Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Sierra City, CA

Airbnb listings are allowed in Sierra City, CA, but with restrictions. Short-term rentals in Sierra City (unincorporated Sierra County) are allowed only where authorized by Sierra County Code: R1, CR, CC, CN, A-1, and GF zones; only one STR per legally created parcel; ADUs are prohibited; partial rentals allowed only if owner/representative is present; maximum occupancy based on bedrooms (2 persons/bedroom) not to exceed 10; parking, septic, water, fire-safety, and waste/disposal rules apply and TOT registration is 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.

Short-term rentals in Sierra City (unincorporated Sierra County) are allowed only where authorized by Sierra County Code: R1, CR, CC, CN, A-1, and GF zones; only one STR per legally created parcel; ADUs are prohibited; partial rentals allowed only if owner/representative is present; maximum occupancy based on bedrooms (2 persons/bedroom) not to exceed 10; parking, septic, water, fire-safety, and waste/disposal rules apply and TOT registration is required.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Sierra City. 1) Submit the Sierra County Short-Term Rental Administrative Use Permit application online, by email (planning@sierracounty.ca.gov), or by mail to the Planning Department; 2) Include required documents explicitly stated: Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) certificate from the Treasurer-Tax Collector, County Assessor business property statement, proof of property ownership/timing (per application), parking plan, required safety/fire/septic disclosures, and pay the stated application fee ($345.50) and any special inspection fees; 3) Permit is issued as an Administrative Use Permit for a three-year term; renewals require a new application and fee and may include inspections/conditions.

1) Submit the Sierra County Short-Term Rental Administrative Use Permit application online, by email (planning@sierracounty.ca.gov), or by mail to the Planning Department; 2) Include required documents explicitly stated: Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) certificate from the Treasurer-Tax Collector, County Assessor business property statement, proof of property ownership/timing (per application), parking plan, required safety/fire/septic disclosures, and pay the stated application fee ($345.50) and any special inspection fees; 3) Permit is issued as an Administrative Use Permit for a three-year term; renewals require a new application and fee and may include inspections/conditions.

Vrbo is permitted in Sierra City, 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 Sierra City 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 Sierra City. STR rules change frequently — verify the current requirements with the city or county before listing, using the official source linked on this page.