Short-Term Rental Regulations
in San Rafael, CA

Airbnb listings are allowed in San Rafael, CA, but with restrictions. STRs must be the permanent resident's primary residence. Occupancy is limited to two persons per bedroom plus two additional guests. One off-street parking space is required per four guests. Properties in Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) zones must pass a vegetation inspection. Income-restricted units, RVs, boats, and tents are ineligible. 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 must be the permanent resident's primary residence. Occupancy is limited to two persons per bedroom plus two additional guests. One off-street parking space is required per four guests. Properties in Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) zones must pass a vegetation inspection. Income-restricted units, RVs, boats, and tents are ineligible.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in San Rafael. 1) Register via the San Rafael STR Registration portal and submit property details including proof of primary residency (3 of 5 required documents). 2) Provide a 24-hour local contact, parking plan (if shared access), and complete the self-certification safety/vegetation checklists. 3) Pay the registration fee ($170 initial/$135 renewal) and maintain compliance with interior signage and TOT remittance.

1) Register via the San Rafael STR Registration portal and submit property details including proof of primary residency (3 of 5 required documents). 2) Provide a 24-hour local contact, parking plan (if shared access), and complete the self-certification safety/vegetation checklists. 3) Pay the registration fee ($170 initial/$135 renewal) and maintain compliance with interior signage and TOT remittance.

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