El Dorado County just dropped the mic on vacation home rentals, and the local scene is buzzing. After years of wrestling with over-tourism and community complaints, county supervisors have rolled out a game-changing ordinance that’s reshaping how short-term rentals operate in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

The Numbers Don’t Lie

With 762 permits issued and 203 properties on the waiting list, the county is getting serious about managing its rental landscape. The new rules are strict: a 900-VHR cap in the Tahoe Basin, 500-foot buffers between rental properties, and a two-person-per-bedroom limit. It’s like they’re playing rental Tetris, and locals are here for it.

Enforcement Gets Real

Code enforcement isn’t just talking, they’re acting. Between June 2024 and August 2025, they fielded 988 calls and 331 emails about rental violations. The most common issues? Occupancy overloads, trash nightmares, and noise complaints that would make even the most chill mountain dweller lose their cool. They’ve already collected nearly $137,000 in fines, proving that these rules have real teeth.

The West Slope Pushback

Not everyone’s celebrating, though. West Slope residents are crying foul, arguing that the one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work for their larger properties and agricultural landscapes. Some property managers are already seeing booking rates drop by up to 25%, signaling potential economic ripple effects.

With tourist occupancy tax collections slightly declining and community tensions simmering, the county’s next move will be crucial. An upcoming Ad Hoc committee promises to dive deeper into the West Slope’s unique challenges.

Stay tuned, Tahoe, this rental revolution is just getting started.