Transient Occupancy Tax Information

Thank you for visiting the Town’s Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) webpage. TOT is an essential component of the Town’s funding mechanisms and makes up approximately 60% of the General Fund, providing for services such as snow removal, recreational programming, and road maintenance. The Town of Mammoth Lakes is responsible for the collection of transient occupancy taxes and has established a staff team dedicated to providing effective TOT enforcement and revenue collection services.

This page provides resources and information to help you understand the Town’s TOT requirements and how to meet them. It includes information about zoning and finance regulations and provides links to important forms.

For additional questions or concerns, please contact the appropriate staff member listed below:

  • For assistance setting up an account on Xpressbillpay.com please call (800) 766 2350
  • For assistance with your Town of Mammoth Lakes account, please contact Revenue Specialist,   Ben Manning, at (760) 965-3665 
  • All new Business Tax Certificate applicants, please contact Revenue Specialist, Crystal Demetrius, at (760) 965-3667
  • If your questions are regarding TOT enforcement or if you need to speak with a staff member to report illegal rental activity, please contact Special Agent, Danny Earls , at (760) 965-3666

Town office hours are from Monday to Friday, 8:00 am - Noon and 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm. 

What is Transient Occupancy Tax?

Transient Occupancy Tax, or TOT, is a 13% tax that is charged "for the privilege of occupancy of any transient occupancy facility" (Town of Mammoth Lakes Municipal Code § 3.12.040). The tax is required to be paid by the guest to the operator of the transient facility at the time that the rent is paid. It is the operator’s responsibility to remit the TOT to the Town.

Paper TOT and TBID Monthly Return Forms are available at the Town administrative offices or can be printed from the link below.

In addition to the rent paid for each night of a transient stay (less than 31 days) other fees are also subject to TOT. Any required fee that a guest must pay in order to stay at a transient facility is taxable. This includes but is not limited to:

      Taxable Revenue 

  • Rent
  • Online rental platform reservation and booking fees including host/service fees, guest               service fees charged by online reservations sites (fees billed and charged to operator                 based on rent)
  • Pet fees
  • Resort fees 
  • Linen fees   
  • Cleaning fees
  • Extra person fees
  • "No Show" forfeited deposits 
  • "Late Check-Out" fees

For a more detailed list of taxable items please see the Taxable Revenue List, or if you have specific questions about what items are subject to TOT, please don’t hesitate to contact Town staff.

What is illegal rental activity?

Illegal rental activity is any rental activity that is not consistent with the Town’s Zoning or Transient Occupancy Tax Ordinances. This includes transient rental of units located in zones that prohibit transient rentals. It also includes transient rentals in permitted zones when a Business Tax Certificate and/or Transient Occupancy Tax Certificate is not obtained first and/or TOT is not being remitted to the Town. Check out the Town Zoning Map, the Zoning Reference Guide, or the interactive, online TOT Property Search Tool to find out if an address, APN, or complex is zoned for transient rentals.

Report Illegal Activity

You can anonymously report illegal rental activity by leaving a message on the TOT Hotline at (760) 965-3670 or by sending an email to Anonymous TOT Complaint Email. 

Additional Information

Town staff has compiled a list of resources to help the public comply with the Transient Occupancy Tax and Zoning Ordinances. For more specific information regarding TOT, please read our TOT Frequently Asked Questions resource, or click on one of the links below.

You can sign up to receive an email and/or text message notice when the monthly return is available online, as well as a reminder approximately 5 days before the return is due. To sign up, visit the Notify Me page and subscribe to the Monthly TOT/TBID Return Update.

ONLINE COMPLAINT FORM

MUNICIPAL CODE § 3.12

Thank you in advance for your compliance and understanding!