Carnelian Bay, CA Airbnb Market Data, Statistics, and Occupancy Rates

Carnelian Bay Short-Term Rental Market Overview

Carnelian Bay sits on the north shore of Lake Tahoe, one of California's most iconic vacation destinations, and its short-term rental market reflects that premium positioning. With an average daily rate of $477 and average annual revenue of $60,084 across 220 active listings, the market commands strong nightly rates but faces below-average occupancy at 34% compared to the 43% state average. High home values averaging $1,830,113 create a challenging revenue-to-price ratio, meaning investors need to be strategic about property selection and sizing to generate attractive returns.

Key Market Statistics

According to Rabbu market data, the Carnelian Bay short-term rental market shows:

Data sources: Rabbu proprietary analytics as of Apr, 27 2026 and Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI) as of Mar, 17 2026.

Why Investors Consider Carnelian Bay

Carnelian Bay attracts investor interest because of Lake Tahoe's enduring appeal as a year-round vacation destination, though premium home prices require careful deal selection to achieve strong returns.

Expert Market Assessment

"Carnelian Bay represents a competitive opportunity where the underlying demand drivers are strong, but elevated home prices and growing supply require disciplined investment strategies. Seasonality is pronounced—July leads at $8,339 in average monthly revenue while October bottoms out at $2,245, creating a roughly 3.7x swing between peak and trough months. The market's ROI score of 47 out of 100 reflects a below-average revenue-to-price ratio and supply/demand balance, though occupancy stability and growth trends sit at average levels. Investors who target larger properties and optimize for both summer and winter peak seasons are best positioned to generate meaningful cash flow in this high-value Tahoe market."

— Rabbu Market Analysis Team

Key Airbnb Metrics & Trends in Carnelian Bay

Average revenue by month in Carnelian Bay

Carnelian Bay exhibits strong seasonality with July ($8,339) and August ($7,791) as clear peak months, while October ($2,245) and May ($2,575) mark the low points—a nearly 3.7x gap that investors must budget around. Winter months provide a valuable secondary revenue bump, with January ($6,454), February ($6,293), and December ($6,205) each outperforming the shoulder season by a wide margin.

Active Airbnb listings by property size in Carnelian Bay

Three-bedroom properties dominate supply with 90 of the 220 active listings, followed by 4-bedrooms at 60, making mid-size homes the most competitive segment. The 6+ bedroom category has only 5 listings, representing a potential niche with far less competition for investors targeting high-revenue large properties.

Average daily rate (ADR) by property size in Carnelian Bay

ADR scales sharply with property size in Carnelian Bay, jumping from $236 for 1-bedroom units to $1,047 for 5-bedrooms and $1,279 for 6+ bedroom homes. The steepest rate premium emerges between 4-bedroom ($551) and 5-bedroom ($1,047) properties, where nightly rates nearly double—suggesting strong group-traveler willingness to pay for larger accommodations.

Average RevPAN by property size in Carnelian Bay

Revenue per available night climbs dramatically with size, from $86–$97 for 1–2 bedroom properties up to $365 for 5-bedrooms and an impressive $614 for 6+ bedroom listings. This RevPAN escalation shows that larger homes not only command higher rates but maintain strong enough occupancy to deliver meaningfully better per-night economics.

Average occupancy rates by property size in Carnelian Bay

Occupancy rates are relatively compressed across property sizes, ranging from a low of 28% for 2-bedroom units to 48% for 6+ bedroom homes. One-bedroom listings also perform reasonably well at 41%, while mid-size properties (3–5 bedrooms) cluster in the 31–36% range, suggesting that both the smallest and largest units enjoy somewhat more consistent booking demand.

Average monthly revenue by property size in Carnelian Bay

Monthly revenue ramps up steeply at the larger end of the spectrum: 5-bedroom properties average $15,068 per month—more than three times the $4,235 earned by 3-bedroom listings—while 6+ bedroom homes lead at $23,341. Smaller units in the 1–2 bedroom range generate $2,772–$3,421 monthly, which may prove challenging given Carnelian Bay's high property values.

