Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Fort Bragg, CA

Airbnb listings are allowed in Fort Bragg, CA, but with restrictions. Vacation rental units are permitted only in the Central Business District (CBD) on the second or third floors above commercial uses. Occupancy is limited to 2 persons per bedroom plus 1 (excluding children under 12), vehicles are limited to the number of bedrooms, and a 24/7 property manager must be available. 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.

Vacation rental units are permitted only in the Central Business District (CBD) on the second or third floors above commercial uses. Occupancy is limited to 2 persons per bedroom plus 1 (excluding children under 12), vehicles are limited to the number of bedrooms, and a 24/7 property manager must be available.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Fort Bragg. 1) Submit a Minor Use Permit application to the City including all materials required by the Development Code. 2) Applications are reviewed first-come, first-served up to a maximum number set by City Council; a waiting list is maintained once the cap is reached. 3) Obtain and maintain a City Business License and comply with all operating standards.

1) Submit a Minor Use Permit application to the City including all materials required by the Development Code. 2) Applications are reviewed first-come, first-served up to a maximum number set by City Council; a waiting list is maintained once the cap is reached. 3) Obtain and maintain a City Business License and comply with all operating standards.

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