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Pollock Pines, CA

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STR Regulations for Pollock Pines, California

Overview: Short-term rentals (STRs) are allowed in Pollock Pines, California, but are regulated by El Dorado County (not city-specific rules). Pollock Pines falls within the unincorporated areas of the county, which enforces strict Vacation Home Rental (VHR) ordinances. STRs must obtain county permits, comply with occupancy limits, fire safety standards, and pay Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT). Hosted rentals (where the owner resides on-site) are permitted under a separate Hosted Home Rental (HHR) permit with additional restrictions.

1. Starting an STR Business in Pollock Pines

To legally operate an STR in Pollock Pines:

  • Obtain a VHR or HHR Permit through the El Dorado County VHR Division.
  • Complete Fire Safety Inspections:
    • Interior Fire Life Safety Inspection (every 2 years).
    • Exterior Defensible Space Inspection (valid for 3 years; must pass before permit approval).
  • Pay Fees: Permit application fees, fire inspection fees, and TOT.
  • Designate a Local Contact: A person within 35 driving miles of the property, available 24/7.
  • Install a Bear Box (for VHRs; not required for HHRs).
  • Comply with Ordinance Rules: Occupancy limits (see §3), noise, parking, and fire safety (e.g., no solid fuel fires).

Key Steps:

  1. Apply via the HDL Online Portal.
  2. Schedule fire inspections through your local fire district.
  3. Submit proof of defensible space compliance and bear box installation.
  4. Pay permit fees ($564 for new VHRs; $282 for HHRs).
  5. Post county-issued signage on the property.

2. Required Documents, Permits, and Licenses

  • VHR Permit: Required for unhosted rentals; costs $564 (new) or $282 (renewal).
  • HHR Permit: For owner-occupied rentals; costs $282. Requires proof of primary residence (e.g., two forms of ID).
  • Fire Safety Inspections:
    • Interior: Passed inspection report (valid 2 years).
    • Exterior: Defensible space compliance (valid 3 years).
  • TOT Certificate: Mandatory for collecting the 10% Transient Occupancy Tax.
  • Bear Box Photo: Proof of installation for VHRs (exempt for HHRs).
  • Local Contact Certification: Must pass the county’s local contact exam.

3. Regulations for STRs in Pollock Pines/El Dorado County

Key Rules (Per Ordinance Effective 11/21/24):

  • Occupancy:
    • VHR: 2 individuals ≥6 years per bedroom; children ≤5 not counted.
    • HHR: Max 2 bedrooms rented (main home or attached guesthouse).
  • Buffering:
    • VHRs require 500-foot separation from other STRs (West Slope only).
    • Use the County Buffer Map to check compliance.
  • Fire Safety:
    • Defensible space compliance mandatory.
    • No solid fuel fires (propane/natural gas only for outdoor burning).
  • Noise & Parking:
    • Quiet hours enforced; rental rules don’t apply to owners on-site.
    • Parking must stay on the parcel (no blocking driveways). In Tahoe, park on paved surfaces.
  • Business Tax:
    • Collect and remit 10% TOT to the El Dorado County Tax Collector.
  • Other Prohibitions:
    • No events (parties, weddings).
    • Violations result in fines for the owner.

Hosted Rentals (HHR):

  • Permitted in residential zones.
  • Exempt from bear box and buffering requirements.
  • Fire inspections every 2 years; application fees reduced.

4. Contact Information

  • VHR Division (El Dorado County):
    • Email: VHRPermits@edcgov.us
    • Phone: 530-642-4888 (Placerville Office); 530-573-7999 (Enforcement Hotline)
    • Address: 330 Fair Lane, Placerville, CA 95667
  • Online Portal: HDL VHR Applications
  • Fire Districts: Contact your local fire department for inspections (see VHR Fire FAQs).
  • TOT Queries: El Dorado County Tax Collector: 530-621-5800

5. Source Links

6. Additional Notes

  • Waitlists: Some areas may have VHR/HHR waitlists ($141 fee).
  • Insurance: Requires California Fair Plan + wrap-around policy due to wildfire risk.
  • Seasonality: STR demand peaks in summer (lake activities) and winter (ski resorts).

For the latest updates, subscribe to the County VHR Email Service.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Pollock Pines?

Pollock Pines hosts earn a median $40,241/year with $310 ADR and 50% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $59,879+ per year.

See the full Pollock Pines market breakdown

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Pollock Pines

Market Saturation Score

036912
High Saturation
8/ 12
months with declining YoY revenue
8–10 declining months: high saturation - supply likely outpacing demand.
View Full Pollock Pines Market Analysis

Photos of Pollock Pines

Overview of Pollock Pines

Pollock Pines is a small mountain community in El Dorado County, California, set among the forested slopes of the western Sierra Nevada at an elevation of roughly 4,000 feet. With a population of about 6,800, it has the feel of a quiet, year-round mountain town rather than a resort destination, though it sits along busy U.S. Route 50, the main artery between Sacramento and South Lake Tahoe. The community serves primarily as a staging point for outdoor recreation in the surrounding national forest, and its economy has long revolved around tourism, timber, and a steady flow of travelers. Pollock Pines lies approximately 65 miles east of Sacramento, placing it within easy weekend reach of California's capital region while feeling worlds apart from the Central Valley below.

Just a few miles west of Pollock Pines along Highway 50, the community of Camino and the surrounding ridgetops make up Apple Hill, a beloved agricultural district known for its apple orchards, bake shops, cider mills, pumpkin patches, and small family wineries. Open primarily from late summer through the fall harvest season, the area draws weekend crowds from Sacramento and the Bay Area, and many visitors stay in Pollock Pines lodging as a base for exploring the dozens of farms that make up the trail.

A short drive southeast of town, Jenkinson Lake (also called Sly Park Reservoir) anchors the Sly Park Recreation Area, a popular spot for camping, fishing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and picnicking under tall ponderosa pines. The reservoir is roughly 15 minutes from the center of Pollock Pines and offers a family-friendly alternative to the larger, more crowded lakes farther up the mountain.

Pollock Pines is also a gateway to the Eldorado National Forest, which surrounds the community on three sides and contains the Crystal Basin Recreation Area, a network of reservoirs and campgrounds including Loon Lake, Union Valley Reservoir, and Ice House Reservoir. These sites, generally 20 to 45 minutes from town, are favorites for boating, swimming, and stargazing, and they receive a small fraction of the visitation of more famous Sierra destinations.

Farther east along Highway 50, South Lake Tahoe and the broader Lake Tahoe basin are about 60 miles away, roughly a 90-minute drive depending on winter conditions, offering skiing in winter and lake activities in summer. To the west, the historic Gold Rush towns of Placerville and Coloma, home to Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park, lie within a 30- to 45-minute drive.

For short-term rental owners, Pollock Pines offers a compelling combination of small-town quiet, four-season appeal, and proximity to some of Northern California's strongest draws, from Apple Hill's fall crowds to year-round forest recreation and the lure of Lake Tahoe within a day's reach.

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