Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Cayucos, CA

Airbnb listings are allowed in Cayucos, CA, but with restrictions. San Luis Obispo County’s Vacation Rental Ordinance allows short-term rentals in coastal communities including Cayucos only where the property complies with Coastal Zone Land Use Ordinance Section 23.08.165; occupancy is limited to two persons per bedroom plus two additional persons, all parking must be entirely on-site, noise standards apply, and a certified 24-hour local contact plus neighborhood/mail notifications within 200 feet are required. Distance/location standards may require a Minor Use Permit in some cases. 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.

San Luis Obispo County’s Vacation Rental Ordinance allows short-term rentals in coastal communities including Cayucos only where the property complies with Coastal Zone Land Use Ordinance Section 23.08.165; occupancy is limited to two persons per bedroom plus two additional persons, all parking must be entirely on-site, noise standards apply, and a certified 24-hour local contact plus neighborhood/mail notifications within 200 feet are required. Distance/location standards may require a Minor Use Permit in some cases.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Cayucos. 1) Contact County Planning & Building Permit Center for a Land Use Authorization/Zoning Clearance or apply for a Minor Use Permit if the property does not qualify for a clearance; 2) Provide required documentation (site plan showing parking and bedroom count, will-serve letters from water/sewer provider, certification of a 24-hour local contact, and a mailing list/notice to owners within 200 ft); 3) After zoning approval, obtain a County Business License and Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) certificate from the Tax Collector (annual license fee listed as $50 currently on the Tax Collector page). Renew business license annually; inactive licenses require a new zoning clearance.

1) Contact County Planning & Building Permit Center for a Land Use Authorization/Zoning Clearance or apply for a Minor Use Permit if the property does not qualify for a clearance; 2) Provide required documentation (site plan showing parking and bedroom count, will-serve letters from water/sewer provider, certification of a 24-hour local contact, and a mailing list/notice to owners within 200 ft); 3) After zoning approval, obtain a County Business License and Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) certificate from the Tax Collector (annual license fee listed as $50 currently on the Tax Collector page). Renew business license annually; inactive licenses require a new zoning clearance.

Vrbo is permitted in Cayucos, 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 Cayucos 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 Cayucos. STR rules change frequently — verify the current requirements with the city or county before listing, using the official source linked on this page.