vacation home rentals

The green light to reopen caught many South Lake Tahoe businesses by surprise

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - When the news hit that the Sacramento Region was moving out of the stay-at-home order Tuesday evening, the announcement caught many by surprise, especially those businesses that had been closed since it went into effect December 10, 2020.

El Dorado County and South Lake Tahoe exit state's stay-at-home order

1/13/21 UPDATE: The state has updated its website to reflect that hotels and vacation rentals can open with modifications in the purple tier. For all businesses, visit https://covid19.ca.gov/safer-economy/.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Just moments ago, the Greater Sacramento Region, of which El Dorado County is a part, was granted authority by the State to exit the Regional Stay At Home Order, effective immediately. This is based on the State’s four-week projection putting the region’s ICU capacity at 19.1 percent, above the 15 percent threshold announced last month.

Stay-at-home order likely to be extended for South Lake Tahoe and the Sacramento Region

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - After a few days of being above the benchmark of 15 percent, hospitals in the Sacramento Region have fallen below that number of available ICU beds. South Lake Tahoe and El Dorado County are part of the Sacramento Region which fell under Governor Newsom's Stay-at-Home Order on December 10, 2020.

As of December 31, the Sacramento Region ICU availability was 14.4 percent.

Former South Lake Tahoe CSO now Douglas County clerk-treasurer

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - Former South Lake Tahoe Police Department Community Service Officer Amy Poole was named the new clerk-treasurer for Douglas County Thursday.

Poole was one of three candidates vying to fill Clerk-Treasurer Kathy Lewis's term. During the Douglas County Commissioner meeting, Poole was selected and fill the remaining two years of Lewis' term. Lewis resigned and her last day is Friday, December 18.

“I love every aspect of government,” said Poole Thursday. “I’m willing to be trained and I’m humble enough to know that the staff knows more than I do.”

City of South Lake Tahoe asks tourists to stay safe and at home, for now

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - With a minimum three-week long Stay-at-Home order going into effect on December 10 at 11:59 p.m. there are new rules that affect South Lake Tahoe visitors and residents.

The Sacramento Region, of which South Lake Tahoe and El Dorado County are part of, has dropped below 15 percent availability in the ICUs across the region, prompting the new order. More than thirty million people in California now fall under the order after a deadly surge of the coronavirus has crossed the state.

Stay-at-Home orders for El Dorado, Alpine counties and rest in Sacramento Region

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - South Lake Tahoe and the rest of El Dorado County and Alpine County will go under a Stay-at-Home order effective Thursday, December 10 at 11:59 p.m. This order will last for at least three weeks and then the state will reevaluate. The order has gone into effect because the Sacramento Region, of which South Lake Tahoe, El Dorado and Alpine counties are part, now has staffed ICU bed availability under 15 percent.

Updated Lake Tahoe vacation home ordinance passed by El Dorado County

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - The El Dorado County Board of Supervisors have passed an updated vacation home rental (VHR) ordinance for the Lake Tahoe portion of the county.

In a unanimous vote Wednesday, the second reading of the ordinance passed, one that adds a ceiling on the number of permits allowed. Supervisor Sue Novasel had to recuse herself because of a resident's request that she do so due to her husband's investment company.

Non-essential services offered by City of South Lake Tahoe moved remotely

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The state has moved El Dorado County, and subsequently, South Lake Tahoe moved into the purple tier at noon on Tuesday. With the new restrictions on businesses, non-essential City of South Lake Tahoe offices will be closed. City employees working in non-essential offices will be available either by e-mail or telephone to the public.

El Dorado County to vote on changes to VHR ordinance including 1,050 cap of Lake Tahoe permits

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - The Board of Supervisors will consider changes to the El Dorado County Vacation Home Rental Ordinance at its November 17 meeting. The 2:00 p.m. time certain public hearing will contain consideration of a cap of 1,050 total permits issued in the unincorporated portion of the Tahoe Basin.

A waiting list would be created for those wanting a VHR permit after the 1,050 number is met. The waiting list request shall become void upon change in ownership.

South Lake Tahoe City Council looks to finalize shared rental ordinance

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There has been much discussion in the community about the City of South Lake Tahoe's new Shared Rental Ordinance, one that is up for a vote during the November 3 City Council meeting.

