Douglas County wants resident input on VHRs

LAKE TAHOE, Nev. - Vacation rentals are a hot issue on both sides of the state line, and Douglas County Board of County Commissioners have approved updating their County Code concerning short-term rentals of homes for 28 days or less in the Tahoe Township.

The County’s zoning code allows short term/vacation rentals with the issuance of a Vacation Home Rental Permit and are currently limited to the Tahoe Basin (Tahoe Township). In early 2018 the Board discussed the issue of allowing short term rentals countywide, not just within the Lake Tahoe Area, but that hasn't been approved at this time.

The new vacation home rental (VHR) ordinance was approved at the commissioner's September 6 meeting, and as a follow-up before more items are addressed, the County has launched a public survey to allow all residents to provide their viewpoints. The survey can be found at https://www.opentownhall.com/portals/123/Issue_6730.

Highlights of the newly approved ordinance:

Vacation homes that are not permitted in all of Douglas County will be subject to civil penalties of $5,000.

The VHR occupancy is limited to two people per bedroom plus four.

Parking is limited to on-site and assigned parking areas. Buses can only unload or load and not park at the home or on the street. Daytime on-street parking is in accordance to local posted parking regulations.

Owner of the home must use best efforts to ensure renters are not making unreasonable noise, engage in disorderly conduct, or violate state law pertaining to those two actions.

Local contacts must live within Douglas County or the TRPA jurisdiction boundaries.

Violations of the ordinance will be misdemeanors. Enforcement actions can be brought against the renters and the owner of the property.