Short-Term Rental Regulations
in City and County of San Francisco County, CA

Airbnb listings are allowed in City and County of San Francisco County, CA, but with restrictions. Hosts must be the Permanent Resident of the unit (residing there at least 275 nights per year) and are limited to 90 un-hosted nights per calendar year for whole-unit rentals. Certain property types like BMR/affordable housing, ADUs (for stays <30 days), and non-residential spaces are ineligible. Platforms must verify registration and submit monthly affidavits to the city. 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.

Hosts must be the Permanent Resident of the unit (residing there at least 275 nights per year) and are limited to 90 un-hosted nights per calendar year for whole-unit rentals. Certain property types like BMR/affordable housing, ADUs (for stays <30 days), and non-residential spaces are ineligible. Platforms must verify registration and submit monthly affidavits to the city.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in City and County of San Francisco County. 1) Obtain a Business Registration Certificate from the Treasurer & Tax Collector. 2) Submit an STR application via the Accela public portal, pay the $925 fee, and provide two documents proving permanent residency (e.g., driver's license and utility bill). 3) Upon approval, post the certificate number on all listings and file quarterly reports.

1) Obtain a Business Registration Certificate from the Treasurer & Tax Collector. 2) Submit an STR application via the Accela public portal, pay the $925 fee, and provide two documents proving permanent residency (e.g., driver's license and utility bill). 3) Upon approval, post the certificate number on all listings and file quarterly reports.

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