A shared rental, also known as a hosted rental, is one where a person rents a portion of their home to a visitor on a short term basis* while they are still living in the home. They are not new in South Lake Tahoe, but the focus has been on creating an ordinance for them as a large number of people started obtaining business licenses for shared rentals in recent months.

Letter: Don't let City allow hosted vacation rentals

The ban on Vacation Home Rentals (VHRs) in South Lake Tahoe is looming and the City is now working on putting holes in it. The first attempt is being presented Tuesday, Nov 3 at the City Council meeting. The City plans to allow 200 “Hosted” short term rentals in our neighborhoods. It will require a tenant or owner to host guests in their ‘homes’ to be available to respond to complaints within 60 minutes of issues being reported. On the surface this seems a reasonable alternative until we consider the realities and how this might actually be used.

South Lake Tahoe Hosted Rental Ordinance back to staff for revisions

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - City Council made another attempt to create a Hosted Rental Ordinance but they decided at their meeting Tuesday to hand back to staff for some revisions.

After much discussion they decided to have staff clean up rules that could be potential loopholes for homeowners and/or tenants. This is the second time a first reading has been turned down for more fine tuning.

The following changes were added for Council to review October 20:

(1) Increase the required tenancy for a tenant to qualify as a hosted rental applicant from six months to two years;

Douglas County Commissioners to possibly vote on new VHR regulations for Lake Tahoe

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - During their Thursday, October 15 meeting, the Douglas County commissioners will hear a presentation about the work done by an appointed task force about vacation home rentals (VHRs) in Tahoe Township. The agenda item is listed as having possible action by the commissioners.

City Council agenda: Elected pay raises, hosted rental homes, $50 million recreation center

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The City Council will hold its next meeting on Tuesday, October 6 starting at 9:00 a.m. There is a full agenda and the public can participate via eComments before the meeting, phone calls during the meeting, as well as emails.

The agenda includes discussion and possible action on the following items:

Public invited to participate in South Lake Tahoe Recreation and Swim Complex survey

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The City of South Lake Tahoe is continuing the process on the planning, design and construction of the new Community Recreation & Aquatics Center.

For the past several years the City's Parks and Recreation Department has involved the public on the future of its aging recreation center and plans for a new building through community meetings and workshops.

Douglas County changes VHR reporting procedure in Tahoe Township

Douglas County has changed the process for reporting issues with vacation home rentals (VHRs) in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

Effective immediately, a new third party administer, HdL, will handle general VHR complaints in Tahoe Township while the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office will continue to handle noise and parking violations. The county contracted with HDL Companies to handle lodging tax for all commercial and short-term rental permitting and room tax administration.

Unauthorized #Lake2o event brings 300-400 cars to South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A large group of car enthusiasts on top of an already busy summer weekend created a hectic weekend for South Lake Tahoe area law enforcement.

Dubbed #Lake2o, a social media-organized group of about 300-400 modified car owners converged on the town starting Thursday and went through Monday morning, taking over parking lots, parking garages and filling city streets.

City asks for public input on draft Shared Rental Ordianace for South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - With a changing vacation home rental (VHR) landscape in the City of South Lake Tahoe, those wishing to rent their homes may be turning to "shared rentals."

There currently is no ordinance that covers shared rentals as the current VHR ordinance addresses the rental of an entire dwelling for a period of less than 30 consecutive calendar days, Shared rentals deal with renting less that the entire dwelling on a short-term basis.

One-percent sales tax increase for South Lake Tahoe to be added to the November ballot

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - City Council approved unanimously at their meeting Tuesday to send what is being called the "South Lake Tahoe Fire Protection, Emergency Response, City Services Measure" to the ballot in November.

If voters approve the measure, a one-percent sales tax increase will be added in the City of South Lake Tahoe to all taxable purchases to meet funding shortfalls, according to the City.

Summer fire restrictions around Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Fire season is upon us and many restrictions are now in effect where outdoor burning, campfires, and fire pits are concerned. 2020 started out with the driest February on record since the 1850s, and there is an increased fire danger posed by dead grass and hotter, drier conditions in the region.

It is important to understand that with all of the different fire areas around Lake Tahoe, there are different rules.

South Lake Tahoe Police Blotter

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The following is a list of calls the South Lake Tahoe Police Department responded to the week of June 1-6, 2020. The calls listed COVID can be related to home and business checks due to COVID closures including Vacation Home Rentals and violation of stay-at-home orders. Location Checks are when officers search an area at certain address.

