South Lake Tahoe, California Short Term Rental Regulations

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Reviewed by Derick Hargrave

Last updated August 23, 2023

South Lake Tahoe Short-Term Rental Regulations

Information is maintained by the community to provide helpful insights and links to local regulations, HostScouts does not provide legal or investment advice.

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  • Short Term City Rating
    5.0
  • Competition

    4.3
  • Real Estate Cost

    3.1
  • STR Regulations

    N/A
  • Seasonality

    3.4
  • Rental Rates

    9.2

South Lake Tahoe, California Quick Stats

Short-term rentals have gained a lot of traction in the last few years. The trends and statistics of this sector are constantly changing, and having access to accurate data is essential for making sound investment decisions.

Population
22,197
STR License Required
No
Tourist Season
County
El Dorado
Airports
Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO)
Sacramento International Airport (SMF)
Review our South Lake Tahoe California short-term rental analytics guide, including rates, property types and other metrics

Want to learn more about South Lake Tahoe?

Hostscouts has you covered. Our guides for this city cover topics that can help you research cities across the US quickly and easily.

Check out our South Lake Tahoe rental analytics guide if you're interested in data on the South Lake Tahoe rental market.

City Activities

Review the popular activities that hosts include in their property positing in South Lake Tahoe.

City Attractions

The most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings.

South Lake Tahoe Rental Rates & Fees

Explore nightly rates that hosts list their properties and the average fees for pets and additional guests.

Property Types & Sizes

What are the most popular property sizes for rent? Research whether a 1, 2, or 3 bedroom best fits South Lake Tahoe guests.

Interested in other California cities?

Check out the California Airbnb rules directory 

What makes South Lake Tahoe a great place to invest?

  1. South Lake Tahoe, California is a breathtaking destination that offers an abundance of outdoor recreation and adventure. With its crystal-clear waters and soaring mountains, it's easy to see why Lake Tahoe is one of the most popular destinations in California. Visitors can enjoy a range of activities on the lake, from kayaking and paddle-boarding to fishing and boating.
  2. For winter sports enthusiasts, South Lake Tahoe offers some of the best skiing and snowboarding in the world. With several ski resorts to choose from, visitors can find slopes to suit every level of skier or snowboarder, from beginner to expert. Whether you're looking for world-class terrain parks, scenic backcountry runs, or groomed cruisers, you'll find it all in South Lake Tahoe.
  3. But South Lake Tahoe isn't just a winter destination. The area is also a great place to visit in the summer, with a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities, including hiking and mountain biking trails, golf courses, and stunning natural parks. Visitors can explore the stunning Desolation Wilderness, which offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and forests.
  4. When it comes to dining and entertainment, South Lake Tahoe has plenty to offer. From cozy cafes and local restaurants to bars and nightclubs, visitors can find a variety of dining and entertainment options that cater to every taste and budget. Whether you're looking for a romantic dinner for two, a night out with friends, or a family-friendly outing, you'll find it all in South Lake Tahoe.
  5. And for those seeking a bit of adventure, South Lake Tahoe is just a short drive from a variety of exciting attractions, including the breathtaking Emerald Bay State Park, which offers stunning views of Lake Tahoe and the surrounding mountains, as well as hiking trails, picnic areas, and a historic Scandinavian-style lodge.

South Lake Tahoe Nearby Cities

Local Real Estate

How expensive is the real estate in South Lake Tahoe?

The cost of real estate can vary widely depending on the location, size, and features of the property, as well as market conditions. The median home value in South Lake Tahoe has decreased -2% over the past year, and the average price per square foot is $559, which is higher than the national average.

Median Sale Price

$1,029,545

-2% YoY

Median per Square Foot

$559

-7% YoY

Average Monthly Rent

$2,439

3% YoY

Local Short-Term Rental News for South Lake Tahoe

Property Descriptions

The most common terms hosts include in their listings for South Lake Tahoe, California

Word Cloud for South Lake Tahoe, California Short Term Rentals

Common terms for South Lake Tahoe short term rental listings.

