STR permits regardless of other qualifications.

Step 2: Secure Required Pre-Application Items

Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) Certificate: Obtain before applying for STR permit
Proof of El Dorado County Fire Life and Safety Inspection: Must be current and passing
Active El Dorado Disposal account for garbage collection, including green waste/food waste

Step 3: Submit STR Application

Applications are submitted to the Development Services Department on the second floor of City Hall (3101 Center Street, Placerville). The application review is ministerial, meaning staff either approve or deny based on objective criteria rather than discretionary judgment.

Step 4: Complete Required Inspections

Following application submission, you must complete:

El Dorado County Fire Inspection with submitted checklist
City of Placerville Building Official Inspection
City of Placerville Planning Division Inspection

All corrections must be completed within 60 days of accepted application.

Required Documents, Permits, and Licenses

Primary Permits and Licenses

STR Permit ($200 for first unit, $100 for each additional unit on same parcel)
City Business License (active and current)
Transient Occupancy Registration Certificate
TOT Registration (Transient Occupancy Tax compliance)

Application Submission Requirements

Signed and dated STR Application Form
Proof of Ownership (Grant Deed)
Site Location Map(s)
Site Plan(s)
Floor Plan(s)
Copy of required interior and exterior signage
Payment of STR Application Fee
Paved parking meeting occupancy requirements
Fire Life and Safety inspection compliance
El Dorado Disposal service account proof

Annual Renewal Requirements

Complete STR application form
Proof of compliance following annual inspections by City staff and Fire District
Payment of renewal fees ($200 annual renewal including inspection)
Updated documentation if property changes occurred

Specific Regulations for Placerville STRs

Permit Limitations

Annual cap: Maximum 10 STR permits issued citywide per calendar year
Parcel limitation: Up to 5 units per parcel (separate application required per building)
Permit transferability: Non-transferable; permits issued only to property owners

Occupancy Standards

Maximum occupancy is determined by the lesser of:

Number of bedrooms (see occupancy table)
Available paved parking spaces

Bedroom-Based Occupancy Limits:

Studio: 4 persons
1 bedroom: 6 persons
2 bedrooms: 8 persons
3 bedrooms: 10 persons
4 bedrooms: 12 persons
5 bedrooms: 14 persons

Parking-Based Occupancy Limits:

1 parking space: 4 persons
2 parking spaces: 8 persons
3 parking spaces: 12 persons
4 parking spaces: 16 persons
5 parking spaces: 20 persons

Signage Requirements

Interior Signage Required:

Maximum occupancy
Excessive noise prohibited 10:00 PM - 8:00 AM
24-hour contact (name and number)
City of Placerville Police non-emergency number: (530) 642-5210
High fire risk area information and RAVE signup directions
Transient Occupancy Registration Certificate

Exterior Signage Required:

Permit number (STR XX-XX)
Maximum occupancy
Excessive noise prohibited 10:00 PM - 8:00 AM
24-hour contact information
City of Placerville Police non-emergency number: (530) 642-5210
Complaint email: pv.planning@gmail.com

Operational Requirements

Responsible party availability: Must be available 24/7 and onsite within one hour
Noise restrictions: Quiet hours 10:00 PM - 8:00 AM
Fire safety compliance: Current Defensible Space certification required
Parking: Must be paved and sufficient for maximum occupancy
Garbage service: Active El Dorado Disposal account required

Permit Revocation Conditions

STR permits may be revoked by the Development Services Director if:

Permit has expired
Property not current on TOT payments
Violation of permit conditions
Hazardous condition as determined by Fire District or City
Property constitutes a nuisance to surrounding properties

Hosted STRs in Residential Zones - Proposed Changes

Important Note: As of the latest available information, hosted STRs remain prohibited in residential zones. However, Placerville is considering allowing hosted STRs in single-family residential zones under the following proposed conditions:

Proposed Hosted STR Standards (Not Yet Adopted):

Owner-occupied single-family residences only
Maximum 2 persons per permitted bedroom (children 5 and under don't count)
No standard or efficiency kitchens allowed in rented rooms
Maximum 2 guest vehicles
In-person check-in and review of performance standards required
TOT certificate and compliance mandatory
Proposed fines: $1,500 first violation, $3,000 second violation within one year, $5,000 for additional violations

Investors should note: These regulations are under consideration but not yet adopted. Current law prohibits all STRs in residential zones.

