Quincy, California Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Overview: Are Short‑Term Rentals Allowed in Quincy, CA?

Yes—short‑term rentals are allowed in Quincy, California (Plumas County), provided the operator obtains required county permits, holds a valid business license, and complies with the county’s Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) and safety/zoning standards. Quincy is an unincorporated community and the county seat; most land‑use and lodging rules are administered by Plumas County rather than a separate city government. State law (California) also imposes registration, safety, and taxation requirements that apply to all STR hosts statewide.

This guide consolidates Quincy/Plumas County specifics plus the state‑level obligations that apply to any California STR.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Quincy?

Quincy hosts earn a median $23,868/year with $129 ADR and 60% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $30,261+ per year.

See the full Quincy market breakdown

How to Start a Short‑Term Rental Business in Quincy (Plumas County)

Confirm zoning eligibility and any use restrictions for your parcel. STRs are permitted only in zones where transient lodging is allowed under county zoning. If your property is in a restricted zone, you will not be eligible for an STR permit. For definitive zoning confirmation, contact Plumas County Planning (see Contact Information below).
Obtain a county STR permit. Plumas County requires hosts to secure a short‑term rental permit before operating. Plan ahead for processing time.
Obtain a business license. Hosts must register for a county business license prior to or concurrent with the STR permit.
Register for, collect, and remit Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT). Plumas County currently assesses a 10% TOT on STR rentals. You must register for a TOT account, collect the tax from guests, and file/ remit per the county’s reporting schedule.
Meet safety and habitability standards. At a minimum, install working smoke detectors and maintain a functioning fire extinguisher on site (see Regulations section for details).
Prepare your listing and operating procedures. Draft guest rules (occupancy, parking, noise), house rules, and an emergency contact plan. Consider directional signage, parking instructions, and quiet‑hours enforcement to minimize neighbor complaints.
File and renew on schedule. Keep your STR permit, business license, and TOT account current and renew before expiration to avoid penalties.

Note: If you engage a property manager, ensure the manager is also licensed and that all parties are listed on the permit and tax registrations.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Taxes (Quincy/Plumas County)

Short‑Term Rental Permit (Plumas County)
- Purpose: authorizes operation of an STR within the county
- Authority: Plumas County Planning Department
- Renewal: confirm current renewal interval with the county
Business License (Plumas County)
- Purpose: general business registration for STR operations
- Authority: Plumas County Planning/Business Licensing
Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) Registration and Remittance
- Tax rate: 10% (Plumas County)
- Hosts collect TOT from guests and remit per county schedule
- Maintain records of nightly rates, occupancy, taxes collected, and remittances
Safety Equipment (minimum):
- Working smoke detectors in required locations
- Fire extinguisher accessible on site
Zoning Use Verification
- STRs must be located in zones where transient lodging is permitted; non‑conforming uses may not be eligible

Statewide (California) requirements that also apply to Quincy STRs:

STR Registration Certificate (short‑term rental registration)
- Hosted and unhosted rentals must register with the state and display the registration certificate number on all listings
Local TOT/Transient Tax Registration
- Hosts must register with the local tax authority (Plumas County) and collect/ remit any applicable TOT
Health and Safety Code obligations:
- Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms where required
- Fire extinguisher, address posting, and emergency egress standards
- Local fire code and building standards may add requirements depending on unit type and occupancy

Specific Regulations for STRs in Quincy, Plumas County, and California

Quincy/Plumas County (local):

STRs must be located in zoning districts that permit transient lodging; hosts must confirm eligibility with Planning prior to investing
Safety requirements include working smoke detectors and an on‑site fire extinguisher
Hosts must obtain and maintain an STR permit and business license, and collect/ remit 10% TOT
Non‑compliance may result in penalties, permit suspension or revocation, and enforcement action by the county

California (statewide framework):

All STRs must hold a valid state registration certificate; the certificate number must appear on listings
Hosts must register with the local jurisdiction for TOT and remit taxes on schedule
Health and safety standards require smoke/CO alarms (where applicable), fire extinguishers, visible address posting, and clear emergency egress routes
Local municipalities can impose additional rules, caps, or operational restrictions; operators must comply with the most restrictive applicable layer of regulation (state, county, and city)

