Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Washoe County?

**Yes**, Washoe County requires a Short-Term Rental Permit for hosting in unincorporated areas. You need to apply for this permit and pass safety inspections before you begin renting. The initial permit fee is $680, with renewal fees being lower. Display your permit number on your listing to avoid penalties.

What is the TOT tax rate in Washoe County?

**0.13%** is the current Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) rate for short-term rentals in Washoe County. You must register with the Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority (RSCVA) to manage your lodging taxes. Make sure to collect and remit this tax from your guests according to RSCVA guidelines to stay compliant.

How much does an STR permit cost in Washoe County?

**$680** is the initial fee for a Short-Term Rental Permit in Washoe County. This is a one-time cost. Renewal fees are lower. This permit is required for all short-term rentals in unincorporated areas, including Incline Village. This fee covers the cost of inspections and administrative processing.

Can renters host on Airbnb in Washoe County?

**No**, renters are not allowed to operate short-term rentals in Washoe County. Only property owners can apply for and receive a short-term rental permit. Renting out a property that you do not own is a violation of Washoe County's short-term rental regulations and may result in fines.

Are short-term rentals allowed in Washoe County?

**Yes**, short-term rentals are allowed in unincorporated Washoe County, including Incline Village, but are regulated. You need to obtain a Short-Term Rental Permit and comply with safety inspection requirements. The county uses a tiered system based on occupancy. Make sure you adhere to all local rules.

Washoe County

Moderate

NevadaUpdated Feb 10, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 4 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Jan 30, 2026Sources 4

Summary

Plain-english overview

Short-term rentals in unincorporated Washoe County (including Incline Village) require an annual permit and mandatory inspections for fire and building safety. The county uses a tiered system based on occupancy, with Tier 1 being the most common for standard residential homes.

Restriction level

Severity 10

Classification

Moderate

Severity

Why this classification

Tenants cannot host
No night cap
No primary residence requirement

In plain English

What this means for you

To host an Airbnb in unincorporated Washoe County, you must apply for a county STR permit before you start hosting. This involves passing two inspections—one for the house's safety and one for wildfire 'defensible space' around the property. You'll need to pay an initial fee of $680, though renewals are much cheaper. Make sure you also register with the RSCVA to handle your lodging taxes, and always display your permit number on your listing to avoid fines.

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$680

Processing time30-60 days

6 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Verify your jurisdiction: If your address is Reno or Sparks city limits, these rules do NOT apply.
2Defensible space is mandatory: You must pass a wildfire safety check, which may require clearing brush from your property.
3Insurance specifics: Your insurance policy must explicitly state it covers 'short-term rentals' or 'transient lodging.'
4Occupancy limits are strict: You are allowed 2 people per bedroom + 2 extra, capped at 10 for Tier 1 permits.
5Trash management: You must provide evidence of weekly trash service or a plan that prevents animal access (bears in Incline Village).
6Parking: All guest parking must be on-site; street parking is prohibited for STR guests.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility7 rules

Washoe County allows STRs in the following property types: Single-family dwelling, Condo, Multi-family unit.
Washoe County: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
Washoe County limits hosts to a maximum of 1 STR properties per owner.
Washoe County does NOT allow tenants to host STRs. Only property owners may operate short-term rentals.

Requirements15 rules

Washoe County STR warning: Incline Village and Crystal Bay properties have special trash disposal requirements involving bear-proof boxes.
Washoe County requires STR registration. The permit is called "Short-Term Rental (STR) Permit". Apply through Washoe County Planning & Building Department.

Application process7 rules

Washoe County STR permit - Step 5: Schedule Inspection. After staff review, schedule and pass a physical building and safety inspection. Time: 1-3 weeks.
Washoe County STR permit - Step 4: Submit Application via OneNV. Submit all materials and pay the application fee through the OneNV.us portal. Time: 30 minutes. Cost: 637.

Fees & costs2 rules

Washoe County: Permit fees increased significantly on December 1, 2024 (Tier 1 is now approximately $637).
Washoe County charges a registration fee of $637 (annual).

Taxes2 rules

Washoe County charges a Transient Lodging Tax of 0.13%. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax.
Nevada has a state sales tax of 0.08265% that applies to STR rentals.

Limits & restrictions4 rules

Washoe County: Permits are only available for properties in UNINCORPORATED areas (orange on the map); properties inside Reno or Sparks city limits follow different rules.
Washoe County: Guest occupancy is strictly limited to 2 people per bedroom plus one additional person total.

Safety requirements1 rule

Washoe County requires: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection.

Penalties1 rule

Washoe County enforces penalties: First offense: $1,158 minimum fine. Maximum fine: None specified.

Exemptions2 rules

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

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for Washoe County

0/5

steps completed

Step 1

Verify Jurisdiction

Ensure the property is in unincorporated Washoe County using the county's 'What's my District' map.

