Twelve homeowners fined in first two months of Measure T VHR ban in South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - In the first two months of 2021, 102 vacation home rental (VHR) permits have expired under the terms of Measure T. The 2018 voter-initiated measure phases out all VHRs in residential areas of the City of South Lake Tahoe, with the expiration date being their permit renewal date this year.

Starting in 2021, the measure allows for unlimited rentals in commercial zones and in the tourist core, and permanent residents are still able to rent out their homes for up to 30 days per year.

To ensure compliance the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) is following up on all expired VHR permits. Here is a recap of their work for the first two months under Measure T:

January 2021: 60 VHR permits expired in January and were closed
• 11 are now changed to long term rentals (>30 days)
• 24 removed all ads
• 16 were emailed to remove ads that show no availability
• 9 received $1,000 citations for unpermitted VHR ads
• 7 additional VHR permits were closed due to the home being sold or other reasons.

February 2021: 42 VHR permits expired in February and were closed
• 6 are now changed to long term rentals (>30 days)
• 13 removed all ads
• 17 were emailed to remove ads that show no availability
• 3 received $1,000 citations for unpermitted VHR ads
• 2 Sold
• 1 now has a QVHR permit
• 10 additional VHR permits were closed due to the home being sold or other reasons.

A QVHR, a qualified vacation home rental, is the permit required for locals renting out their primary residence for up to 30 days per year.

"We are going to be enforcement oriented on this and taking a really strong stance and making this a priority throughout this whole year," said SLTPD Chief David Stevenson. "We will be following up on all expired permits."

Police Department staff will continue to monitor and take enforcement action on VHR violations.

As of March 1, 2021 there were 862 VHR’s left in residential areas, according to Stevenson.