A:  A Fire Prevention Inspector will conduct a thorough walkthrough of the entire property, inside and out utilizing a fire and life safety inspection checklist.  The owner or property manager must be on-site for the inspections, which will take forty-five (45) minutes to an hour. Click here for the inspection checklist. 

A: Submit the Delegation of Authority form at least 48 hours prior to appointment time to Tahoe Douglas Fire.

A: A fire extinguisher is required on each level; Minimum size for fire extinguishers is 2-A: 10-B: C. Extinguishers must be properly mounted and serviced once per year (IFC 903(1)).

A: An emergency escape ladder is required in each bedroom whose egress window is greater than 16 feet above grade (IFC 1030.1).

A:  Monitoring is required for VHRs having any of these conditions:   

• Three (3) levels
• Ten (10) or more occupants
• Attached dwelling units/structures (i.e. apartments, condominiums,  duplexes or townhouses)

VHRs are required to have a monitored fire alarm system registered with the Compliance Engine software program. The system must be installed and monitored by a 3rd party alarm company licensed in the State of Nevada by the State Fire Marshal.  Licensed local vendors include, but are not limited to: Mountain Alarm Fire & Security, NU Systems, Inc., Security Lock & Alarm, Inc., or any Nevada licensed fire alarm company.    Please click the link below to verify a company is a legitimate qualified Fire Protection provider in the State of Nevada:  Access a list of Nevada Licensed Fire Protection Contractors HERE. 

 The alarm system shall be registered with the Compliance Engine by the alarm company that provides the system. Many of the alarm systems are wireless and do not need to be hardwired. A cellular and radio signal monitoring is acceptable. (Note: Host Compliance, which tracks VHR permits, is a different program from Compliance Engine, which tracks the alarm monitoring system).

Web-based programs, i.e. Nest or Simply Safe, are not approved.

A: VHR owners must:

• Install a functional carbon monoxide alarm on each level in the home or property
• Install a functional and interconnected smoke detector (wired or wireless) in each bedroom and adjoining hallways on each floor
• Check alarms after each rental to ensure they have not been tampered with
• Test alarms monthly, replace batteries every six (6) months
• Replace smoke alarms every ten (10) years, or sooner; carbon monoxide alarms every five (5)- ten (10) years, varies by manufacturer.

A: Chimneys or wood-burning appliances are required to be cleaned and inspected annually (IFC 603). 

Tahoe Douglas Fire is not advertising for these particular vendors but is recommending the use a licensed, experienced professional.

Tahoe Chimney & Fireplace
www.tahoechimney.com
Firewise Chimney Sweep & Inspections
530. 545.9564

Sooty’s Chimney Sweep
530.545.3048

Owners of properties with wood-burning appliances  should provide an ash can with instructions for proper disposal  and ensure that firewood is stored safely (30 feet from a structure or completely covered by a fire-rated tarp)

A:  Residential Knox Box  allows first responders to enter the home quickly, makes the re-securing property easier and faster, and reduces the need for forced entry and related property damage.  These boxes are specifically coded for Tahoe Douglas Fire. 

A: A Liquid Propane or natural gas BBQ, which is UL listed and used within manufacturer’s specifications. These BBQ’s must be set back from combustible materials and structures per manufacturer’s instructions. (IFC 308.1.4)   Charcoal grills are prohibited. 

A: The fire district does not require sound monitoring. However, please check with Douglas County for up-to-date regulations. No noise is allowed after 10 pm. According to NRS 203.010, disturbing the peace will be enforced by the Douglas County Sheriffs Office and Code Enforcement.

A: The fire district is located in a high hazard wildfire environment which requires a defensible space evaluation (DSE) for all homes. These DSEs provide the homeowner with information on to reduce wildland fire risks on the exterior of the home and surrounding property.  Exterior smoking locations should be clearly marked with cigarette disposal cans with lids.

Learn how to create and improve a defensible space.

Schedule a defensible space consultation.

A:  Your temporary guests need basic information to safely evacuate your home during an emergency. Please provide:

• An Escape Plan for vacation rentals with occupancy of 10 or more, with routes out of building and meeting locations (as seen in hotel rooms).
• A Wildfire Evacuation Plan with instructions about road routes, evacuation shelter locations, and emergency radio station channels.
• Standard OSHA Earthquake Preparedness and Response as the Lake Tahoe Basin is on a major fault line.
• Learn more about fire preparedness and response at LivingWithFire.

A: Visit Douglas County Vacation Home Rentals

Lodge a VHR Complaint

It is our hope that issues can be worked out locally, however, if there are violations, contact the code enforcement officer for a possible remedy.

Vacation Home Rentals (VHR) in the Tahoe Township are enforced by Douglas County Code Enforcement Officers. All complaints will be logged and managed by Code Enforcement personnel. After hours and weekend calls will be logged by a 3rd party answering service. Call 911 for emergencies. 

If you are experiencing an issue with a nearby Vacation Home Rental and would like to lodge a complaint, please do one of the following:

1. For noise and parking complaints, please call the DCSO non-emergency line at 775-782-5126.  

2. For all other code complaints, contact Code Enforcement.
•   Call the VHR Hotline at (775) 783-6027 or email codeenf@douglasnv.us
•  This line is managed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
•  Whenever possible, please provide video and/or photo of the issue for the incident records, address, permit number, and a description of the issue.
•  Anonymous complaints will not be accepted.