Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Berkeley, CA

Airbnb listings are allowed in Berkeley, CA, but with restrictions. STRs are limited to 14 or fewer consecutive days and must be the host's primary residence. When the host is present, there is no limit on annual days; when absent, rentals are capped at 90 days per year. STRs are prohibited in Below-Market-Rate (BMR) units and units with recent no-fault evictions. A permit is required before you can host. These rules apply to all short-term rental platforms (Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, etc.) — not just Airbnb specifically. See the official source linked on this page for full requirements. Last verified 2026-05-14.

STRs are limited to 14 or fewer consecutive days and must be the host's primary residence. When the host is present, there is no limit on annual days; when absent, rentals are capped at 90 days per year. STRs are prohibited in Below-Market-Rate (BMR) units and units with recent no-fault evictions.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Berkeley. 1. Register online via the City of Berkeley STR portal and pay the $395 non-refundable application fee. 2. Provide proof of residency and notify adjacent properties of the STR establishment. 3. Upon approval, obtain a Zoning Certificate and Business License, and include the certificate number in all advertisements.

1. Register online via the City of Berkeley STR portal and pay the $395 non-refundable application fee. 2. Provide proof of residency and notify adjacent properties of the STR establishment. 3. Upon approval, obtain a Zoning Certificate and Business License, and include the certificate number in all advertisements.

Vrbo is permitted in Berkeley, CA under the same restrictions that apply to Airbnb — local rules govern the rental itself, not the specific platform. You must hold a valid permit before hosting on Vrbo. Last verified 2026-05-14.

Short-term rental hosts in Berkeley are typically responsible for lodging, occupancy, and applicable sales taxes — these usually apply even where hosting is allowed without a permit. Rates and remittance rules vary by jurisdiction (state, county, and city can each levy a share); confirm the current rates with the official source linked on this page. Platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo collect some taxes automatically, but the host remains liable for any not collected on their behalf.

We are not currently tracking any recent short-term rental ordinance changes for Berkeley. STR rules change frequently — verify the current requirements with the city or county before listing, using the official source linked on this page.