State-Level Context: California STR Regulations

While Placerville has its own municipal ordinances, California state law provides the overall framework:

State Tax Requirements

Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT): Most California cities and counties levy TOT on STRs lasting less than 30 days
State income tax: STR income is subject to California state income tax
Sales tax: May apply to certain charges depending on local ordinances

State Regulatory Framework

Cities and counties have broad authority to regulate STRs
Local ordinances can be more restrictive than state minimums
Hosted vs. unhosted distinctions often made at local level

Contact Information for Local Authorities

City of Placerville Development Services Department

Physical Address: Development Services Department
Second Floor, City Hall
3101 Center Street
Placerville, CA 95667

Phone:

Planning Division: (530) 642-5252
Building Department: (530) 642-5240
Code Compliance: (530) 642-5579

Email:

Planning Division: pv.planning@gmail.com
Code Enforcement: Contact through main Development Services number

Office Hours:

General: Monday-Friday (specific hours not provided in documents)
Applications submitted during regular business hours

Key Contact Numbers

City of Placerville Police Department (Non-Emergency): (530) 642-5210
El Dorado County Fire Districts: Contact information varies by district
El Dorado County VHR Division (for unincorporated areas): (530) 642-4888

Sources and Links

Investment Implications

Placerville's restrictive STR ordinance presents significant challenges for residential STR investors:

Limited opportunities: Only 10 permits annually citywide
Commercial zone requirement: Eliminates most residential investment properties
High regulatory burden: Multiple inspections, permits, and ongoing compliance requirements
Enforcement: Active tracking and fining of non-compliant residential STRs

For investors interested in the broader El Dorado County area, note that unincorporated county areas have different, more permissive VHR regulations. However, within Placerville city limits, STR investment opportunities are severely limited to commercial-zone properties.

Recommended Action: Consult with local commercial real estate professionals and verify current zoning before considering any STR investment within Placerville city limits.

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Ask the AI Advisor about Placerville

Placerville is a historic foothill city in El Dorado County, California, with a population of roughly 10,000 residents. Tucked into the western slope of the Sierra Nevada, the city carries the nickname "Old Hangtown" from its rough-and-tumble Gold Rush days, and that frontier character is still visible in the weathered brick storefronts along its main street. Today Placerville has a relaxed, small-town atmosphere, surrounded by pine-forested hills, vineyards, and apple orchards, and it serves as a natural gateway between California's Central Valley and the high country around Lake Tahoe. The city sits about 45 miles east of Sacramento, reached by following U.S. Highway 50 up into the foothills.

Just outside town, the Apple Hill region is one of Placerville's most popular draws. Beginning in the mid-20th century as a network of family apple farms, the area has grown into a year-round destination with u-pick orchards, bakeries, pumpkin patches, Christmas tree farms, and a large cluster of small wineries. The drive from downtown Placerville to most Apple Hill ranches is roughly 15 to 25 minutes, and traffic during fall harvest weekends can be heavy.

To the northeast, El Dorado National Forest covers a vast swath of the central Sierra, offering camping, hiking, fishing, and winter snow play. The forest stretches from the foothills near Placerville up to the alpine zone, and trailheads like those around Ice House Reservoir and Wrights Lake are typically reached in about an hour to an hour and a half from the city, depending on the destination.

A short drive northwest leads to Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park in Coloma, the site where James W. Marshall's 1848 discovery set off the California Gold Rush. The park preserves a working replica of Sutter's Mill, historic buildings, and the rushing South Fork of the American River, which is also popular for gold panning, swimming, and gentle rafting. The park is roughly 20 minutes from Placerville via Highway 49.

Closer to home, Gold Bug Park & Mine is a small but distinctive attraction within the city limits. Visitors can tour a preserved hard-rock gold mine, pan for flakes in the stamp mill area, and walk easy nature trails with views over the canyon. It is a few minutes' drive from Main Street and is a frequent stop for families exploring the area's mining heritage.

Placerville's mix of Gold Rush history, foothill wine and farm country, and easy access to both Sacramento and the Sierra Nevada makes it a quietly versatile base for short-term rentals. Travelers can spend a morning walking a historic main street, an afternoon tasting cider and wine among the pines, and the next day floating down the American River or standing on a Tahoe shoreline, all without having to change lodging.