Kelseyville, California Short-Term Rental Market
Kelseyville, CA STRs averaged $233 per night at 52.3% occupancy in April 2026, with summer peaks reaching $4,164 per month on Clear Lake.
Quick Answer: Kelseyville, California is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy is 65%. average monthly revenue is $4,715. average daily rate is $273. the top operator is Vacasa with 373 listings. market score is 72/100 (grade B).
Market data reflects the California North Area regional market, which includes Kelseyville. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Kelseyville.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions Apivex evaluates per market.
Market Overview
Kelseyville is an unincorporated community on the south shore of Clear Lake, California’s largest natural freshwater lake, in Lake County. The area draws anglers, boaters, wine tourists, and Bay Area weekenders to a destination that is more affordable than neighboring Napa and Sonoma. Clear Lake was ranked the number-one bass-fishing lake in the United States by Bassmaster in 2025, providing a strong and recurring draw. As of April 2026, the market recorded a 52.3% occupancy rate and a $233 average daily rate, producing a RevPAR of $121.70. The inventory is almost entirely entire-place rentals (8,490 units, approximately 91% of supply), with private rooms at 828 and shared rooms at 2. Airbnb holds the largest exclusive channel share (4,871 listings), with 3,819 cross-listed on both Airbnb and VRBO and 630 VRBO-only. Bedroom distribution: 1-bedroom (3,774 listings), 2-bedroom (2,224), 3-bedroom (2,095), 4-bedroom (853), and 5-bedroom-plus (360). Year-over-year through April 2026, occupancy was essentially flat (+0.29%), ADR grew 2.88%, and revenue increased 5.20%, indicating healthy pricing gains even without significant occupancy expansion. The AirDNA total score is 72.33, with rental demand at 77.11, regulation at 71.87, and investability at 66.34.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy | ADR | Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 42% | $180 | $2,217 |
| Feb | 49% | $183 | $2,216 |
| Mar | 52% | $187 | $2,624 |
| Apr | 55% | $194 | $2,811 |
| May | 58% | $206 | $2,976 |
| Jun | 66% | $226 | $3,857 |
| Jul | 70% | $222 | $4,174 |
| Aug | 65% | $217 | $3,818 |
| Sep | 56% | $205 | $3,077 |
| Oct | 53% | $195 | $2,830 |
| Nov | 51% | $195 | $2,521 |
| Dec | 49% | $193 | $2,591 |
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Kelseyville
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vacasa | 373 | 38,306 | ★ 4.67 |
| 2 | Evolve | 221 | 9,242 | ★ 4.68 |
| 3 | Casago | 123 | 6,490 | ★ 4.74 |
| 4 | Humboldt Retreats | 71 | 4,258 | ★ 4.89 |
| 5 | Grand Welcome | 56 | 4,140 | ★ 4.69 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Kelseyville?
Revenue and pricing by property type, tier, and bedroom count.
Revenue by Bedroom Count
| 1 bed | 3,774 |
| 2 bed | 2,224 |
| 3 bed | 2,095 |
| 4 bed | 853 |
| 5 bed | 360 |
ADR by Property Tier
| Entire Home | $285 |
| Luxury | $474 |
| Professionally Managed | $358 |
Revenue by Dwelling Type
| Apartment | $3,111 |
| Entire Place | $4,969 |
| House | $5,149 |
Booking Channel Mix
Distribution of bookings across major STR platforms.