Average annual revenue by property size in Carnelian Bay

Annual revenue potential ranges from $33,264 for 1-bedroom listings to $280,096 for 6+ bedroom properties, with the jump from 4-bedroom ($76,816) to 5-bedroom ($180,818) being particularly striking. For investors focused on return potential, the largest property configurations offer the strongest gross revenue, though acquisition costs and operating expenses for these homes will also be substantially higher.

Most common amenities for Airbnb listings in Carnelian Bay

Kitchens (100%), parking (98%), and washers (96%) are near-universal in Carnelian Bay listings, reflecting guest expectations for fully equipped mountain-lake vacation homes. Over half of listings offer hot tubs (53%) and workspaces (57%), while lake access (31%) stands out as a differentiating amenity that could command a premium for properties that offer it.

Understanding Carnelian Bay's ROI Score: 47/100

Rabbu's ROI Score is a proprietary metric that evaluates short-term rental investment potential based on multiple factors.

How the ROI Score is Calculated

What This Means for Investors

Carnelian Bay's ROI score of 47 out of 100 places it in the "Competitive Opportunity" band, reflecting a market where demand is real but elevated home prices compress the revenue-to-price ratio below average. Occupancy stability and market growth trends register at average levels, while supply/demand balance is rated below average—consistent with the 108% year-over-year listing growth outpacing demand absorption. Investors should pair this data with thorough local regulatory research and focus on property configurations (particularly larger homes) where the revenue premium most effectively offsets acquisition costs.

Short-Term Rental Regulations in Carnelian Bay

Understanding local STR regulations is essential before investing in Carnelian Bay. Here's the current regulatory landscape:

Permit Requirements

Short-term rental operators in Carnelian Bay, California, should expect to obtain a local permit or registration before listing a property. Placer County oversees STR regulations in this area, and investors are strongly encouraged to verify current permit requirements directly with county authorities before purchasing.

Key Restrictions

Common restrictions in California lake communities include occupancy limits tied to bedroom count, minimum-night stay requirements during certain periods, noise ordinances with quiet hours, designated parking requirements, and potential caps on the total number of STR permits issued. HOA covenants in residential neighborhoods may impose additional limitations, so reviewing CC&Rs is essential before acquiring a property.

Tax Obligations

Short-term rental hosts in California are typically subject to transient occupancy taxes (TOT), and Placer County may levy additional local lodging taxes. Major booking platforms often collect and remit these taxes on the host's behalf, but operators should confirm their specific obligations with the county tax collector's office.

Regulations subject to change. Always verify with local authorities before purchasing. A Rabbu partner agent specializing in Carnelian Bay can provide current regulatory guidance.

Future Outlook & Long-Term Forecast

"Over the next 12–18 months, Carnelian Bay's dual-season appeal—summer lakefront tourism and winter ski traffic—should continue to anchor demand, though the 108% year-over-year growth in active listings suggests supply is expanding rapidly. Investors can expect ADR to hold relatively steady in the $460–$500 range given the premium nature of the market, while occupancy may face modest downward pressure from increasing competition. Peak summer months (July and August) should continue delivering $7,500–$8,400 in average monthly revenue, with winter holidays providing a secondary earnings bump. Selective deal sourcing, particularly for larger properties that command outsized nightly rates, will be key to outperforming the market average."

— Rabbu Market Analysis Team

Frequently asked questions about Airbnb in Carnelian Bay, CA

What is the average Airbnb occupancy rate in Carnelian Bay?

The average Airbnb occupancy rate in Carnelian Bay is currently 34%, which falls below the California state average of 43%. Occupancy varies significantly by property size—1-bedroom units lead at 41% and 6+ bedroom properties reach 48%, while 2-bedroom listings see the lowest occupancy at 28%. The market's seasonal nature, with strong summer and winter peaks but softer spring and fall shoulder seasons, contributes to the overall lower annual occupancy figure.

How much do Airbnb hosts make in Carnelian Bay?

Airbnb hosts in Carnelian Bay earn an average of $5,007 per month and $60,084 per year based on trailing 12-month booking data. However, revenue varies dramatically by property size: 1-bedroom listings average $33,264 annually, while 5-bedroom properties generate approximately $180,818 and 6+ bedroom homes can reach $280,096 per year. Peak earning months are July ($8,339) and August ($7,791), with the slowest period falling in October ($2,245).