6/1

ARRESTS (4)
Warrant 2100 Block of South Av
Transient/Homeless 900 Block of Sunset Dr
Transient/Homeless 900 Block of Sunset Dr
Unlicensed Driver Lake Tahoe Bl & Lodi Av

LOCATION CHECKS (7)

2nd virtual town hall meeting for El Dorado County vacation home rentals at Lake Tahoe

Event Date: 
June 10, 2020 - 4:00pm

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - The second virtual Town Hall meeting focusing on vacation home rentals (VHRs) in the El Dorado County portion of Lake Tahoe will be held on Wednesday, June 10 at 4:00 p.m. on Zoom.

Led by District 5 Supervisor Sue Novasel, she and staff will provide some background on VHRs regulations to date, review options for meeting the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency neighborhood compatibility Performance Review Standards, and review input received from the public, addressing questions and comments received.

Register in advance for the meeting here:

State of California travel bans still in place, even as El Dorado County lifts their order

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - On Wednesday, May 27, El Dorado County rescinded its nonessential travel ban into the Lake Tahoe Basin, just as it did when letting the County-specific Stay At Home order expire in April.

The messaging is confusing as local orders are lifted, and state orders are still in place.

The action by the County does not mean that travel into Lake Tahoe Basin is all of a sudden okay though.

Keeping Tahoe bears wild - COVID-19 closures can affect their behavior

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. – Spring is in full swing in the Tahoe Basin and Tahoe black bears are searching for food. Intentional or unintentional feeding of bears results in unwanted bear behaviors, increased human-bear conflicts, and public safety issues as well as fines and possible jail time for violators. Each year, local law enforcement and state wildlife officers respond to hundreds of calls in which bears may pose a public safety threat or are damaging property. In some cases, the bear must be euthanized.

Visitors to Lake Tahoe are encouraged to follow stay-at-home guidelines

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The messaging from the state, county, and city has been consistent throughout the coronavirus pandemic: This is not the time to travel to South Lake Tahoe. Nevada has also sent out the same message as a ban on nonessential travel that was created to prevent the spread of COVID-19 between communities.

South Lake Tahoe Police Blotter

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The following is a list of calls the South Lake Tahoe Police Department responded to April 1 - April 7, 2020. The calls listed COVID can be related to home and business checks due to COVID closures including Vacation Home Rentals and violation of stay-at-home orders. Location Checks are when officers search an area at the listed address.

4/1

Arrests (0)

Calls for Service (44)
Battery: 1000 Block of River Dr
Citizen's Assist: Tanglewood Dr
City Ordinance Other: 2400 Block of Fountain Av
Civil Problem: 900 Block of South Shore Dr

El Dorado County lifts orders but California stay-at-home orders still in place

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - One layer of stay-at-home orders has been lifted for El Dorado County as its Public Health Officer, Dr. Nancy Williams, has lifted her stay-at-home directive effective April 30, the original date it was to be lifted when set on March 19.

This doesn't mean that South Lake Tahoe and the county are open for business though as the State's order is still in effect.

"We are requesting from the Governor that we [South Lake Tahoe] can move towards reopening in a phased approach with attention paid to his six guidelines," said South Lake Tahoe Mayor Jason Collin.

El Dorado County supervisors add $1,000 fine for vacation home rental use in Lake Tahoe Basin

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The El Dorado County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday to issue citations to anyone violating the ban on nonessential travel in the Lake Tahoe Basin as it pertains to the use of vacation home rentals (VHRs).

Anyone found using a VHR is subject to a $1,000 fine per day of violation.

Douglas County to VHR owners and tourists: Do not rent homes, Do not visit at this time

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - Consistent with directives issued by Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak, and the guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control, Douglas County is urging travelers and short-term rental owners/managers, to take this threat to our community seriously, act responsibly and refrain from renting vacation home properties to non-essential travelers at this time.

Stay at Home in South Lake Tahoe: Police and City addressing concerns

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Ever since Governor Newsom issued a 'Stay at Home' order on March 19, 2020, there has been confusion on what businesses are essential and what the public can and cannot do. The order was created to protect the health and well-being of all Californians and to establish consistency across the state in order to slow the spread of COVID-19.