| Channel | Share |
|---|---|
| airbnb | 52.3% |
| vrbo | 6.8% |
| both | 41% |
Investment Analysis
Kelseyville presents a strong gross yield profile relative to its California peers. The typical home value was $354,001 as of April 2026, with a median list price of $383,317 and 87 active for-sale listings, indicating a more active buyer market than the constrained island markets in this report. At the April 2026 monthly revenue average of $3,229, annualized gross revenue of approximately $38,745 against a $354,001 typical home value implies a gross yield of roughly 10.9% before expenses and financing, an unusually high figure for a California market. This reflects both the relatively low home prices compared to coastal California and the above-national-average ADR of $233. By property type, houses generate $3,498 per month and entire-place listings $3,384, while apartment-style units trail at $2,054. The professional management premium is substantial: professionally managed properties averaged $308 per night ADR versus the $233 market average, a $75 premium that at 52.3% occupancy translates to approximately $1,178 in additional monthly revenue. Luxury-tier properties averaged $427 per night. Revenue has grown from $2,218 per month in 2017 to $3,352 in 2025, a 51% cumulative increase. The 2024 and 2025 annual averages of $3,174 and $3,352 indicate the market has recovered and exceeded pre-2022 levels, suggesting continued investor confidence.
Revenue Trend (5 yr)
ADR & Occupancy Trends (5 yr)
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Booking Insights
Kelseyville guests book an average of 44.6 days in advance as of April 2026, the longest lead time among all five markets in this batch. This extended booking window reflects the planned-getaway nature of Clear Lake and wine-country visitors, who secure accommodations well ahead of summer weekends and seasonal events. Average length of stay is 3.55 nights, consistent with a long-weekend visitor pattern driven by the Bay Area day-trip market. The combination of a 45-day lead time and a 3.55-night average stay means that revenue management decisions made 6 weeks out will capture the bulk of conversions. Operators should set peak-season rates firmly by mid-May for June and July bookings, as the demand curve is already active at that point. The relatively short average stay (3.55 nights) creates moderate turnover, which at the $233 ADR level still produces strong revenue per occupied night. Minimum-stay policies of 3 nights during summer weekends align with the natural booking rhythm and help avoid costly single-night gaps in high-demand periods.
Short-Term Rental Regulations
Kelseyville is an unincorporated community governed by Lake County rather than a city. Lake County does not have a dedicated stand-alone short-term rental ordinance with night caps or owner-occupancy mandates. To operate legally, owners must: (1) confirm with the Lake County Planning Department that the property’s zoning allows transient lodging; (2) obtain a Lake County Business License; and (3) register for a Transient Occupancy Tax certificate. The permit cost was not published in available sources; investors should confirm current fees directly with Lake County. Permits are renewed annually. The county imposes a 9% Transient Occupancy Tax on rental rates for stays under 30 days, and a separate Lake County Tourism Improvement District assessment of 2.5% is collected on the same return, for a combined lodging levy of approximately 11.5%. Taxes are filed and remitted quarterly to the Tax Collector. There is no owner-occupancy or primary-residence requirement and no cap on annual rental nights, making the framework investor-friendly by California standards. Operators must meet California health and safety standards (smoke and CO detectors, fire extinguisher) and display license and TOT numbers in listings and inside the unit. Enforcement is rated moderate, centered on tax compliance and zoning verification. Investors should confirm they are outside the city limits of Lakeport or Clearlake, which each have their own distinct municipal STR rules.
Market Comparison
Against national STR benchmarks of approximately 55% occupancy and $220 ADR, Kelseyville’s April 2026 occupancy of 52.3% is slightly below the national median while its ADR of $233 exceeds the national average, reflecting its wine-country and recreation positioning. The gross yield implied by the $354,001 typical home value and $3,229 monthly revenue (approximately 10.9% annualized) is one of the strongest in Northern California, benefiting from relatively affordable entry prices versus coastal markets. Among the top operators, Vacasa leads with 373 listings, 38,306 reviews, and a 4.673 average rating, making it the largest operator by a wide margin. Evolve follows with 221 listings, 9,242 reviews, and a 4.676 rating. Casago manages 123 listings with a 4.741 rating and 6,490 reviews. Humboldt Retreats stands out for quality with only 71 listings but a 4.885 average rating, the highest among the top five, and 4,258 reviews. Grand Welcome rounds out the top five with 56 listings, 4,140 reviews, and a 4.689 rating. The presence of Vacasa as the dominant operator, combined with the high ADR premium for professionally managed properties ($308 vs. $233 market average), indicates that professional management is well-established and commands a meaningful premium in this market.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kelseyville, California
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