Memorandum
Date: February 10, 2026
To: The Honorable Lake County Board of Supervisors
From: Mireya G. Turner, Community Development Director
Subject: Request for Board Direction Regarding Establishing Regulations for Short Term Rentals and Low-Impact Camping
Executive Summary:
Short Term Rentals Ordinance
The Board has requested a presentation on options found in a multi-jurisdictional review of Short Term Rental (STR) regulations. Staff reviewed municipal codes from the following jurisdictions: Cities of Del Mar, San Diego, and South Lake Tahoe, and Counties of Humboldt, Monterey, Placer, Santa Cruz, and Siskiyou, and requests direction from the Board regarding the development of a draft Short Term Rental Ordinance.
Currently, the Lake County Zoning Ordinance allows for Bed and Breakfast with a Zoning Permit, and Bread and Breakfast Inn with a Minor or Major Use Permit. The following regulations apply:
Bed and Breakfast
Bed and Breakfast Inn
Structure Type
Principal Residence
May be detached from principal dwelling/commercial use on 2+ acre parcels and near onsite dining facility
Space allowed
Up to two bedrooms
3-8 guest rooms
Zoning Districts
APZ, A RL, RR, SR, R1, R2, R3, CR, CH, PDR
A, RL, RR, SR, R3, C2, CR, CH
Fire and Safety
Comply with Building Code and Uniform Fire Code
Smoke detectors and fire extinguishers, evacuation plan
Term of Permit
5 years
N/A
Maximum Stay
Varies by Zoning District
14 days
Signage
1 space/guest room, in addition to spaces required for principal residence
3-6 sf non-illuminated sign
Parking
1 space/guest room, in addition to spaces required for principal residence
Prohibition
Cooking facilities in the room; Special events and live entertainment
With the increasing popularity of short term rental platforms such as Air BnB and VRBO, the existing permit options have become outdated. This has resulted in a conflict when the Department receives calls from people wishing to participate on a STR platform and ask abou...
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