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Tuolumne, CA

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STR Regulations for Tuolumne, California

Overview: Are STRs allowed in Tuolumne, CA?

  • Short-term rentals are explicitly allowed in Tuolumne County, but only in the unincorporated areas of the county. No incorporated cities (e.g., the City of Tuolumne) are covered by the county ordinance, and the provided sources do not indicate city-level STR rules. Always confirm with the relevant city for any local restrictions if your property lies within an incorporated city.
  • Effective January 19, 2024, operating an STR in the unincorporated area requires a passing Fire and Life Safety Inspection by the Tuolumne County Fire Department, in addition to holding a valid Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) Certificate.
  • The STR ordinance defines short-term rentals broadly to include single-family dwellings, secondary units, multifamily units, studios, condominiums, townhouses, duplexes, guesthouses, bedrooms within an existing residence, tiny homes, cabins, multi-person dwellings, yurts, and similar structures rented for one night to thirty days.
  • The Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors adopted the ordinance in December 2023, and enforcement is vested in the Tuolumne County Fire Department (Fire Prevention Division).
  • State of California requirements (e.g., smoke and carbon monoxide alarms under the California Building Code) apply to STRs as they do to other residential uses.

Sources:

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Tuolumne?

Tuolumne hosts earn a median $30,094/year with $172 ADR and 49% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $47,748+ per year.

See the full Tuolumne market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in This Market

  1. Obtain a Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) Certificate before any rental use. The certificate does not require renewal, but you must update it if information changes.
  2. Designate a Local Contact Person who is personally available by phone 24/7 and able to be on-site within 60 minutes to manage issues, respond to emergencies, and act with authority over the unit. A property management company may serve in this role if it meets the availability standard.
  3. Schedule and pass a Fire and Life Safety Inspection (valid for two years). The application must be submitted by the homeowner/management company at the time of scheduling. After you submit your application, a Fire Prevention inspector will contact you to schedule and pay for the inspection.
  4. Comply with operational standards (see “Specific Regulations” below).
  5. Submit your TOT returns quarterly (starts March 1, 2024). The County will mail returns; you may continue operating during the implementation period if you contact the Fire Prevention Division to schedule your inspection within 45 days of receiving your TOT return(s).

Application and fee process:

  • STR Application Fee: $300 (county fee). Pay by credit card or check via the county portal.
  • Fire Inspection: County pages indicate the inspection must be paid and passed; the inspection itself may involve separate costs. A news article reported $103 per inspection. The official fee schedule is set by Chapter 3.40; confirm the exact inspection fee with the Fire Prevention Division at the time of scheduling.
  • Online application portal: tuolumnecountyca.portal.opengov.com/categories/1076/record-types/6673

Sources:

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

  • Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) Certificate (non-renewable; update if information changes).
  • STR Fire and Life Safety Inspection (valid two years), including completion of any required corrections within the allotted time.
  • Local Contact Person designated and documented.
  • Interior postings of emergency evacuation information and local contact details (post within the STR unit).
  • Safety devices and features in good working order:
    • Smoke alarms installed per the California Building Code (minimum: each bedroom, and at least one alarm on every level, including basements and habitable attics).
    • Carbon monoxide alarms where there are fuel-fired appliances or fireplaces, installed per the California Building Code (minimum: outside each bedroom and on every level, including basements and habitable attics; also in bedrooms or attached bathrooms with fuel-burning appliances).
    • Fire extinguishers: one five-pound type 2-A:10-B:C extinguisher readily available near the kitchen; if more than one level, an extinguisher must be mounted on each level. Extinguishers must be inspected annually by a certified professional.
  • Address Identification: visible from the street or road fronting the property; if not clearly visible from the street or access road, the address must also be placed at the public street/access road in a manner clearly visible from both directions of travel. Address characters must contrast with the background and meet size requirements (Tuolumne County Ordinance Code Section 15.20.040). Condominium buildings without individual addresses may use the building address.
  • Defensible Space: compliance with California Public Resources Code 4291 and Tuolumne County Hazardous Vegetation Ordinance 8.14.

Inspection requirements, deadlines, and definitions:

  • STR Ordinance definitions (e.g., Agent, Enforcement Officer, Guest, Hotel, Inspection, Local Contact, Motel, Professional Property Management Company, Property Owner, Resort, Short-Term Rental).
  • Hotel/Motel/Resort exemption: facilities with existing annual fire inspection requirements are exempt from STR inspection, provided they have a current and valid annual fire inspection report from Tuolumne County Fire Prevention. Single-family dwellings within such facilities may be exempt at the Fire Chief’s discretion if the facility demonstrates policies and enforced guest safety standards.