City of South Lake Tahoe now has power to fine those violating "Stay at Home" order

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The City of South Lake Tahoe issued an emergency order Friday morning, one that gives them the power to issue administrative citations to those who violate California Governor Newsom's 'stay at home' order.

“We are taking this crisis seriously and it is important that those who don’t, know there can be consequences to ignoring the Governor’s orders,” said Interim City Manager Brad Kilger, “This is about keeping our community safe, and that’s what this city is going to do.”

Part of Kilger's role for the city is as its director of emergency services.

South Lake Tahoe Police Chief Brian Uhler says goodbye; March retirement date set

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - In just two weeks the City of South Lake Tahoe will be saying goodbye to its sixth police chief since becoming incorporated in 1965.

Chief Brian Uhler will be wrapping up a 40-year career in law enforcement when he retires from the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) on March 12, 2020. He has been the second-longest serving chief, coming within a couple of months of the City's second police chief, John Crow.

New agreement in the works for 56-acre South Lake Tahoe downtown project

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The long-discussed 56-acre parcel in the middle of South Lake Tahoe is finally seeing movement again, and both the South Lake Tahoe City Council and El Dorado County Board of Supervisors (BOS) supporting further conversation. A formal agreement between the two is expected later in 2020 with another one-two years of public meetings, consultant review, and planning before plans are implemented. The California Tahoe Conservancy is funding the cost of the consultant, just as they did 30 years ago.

Seeing clearly in 2020; A look forward to the new year in South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A we say goodbye to 2019, 2020 is on the horizon with hopes, dreams and a list of wishes for the new year.

Instead of taking a look back at 2019 let's take a look forward to 2020 in South Lake Tahoe. What does this year have in store for us?

South Lake Tahoe city manager resigns, takes new position in Big Bear Lake

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - He has been at the helm of the City for almost a year, but Frank Rush has submitted his resignation and is headed south to take on a new position in Big Bear Lake, California.

Rush was sworn in as the City of South Lake Tahoe city manager on December 6, 2018, and will be leaving on January 24, starting in Big Bear Lake on February 3, 2020. Their City Council approved him during their meeting on Monday.

Postponed - El Dorado County Supervisor Novasel to hold Town Hall Meeting in Meeks Bay

Event Date: 
October 23, 2019 - 5:30pm

Update: El Dorado County has announced that this meeting is postponed "due to unforeseen circumstances" and will be held on a later date TBD.

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - There will be the second of three Town Hall meetings held by El Dorado County Supervisor Sue Novasel on Wednesday, October 23 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

The meeting is open to the public and will be held at the Meeks Bay Fire Station, 8041 Emerald Bay Road, Meeks Bay.

Supervisor Novasel to hold West Shore town hall meetings

Event Date: 
September 11, 2019 - 5:00pm

There are many issues facing the West Shore of Lake Tahoe in the coming weeks and months and District V Supervisor Sue Novasel will hold a series of town hall meetings to discuss them. Topping the list are the fire stations operated by the Meeks Bay Fire Protection District, vacation home rentals, the lack of an El Dorado County Sheriff's deputy living in the area, County road work, snow removal, and fire insurance.

The first meeting will be on Wednesday, September 11 from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Marie Sluchak Community Park in Tahoma.

South Lake Tahoe City Council votes to defend Measure T

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Vacation Home Rentals (VHR) in South Lake Tahoe continue to be the hot topic, even months after a measure to ban most of them in the city limits narrowly passed in the November 2018 election. Voters approved Measure T by 58 votes.

The subject has created a big divide in the community and a decision by the South Lake Tahoe City Council Tuesday will not lessen that division though their intent is now clear.

South Lake Tahoe City Council agenda includes Echo Summit, commodities, new logo and budget

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Tuesday's City Council meeting will include several items including a closed session at 8:00 a.m. that includes Liberty Utilities' claim that a City snowplow damaged a light pole, causing $56,883.41 in damage.

