Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Montara, CA

Airbnb listings are allowed in Montara, CA, but with restrictions. STRs are allowed only in legal residences zoned R-1 or R-3; Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are prohibited. Unhosted rentals are capped at 180 nights per year, with occupancy limited to two persons per bedroom plus two additional guests (excluding children under 12). On-site parking is required, and a local contact within 20 miles must be available at all times. 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 only in legal residences zoned R-1 or R-3; Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are prohibited. Unhosted rentals are capped at 180 nights per year, with occupancy limited to two persons per bedroom plus two additional guests (excluding children under 12). On-site parking is required, and a local contact within 20 miles must be available at all times.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Montara. 1) Obtain a Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) certificate. 2) Submit an online application via the San Mateo County Accela Citizen Access portal including documentation of zoning compliance, local contact designation, and parking/occupancy details. 3) Pay the approximate $500 fee and await county review (typically 3-4 weeks).

1) Obtain a Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) certificate. 2) Submit an online application via the San Mateo County Accela Citizen Access portal including documentation of zoning compliance, local contact designation, and parking/occupancy details. 3) Pay the approximate $500 fee and await county review (typically 3-4 weeks).

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