Grass Valley, California Short-Term Rental Market
Northern California foothill and coast STRs averaged $272/night at 62.2% occupancy and $4,847 monthly revenue in August 2026.
Quick Answer: Grass Valley, California is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy in the California North Area market area is 56%. average monthly revenue in the California North Area market area is $3,923. average daily rate in the California North Area market area is $257. the top operator in the California North Area market area is Vacasa with 373 listings. market score is 72/100 (grade B).
Market data reflects the California North Area regional market, which includes Grass Valley. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Grass Valley.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions StaySTRA evaluates per market.
Market Overview
Grass Valley is a Gold Country town of 14,085 residents in Nevada County, about 60 miles northeast of Sacramento. Short-term rental performance data for Grass Valley is tracked at a shared level across 11 Northern California towns, including Nevada City, Fort Bragg, Mount Shasta, Crescent City, Clearlake, and The Sea Ranch. All numbers below describe that Northern California region STR market, not Grass Valley alone. In August 2026 the region averaged $272 per night at 62.2% occupancy, with average monthly revenue of $4,847 per listing. Compared with August 2025, occupancy fell 2.3%, average daily rate rose 2.6%, and revenue rose 2.5%, so higher rates more than offset softer bookings. Annual averages show the same pattern: 2025 occupancy was 52.4% at a $235 daily rate, and the first eight months of 2026 are running at 54.7% and $244. The city’s own data adds a local anchor. Grass Valley identified roughly 37 active short-term rentals through transient occupancy tax records in fiscal year 2024-25, which is a small supply for a town with Empire Mine State Historic Park, which draws about 100,000 visitors a year, and a historic Mill Street downtown. Listing counts, bedroom mix, channel mix, and listing-type mix are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Grass Valley, so this profile omits them.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy |
|---|---|
| Jan | 42% |
| Feb | 49% |
| Mar | 52% |
| Apr | 55% |
| May | 58% |
| Jun | 66% |
| Jul | 70% |
| Aug | 64% |
| Sep | 56% |
| Oct | 53% |
| Nov | 51% |
| Dec | 49% |
Month-by-month nightly rates and revenue figures for Grass Valley are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in California North Area market area
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape. Operator data is published for the California North Area market as a whole, which includes Grass Valley, so these counts are not Grass Valley-only figures.
| # | 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 Grass Valley?
Revenue and nightly-rate breakdowns by bedroom count, property tier, and dwelling type for Grass Valley are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Booking Channel Mix
Distribution of bookings across major STR platforms.
| Channel | Share |
|---|---|
| airbnb | 52.3% |
| vrbo | 6.8% |
| both | 41% |
Home Value Trends (Grass Valley)
Typical home values, median sale prices, and the 10-year price trend for Grass Valley are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Booking Insights
Booking-window and length-of-stay analysis for Grass Valley — how far ahead guests book and how to price around it — is available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Short-Term Rental Regulations
Grass Valley allows short-term rentals, which it defines as stays under 30 days, but regulates them through zoning and permits. A property must sit in a zone that allows bed and breakfast, short-term, or vacation home rental use. Vacation home rentals require a Minor Use Permit from the Community Development and Planning Division. Hosted and vacation home rentals, but not bed and breakfasts, must also submit a compliance agreement. Every rental must register for and remit the city’s 10% Transient Occupancy Tax. The city has no cap on the number of permits, and neither owner occupancy nor primary residence is required. Accessory dwelling units may not be rented for periods under 30 days. Parking standards apply, with roughly one off-street space per guest room. The city collected about $1.13 million in combined hotel and short-term rental occupancy tax in fiscal year 2024-25 and identified roughly 37 active rentals. Enforcement is rated moderate. City staff report that booking platforms have not been helpful in identifying illegal operators, so enforcement leans on tax compliance and complaints. The permit fee and renewal period are not published in the profile. Confirm parcel zoning and the current fee with the Planning Division before buying.
Market Comparison
Against the national benchmarks of about 55% occupancy and a $220 daily rate, the Northern California region is mixed. The 2025 annual average was 52.4% occupancy, about 2.6 points below the national figure, but the $235 daily rate was about 7% above it. In August 2026 the region reached 62.2% occupancy and a $272 daily rate, above both benchmarks, though August is a peak season month and not a full-year figure. Revenue has grown in each of the last three years, from $3,174 in 2024 to $3,414 in 2025, and 2026 year to date is $3,705. Occupancy is still below the 2021 high of 68.2%, when the daily rate averaged $204, so recent growth comes mostly from price. Top operators in this market are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Grass Valley, so this profile omits them. For local context, the city counted roughly 37 active short-term rentals in fiscal year 2024-25.
Frequently Asked Questions About Grass Valley, California
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