Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Mariposa County, CA

Airbnb listings are allowed in Mariposa County, CA, but with restrictions. Occupancy is strictly limited by septic system design capacity and Environmental Health approval. Requirements include a 5x7-inch exterior emergency contact sign, mandatory quiet hours (10:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m.), annual safety compliance reporting, and a historical 3-bedroom cap for new rentals in certain areas. 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.

Occupancy is strictly limited by septic system design capacity and Environmental Health approval. Requirements include a 5x7-inch exterior emergency contact sign, mandatory quiet hours (10:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m.), annual safety compliance reporting, and a historical 3-bedroom cap for new rentals in certain areas.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Mariposa County. 1) Submit a site plan review application to the Planning Department for multi-agency approval (Building, Health, Fire). 2) Complete Environmental Health requirements, including a septic 'Pumper’s Report' and water quality testing for private wells. 3) Obtain a Transient Occupancy Registration Certificate from the Tax Collector and submit annual safety compliance reports.

1) Submit a site plan review application to the Planning Department for multi-agency approval (Building, Health, Fire). 2) Complete Environmental Health requirements, including a septic 'Pumper’s Report' and water quality testing for private wells. 3) Obtain a Transient Occupancy Registration Certificate from the Tax Collector and submit annual safety compliance reports.

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