VHR Code Enforcement FAQ
What is a Vacation Home Rental (VHR)?
The El Dorado County Ordinance Code defines a Vacation Home Rental (VHR) as one dwelling unit, including either the primary single-family home, one unit of a duplex, or a single condominium unit. The site can be rented for a period of not less than one night (meaning at least 24 hours) and not more than 30 days. Month-to-month or seasonal rentals to the same party are not vacation home rentals and do not need a permit. Vacation rentals are not allowed in sheds, yurts, campers, tents, RVs, accessory dwelling units or as camping on your property.
What is a Hosted Home Rental (HHR)?
A Hosted Home Rental (HHR) is when the owner or long-term tenant stays in the home while renting out up to two bedrooms or an attached guest house. The rental must be listed as a single booking for one party at a time, with a maximum of four guests (two per bedroom). Only one hosted rental is allowed per owner, and all sleeping areas must be indoors. A hosted rental requires an HHR permit, a business license, and payment of taxes. If the owner or tenant leaves the home while it’s rented for less than 30 days, a Vacation Home Rental (VHR) permit is required instead.
Why do I need to have a VHR Permit?
VHR permit holders must meet minimum standards to ensure the property adheres to safety requirements, occupancy limits, trash management practices, signage regulations, and Local Contact certification. Compliance with the provisions of the ordinance is essential for reducing strain on public services and minimizing negative impacts on residential neighborhoods.
Where can I find the VHR Ordinance and its requirements?
Chapter 56 of Title 5 of the El Dorado County Ordinance entitled Hosted and Vacation Home Rentals can be found at: https://library.municode.com/ca/el_dorado_county/ordinances/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=1325705
It is the responsibility of owners, property managers and local contacts to educate themselves on the VHR ordinance and enforcement process.
If I buy a house with an active VHR permit, can I start renting right away?
No, VHR and HHR permits do not transfer to new owners. You will need to re-apply for the permit and meet all permitting requirements including the anti-clustering buffer.
What is the anti-clustering, 500-foot buffer and how will it affect my property?
The 500-foot County-wide VHR buffer is in addition to the 900-permit cap in the Tahoe Basin. Properties within the 500 ft buffer zones of active VHRs are not eligible to apply for a VHR permit. Properties outside of the Tahoe Basin and within a 500 ft buffer zone of an active HHR or VHR are not eligible to apply for a HHR permit. We maintain a map, updated nightly, that you can use to see how this may affect a property.
What happens if I rent my property short-term without a valid VHR/HHR Permit?
An owner of any hosted or vacation home rental that is confirmed to be operating without the necessary permits, required in the VHR ordinance, will be subject to penalties. The penalties will start at $1,500. Each day of operation without a permit shall constitute a separate violation of the ordinance. In addition to a monetary fine, the property will be precluded from applying for a rental permit or from being on or added to the waiting list for a one (1) year period.
Can I rent my property while my permit application is being processed?
No. You must have a valid VHR permit to utilize your property as a short-term rental. Renting without a VHR permit will invalidate your permit application.
How do I apply for or renew my VHR permit?
VHR permits in the unincorporated area of El Dorado County are administered by Planning Services. Planning Services has a dedicated team ready to process new applications and renewals. Planning Services maintains a separate website with updated information about special requirements in the Tahoe Basin. See the VHR Permitting page for more information: https://www.eldoradocounty.ca.gov/Services/My-Property/Vacation-Home-Rentals-Division
Do I need a business license?
Yes. A business license from El Dorado County is required. Contact the County’s Treasurer-Tax Collector’s office for more information or visit their website at: https://www.eldoradocounty.ca.gov/County-Government/County-Departments/Treasurer-Tax-Collector
Why do I need to pay Transient Occupancy Taxes?
Vacation and Hosted Home Rentals are considered lodging which requires owners to comply with Transient Occupancy Tax requirements. Contact the County’s Treasurer-Tax Collector’s office for more information or visit their website at: https://www.eldoradocounty.ca.gov/County-Government/County-Departments/Treasurer-Tax-Collector
My VHR is within the incorporated City of Placerville or City of South Lake Tahoe. Do I need a VHR Permit from El Dorado County?
No. You must contact the appropriate jurisdiction to learn about their permitting process and requirements. El Dorado County does not issue permits outside its jurisdiction.
How do I contact Code Enforcement to report a possible violation of the VHR ordinance?
VHR related complaints should be reported through the VHR Hotline at (530) 573 7999 or via email at vhrenforcement@edcgov.us
What happens if there is a complaint against a permitted VHR/HHR?
Code Enforcement will inform the host or local contact on record of any complaints. The host or local contact will be responsible for correcting guest-related violations - such as occupancy, noise, trash, parking, events, etc.- within 30 minutes of being notified. Failure to abate a violation of the VHR ordinance within the timeframe provided will result in the issuance of a Notice of Violation with an associated fine.
Can I remain anonymous when submitting a complaint?
Yes. Complainant information is kept confidential and will not be disclosed.
Would a guest be fined for a violation they commit while renting a VHR/HHR?
No. The owner of the rental will be responsible for paying any fines associated with a violation caused by their renters.
Can there be campfire at a short-term rental?
The burning of solid fuel (including wood or charcoal briquettes) is not allowed outside. When not prohibited by State or local fire regulations, outdoor burning is limited to natural gas or propane fuel. No fires of any kind are allowed during red flag days, which are issued by the National Weather Service.
