Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Half Moon Bay, CA

Airbnb listings are allowed in Half Moon Bay, CA, but with restrictions. STRs are generally limited to primary-residence operators, except in specific commercial/mixed-use zones (Downtown, General, Visitor Serving). Unhosted rentals are capped at 60 nights per year, while hosted rentals have no cap; operators are limited to one STR per person, and ADUs are generally prohibited. 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.

STRs are generally limited to primary-residence operators, except in specific commercial/mixed-use zones (Downtown, General, Visitor Serving). Unhosted rentals are capped at 60 nights per year, while hosted rentals have no cap; operators are limited to one STR per person, and ADUs are generally prohibited.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Half Moon Bay. 1) Submit a completed STR Application and Registration form including proof of primary residence, site/floor plans, business license, and TOT registration. 2) Pay the registration fee and pass building/fire code inspections. 3) Obtain registration from the Community Development Director; renewals require annual documentation of rental nights and water usage.

1) Submit a completed STR Application and Registration form including proof of primary residence, site/floor plans, business license, and TOT registration. 2) Pay the registration fee and pass building/fire code inspections. 3) Obtain registration from the Community Development Director; renewals require annual documentation of rental nights and water usage.

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