Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Contra Costa County, CA

Airbnb listings are allowed in Contra Costa County, CA, but with restrictions. Non-hosted rentals are capped at 90 days per year, while hosted rentals are capped at 180 days; accessory dwelling units (ADUs) are prohibited from being used as STRs. Occupancy is limited to two persons per bedroom plus two additional guests (excluding children under 12), and specific off-street parking minimums apply based on the number of bedrooms. 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.

Non-hosted rentals are capped at 90 days per year, while hosted rentals are capped at 180 days; accessory dwelling units (ADUs) are prohibited from being used as STRs. Occupancy is limited to two persons per bedroom plus two additional guests (excluding children under 12), and specific off-street parking minimums apply based on the number of bedrooms.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Contra Costa County. Complete the Short-Term Rental Checklist and Application and submit it via email to planningintake@dcd.cccounty.us or through the online ePermit Center. Applicants must also obtain a valid Business License and Transient Occupancy Registration Certificate; permits must be renewed annually at least 30 days prior to expiration.

Complete the Short-Term Rental Checklist and Application and submit it via email to planningintake@dcd.cccounty.us or through the online ePermit Center. Applicants must also obtain a valid Business License and Transient Occupancy Registration Certificate; permits must be renewed annually at least 30 days prior to expiration.

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