Nevada City, California Short-Term Rental Market
Nevada City is hosted-only; regional STRs averaged $4,847 monthly revenue at $272 ADR, 62.2% occupancy (Aug 2026).
Quick Answer: Nevada City, 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 Nevada City. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Nevada City.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions StaySTRA evaluates per market.
Market Overview
Nevada City permits only hosted short-term rentals, so any performance data here has to be read with that limit in mind. The STR metrics tracked for Nevada City are not unique to the town. The same series is shared by 11 Northern California markets, including Grass Valley, Mount Shasta, Fort Bragg, and Crescent City. This profile therefore describes the Northern California small-town STR market, not Nevada City alone.
In August 2026 that market averaged an ADR of $272.34 and occupancy of 62.2%. Average monthly revenue per listing was $4,847. Compared with August 2025, occupancy was down 2.3%, ADR was up 2.6%, and revenue was up 2.5%. Higher rates made up for the lower occupancy. Treat these figures as a guide to regional conditions, not a forecast for one Nevada City listing.
The 2026 year to date figures (eight months) show occupancy of 54.7%, ADR of $244, and monthly revenue of $3,705. The 2025 full-year averages were 52.4% occupancy, $235 ADR, and $3,414 monthly revenue. Occupancy peaked at 68.2% in 2021 and fell to 52.1% in 2024. Since then it has recovered slightly while ADR kept rising.
Listing counts, bedroom mix, and listing-type mix are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Nevada City, so this profile omits them. Nevada City itself has a population of 3,172. The wider Nevada County tourism economy generated over $361 million in visitor spending in 2018, according to Dean Runyan Associates research for Visit California. Visitors come for Gold Rush history, the Nevada City Film Festival, Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park, and access to Tahoe National Forest.
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 Nevada City 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 Nevada City, so these counts are not Nevada City-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 Nevada City?
Revenue and nightly-rate breakdowns by bedroom count, property tier, and dwelling type for Nevada City 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 (Nevada City)
Typical home values, median sale prices, and the 10-year price trend for Nevada City 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 Nevada City — 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
Nevada City permits only hosted short-term rentals. Municipal code Section 17.72.080 governs them, and it took effect January 8, 2016 under Ordinance 2015-12. Voters affirmed it in June 2016 when Measure Y, which would have tightened restrictions, was defeated. Unhosted whole-property rentals are prohibited in residential zones. An operator counts as hosted if the owner or manager lives at the property, or elsewhere in Nevada County, and can respond to issues.
Operators need an annual hosted short-term rental permit and a city business license. They must collect and remit the 10% transient occupancy tax quarterly, within 30 days after each quarter ends. They must also post conduct guidelines inside the unit and provide neighborhood notices. Up to two units per property may be rented at the same time, with one vehicle per rented unit. Airbnb remits the tax automatically, and VRBO operators must remit it manually. The permit fee is not published in the profile.
Since April 24, 2025, the city accepts new permit applications only from January 2 to January 31 each year. All permits expire on January 31. As of early 2026 there are roughly 62 permitted hosted STRs. Enforcement severity is rated moderate.
The City is drafting a replacement ordinance for the November 3, 2026 General Election. It would cap whole-house vacation rentals at about 4.5% of housing inventory and leave hosted rentals uncapped. Because voters passed the original ordinance, major changes need voter approval. Confirm current rules with the City before buying.
Market Comparison
Against the commonly cited US medians of about 55% occupancy and a $220 ADR, the Northern California small-town market shared by Nevada City ran ahead in August 2026. Occupancy of 62.2% is 7.2 points above 55%. The ADR of $272.34 is about 24% above $220. These national figures are rough benchmarks, not a like-for-like comparison, and August is a peak month.
On an annual basis the picture is closer. The 2025 average occupancy was 52.4%, below the 55% benchmark, while the 2025 ADR of $235 was about 7% above $220. The 2026 year to date occupancy of 54.7% is near the benchmark, and the ADR of $244 is about 11% above it.
The region’s own history gives context. Occupancy was 48.4% in 2017, climbed to 68.2% in 2021, and settled at 52.4% in 2025. ADR rose from $172 in 2017 to $235 in 2025, an increase of 37%.
Top property managers are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Nevada City, so this profile omits them.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nevada City, California
Does Nevada City allow short-term rentals?
How much do STRs earn in the Nevada City area?
What is the best month for STR income here?
When can I apply for a Nevada City STR permit?
What occupancy tax applies to Nevada City STRs?
What does a home cost in Nevada City?
Could the rules change soon?
Analyze Nevada City Rentals
Use our free calculator to estimate Airbnb revenue for any property in Nevada City.
Free Nevada City STR Calculator →