Where can VHR guests park?
Parking on or blocking neighboring private driveways is not allowed. Parking on the street is not permitted during the times that snow removal equipment may be utilized.
What happens if a property receives a trash complaint?
The local contact or host will be required to abate a violation related to trash and/ or refuse within thirty (30) minutes after being notified. If the trash violation is not resolved within the initial 30-minute period, each 60-minute period thereafter is a separate Notice of Violation for a total of up to three violations. The fines and violations will be cumulative. If the violation is not cured within eight (8) hours from the initial Notice of Violation, the vacation home rental permit shall be suspended.
What happens if my property receives a noise complaint?
Quiet hours must be observed between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m. If a complaint of unreasonable noise is received, the local contact or host must abate the issue within thirty (30) minutes of being notified to avoid the issuance of a Notice of Violation.
Can I have weddings or events at my VHR/HHR?
No, events are not allowed at vacation or hosted home rentals. If you want to have an event venue, contact Planning Services at 530-621-5355 or E-Mail: planning@edcgov.us.
What happens if my exterior VHR sign goes missing?
If your exterior sign goes missing, you need to contact the VHR/ HHR permitting team immediately and request a new one. Replacement signs will cost a fee and can be picked up at the Placerville Officer or the South Lake Tahoe Office during normal business hours.
Where should my exterior VHR sign be posted?
Each VHR/HHR will be required to have signage posted on the property line that is clearly visible and legible from the roadway. Properties that have a bear box, will attach their sign to the bear box. For condominiums, the sign will be posted at the entrance of the rental. For all other locations, the exterior sign will be posted at the driveway within ten (10) feet of the property line. Exterior postings must be clear of snow and remain visible year-round.
What happens if I receive a Warning Letter for a violation that happened on my property?
A Warning Letter will be received when a violation is confirmed but the host or local contact has resolved the violation within 30-minutes. Three (3) separate warnings issued to a hosted or vacation home rental within 24 months will result in a Notice of Violation.
What happens if I get three confirmed violations on my property?
A VHR/HHR permit will be suspended for six months after a property has had three confirmed violations within an 18-month period. A fourth confirmed violation within any 18-month period will result in the revocation of the VHR/HHR permit.
Can owners use the rental for personal use when not renting?
Yes. When the home is not being rented, owners are not subject to the VHR/HHR rules. Owners using the hot tub during quiet hours, for example, would not be a violation.
I received a Notice of Violation from Code Enforcement. What do I do?
Notices are issued because an investigation determined that a violation has occurred. You may either pay the fine associated with the Notice or dispute the violation by requesting an administrative hearing.
How do I pay the fine?
To pay with a credit or a debit card, please create an eTrakit account here: https://edc-trk.aspgov.com/etrakit/
Any money orders, personal and cashier’s checks must be payable to “EDC Code Enforcement” and can be mailed or brought to our office:
El Dorado County Code Enforcement
2850 Fairlane Court, Building C
Placerville, CA 95667
I don’t think my Notice of Violation is fair. How can I contest it?
The owner or the host has the right to contest a Notice of Violation by filing for an administrative hearing. All appeal requests must be made in writing and received by the deadline written on the Notice. The party requesting a hearing shall deposit the full amount of the fine and hearing fee at the time of filing. The hearing will be scheduled not less than 15 calendar days, nor more than 60 calendar days from receipt by the County of the request for a hearing.
I can’t afford to pay the fine. Does the County offer a Hardship Waiver?
If the owner or host wishes to seek a hardship waiver to reduce the amount of any fines, such request must be included in the Request for Administrative Hearing form. The hardship waiver will only be granted upon a showing by the responsible party that the fine or fee would impose an undue financial burden and that the party made a bona fide effort to comply after the first violation.
How do I become a Certified Local Contact?
Please contact the VHR permitting team with any questions at (530) 642-4888 or email vhrpermits@edcgov.us. Information is also available on the Planning Services' VHR Permits page: https://www.eldoradocounty.ca.gov/Services/My-Property/Vacation-Home-Rentals-Division
I put a bed in my den/library/loft. Is this considered a bedroom?
Only rooms that are permitted as bedrooms through Building Services are legal bedrooms. If you have questions about how many legal bedrooms your home has, or if you are interested in permitting a room as a bedroom, please contact Building Services.
Please note that occupancy cannot change if you already have an active VHR Permit; a change in occupancy would require a new VHR application subject to the anti-clustering buffer.
Is a building permit needed for a deck or hot tub at my VHR?
Hot tubs and most decks require a Building permit through the El Dorado County Building Department. Any unpermitted work on a property will result in an investigation by Code Enforcement and will jeopardize the status of your VHR permit. Contact Building Services or review our VHR Building Permits page for more information.
What happens if I build another house on the same lot?
VHR and HHR permits are valid only for the residential address on the application. If an additional residence is built, the VHR permit will not be transferred to it automatically. If an owner wants to transfer the VHR/HHR permit to another address on the same parcel, the new address must be the primary home (larger square footage), and a new VHR or HHR permit application will be required. All new permit applications are required to comply with the ordinance in effect at the time. Vacation and Hosted Home Rentals are only allowed in the primary (larger) home, not in accessory / second dwelling units or detached guest houses.