Sources:

Specific Regulations (County and State) Applicable to STRs

County-level (Tuolumne County – unincorporated):

  • Mandatory Fire and Life Safety Inspection (renew every two years).
  • STR Application fee applies (chapter 3.40 sets fees; county page lists $300 for application).
  • Local Contact Person required; must be reachable 24/7 and capable of being on-site within 60 minutes; has access and authority to manage the unit and respond to calls or complaints.
  • Interior posting requirements for contact and evacuation information.
  • Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms must meet CBC standards and be maintained in good working order.
  • Fire extinguishers: location and type specified; annual inspection required.
  • Address identification: visibility standards; conforms to county code Section 15.20.040.
  • Defensible space: comply with PRC 4291 and county Hazardous Vegetation Ordinance 8.14.
  • Hotel/Motel/Resort exemptions as noted.
  • Enforcement by Fire Prevention Division; violations are treated as health and safety violations and are not subject to the statute of limitations in Chapter 1.10.120.
  • Implementation notes: owners may continue operating while scheduling the required inspection; they should contact Fire Prevention within 45 days of receiving TOT return(s). TOT returns will be mailed quarterly beginning March 1, 2024.

State-level (California) considerations:

  • California Building Code requirements govern smoke and CO alarm installation and maintenance (as referenced in the county ordinance).
  • California Public Resources Code 4291 (Defensible Space) applies.
  • State fire safety and building standards generally apply to STRs as to other residential rentals.

Sources:

Contact Information (Local Authority for STRs)

Sources:

Links to Source Pages (For Verification and Updates)

Notes:

  • Fees: County page lists a $300 STR application fee. A news article indicates the inspection fee may be $103. The official fee schedule is set in Chapter 3.40; confirm current inspection costs when scheduling.
  • City-level rules: No incorporated city-specific STR rules are provided in the sources. Properties within the City of Tuolumne (or any other incorporated city) should verify local requirements with that city.
  • Exemptions: Hotels, motels, and resorts with valid annual fire inspections are exempt from the STR inspection requirement; limited exemptions may apply to single-family dwellings in such facilities at the Fire Chief’s discretion.

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Tuolumne

Market Saturation Score

036912
Mild Saturation
3/ 12
months with declining YoY revenue
2–4 declining months: early saturation pressure - watch for trend persistence.
View Full Tuolumne Market Analysis

Photos of Tuolumne

Overview of Tuolumne

Tuolumne is a small unincorporated community nestled in the Sierra Nevada foothills of Tuolumne County, California, with a population of roughly 1,800 residents. The town has a quiet, rustic character rooted in California's Gold Rush history, and it serves as a popular gateway to Yosemite National Park and the surrounding high country. Sitting along Highway 108 about 50 miles east of Modesto and the Central Valley, Tuolumne offers visitors a slower pace surrounded by pine forests, historic streetscapes, and easy access to some of the most scenic landscapes in the American West.

Yosemite National Park is the most prominent draw, with the park's Big Oak Flat entrance located about 30 miles to the east of town. From Tuolumne, visitors can reach the towering sequoias of the Tuolumne Grove, the deep reservoir of Hetch Hetchy, and, when the seasonal Tioga Road is open, the alpine expanse of Tuolumne Meadows in the park's high country. The drive to the park boundary typically takes around 45 minutes, making Tuolumne a practical base for travelers who prefer to stay outside the park itself while still enjoying easy day-trip access.

Columbia State Historic Park, roughly 12 miles northwest of Tuolumne, is one of the most popular Gold Rush attractions in the region. This preserved mid-19th-century town features a row of original and rebuilt buildings, gold panning demonstrations, stagecoach rides, and living-history interpreters who bring the 1850s to life. It is consistently one of the most visited state parks in California and a favorite stop for families exploring the Mother Lode.

Railtown 1897 State Historic Park in nearby Jamestown, about 20 minutes south of Tuolumne, adds another layer of local heritage with its working steam-era railroad. The park houses several restored locomotives and rail cars, some of which have appeared in dozens of Hollywood films, and visitors can take seasonal excursion rides through the surrounding foothills. Often referred to as the "Movie Railroad," the site blends railroad history with classic Sierra scenery.

Just up Highway 108 from Tuolumne, the Stanislaus National Forest spreads across hundreds of thousands of acres of pine-covered terrain, offering hiking trails, alpine lakes, and access to the Emigrant Wilderness. The forest also leads to higher-elevation destinations such as Dodge Ridge, a family-friendly ski resort that operates in winter and offers mountain biking in summer.

With its small-town charm, Gold Rush heritage, and convenient access to Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada, Tuolumne offers short-term rental owners a unique opportunity to host travelers seeking both adventure and authenticity. Its position between the Central Valley and the high country appeals to visitors planning park visits, ski trips, and historic exploration, while its quieter character provides a welcome contrast to the busier gateway communities closer to Yosemite's main valley.

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