Enforcement:

The county can inspect STRs, verify permit status, and require corrective actions
State law already requires registration; unregistered STRs may be subject to enforcement and shutdown irrespective of local ordinances

Contact Information (Local Authority in Charge of STRs in Quincy/Plumas County)

Plumas County Planning Department
- Phone: 530‑283‑6213
- Email: planning@countyofplumas.com
- Website: plumascounty.us/Planning
- Notes: Zoning verification, STR permit applications, and business licensing are administered by this department
Plumas County TOT (Transient Occupancy Tax) Administration
- Phone: 530‑283‑6213 or 530‑283‑6265
- Email: tot@countyofplumas.com
- Website: plumascounty.us/TOT
- Notes: TOT registration, filing schedules, and remittance

Source Links

Plumas County Planning Department (permits and zoning): www.plumascounty.us/Planning
Plumas County TOT (Transient Occupancy Tax): www.plumascounty.us/TOT
Plumas County Municipal Code (Municode): library.municode.com/ca/plumas_county
StaySTRa – Quincy, CA STR market overview and county regulatory summary: staystra.com/location/california/quincy/
Massachusetts context (for comparison; not applicable to Quincy, CA): www.patriotledger.com/story/news/2021/01/13/new-short-term-rental-laws-airbnd-quincy-clear-first-hurtle-city-council/6633370002/
LocalGov – STR ordinance news roundup (including Quincy, MA reference): www.localgov.org/blog/short-term-rental-ordinances-in-the-news

Action Items for Investors:

Confirm zoning and STR eligibility with Plumas County Planning before purchasing
Build permit, licensing, and tax compliance into your operating timeline and budget
Maintain a compliance file (permit, business license, TOT registrations, safety equipment logs, guest rules) for inspections
If you expand beyond Quincy, review city‑specific rules in any municipality within Plumas County to ensure you meet the most restrictive applicable requirements

Next step

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Ask the AI Advisor about Quincy

Quincy sits in the heart of Plumas County in the northern Sierra Nevada, where it serves as the county seat and the largest community in the region. With a population of roughly 1,700 to 1,800 residents, the town carries a quiet, outdoorsy character defined by tall pines, the Feather River, and a walkable Main Street lined with historic Gold Rush-era buildings. Quincy functions as a gateway to the surrounding national forest, the lakes and canyons of the northern Sierra, and the volcanic landscapes of Lassen. It lies about 80 miles northwest of Reno, Nevada, and roughly 130 miles northeast of Sacramento, California, both of which can be reached in around two to three hours by car.

The town is encircled by the Plumas National Forest, a vast expanse of conifer-covered mountains that draws visitors for camping, hiking, mountain biking, and fall-foliage drives. Right outside Quincy, the forest offers trailheads, swimming holes along the Feather River, and snow-play areas in winter, all within a short drive of downtown.

About 30 to 40 minutes northwest of Quincy, Lake Almanor is a large reservoir that anchors summer recreation in the region. Anglers come for trout and bass, families enjoy swimming and water sports, and the surrounding communities provide boat ramps, marinas, and lakeside dining.

Roughly two hours to the north, Lassen Volcanic National Park is one of the marquee natural destinations of the northern Sierra. Its hydrothermal areas, including Bumpass Hell, alongside mountain lakes, cinder cones, and the Lassen Peak trail, give the park year-round appeal and make Quincy a natural staging point for visitors who want a quieter base than the gateway communities right at the park's edge.

The Feather River Canyon, traced by Highway 70 between Quincy and the Sacramento Valley, is a scenic drive in its own right. Its granite walls, river overlooks, and the route's historic railway and trout-fishing heritage add another layer of appeal for day-trippers and road-trippers passing through the area.

Quincy's combination of small-town atmosphere, four-season outdoor recreation, and proximity to a national park and a major reservoir makes it a practical base for short-term rentals. Visitors can return each evening to a walkable Main Street with cafes, breweries, and a year-round farmers market, while day-tripping in different directions for lake time, forest hikes, or volcanic landscapes. That mix of accessibility and variety gives the area a steady flow of travelers through every season, from summer anglers and boaters to autumn leaf-peepers and winter snow enthusiasts.