10 minutesFree

Official resource

Step 2

Property Inspections

Pass both a building safety inspection and a fire safety (defensible space) inspection.

1-2 weeksFree

Official resource

Step 3

Gather Documents

Obtain notarized affidavits, site plans, and proof of $500k liability insurance.

1 weekFree

Documents needed

Property Owner Affidavit
Proof of Insurance
Site Plan

Step 4

Submit Application

Submit the digital application through the Washoe County OneNV Regional Licensing Portal.

30 days$680

Official resource

Step 5

RSCVA Registration

1 weekFree

Official resource

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

Washoe County

Moderate

NevadaUpdated Feb 10, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 4 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Jan 30, 2026Sources 4

Summary

Plain-english overview

Restriction level

Severity 10

Classification

Moderate

Severity

Why this classification

Tenants cannot host
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$680

Processing time30-60 days

6 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Verify your jurisdiction: If your address is Reno or Sparks city limits, these rules do NOT apply.
2Defensible space is mandatory: You must pass a wildfire safety check, which may require clearing brush from your property.
3Insurance specifics: Your insurance policy must explicitly state it covers 'short-term rentals' or 'transient lodging.'
4Occupancy limits are strict: You are allowed 2 people per bedroom + 2 extra, capped at 10 for Tier 1 permits.
5Trash management: You must provide evidence of weekly trash service or a plan that prevents animal access (bears in Incline Village).
6Parking: All guest parking must be on-site; street parking is prohibited for STR guests.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility7 rules

Washoe County allows STRs in the following property types: Single-family dwelling, Condo, Multi-family unit.
Washoe County: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
Washoe County limits hosts to a maximum of 1 STR properties per owner.
Washoe County does NOT allow tenants to host STRs. Only property owners may operate short-term rentals.

Requirements15 rules

Washoe County STR warning: Incline Village and Crystal Bay properties have special trash disposal requirements involving bear-proof boxes.
Washoe County requires STR registration. The permit is called "Short-Term Rental (STR) Permit". Apply through Washoe County Planning & Building Department.

Application process7 rules

Washoe County STR permit - Step 5: Schedule Inspection. After staff review, schedule and pass a physical building and safety inspection. Time: 1-3 weeks.
Washoe County STR permit - Step 4: Submit Application via OneNV. Submit all materials and pay the application fee through the OneNV.us portal. Time: 30 minutes. Cost: 637.

Fees & costs2 rules

Washoe County: Permit fees increased significantly on December 1, 2024 (Tier 1 is now approximately $637).
Washoe County charges a registration fee of $637 (annual).

Taxes2 rules

Washoe County charges a Transient Lodging Tax of 0.13%. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax.
Nevada has a state sales tax of 0.08265% that applies to STR rentals.

Limits & restrictions4 rules

Washoe County: Permits are only available for properties in UNINCORPORATED areas (orange on the map); properties inside Reno or Sparks city limits follow different rules.
Washoe County: Guest occupancy is strictly limited to 2 people per bedroom plus one additional person total.

Safety requirements1 rule

Washoe County requires: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection.

Penalties1 rule

Washoe County enforces penalties: First offense: $1,158 minimum fine. Maximum fine: None specified.

Exemptions2 rules

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

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for Washoe County

0/5

steps completed

Step 1

Verify Jurisdiction

Ensure the property is in unincorporated Washoe County using the county's 'What's my District' map.

10 minutesFree

Official resource

Step 2

Property Inspections

Pass both a building safety inspection and a fire safety (defensible space) inspection.

1-2 weeksFree

Official resource

Step 3

Gather Documents

Obtain notarized affidavits, site plans, and proof of $500k liability insurance.

1 weekFree

Documents needed

Property Owner Affidavit
Proof of Insurance
Site Plan

Step 4

Submit Application

Submit the digital application through the Washoe County OneNV Regional Licensing Portal.

30 days$680

Official resource

Step 5

RSCVA Registration

1 weekFree

Official resource

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

6 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

How to get permitted

Verify Jurisdiction

Property Inspections

Gather Documents

Submit Application

RSCVA Registration

Frequently asked questions

1Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Washoe County?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Washoe County?

3How much does an STR permit cost in Washoe County?

4Can renters host on Airbnb in Washoe County?

5Are short-term rentals allowed in Washoe County?

Disclaimer

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

6 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

How to get permitted

Verify Jurisdiction

Property Inspections

Gather Documents

Submit Application

RSCVA Registration

Frequently asked questions

1Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Washoe County?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Washoe County?

3How much does an STR permit cost in Washoe County?

4Can renters host on Airbnb in Washoe County?

5Are short-term rentals allowed in Washoe County?

Disclaimer