Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Bear Valley, CA

Airbnb listings are allowed in Bear Valley, CA, but with restrictions. Short-term vacation rentals (STVRs) in unincorporated Calaveras County (including Bear Valley) are permitted subject to operational standards: maximum occupancy is generally two persons per bedroom plus two additional persons (up to 12); parking is limited to onsite capacity; a 24-hour local contact must be available within 60 minutes; and ADUs are prohibited from use as STVRs. A permit is required before you can host. These rules apply to all short-term rental platforms (Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, etc.) — not just Airbnb specifically. See the official source linked on this page for full requirements. Last verified 2026-05-14.

Short-term vacation rentals (STVRs) in unincorporated Calaveras County (including Bear Valley) are permitted subject to operational standards: maximum occupancy is generally two persons per bedroom plus two additional persons (up to 12); parking is limited to onsite capacity; a 24-hour local contact must be available within 60 minutes; and ADUs are prohibited from use as STVRs.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Bear Valley. 1) Submit a Short-Term Vacation Rental permit application (Administrative Use Permit form) to the Planning Department with a site plan and floor plan; 2) Pay the application fee ($555 for new, $447 for renewal) and register for Transient Occupancy Tax with the Tax Collector; 3) Pass required fire/life-safety inspections and obtain a County business license.

1) Submit a Short-Term Vacation Rental permit application (Administrative Use Permit form) to the Planning Department with a site plan and floor plan; 2) Pay the application fee ($555 for new, $447 for renewal) and register for Transient Occupancy Tax with the Tax Collector; 3) Pass required fire/life-safety inspections and obtain a County business license.

Vrbo is permitted in Bear Valley, CA under the same restrictions that apply to Airbnb — local rules govern the rental itself, not the specific platform. You must hold a valid permit before hosting on Vrbo. Last verified 2026-05-14.

Short-term rental hosts in Bear Valley are typically responsible for lodging, occupancy, and applicable sales taxes — these usually apply even where hosting is allowed without a permit. Rates and remittance rules vary by jurisdiction (state, county, and city can each levy a share); confirm the current rates with the official source linked on this page. Platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo collect some taxes automatically, but the host remains liable for any not collected on their behalf.

We are not currently tracking any recent short-term rental ordinance changes for Bear Valley. STR rules change frequently — verify the current requirements with the city or county before listing, using the official source linked on this page.