Property Care Guide
809 Countryman Drive, Bucks Lake, CA 95971
Bucks Lake, CA 95971 · Elevation 5155 ft
SurroundingArea
Location & Property Details
- Elevation
- 5155 ft
- Fire Hazard Severity Zone
- Very High (CAL FIRE FHSZ)
- Fire District
- Bucks Lake VFD
- Water
- private wells
- Electric
- PG&E
- Gas
- propane
TR Tahoe provides year-round property care across Bucks Lake and North Lake Tahoe.
Seasonal Maintenance Calendar for Bucks Lake
At 5155 ft in a Very High fire hazard zone, this property has specific seasonal maintenance requirements. Actual timing shifts 2–4 weeks in heavy snow years.
Spring
- Clear winter debris, pine needles, and broken branches from roof, gutters, and around foundation
- Inspect roof for damage from snow load; check flashing and shingles
- De-winterize exterior plumbing and irrigation systems
- Check deck boards and railings for rot or separation from frost heave
- Check for galvanized supply pipe corrosion if original plumbing was not replaced - 1980s-era Tahoe construction commonly used materials that show mineral buildup and reduced flow by now
Summer
- Create and maintain 100-ft defensible space (zones 0/1/2 per CAL FIRE)
- Stain or reseal decks during dry weather window
- Inspect and clean chimneys, stovepipes, and spark arrestors
- Test smoke and CO detectors; replace batteries
Fall
- Clear pine needles from roof, gutters, and within 5 ft of structures (Zone 0)
- Winterize exterior plumbing: drain hoses, shut-off exterior spigots, blow out irrigation
- Service heating system and replace furnace filters
- Check roof for loose shingles before snow season
Winter
- Monitor snow load on roof
- Keep attic and crawlspace ventilation clear of snow to prevent ice dams
- Check for ice dam formation at eaves and roof valleys
- Ensure heat tape on exposed pipes is functioning
- Verify heat tape type and rating match the existing pipe material - mismatched tape/pipe combinations from earlier retrofits are a frequent failure point in 1980s-era vacation properties
What This Means for an Owner Here
The Very-High Fire Hazard Severity Zone designation is the single largest factor shaping annual maintenance for a property like this one. In the SurroundingArea area, Defensible space is non-discretionary at all three zones, and the Bucks Lake VFD will compel compliance if owners delay. The practical reality is that Zone 0 work (the first five feet around the structure) is treated as part of the building's fire protection, not its landscaping.
Service Area & Utility Context
Water at this property comes from a private well rather than a public utility, which shifts a category of maintenance from the water district to the owner. Well pump cycling, pressure-tank service, and annual water-quality testing are owner responsibilities, and the cost structure favors owners who maintain a relationship with a local well contractor rather than calling only when something fails.
Property Profile
Assessor data on this property: 1981 build, 3,000-sq-ft of living area, 6 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms , lot area of a 10.8-acre parcel; at a recorded price of $849,000. Owners of a structure with this profile at 5,155 ft typically allocate maintenance budget across envelope (roof, deck, windows), mechanical (HVAC, plumbing, chimney), and exterior (defensible space, driveway, drainage).
SurroundingArea — Community
This property is in the SurroundingArea subdivision in Bucks Lake, Placer County. Contact TR Tahoe for property-specific information about local maintenance considerations, neighbor patterns, and service availability in this community.
Placer County — Permits, Taxes & Compliance
Permits
Portal: PlacerGOV (placer.ca.gov/buildingpermits)
Permit submissions for this 3,000 sq ft property in Placer County go through PlacerGOV (placer.ca.gov/buildingpermits). Placer County Building permits are mandatory for structural, additions, roof replacement, electrical upgrades, and HVAC swaps. Most applications flow through the PlacerGOV portal. Tahoe Basin parcels also face concurrent TRPA review, which extends the typical timeline relative to non-Basin work. Plan around concurrent TRPA review when the parcel falls inside the Lake Tahoe Basin - that is where most schedule slippage originates.
Short-Term Rental Rules
TOT Rate: 10%
Short-term rental operations at 809 Countryman Drive are governed by Placer County with a 10% transient occupancy tax. Placer County requires a TOT (Transient Occupancy Tax) certificate for all short-term rentals under 30 days. The certificate number must be posted in all listing platforms. TOT is collected and remitted to Placer County quarterly. Violations can result in back-tax liability plus penalties. Owners considering STR use should align registration with the property's sale-cycle planning.
Property Tax & Transfer
Placer County administers the assessor records for this parcel. California Prop 19 (effective Feb 2021) changed parent-to-child property transfer rules - only a primary residence transfer receives the reassessment exclusion, and the exclusion is capped. Investment and vacation properties no longer receive automatic exclusion. Placer County Assessor administers transfers. A 1981-built structure that has been in a family for decades typically faces the largest gap between assessed value and current market - that gap shapes both transfer strategy and inheritance planning.
