Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Mammoth Lakes?

**Yes**, Mammoth Lakes requires a Short-Term Rental (STR) Certificate to operate legally. You need to apply for this certificate, which costs $269, and comply with zoning regulations that restrict STRs to multi-family and resort zones. Failure to obtain the required permit can result in penalties.

What is the TOT tax rate in Mammoth Lakes?

**13% TOT** is the current transient occupancy tax rate for short-term rentals in Mammoth Lakes. Hosts are responsible for collecting this tax from guests and remitting it to the town. Ensure you are compliant with all local tax laws to avoid penalties and maintain good standing.

Are short-term rentals allowed in Mammoth Lakes?

**Yes**, short-term rentals are permitted in Mammoth Lakes, but with restrictions. You need to operate within specific zones, mainly multi-family and resort zones (RMF-2, Resort, etc.). Always verify your property’s zoning status with the town planning department before listing it as a short-term rental.

How much does an STR permit cost in Mammoth Lakes?

**The STR permit** in Mammoth Lakes costs $269. You need to pay this fee when applying for the Short-Term Rental (STR) Certificate, which is required to legally operate a short-term rental within the designated zones. Ensure you renew this permit annually to stay compliant with local regulations.

Can renters host on Airbnb in Mammoth Lakes?

**No**, renters are generally not permitted to host on Airbnb in Mammoth Lakes. The regulations require that the property owner obtain the STR certificate and comply with all local laws. Always confirm with the town planning department and your landlord before listing any rental unit on Airbnb.

Mammoth Lakes

Moderate

CaliforniaUpdated Apr 12, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 3 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Jan 30, 2026Sources 3

Summary

Plain-english overview

Short-term rentals are heavily regulated in Mammoth Lakes and generally restricted to multi-family and resort zones (RMF-2, Resort, etc.). Hosts must obtain an STR Certificate and a Business Tax Certificate, and pay a total TOT rate of 13%. Stays of 31 days or longer are exempt from these regulations.

Restriction level

Severity 21

Classification

Moderate

Severity

Why this classification

Standard permit fee: $269
Tenants cannot host
Permit required
Reporting required
No night cap
No primary residence requirement

In plain English

What this means for you

To host an Airbnb in Mammoth Lakes, you first need to check if your property is in a 'permitted zone' (mostly condos and resort areas). If you are in a single-family residential area, you likely cannot rent for less than 30 days. You must apply for an annual permit, pass a safety inspection, and have a local contact person who can respond to complaints within 30 minutes. Even if Airbnb collects your taxes, you still have to file quarterly reports with the Town.

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$269

Processing time14-30 days

7 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Zoning is the biggest hurdle: STRs are prohibited in most single-family (RSF) zones.
2The 30-minute response rule: Your local contact must be physically available 24/7 to resolve issues within 30 minutes.
3Total occupancy is capped at 10 people regardless of house size.
4ADUs (granny flats) built after 2017 cannot be used as short-term rentals.
5The TOT rate is 13%, not 12% (Measure A added 1% in 2021).
6Parking is strictly enforced; you must provide an off-street parking plan to guests.
7Trash must be stored in bear-proof containers or per a specific town-approved plan.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility12 rules

Mammoth Lakes does NOT allow tenants to host STRs. Only property owners may operate short-term rentals.
Mammoth Lakes: Zoning is the biggest hurdle: STRs are prohibited in most single-family (RSF) zones.
Mammoth Lakes: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.

Requirements21 rules

Mammoth Lakes: A fire inspection may be required before you can operate. Schedule early as this can delay your start date.
Mammoth Lakes, CA: A fire inspection may be required before you can operate. Schedule early as this can delay your start date.
Mammoth Lakes, CA: Hosts must report their rental activity quarterly to the city, even if platforms collect taxes.

Application process11 rules

Mammoth Lakes, CA extended permit requirement: A TOT registration fee of $25 is also typically required.
Mammoth Lakes STR permit - Step 1: Zoning Verification. Confirm your property is in a zone that allows 'Transient Occupancy'. Most RSF zones prohibit STRs. Time: 1 day.

Fees & costs1 rule

Mammoth Lakes charges a registration fee of $269 (annual).

Taxes2 rules

Mammoth Lakes: The TOT rate is 13%, not 12% (Measure A added 1% in 2021).
Mammoth Lakes charges a Transient Occupancy Tax of 13%. This applies to stays under 31 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb and VRBO remit the base 13%, but hosts must still file quarterly 'Zero Dollar' returns.

Limits & restrictions6 rules

Mammoth Lakes, CA occupancy calculation: 2 persons per bedroom plus 2 additional persons; absolute cap of 10. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
Mammoth Lakes limits STRs to a maximum of 10 guests. Formula: 2 persons per bedroom plus 2 additional persons; absolute cap of 10
Mammoth Lakes limits stays to a maximum of 30 nights.

