Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Truckee?

Yes, short-term rentals are permitted in Truckee, California, but they are strictly regulated. The Town of Truckee implemented a Short-Term Rental (STR) Program in 2020 to balance tourism with neighborhood preservation. Key elements include:

• A cap of 1,255 STR registrations (non-transferable, one per property).
• A waitlist system for new registrations due to the cap.
• Prohibitions on specific property types (e.g., ADUs, multi-family units).
• Mandatory compliance with local ordinances, taxes, and safety standards.
• Violations result in fines up to $1,500 per day (per Airbnb and town sources).

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Truckee: Step-by-Step

1. Confirm Eligibility:

   • Property must be a legally constructed single-family dwelling (townhomes/condos prohibited).
   • No active code violations or construction ongoing.
   • Owner must wait 365 days after a home sale before applying.

2. Join the Waitlist:

   • Apply via the Town’s Waitlist Sign-Up Sheet (timestamped for queue position).
   • Pay a $100 non-refundable application fee.

3. Secure Registration (When Available):

   • Wait for notification when a registration becomes available.
   • Complete registration within 30 days, pay the $381 fee (includes $245 registration + $136 annual fire safety fee).

4. Pass Fire Safety Inspection:

   • Schedule an inspection with the Truckee Fire Protection District (TFPD) within 3 years of registration.
   • Use the STR Fire Safety Self-Certification Form.
   • Cost: Beginning 2026, inspections will be paid directly to TFPD (fee details not specified).

5. Operational Setup:

   • Display the Registration Certificate Number (RCN) in all listings and the rental unit.
   • Collect 12% total guest taxes (10% TOT + 2% TTBID as of 2025).
   • Enforce local ordinances (noise, trash, parking rules).

6. Annual Renewal:

   • Renew between Nov 1–Dec 31 each year via the STR Portal.
   • Pay $481 renewal fee ($345 registration + $136 fire fee).
   • Properties with expired registrations must rejoin the waitlist.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

| Requirement | Details | |------------------|-------------| | STR Registration Certificate | Mandatory; RCN must be in listings and posted inside the unit. | | Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) Registration | Collect/remsit TOT (10%) + TTBID (2%) quarterly. | | Fire Safety Inspection | Conducted by TFPD every 3 years; schedule via TFPD. | | Self-Certification Form | Submit at registration via this form. | | Business License | Not required (covered by STR registration). | | Local Contact Designation | Must provide 24/7 bilingual contact details for guest issues. | | Listing Compliance | RCN required on all platforms (Airbnb, VRBO, etc.). |

Tax Filing:

• File quarterly returns via the STR Portal (GovOS), even with zero rentals.
• Taxes due: May 1, Aug 1, Nov 1, Feb 1.
• Penalties: 10–50% late fees + 1.5% monthly interest.

Specific Regulations: City, County, and State

Town of Truckee (Municipal):

• Cap: 1,255 active STR registrations (waitlist when exceeded).
• Prohibited Properties: ADUs, JADUs, multi-family units, mobile/manufactured homes.
• Operating Rules: Noise, trash, parking limits; occupancy rules per ordinance.
• Penalties: $1,500/day for violations; potential suspension/revocation of registration.
• Exemptions: Long-term rentals (31+ nights), hotels/motels, hosted rentals (1 bedroom in owner’s home).

Nevada County (Unincorporated Areas):

• Properties outside Truckee city limits (e.g., Northstar) fall under County STR rules (contact Nevada County at 530-265-1259 for details).

State of California:

• TOT Requirement: Authorized under Revenue & Taxation Code § 7280.
• Sales Tax: 9.0% (April 2025) for Truckee/Nevada County addresses (not STR-specific).

Contact Information for Local STR Authorities

Town of Truckee STR Division:

• Email: TOT@townoftruckee.gov
• Phone: 530-582-5280
• Address: 10183 Truckee Tahoe Airport Rd, Truckee, CA 96161
• 24/7 Helpline: 530-450-2430 (for compliance issues)

Key Contacts:

• Rosie Johnson (STR Operations): rjohnson@townoftruckee.gov, 530-582-7738
• Angela Martin (TOT Compliance): amartin@townoftruckee.gov, 530-582-2498
• Mike Carr (Code Enforcement): mcarr@townoftruckee.gov, 530-836-8010

Truckee Fire Protection District (TFPD):

• Inspection Scheduling: https://www.truckeefire.org/short-term-rental

Nevada County (Unincorporated Areas):

• Phone: 530-265-1259
• STR FAQs: Nevada County STR FAQs

Links to Source Pages

• Truckee STR Program: https://www.townoftruckee.gov/355/Short-Term-Rentals-STR
• STR Ordinance (PDF): https://www.townoftruckee.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1099/Short-Term-Rental-Ordinance-PDF
• STR Portal (GovOS): https://truckee.munirevs.com/
• TFPD Inspection Scheduling: https://www.truckeefire.org/short-term-rental
• Fire Safety Self-Certification Form: https://www.townoftruckee.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1059/Fire-Self-Certification-Form-PDF
• STR Waitlist Sign-Up: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeFIpp6N9XKUw8ky3iZLuzLpmLwSoN4vPTjpIpM-Ph4rpGIOw/viewform

Critical Notes for Investors:

• Cap Impact: With 1,255 registrations max, expect delays; join the waitlist immediately.
• Tax Burden: Budget for 12% guest taxes ($100k revenue = $12k taxes).
• Operating Costs: Annual renewal fee ($481) + TFPD inspection costs.
• Risk: Non-compliance fines are severe—implement robust guest screening and management.

This guide consolidates Truckee’s STR rules to help investors navigate the market legally and profitably. Always verify details via the town’s official portals.