Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Madera County, CA

Airbnb listings are allowed in Madera County, CA, but with restrictions. STRs are allowed in all residential zones with a permit, limited to one per parcel (with minor exceptions) and a maximum of five permits per person. Occupancy is capped based on bedroom count (e.g., 2 per bedroom plus 2), and operators must comply with noise, trash, parking, and fire safety standards including annual inspections. 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 allowed in all residential zones with a permit, limited to one per parcel (with minor exceptions) and a maximum of five permits per person. Occupancy is capped based on bedroom count (e.g., 2 per bedroom plus 2), and operators must comply with noise, trash, parking, and fire safety standards including annual inspections.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Madera County. 1) Submit an STR permit application to the Planning Division with a site plan, owner contact info, and proof of TOT application. 2) Pay the permit fee and a $196 fire inspection fee, then pass a required fire safety inspection. 3) Obtain a Business License and TOT certificate to finalize the permit, which must be renewed annually.

1) Submit an STR permit application to the Planning Division with a site plan, owner contact info, and proof of TOT application. 2) Pay the permit fee and a $196 fire inspection fee, then pass a required fire safety inspection. 3) Obtain a Business License and TOT certificate to finalize the permit, which must be renewed annually.

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