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Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Tuolumne County, CA

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

Zoning & Conditions

Short-term rentals (1–30 days) in unincorporated areas must pass a Fire and Life Safety Inspection and hold a Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) Certificate. Operators must provide a 24/7 local contact available within 60 minutes, maintain visible address signage, and comply with defensible space and hazardous vegetation ordinances.

How to Obtain a Permit

1. Register for a Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) Certificate through the Tax Collector's office. 2. Submit an STR Fire and Life Safety Inspection application via the county's online portal and pay the $300 nonrefundable fee. 3. Pass the inspection conducted by the Fire Prevention Division; inspections must be renewed every two years.

Official Resources

Official Tuolumne County STR regulation source

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Airbnbs legal in Tuolumne County, CA?
Airbnb listings are allowed in Tuolumne County, CA, but with restrictions. Short-term rentals (1–30 days) in unincorporated areas must pass a Fire and Life Safety Inspection and hold a Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) Certificate. Operators must provide a 24/7 local contact available within 60 minutes, maintain visible address signage, and comply with defensible space and hazardous vegetation ordinances. 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 Tuolumne County, CA?
Short-term rentals (1–30 days) in unincorporated areas must pass a Fire and Life Safety Inspection and hold a Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) Certificate. Operators must provide a 24/7 local contact available within 60 minutes, maintain visible address signage, and comply with defensible space and hazardous vegetation ordinances.
Is a permit required to operate a short-term rental in Tuolumne County?
Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Tuolumne County. 1. Register for a Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) Certificate through the Tax Collector's office. 2. Submit an STR Fire and Life Safety Inspection application via the county's online portal and pay the $300 nonrefundable fee. 3. Pass the inspection conducted by the Fire Prevention Division; inspections must be renewed every two years.
How do I get a short-term rental permit in Tuolumne County?
1. Register for a Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) Certificate through the Tax Collector's office. 2. Submit an STR Fire and Life Safety Inspection application via the county's online portal and pay the $300 nonrefundable fee. 3. Pass the inspection conducted by the Fire Prevention Division; inspections must be renewed every two years.
Is Vrbo legal in Tuolumne County, CA?
Vrbo is permitted in Tuolumne County, 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 Tuolumne County?
Short-term rental hosts in Tuolumne County 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 Tuolumne County?
We are not currently tracking any recent short-term rental ordinance changes for Tuolumne County. 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