News release

Bishop residents who intend to provide short-term rentals have to register with the city by January 1st, 2018, according to an ordinance adopted by the City Council.

To be in compliance with the city, hosts of short-term rentals — which include rentals of any portion of a dwelling for lodging for 30 days or less — must enroll by January 1 or else face penalties.

The ordinance, which was passed by City Council in August, also requires that
short-term rental hosts pay transient occupancy taxes, Bishop Tourism Improvement District fees, a $150.00 annual application fee, and obtain a City of Bishop business license.

The ordinance is in part an effort to prevent long-term housing units from being converted into short-term rentals. Hosts will only be allowed to operate a short term rentals at the property owners primary residence.

According to the ordinance, hosts will also be expected to notify neighbors when they establish a short-term rental, as part of the measure’s effort to protect neighborhoods from potential nuisances associated with short-term rentals.

The ordinance limits the number of guests that may be accommodated in a short term rental and requires on-site parking for all guests.

Short term rental permits must be renewed annually, and the City reserves the right to impose conditions on the permit to prevent the property from becoming a nuisance to neighbors.

The permit can be revoked if the short term rental is operating in violation of the ordinance, if the operator neglects to remit taxes or fees, or if the property becomes a nuisance.

Applications to rent with the City can be obtained at City Hall or at the City of Bishop website at www.cityofbishop.com.

For additional information, please contact the City of Bishop
Planning Department at (760) 873-8458, or at [email protected], or at the City Hall offices at 377 West Line Street, Bishop, CA 93514.

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