Is Carnelian Bay a good market for Airbnb investment?

Carnelian Bay earns an ROI score of 47 out of 100, placing it in the "Competitive Opportunity" category. The market benefits from Lake Tahoe's year-round tourism appeal and commands a strong average daily rate of $477, but high average home values of $1,830,113 create a challenging revenue-to-price ratio. Investors who focus on larger properties—particularly 5+ bedroom homes that generate significantly higher revenue—and who can capitalize on both summer and winter peak seasons may find attractive returns. The 108% year-over-year growth in active listings signals increasing competition, so selective deal sourcing is important.

What is the average daily rate (ADR) for Airbnb in Carnelian Bay?

The average daily rate for Airbnb listings in Carnelian Bay is $477, which is below the California state average of $551. ADR scales significantly with property size: 1-bedroom listings average $236 per night, 3-bedrooms reach $381, 4-bedrooms command $551, and 5-bedroom properties achieve $1,047 per night. The largest properties with 6+ bedrooms average $1,279 per night, reflecting strong demand for group and family-sized vacation homes in the Tahoe area.

Are short-term rentals legal in Carnelian Bay?

Short-term rentals operate in Carnelian Bay under regulations administered by Placer County, California. Hosts should expect to obtain a permit or registration, comply with occupancy limits, parking requirements, and noise ordinances. Regulations can change, so prospective investors should verify the latest requirements directly with Placer County planning and permitting departments before purchasing a property intended for short-term rental use.

When is peak season for Airbnb in Carnelian Bay?

Peak season in Carnelian Bay centers on summer, with July generating the highest average monthly revenue at $8,339, followed by August at $7,791. A strong secondary peak occurs during winter holidays—January averages $6,454, February $6,293, and December $6,205—driven by ski season demand. The shoulder seasons are notably softer, with October ($2,245) and May ($2,575) representing the lowest earning months, creating a pronounced seasonal revenue pattern that investors should plan for.

How many Airbnbs are there in Carnelian Bay?

There are currently 220 active Airbnb listings in Carnelian Bay as of April 2026. The market has experienced significant supply growth, with a 108% year-over-year increase in active listings. Three-bedroom properties dominate the supply with 90 listings, followed by 4-bedrooms with 60 listings. Smaller and larger sizes are less common—only 17 one-bedroom units, 29 two-bedrooms, 17 five-bedrooms, and just 5 listings with 6 or more bedrooms are currently active.

How is Airbnb revenue calculated in Carnelian Bay?

The annual and monthly revenue figures for Carnelian Bay are derived from the trailing 12 months of historical booking performance for active comparable Airbnb listings in the market—not a forward-looking projection. We average each comparable listing's actual revenue per available night (RevPAN) by month over the past year, remove regional outliers, and roll the results up to a market-level historical average. This methodology anchors the figures to what hosts have actually earned recently, while naturally reflecting seasonal peaks and slower months because each month uses its own historical performance data. Individual results can vary based on property quality, pricing strategy, listing optimization, and operational management.

About Rabbu Market Data

Rabbu provides Airbnb and short-term rental market data and statistics across the United States. Our mission is to empower investors with accurate insights and easy-to-use tools, so they can confidently identify and act on the best opportunities in the Airbnb market.

What this data includes

• Regularly updated active Airbnb and STR listing counts by market and property size
• Occupancy rates, average daily rates, and RevPAN trends across bedroom configurations
• Monthly and annual revenue metrics based on trailing 12-month booking performance
• Popular amenity prevalence data across active listings in the market
• Home value estimates sourced from the Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI)

Sources and disclaimers

Rabbu proprietary analytics as of Apr, 27 2026 and Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI) as of Mar, 17 2026. Revenue projections are estimates based on comparable properties and do not guarantee future performance. Local regulations governing short-term rentals may change; investors should verify current permit requirements and restrictions with local authorities before purchasing. Individual property results will vary based on location, condition, amenities, pricing strategy, and management quality.