Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Santa Cruz County, CA

Airbnb listings are allowed in Santa Cruz County, CA, but with restrictions. Short-term rentals are restricted by type and location; Hosted Rentals have a county-wide cap of 250 permits. Specific 'Designated Areas' (LODA, SALSDA, and DASDA) are subject to additional caps and waitlists, with permits issued on a first-applied, first-issued basis evaluated bi-annually. 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.

Short-term rentals are restricted by type and location; Hosted Rentals have a county-wide cap of 250 permits. Specific 'Designated Areas' (LODA, SALSDA, and DASDA) are subject to additional caps and waitlists, with permits issued on a first-applied, first-issued basis evaluated bi-annually.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Santa Cruz County. 1. Complete the Hosted Rental Application Form (PLG155). 2. Submit the application along with a nonrefundable fee of $149.60. 3. If the area is capped, submit a Wait List Form to the county's vacation rental email address. Permits are valid for five years.

1. Complete the Hosted Rental Application Form (PLG155). 2. Submit the application along with a nonrefundable fee of $149.60. 3. If the area is capped, submit a Wait List Form to the county's vacation rental email address. Permits are valid for five years.

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