City tightens up enforcement on unpermitted South Lake Tahoe Vacation Home Rentals

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – The City of South Lake Tahoe has taken several recent actions to make enforcement of Vacation Home Rentals (VHRs) more effective to maintain the integrity of our neighborhoods and ensure compliance with VHR regulations.

Since the implementation of Measure T phased out VHRs in residentially zoned areas at the end of 2021, code enforcement staff has received few complaints and issued few citations for nuisance-type violations such as noise, parking, and hot tub issues. While still diligently addressing disturbances associated with VHRs, City enforcement efforts are also focused on advertising of unpermitted VHRs. Many owners utilize online rental platforms to advertise the availability of a VHR. In early 2023, the City entered into a contract for the use of Rentalscape software to identify unpermitted VHRs through online platforms. Rentalscape has proven to be a useful tool for identifying and monitoring advertisements and booking of illegal VHRs. Since the beginning of 2023, code enforcement staff has issued 182 total citations to VHRs, all of which are for operating a VHR without a permit.

On January 23, 2024, the City Council approved an increase in fines for VHR violations to the maximum amount allowed by state law. Previous fines ranging from $250 to $1,000, were increased to range from $1,500 to $5,000. The intent of increasing the fines was not to increase City revenue but to discourage and penalize violations. The hope is that the number of citations issued will decrease with the increased fines. With the ongoing attention to VHR enforcement, online rental platforms have been cooperating with a City request for them to remove advertisements of illegal VHR properties.

By raising the stakes for non-compliance, the City aims to send a clear message that adherence to VHR regulations is imperative for the overall well-being of the community.

"We recognize the importance of tourism in our city, but it is equally important to strike a balance that safeguards the interests and quality of life for our residents," stated Mayor Cody Bass. "The intent behind increasing fines is to encourage responsible VHR practices and discourage violations. We believe that the proposed adjustments will serve as a powerful deterrent and lead to a decrease in the number of citations issued."