South Lake Tahoe, CAVoter Guide 2026 · not a ballot

Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

South Lake Tahoe City Council Election 2026

3 of 5

council seats up

Vote for up to 3

13 candidates

Updated Oct 5, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check →

The candidates

Listed alphabetically by last name. Every position links to its source.

City Council · Vote for up to 3

All city voters choose up to three of the 13 candidates for three at-large City Council seats.

2 notes on these statements

Heather Horgan and Scott Robbins hold two of the three seats on the ballot and are running for re-election; their terms expire in 2026. Cody Bass’s term also expires in 2026, and he is not on the candidate list. City of South Lake Tahoe · Aug 13, 2026

The ballot also includes contests for City Clerk and City Treasurer, which this guide does not cover. City of South Lake Tahoe · Aug 13, 2026

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

David JinkensCouncilmember; term ends November 20285sourcedKeith RobertsMayor Pro Tem and Councilmember; term ends November 20283sourced

Start here

Match quiz5 questions · answers stay on your phoneSeat the CouncilPick winners, see the councilWhat council decidesVacation home rental cap, Housing and affordability, Mid-Town Area Plan and wildfire safetyKey datesDeadlines and vote centers

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Next date

All ballots mailed out

Mon, Oct 5, 2026

TodayAll key dates

What the next council decides

Vacation home rental cap

Where it standsA 900-permit cap on vacation rentals in residential zones took effect April 23, 2026, and the city began waitlisting new applications on August 21, 2026.

What's on the tableWhether to keep, change or tighten the cap and the other 2026 vacation rental rules.

  • Ordinance 2026-1203 replaced the 150-foot buffer between vacation rentals with a cap of no more than 900 permits in residential areas; it took effect April 23, 2026. City of South Lake Tahoe
  • As of August 21, 2026, the city places new vacation rental permit applications in residential zones on a waitlist as it approaches the 900-permit cap. City of South Lake Tahoe

Housing and affordability

Where it standsThe council extended the closing deadline on an affordable housing project at 3900-3908 Lake Tahoe Boulevard to January 2027 and started a Shelter Pass Program.

What's on the tableHow to use city land and funds for workforce housing, and how to respond to the 2027-2035 Housing Element update.

Mid-Town Area Plan and wildfire safety

Where it standsThe council adopted the Mid-Town Area Plan on September 8, 2026, with Mayor Cody Bass recused.

What's on the tableHow the plan is carried out, including parking and evacuation questions raised during its adoption.

City manager recruitment

Where it standsThe council hired an executive search firm in January 2026 after City Manager Joe Irvin resigned, and an interim city manager is serving.

What's on the tableAppointing a permanent city manager, who runs day-to-day city operations.

Council resolutions on immigration

Where it standsThe council adopted a resolution on May 5, 2026 reaffirming residents’ rights regardless of immigration status, 3-2.

What's on the tableWhether to take further formal positions or programs, including a city green card assistance program.

Who matches you?

Answer any of these questions. We compare your answers with each person's sourced record, and nothing is stored. Questions where no one has a sourced record yet are left out. Tap a selected answer again to skip it.

  1. 1. How should South Lake Tahoe handle vacation rentals in residential neighborhoods?

  2. 2. What should the city emphasize to address housing costs?

  3. 3. Should the council adopt resolutions on federal immigration enforcement?

  4. 4. Should the city oppose the use of glyphosate and other synthetic herbicides?

  5. 5. How should the city pay for wildfire prevention work such as fuels reduction and home hardening?

Seat the Council →

Pick a winner for each open seat and see where the resulting council stands on each issue.

Key dates

The seat math

2 stay (not up this year): David Jinkens, Keith Roberts3 on this ballot

5 council seats. The council decides by a 3-vote majority.

  • The city is a general law city with a council-manager form of government; five council members are elected at large to four-year staggered terms. City of South Lake Tahoe
  • Each December the council members choose which of them will serve the next year as Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem; the Mayor presides over council meetings. City of South Lake Tahoe
  • The City Clerk and City Treasurer are also elected and also serve four-year terms. City of South Lake Tahoe

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