First weekend of VHR ordinance in South Lake Tahoe nets eight violators

Over the first weekend of enforcement of the new South Lake Tahoe Vacation Rental Ordinance, eight violations were issued at a price tag of $8,000.

Parking was the biggest offense with renters having more cars than allowed, something that caught many by surprise as they thought noise would bring in the most violations for vacation home rentals (VHR). Four citations were issued for parking, two for exceeding occupancy, one for parking and noise combination and one for being an unpermitted VHR.

The SLT City Council voted in the new ordinance to take effect December 22, 2017.

One of the citations went to a renter, and not the homeowner as they were the ones that called in the violation. If the homeowner or management company makes the initial call on renters not abiding by the rules, they are not going to be held responsible.

The eight violations:

2018 Aloha Drive - On December 25, enforcement officers arrived and found a noisy group in the backyard at 7:21 p.m. and cars parked half in yard, with the other half on driveway, and another car blocking a driveway. The owner/manager of the property called so the renter was the only party to receive a $1,000 fine.

815 Tallac - Enforcement was called about on-street parking but it turned out to be the homeowner's car and house wasn't rented. - No Fine

2618 Alma - Dispatch was called about on-street parking at 10:58 a.m. on December 24 and enforcement officers found three cars on site instead of the two allowed cars. The party was fined $1,000 and checked out two days early as they had no other place for a car and did not want to be fined again. - $1,000 to renter and $1,00 to homeowner

1089 Bowers - Enforcement saw an unpermitted VHR. Occupants said they paid to stay. - $1,000 fine to homeowner

1013 Silverwood Ct - Dispatch was called about too many people in a VHR. Officers arrived at 12:23 p.m. December 23 and found 11 people inside a home where 8 are allowed. - $1,000 fine to each homeowner and renter

889 Rainbow Drive - Dispatch was called about too many cars. Officers arrived at 9:10 a.m. and found three cars when home is allowed just 2. Rental contract said three cars allowed so renters thought they were in compliance. - $1,000 fine to each homeowner and renter

Along with the new regulations, the City Council authorized additional VHR code enforcement officers and contracted with “Host Compliance,” a VHR monitoring company to assist with VHR enforcement. The City Council of South Lake Tahoe adopted these tough regulations to help improve the quality of life for local residents impacted by VHRs in their neighborhoods.

Most significant changes to the Vacation Home Rental regulations are:
- The elimination of warnings to owners and guests;
- $1,000 minimum fine for any violation of the new VHR laws;
- Revocation of VHR permit after three citations within 24 month period;
- Prohibition of off-site parking by Vacation Home Rental guests (guests must park on paved surfaces in driveways or garages as limited by the VHR permit);
- No excessive noise is allowed between the hours of 10pm and 8am;
- No new VHR permits issued outside the Tourist Core Area until the number of
permits falls below the maximum allowable (1,400); and
- Bear boxes will be required for all VHRs by July 31, 2018.

The VHR Enforcement “hotline” is (530) 542-7474.