Residential properties that are offered as short-term rentals are those that are rented for 30 days or less.

Yes.

Yes, in San Francisco, you are required to pay the transient occupancy tax and sales tax

Yes, permanent residents of San Francisco are allowed to operate short-term rentals.

Here are the procedures and requirements for obtaining neighborhood approval:

1. Hosts must notify all neighbors within a 300-foot radius of their property at least 10 days prior to submitting a registration application to the Office of Short-Term Rentals (OSTR). The notification must include a description of the proposed rental and contact information for the host.

2. Neighbors have the opportunity to object to the proposed rental by filing a written appeal with the OSTR. The appeal must be filed within 10 days of the notification.

3. The OSTR will review the appeal and may hold a hearing to consider the objections raised by the neighbors. The OSTR will notify the host and the neighbors of the hearing date and time.

4. At the hearing, the host and the objecting neighbors will have the opportunity to present evidence and arguments. The hearing officer will make a decision based on the evidence and arguments presented.

5. If the hearing officer determines that the proposed rental does not meet the requirements for neighborhood approval, the registration application will be denied. If the registration application is denied, the host may appeal the decision to the San Francisco Planning Commission.

It is important to note that neighborhood notification and approval is not required for all residential zoning districts, and the regulations and requirements for STRs in San Francisco are subject to change. Therefore, it is recommended that hosts check with the Office of Short-Term Rentals to ensure compliance with all current regulations.

Yes, city requires neighborhood approval for STR.

Short-term rentals may only be hosted in zones that are permitted for residential use. For example, short-term rentals may not be held in institutional, commercial, or industrial zones. Kindly check the list of ineligible properties- https://sfplanning.org/str/faqs-short-term-rentals#permit-anchor-4 to ensure that STR is permitted on your property or area.

Yes, in San Francisco, you are required to pay the transient occupancy tax and sales tax

Yes, Short-Term Residential Rental Certificate and a Business Registration Certificate.

Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT): San Francisco imposes a 14% transient occupancy tax on the rental of accommodations for stays of less than 30 days to be collected by the host and remitted to the city on a monthly basis. It must be filed online through the city’s online portal even if no tax is due.

Sales Tax: The current sales tax rate in San Francisco is 8.63% and consists of 6% California state sales tax, 0.25% San Francisco County sales tax, and 2.38% special district tax.

The following zip codes are currently prohibited for STR use:

1. 94102: This zip code covers the Tenderloin neighborhood and parts of Civic Center and Hayes Valley. STRs are prohibited in this area.

2. 94103: This zip code covers parts of the South of Market (SOMA) neighborhood. STRs are prohibited in the residential areas of this zip code.

3. 94104: This zip code covers the Financial District and parts of the Embarcadero. STRs are prohibited in this area.

4. 94105: This zip code covers parts of the Financial District and the South Beach neighborhood. STRs are prohibited in the residential areas of this zip code.

5. 94108: This zip code covers the Chinatown neighborhood. STRs are prohibited in this area.

6. 94109: This zip code covers the Nob Hill, Russian Hill, and parts of the Tenderloin and Pacific Heights neighborhoods. STRs are prohibited in the residential areas of this zip code.

7. 94114: This zip code covers the Castro, Noe Valley, and parts of the Mission and Eureka Valley neighborhoods. STRs are prohibited in the residential areas of this zip code.

8. 94115: This zip code covers parts of Pacific Heights, Japantown, and the Western Addition neighborhood. STRs are prohibited in the residential areas of this zip code.

All types of residential units including single-family homes and the residential portion of live-work units are eligible for short-term rental in San Francisco.

Yes, it affects STR.

STR regulations that affect owners include:

1. Hosts are required to register with the Office of Short-Term Rentals and pay a $250 fee.

2. Hosts are required to apply for free business registration with the San Francisco Treasurer and Tax Collector https://sftreasurer.org/registration

3. Hosts are required to provide proof of property liability insurance (not less than $500,000)

4. Hosts are required to provide proof of primary residency (that the owner lives in a short-term rental property for at least 275 of 365)

5. Hosts must be a permanent residents of San Francisco

6. Host must be the owner or tenant of the unit you plan to rent

7. Host must have lived in your dwelling for at least 60 days before applying

8. Plan to live in the unit for at least 275 nights/year

The requirement and fees for a Short-Term Residential Rental Registration from the San Francisco Planning Department include;

1. Proof of residency: Hosts must provide proof that the unit they are renting out is their primary residence, which means they live there for at least 275 days per year.

2. Liability insurance: Hosts must obtain and maintain liability insurance with a minimum coverage of $500,000.

3. Compliance with safety codes: Hosts must certify that their unit complies with all applicable safety codes and regulations.

4. Compliance with applicable laws: Hosts must certify that they will comply with all applicable laws and regulations related to short-term rentals.

Fees:

1. Application fee: The fee for a Short-Term Residential Rental Registration application is currently $250.

2. Annual renewal fee: The fee for renewing the Short-Term Residential Rental Registration is currently $145 per year.

Comply with city rules - The Office of Short-term Rentals (OSTR) works with the residents of San Francisco to ensure that short-term rental activity respects neighborhood character, preserves housing supply, and complies with the city’s rules.

• Maintain business records for no less than the prior three years for each of your short-term rental transactions, and provide this information to OSTR upon request.
• Submit a monthly affidavit to OSTR affirming that you have exercised reasonable care to verify that you are utilizing the service lawfully registered with OSTR.

In San Francisco, failure to comply with the regulations and registration requirements for short-term rentals (STRs) can result in penalties and fines such as:

1. Administrative Penalties: Hosts who violate the city's STR regulations may be subject to administrative penalties ranging from $1,000 to $2,000 per day for each violation.

2. Suspension of Registration: The city may suspend a host's registration certificate for up to 90 days if they are found to be in violation of the city's STR regulations.

Yes, The city's STR laws are governed by and enforced by the Office of Short-Term Rentals (OSTR).

You can contact the Office of Short-Term Rentals (OSTR) through the following methods:

• Phone: You can call the OSTR at (415) 575-9179 during their office hours, which are Monday to Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Pacific Time.
• Email: You can email the OSTR at oshr@sfgov.org. They typically respond to emails within 1-2 business days.
• In person: You can visit the OSTR office in person at 1660 Mission St., 5th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94103. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the office is currently closed to the public. You can still contact the OSTR by phone or email.

Short term rental is prohibited in some residential areas in San Francisco. Properties located in Treasure Island, Fort Mason, or the Presidio amongst others are ineligible for short-term rental. Kindly refer to the San Francisco ineligible property page for other jurisdictions. https://sfplanning.org/str/faqs-short-term-rentals#permit-anchor-4

The requirement and fees for a Short-Term Residential Rental Registration from the San Francisco Planning Department include;

1. Proof of residency: Hosts must provide proof that the unit they are renting out is their primary residence, which means they live there for at least 275 days per year.

2. Liability insurance: Hosts must obtain and maintain liability insurance with a minimum coverage of $500,000.

3. Compliance with safety codes: Hosts must certify that their unit complies with all applicable safety codes and regulations.

4. Compliance with applicable laws: Hosts must certify that they will comply with all applicable laws and regulations related to short-term rentals.

Fees:

1. Application fee: The fee for a Short-Term Residential Rental Registration application is currently $250.

2. Annual renewal fee: The fee for renewing the Short-Term Residential Rental Registration is currently $145 per year.