When potential guests are scrolling through listings on Airbnb, they’re looking for certain essential information to help them decide if your property is the right fit for their needs. As a host, ensuring that your listing includes all the relevant information that guests will be looking for is vital.

Some of the must-have elements of a property description include:

  • Location: Guests will want to know where your property is located in relation to popular attractions, public transportation, and other points of interest.
  • Amenities: What amenities does your property offer? Be sure to list all features guests can access, such as a pool, hot tub, parking, etc.
  • Informative: The average listing in South Lake Tahoe has a description approximately 2,664 words long. Make sure yours is long enough to describe your property but doesn't require your potential guest to read a novel.

After reviewing more than 3,359 listings in South Lake Tahoe, we've consolidated the most common terms on the word cloud. The larger text represents a term that is used more often. The top ten mentioned terms are Lake Tahoe, Hot tub, Deck, Car, Family, South Lake, Resort, Beach, Quiet, and Perfect.

What are the most popular tourist activities in South Lake Tahoe?

Whether renting a house, an apartment, or a room, you should include popular tourist activities in your posting. The most common choices mentioned on property listings in South Lake Tahoe involve Hiking, Snow Skiing, Swimming, Mountain Biking, and Snowboarding. When you write your listing, have a section with recommended activities near the property to give your guests an idea of what is available.

Hiking

Snow Skiing

Swimming

Mountain Biking

Snowboarding

Snowmobiling

Jet Skiing

Sledding

Cycling

Mountain Climbing

Casinos

Sailing

Local Attractions

What attractions do hosts highlight to guests?

There are quite a few popular attractions in South Lake Tahoe, including Heavenly Ski Resort, Heavenly Gondola, Casino at Harrah's Lake Tahoe, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Lake Tahoe, and Casino at Harveys Lake Tahoe. Below we've included the most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings. Many hosts like to show off lesser-known regional landmarks visitors might not have heard of.

Local Landmark

Pope Beach

Included on nearly all listings

Regional Landmark

Emerald Bay State Park

Included on nearly all listings

Regional Landmark

Zephyr Cove Beach

Included on nearly all listings

Regional Landmark

Lakeside Beach

Included on most listings

Local Landmark

Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course

Included on most listings

Well Known Attraction

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Lake Tahoe

Included on most listings

Regional Landmark

MontBleu Resort Casino & Spa

Included on most listings

Well Known Attraction

Casino at Harrah's Lake Tahoe

Included on 92% of listings

Regional Landmark

Casino at Harveys Lake Tahoe

Included on 92% of listings

Well Known Attraction

Heavenly Gondola

Included on 91% of listings

Regional Landmark

The Shops at Heavenly Village

Included on 89% of listings

Well Known Attraction

Heavenly Ski Resort

Included on 88% of listings

What’s the weather like in South Lake Tahoe, California?

The weather is generally milder than the national average, with an average high temperature of around 57°, while the average low is about 30°. It has normal rainfall, averaging about 15 inches per year, compared to the national average of about 27 inches. Snowfall can be rather heavy, averaging less than 96 inches per year. The humidity levels in Tahoe City are generally lower than the national average, and the city has a mix of clouds and sunshine for most of the year.

Winter

December through February

20° Low 40° High

Precipitation
7.0"
Snowfall
59.9"
Muggy Days
0.0 days
Cloudiness
53%

Spring

March through May

29° Low 53° High

Precipitation
3.8"
Snowfall
25.5"
Muggy Days
0.0 days
Cloudiness
46%

Summer

June through August

42° Low 75° High

Precipitation
0.6"
Snowfall
0.2"
Muggy Days
0.0 days
Cloudiness
16%

Fall

September through November

31° Low 59° High

Precipitation
4.0"
Snowfall
10.8"
Muggy Days
0.0 days
Cloudiness
32%