Comparent
AllowedCity

Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Crescent City, CA

Last verified: 2026-05-14 · Report an update

Zoning & Conditions

Crescent City requires operators of short-term lodging (<30 days) to obtain a City business license and register for the City Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT); operators must collect/remit 10% TOT and comply with applicable planning, building, and fire inspections/approvals. The City municipal code (Title 3, Ch. 3.20) requires operators to obtain and post a Transient Occupancy Registration Certificate and to file quarterly TOT returns; Del Norte County planning guidance states ADUs in the county (unincorporated areas) may not be rented short-term (<30 days).

How to Obtain a Permit

1) Complete and submit a City Business License application (Class C for real-property short-term rental providers) via the City Business License portal or paper application; planning and fire review/inspection are required as part of license approval. 2) Complete and submit the City Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) registration (packet/form) to the Finance Department (listed in the TOT packet) and obtain the Transient Occupancy Registration Certificate to post on the premises; remit 10% TOT and file quarterly returns. 3) Pay applicable business-license fees (Class C fee shown in City materials), complete any required inspections, and renew the business license annually.

Official Resources

Official Crescent City STR regulation source

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Airbnbs legal in Crescent City, CA?
Yes — Airbnb and other short-term rentals are allowed in Crescent City, CA, but operators must obtain a permit before listing. Crescent City requires operators of short-term lodging (<30 days) to obtain a City business license and register for the City Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT); operators must collect/remit 10% TOT and comply with applicable planning, building, and fire inspections/approvals. The City municipal code (Title 3, Ch. 3.20) requires operators to obtain and post a Transient Occupancy Registration Certificate and to file quarterly TOT returns; Del Norte County planning guidance states ADUs in the county (unincorporated areas) may not be rented short-term (<30 days). "Airbnb" is a brand name; the rules on this page apply to all short-term rental platforms (Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, etc.). See the official source linked on this page for full requirements. Last verified 2026-05-14.
Are short-term rentals allowed in Crescent City, CA?
Crescent City requires operators of short-term lodging (<30 days) to obtain a City business license and register for the City Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT); operators must collect/remit 10% TOT and comply with applicable planning, building, and fire inspections/approvals. The City municipal code (Title 3, Ch. 3.20) requires operators to obtain and post a Transient Occupancy Registration Certificate and to file quarterly TOT returns; Del Norte County planning guidance states ADUs in the county (unincorporated areas) may not be rented short-term (<30 days).
Is a permit required to operate a short-term rental in Crescent City?
Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Crescent City. 1) Complete and submit a City Business License application (Class C for real-property short-term rental providers) via the City Business License portal or paper application; planning and fire review/inspection are required as part of license approval. 2) Complete and submit the City Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) registration (packet/form) to the Finance Department (listed in the TOT packet) and obtain the Transient Occupancy Registration Certificate to post on the premises; remit 10% TOT and file quarterly returns. 3) Pay applicable business-license fees (Class C fee shown in City materials), complete any required inspections, and renew the business license annually.
How do I get a short-term rental permit in Crescent City?
1) Complete and submit a City Business License application (Class C for real-property short-term rental providers) via the City Business License portal or paper application; planning and fire review/inspection are required as part of license approval. 2) Complete and submit the City Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) registration (packet/form) to the Finance Department (listed in the TOT packet) and obtain the Transient Occupancy Registration Certificate to post on the premises; remit 10% TOT and file quarterly returns. 3) Pay applicable business-license fees (Class C fee shown in City materials), complete any required inspections, and renew the business license annually.
Is Vrbo legal in Crescent City, CA?
Yes. Vrbo operates under the same short-term rental rules as Airbnb in Crescent City, CA, since regulations apply to the rental activity rather than the booking platform. A permit is required before you list on Vrbo or any other platform. Last verified 2026-05-14.
What taxes do short-term rental hosts pay in Crescent City?
Short-term rental hosts in Crescent City 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.
What is the latest short-term rental ordinance change in Crescent City?
We are not currently tracking any recent short-term rental ordinance changes for Crescent City. STR rules change frequently — verify the current requirements with the city or county before listing, using the official source linked on this page.
Comparent

Looking for property managers in Crescent City, CA?

Compare top-rated short-term rental managers on Comparent — read reviews, see pricing, and find the right fit.

View Property Managers

Disclaimer

This information is for general reference only and may not reflect the most current regulations. STR regulations change frequently. Always verify requirements with official local government sources before operating a short-term rental.

Last verified: 2026-05-14 · Suggest a correction