Fire Compliance
Agency: CAL FIRE — Placer Unit, in conjunction with local fire districts
CAL FIRE — Placer Unit, in conjunction with local fire districts carries fire-compliance jurisdiction over this 1981-built parcel at 5,155 ft. Placer County properties in the Tahoe Basin are designated Very High FHSZ (Fire Hazard Severity Zone) by CAL FIRE. Annual defensible space inspections are conducted by local fire districts under contract with CAL FIRE. Non-compliance can affect homeowner's insurance coverage and may result in abatement notices. For an Very High-zone property, owners who treat defensible space as an annual maintenance contract rather than a one-time task carry the lowest non-renewal risk.
Tahoe City / North Shore: Local Events & Lifestyle
Tahoe City is the commercial and community center of the North Shore. The Truckee River outlet, Commons Beach, and cluster of restaurants and shops along Highway 28 give it a walkable town character unusual for the Tahoe Basin. Year-round residents and second-home owners both orient toward Tahoe City as the area's civic hub. For an owner at 809 Countryman Drive, that character translates directly into property-level decisions: which weeks command rental premium, which seasons demand the highest maintenance attention, and which amenities matter to long-term resale.
SnowFest! North Lake Tahoe
Early March (10 days)
North Tahoe's signature winter festival, headquartered in Tahoe City since 1985. Polar plunges, snow sculpting, parades, torchlight parades at Palisades Tahoe, and live music across 10 days. The area's highest hotel occupancy weekend outside of peak ski weeks. For owners at 809 Countryman Drive, this is one of the calendar markers worth knowing - both for personal use planning and rental availability.
Tahoe City Blues, Brews & BBQ
August
Annual summer festival at Commons Beach in the heart of Tahoe City, featuring live blues music, local craft breweries, and lakefront views. One of the most accessible events for families staying in the 96145 area. For owners at 809 Countryman Drive, this is one of the calendar markers worth knowing - both for personal use planning and rental availability.
Commons Beach Summer Concert Series
July–August (weekly)
Free Thursday evening concerts at Commons Beach in Tahoe City. Draws locals and visitors; a consistent summer draw that supports strong July–August rental occupancy in the 96145 zip. For owners at 809 Countryman Drive, this is one of the calendar markers worth knowing - both for personal use planning and rental availability.
Ironman 70.3 Lake Tahoe
Late August
Triathlon event using the Lake Tahoe Basin. The swim leg uses the crystal-clear near-shore water of the North Shore. Draws athletes and supporters from across the Western US and creates a late-August occupancy spike. For owners at 809 Countryman Drive, this is one of the calendar markers worth knowing - both for personal use planning and rental availability.
Property Record
- Bedrooms
- 6
- Bathrooms
- 4
- Living Area
- 3000 sq ft
- Lot Size
- 10.84 acres
- Year Built
- 1981
Data from county assessor public records. May differ from current as-built condition.
Managing a Renovation or Remodel?
Out-of-area owner planning a project in Tahoe? TR Tahoe provides owner’s representative and construction oversight services — real-time photo documentation, invoice review with broker oversight, weekly progress reports, and budget tracking against your contractor’s estimate.
- Real-time photo documentation
- Invoice tracking with broker oversight
- Weekly progress reports
- Budget tracking against contractor estimate
Seasonal Care, Handyman & Maintenance
TR Tahoe has served North Lake Tahoe since 1997. Pine needle clearing, defensible space, snow load monitoring, pipe freeze prevention, deck staining, fire prep — the work that keeps a Tahoe property in good shape and your insurance in force.
Considering Buying 809 Countryman Drive, Bucks Lake, CA 95971?
I’m Tristan Roberts — a licensed Lake Tahoe Realtor (DRE #01259729, Coldwell Banker) and the founder of TR Tahoe Property Care. I represent buyers, and I bring both the brokerage and the property-care lens to every showing.
When you view this home with me, I’ll point out:
- What this property’s elevation (5155 ft) and Very High fire hazard zone mean for ongoing maintenance and insurance.
- How the private wells water source and Bucks Lake VFD district affect long-term costs.
- Issues common to 1981-era construction in Bucks Lake.
- STR (short-term rental) viability and county compliance for Bucks Lake.
Broker of Record: Coldwell Banker Realty — DRE #01259729 — 475 N Lake Blvd Unit 102, Tahoe City, CA 96145 (Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code §10140.6)
Equal Housing Opportunity. We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the nation.
Or text/call directly: (530) 448-1734 · tristan@cblaketahoe.com
Looking to buy, sell, or value this property?
Tristan Roberts is a licensed Coldwell Banker real estate broker with 27 years in North Lake Tahoe (DRE #01259729).
View sale history and market data at cblaketahoe.com →
This page is a property care and maintenance reference, not a real estate listing or appraisal.