Letter: New recreation center for South Lake Tahoe making progress

The City of South Lake Tahoe voters, with the strong support of various areas of our community, overwhelmingly approved Measure P for Recreation, a two percent Transient Occupancy Tax increase to fund a new Recreation Center in 2016. Outreach meetings, design options and thorough feedback were given to and received by the community prior to the 2016 election with the outcome being a facility that will allow for locals, visitors and tournaments to enjoy and capitalize on the Center including:

Opinion: Not my family's job to monitor vacation home rentals

Tonight we had eight cars in the VHR across the street. The house is rated for four cars with a maximum of ten people. We reported it this time. We usually do not report violations because it makes us anxious… no one wants to be the “BAD” guy. The call was simple enough and the response was surprisingly quick. Roughly 20 minutes after our call the officer arrived to view the cars parked in the driveway, in the street, in the front yard and along the side of the house.

Keep Tahoe Bears Wild - Practice proper food storage and trash disposal

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. – Lake Tahoe natural resource and law enforcement agencies remind residents and visitors to practice proper food storage and trash disposal at all times while in bear country. Intentional or unintentional feeding of bears can result in unwanted bear behaviors, increased human-bear conflicts, and public safety issues, as well as fines and possible jail time for violators. Each year law enforcement and state wildlife officers respond to hundreds of calls in which bears may pose a public safety threat or are damaging property. In some cases, the bear must be euthanized.

Douglas County VHR Task Force holds first meeting

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - This past fall the Douglas County Commissioners approved a new Vacation Home Rental (VHR) ordinance with a promise to continue to modify as needed as they balance the rights of the property owner with the rights of those living in the neighborhoods around them.

They appointed a VHR Task Force to operate as an advisory group that will meet, discuss and offer recommendations to the County Manager on the permitting, management and/or limitation of vacation home rentals.

Douglas County looking at automatic sprinkler ordinance at commissioner meeting

STATELINE, Nev. - The Douglas County Commissioners will be considering the adoption of a new fire code which would require the installation of automatic fire sprinklers on new construction of homes less than 5,000 square feet. Their approval would acknowledge that benefits outweigh the cost to homeowners.

The meeting in Minden, which starts at 1:00 p.m., is normally fed live through the internet but as of 10:00 a.m. there were some technical difficulties and it may not be shown online.

City unveils monthly newseltter to keep public informed

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. The City of South Lake Tahoe has launched its new
newsletter - "At Lake Level." The monthly newsletter is written by City Manager Frank Rush and prepared by Communications Manager Chris Fiore in an effort to keep the community well informed about City issues and initiatives.

New Leadership

STPUD starts process to raise water and sewer rates

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - South Tahoe Public Utility District (STPUD) will start the process to raise water service rates by up to six percent and sewer rates by up to five percent in order to start replacing aging pipes and providing improved fire flow throughout their service area. If fully implemented, this increase would fuel an $81.5M capital improvement program for sewer improvements, and $70M for water system improvements, especially fire flow projects.

California Supreme Court puts an end to the ''Loop Road' lawsuit

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - In 2016 a group of citizens gathered enough signatures to put a measure before the voters in November of that year to prevent the City of South Lake Tahoe from taking any action on what has been known as the Loop Road project (though the official name is the US 50/South Shore Community Revitalization Project) without first getting approval by the voters.

Today the California Supreme Court put an end to that measure.

South Lake Tahoe traffic meeting: "Our quality of life has been affected"

MEYERS, Calif. - Traffic through neighborhoods in the Meyers area has become unbearable to many residents as vehicles leaving South Lake Tahoe to take to side streets in an effort to circumvent Highway 50 traffic over Echo Summit.

In an effort to find solutions to a problem that keeps Meyers residents from their homes for hours at a time, a townhall-style meeting was held on Friday night.

Douglas County again looking for task force members as they revamp VHR ordinance

STATELINE, Nev. - Vacation Home Rentals (VHRs) in Douglas County were on last Thursday's agenda for the Board of County Commissioners, leading them to seek additional representatives for their newly appointed VHR Task Force.

Douglas County uses the services of Host Compliance, the same company hired by the City of South Lake Tahoe to seek out unlicensed VHRs and under-reported Tourist Occupancy Tax (TOT). They charge the County $94,000 annually for their services.

City of South Lake Tahoe and owners group reach agreement on Measure T lawsuit

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The City and the South Lake Tahoe Property Owner's Group have reached an agreement on the enforcement of Measure T, a voter-initiated ballot measure to remove over 1,300 vacation home rentals from neighborhoods by the year 2021.

There were two major portions of the measure though that were to go into effect immediately, a change to occupancy rates and a halt to the issuing of new permits for the vacation accommodations made popular by websites like Airbnb.

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