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Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Lee Vining, CA

Last verified: 2026-05-14 · Report an update

Zoning & Conditions

Short-term rentals in Lee Vining (unincorporated Mono County) are permitted only with county authorization and are restricted by land-use and overlay rules: they require both a Short-Term Rental Activity Permit and a Use Permit, are owner-specific and non-transferrable, limited to one permit per parcel/person, prohibit ADU/JADU rentals, limit occupancy to two persons per bedroom plus two (maximum 10 unless certified), and require parking, trash, safety, and insurance/compliance measures. Neighbor notice and demonstrated lack of reasonable opposition within 500 feet may be required.

How to Obtain a Permit

1) Submit a Short-Term Rental Activity Permit application and a Use Permit to Mono County Community Development; pay the $135 fee for each and obtain a business license and Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) certificate. 2) Undergo county staff review and inspection for health and safety standards (smoke/CO detectors, fire extinguisher, signage). 3) Obtain approval from the Planning Commission or Board and post the issued STR permit number in all advertisements.

Official Resources

Official Lee Vining STR regulation source

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Airbnbs legal in Lee Vining, CA?
Airbnb listings are allowed in Lee Vining, CA, but with restrictions. Short-term rentals in Lee Vining (unincorporated Mono County) are permitted only with county authorization and are restricted by land-use and overlay rules: they require both a Short-Term Rental Activity Permit and a Use Permit, are owner-specific and non-transferrable, limited to one permit per parcel/person, prohibit ADU/JADU rentals, limit occupancy to two persons per bedroom plus two (maximum 10 unless certified), and require parking, trash, safety, and insurance/compliance measures. Neighbor notice and demonstrated lack of reasonable opposition within 500 feet may be required. 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.
Are short-term rentals allowed in Lee Vining, CA?
Short-term rentals in Lee Vining (unincorporated Mono County) are permitted only with county authorization and are restricted by land-use and overlay rules: they require both a Short-Term Rental Activity Permit and a Use Permit, are owner-specific and non-transferrable, limited to one permit per parcel/person, prohibit ADU/JADU rentals, limit occupancy to two persons per bedroom plus two (maximum 10 unless certified), and require parking, trash, safety, and insurance/compliance measures. Neighbor notice and demonstrated lack of reasonable opposition within 500 feet may be required.
Is a permit required to operate a short-term rental in Lee Vining?
Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Lee Vining. 1) Submit a Short-Term Rental Activity Permit application and a Use Permit to Mono County Community Development; pay the $135 fee for each and obtain a business license and Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) certificate. 2) Undergo county staff review and inspection for health and safety standards (smoke/CO detectors, fire extinguisher, signage). 3) Obtain approval from the Planning Commission or Board and post the issued STR permit number in all advertisements.
How do I get a short-term rental permit in Lee Vining?
1) Submit a Short-Term Rental Activity Permit application and a Use Permit to Mono County Community Development; pay the $135 fee for each and obtain a business license and Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) certificate. 2) Undergo county staff review and inspection for health and safety standards (smoke/CO detectors, fire extinguisher, signage). 3) Obtain approval from the Planning Commission or Board and post the issued STR permit number in all advertisements.
Is Vrbo legal in Lee Vining, CA?
Vrbo is permitted in Lee Vining, 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.
What taxes do short-term rental hosts pay in Lee Vining?
Short-term rental hosts in Lee Vining 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.
What is the latest short-term rental ordinance change in Lee Vining?
We are not currently tracking any recent short-term rental ordinance changes for Lee Vining. STR rules change frequently — verify the current requirements with the city or county before listing, using the official source linked on this page.

Disclaimer

This information is for general reference only and may not reflect the most current regulations. STR regulations change frequently. Always verify requirements with official local government sources before operating a short-term rental.

Last verified: 2026-05-14 · Suggest a correction