Safety requirements1 rule

Mammoth Lakes requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Defensible space inspection, Internal/External signage for trash/parking, Local contact available 24/7 within 30 mins.

Penalties3 rules

Mammoth Lakes enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: $500. Second offense: $1,000. Third offense: Permit Revocation. Daily fine: $500-$1000. Permit may be revoked for violations.
Mammoth Lakes: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.

Exemptions3 rules

Mammoth Lakes: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
Mammoth Lakes exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days).

Frequently asked questions

5 answered

Disclaimer

Regulatory information is AI-researched from public city/county codes for educational purposes. Details may be outdated or incomplete. Always verify requirements directly with your city/county planning department before operating a short-term rental.

Researched & verified by Learn STR at GoStudioM

Mammoth Lakes

Moderate

CaliforniaUpdated Apr 12, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 3 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Jan 30, 2026Sources 3

Summary

Plain-english overview

Restriction level

Severity 21

Classification

Moderate

Severity

Why this classification

Standard permit fee: $269
Tenants cannot host
Permit required
Reporting required
No night cap
No primary residence requirement

In plain English

What this means for you

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$269

Processing time14-30 days

7 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Zoning is the biggest hurdle: STRs are prohibited in most single-family (RSF) zones.
2The 30-minute response rule: Your local contact must be physically available 24/7 to resolve issues within 30 minutes.
3Total occupancy is capped at 10 people regardless of house size.
4ADUs (granny flats) built after 2017 cannot be used as short-term rentals.
5The TOT rate is 13%, not 12% (Measure A added 1% in 2021).
6Parking is strictly enforced; you must provide an off-street parking plan to guests.
7Trash must be stored in bear-proof containers or per a specific town-approved plan.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility12 rules

Mammoth Lakes does NOT allow tenants to host STRs. Only property owners may operate short-term rentals.
Mammoth Lakes: Zoning is the biggest hurdle: STRs are prohibited in most single-family (RSF) zones.
Mammoth Lakes: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.

Requirements21 rules

Mammoth Lakes: A fire inspection may be required before you can operate. Schedule early as this can delay your start date.
Mammoth Lakes, CA: A fire inspection may be required before you can operate. Schedule early as this can delay your start date.
Mammoth Lakes, CA: Hosts must report their rental activity quarterly to the city, even if platforms collect taxes.

Application process11 rules

Mammoth Lakes, CA extended permit requirement: A TOT registration fee of $25 is also typically required.
Mammoth Lakes STR permit - Step 1: Zoning Verification. Confirm your property is in a zone that allows 'Transient Occupancy'. Most RSF zones prohibit STRs. Time: 1 day.

Fees & costs1 rule

Mammoth Lakes charges a registration fee of $269 (annual).

Taxes2 rules

Mammoth Lakes: The TOT rate is 13%, not 12% (Measure A added 1% in 2021).
Mammoth Lakes charges a Transient Occupancy Tax of 13%. This applies to stays under 31 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb and VRBO remit the base 13%, but hosts must still file quarterly 'Zero Dollar' returns.

Limits & restrictions6 rules

Mammoth Lakes, CA occupancy calculation: 2 persons per bedroom plus 2 additional persons; absolute cap of 10. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
Mammoth Lakes limits STRs to a maximum of 10 guests. Formula: 2 persons per bedroom plus 2 additional persons; absolute cap of 10
Mammoth Lakes limits stays to a maximum of 30 nights.

Safety requirements1 rule

Mammoth Lakes requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Defensible space inspection, Internal/External signage for trash/parking, Local contact available 24/7 within 30 mins.

Penalties3 rules

Mammoth Lakes enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: $500. Second offense: $1,000. Third offense: Permit Revocation. Daily fine: $500-$1000. Permit may be revoked for violations.
Mammoth Lakes: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.

Exemptions3 rules

Mammoth Lakes: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
Mammoth Lakes exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days).

Frequently asked questions

5 answered

Disclaimer

Researched & verified by Learn STR at GoStudioM

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

7 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

Frequently asked questions

1Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Mammoth Lakes?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Mammoth Lakes?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Mammoth Lakes?

4How much does an STR permit cost in Mammoth Lakes?

5Can renters host on Airbnb in Mammoth Lakes?

Disclaimer

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

7 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

Frequently asked questions

1Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Mammoth Lakes?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Mammoth Lakes?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Mammoth Lakes?

4How much does an STR permit cost in Mammoth Lakes?

5Can renters host on Airbnb in Mammoth Lakes?

Disclaimer