Short-Term Rental Regulations
in San Mateo County, CA

Airbnb listings are allowed in San Mateo County, CA, but with restrictions. STRs are restricted to R-1 and R-3 zones within the unincorporated Coastal Zone and are prohibited in Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). Rentals are capped at 180 nights per calendar year with occupancy limited to two persons per bedroom plus two additional guests. Operators must provide one on-site parking space (two if occupancy exceeds eight) and designate a local contact within a 20-mile radius. 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 restricted to R-1 and R-3 zones within the unincorporated Coastal Zone and are prohibited in Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). Rentals are capped at 180 nights per calendar year with occupancy limited to two persons per bedroom plus two additional guests. Operators must provide one on-site parking space (two if occupancy exceeds eight) and designate a local contact within a 20-mile radius.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in San Mateo County. 1. Obtain a Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) certificate via the San Mateo County TOT portal. 2. Submit a Short-Term Rental Permit application online through the Accela Citizen Access portal, including proof of the TOT certificate and a fee of approximately $500. 3. Designate a local contact person available 24/7 within a 20-mile radius of the property.

1. Obtain a Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) certificate via the San Mateo County TOT portal. 2. Submit a Short-Term Rental Permit application online through the Accela Citizen Access portal, including proof of the TOT certificate and a fee of approximately $500. 3. Designate a local contact person available 24/7 within a 20-mile radius of the property.

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