Measure T News - South Lake Tahoe

Judge Gary Slossberg’s March 13 ruling voided Measure T, and on  April 1, the South Lake Tahoe City Council chose not to appeal. Instead, they enacted a 45‑day urgency moratorium on new vacation-home-rental (VHR) permits in residential zones that were previously off-limits.

For homeowners, the blanket ban is gone, but permits cannot be issued until the city drafts updated regulations—an effort that may extend beyond the initial 45 days. Once the pause is lifted, owners who lost permits in 2021, or who have been waiting to enter the market, may regain a legal path to apply for VHR permits outside the tourist core. RnR will track every council update and keep you informed so that when the time comes, you're ready to rent responsibly and in full compliance.

April 22, 2024 UPDATE:

• 900 permit cap in residentially zoned neighborhoods. (Reduced from 1400)
• Owners who previously held permits prior to Measure T, in good standing, would be prioritized. (The records show that owners still owning in the city that were previously permitted are around 700+.) A waiting list would be created for permit applicants who did not previously hold a permit.
• Permits would be issued in stages of 150 per month (Still to be determined is how they roll out this process. It was suggested that they refer to the previously permitted homes expiration date and base it off of that.)
• In person check-in with guest signing that they understand the rules. (We have asked for more clarity on what this entails.)
• Exterior noise monitoring devices and security cameras covering the driveway and trash are present and owners/managers need to provide records to enforcement within 24 hours of a complaint. 
• Multi-family structures will not be allowed to have VHR's outside of the tourist core.
• Permit fees to provide complete cost recovery including enforcement and cost of program. (This will increase the previous cost of permitting. That amount is tbd.)
• 24/7 complaint response required.
• Occupancy reduced to 2 per bedroom, plus 2. (In the city this has historically been 2 per bedroom plus 4.)
• 3 strike rules to be revised: Once a home receives 3 violations in an 18-month period, appeals will be processed through code enforcement. If their appeal is denied, that is it they lose their permit. (Previously, if an appeal was denied by code enforcement, they could then take their case to the city council. The city council appeal option has been removed.)
• Prior to permit issuance, the property needs to pass a fire safety/defensible space inspection. (Still to be determined is if the cost of this inspection will be in addition to or included in the permit fee.)
• Having a permit does not guarantee renewal of your permit the following year. 

Why Work With RnR Vacation Rentals?

RnR Vacation Rentals is proud to be based in South Lake Tahoe. Our local team cares deeply about the community and works every day to keep neighborhoods safe, welcoming, and thriving.

As full-service property managers, we:

• Answer guest questions quickly
• Screen every reservation before booking to ensure a good fit
• Conduct thorough pre-arrival and post-departure inspections
• Catch damage or maintenance needs early for fast resolution
• Have an after-hours team available 7 days a week for urgent issues, including potential violations

This attention to detail results in the highest standards of cleanliness, top-tier guest and owner communication, strong review scores, and responsible renting. All of which contribute to your bottom line and highest earning potential. 

Extra Protection for Owners

Our RnR Owner Advantage Program is included at no extra cost and provides coverage for accidental guest damage up to $2,000 (excluding normal wear and tear).

We also manage the VHR permitting process and ongoing compliance on behalf of our homeowners—saving you time and stress. Plus, we advocate at city forums for clear rules and strong enforcement that benefit homeowners, tourism, and the entire community.

If you had a permit lost due to Measure T click here to contact us today.