Occupancy restriction

Occupancy is limited to 2 people per bedroom or 10 people per property, whichever is less.

Length of Stay

Less than 30 consecutive calendar days

Registration & Licensing Fees

The STR Registration is non-refundable and costs $250 per year. It must be renewed by July 1st of each year. Keep in mind that the application deadline for STR Registration is July 1st of the same year.

Licenses or Permits Required

Yes, a license or permit is required

Property Inspection

No, inspections are not required

Guest Record

Yes, guest record-keeping is required for short-term rentals in the City of San Mateo. Hosts must retain records that document compliance with the city's short-term rental regulations, including but not limited to records showing payment of transient occupancy taxes, for a period of three years after each rental period.

Zoning

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Occupancy taxes and fees

A transient occupancy tax of 14% is levied by the city. Monthly payments are made to the City by renters who collect the tax from their guests.

Insurance requirement

Regulations for short-term rentals include specific insurance requirements to ensure that properties are adequately protected.

Does any Building, Health & Safety Regulation affects STR?

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Parking Requirement

Properties with three or fewer bedrooms must provide at least one off-street parking space. Properties with four or more bedrooms must provide at least two off-street parking spaces.

Advertising Requirement

Before advertising or making your property available for short-term rental, you must register your primary residence as a Short-Term Rental with the city. This registration includes submitting a form with your contact information, the address of the residence being used for short-term rental, contact information for a local contact person, and an acknowledgment of compliance with the city's Zoning Ordinance and Municipal Codes.

Noise regulation

It is not permitted to hold weddings, parties, corporate gatherings, business activities, or any other events of a similar nature at the short-term rental property if they could potentially cause issues with parking, traffic, noise, or other neighborhood concerns.

Neighbor Notification

None required

Limitation on number of STR owned

The limitations on the number of short-term rentals an individual can own in San Mateo County, specifically within the Coastal Zone, are defined by regulations focusing on zoning and usage rather than the explicit number of properties one can operate.

Regulations on hosting events or parties in STR

The Short-Term Rental property is not permitted to host weddings, parties, corporate gatherings, commercial functions, or any other events of a similar nature that can potentially cause issues with parking, traffic, noise, or other neighborhood concerns.

Regulations on hosting events or parties in STR

Restrictions on number of reservations

There is an annual limit of 120 days per calendar year, when hosts are not present. Hosted properties have no annual limit on the number of days they can be rented.

Waste disposal regulations

Waste Disposal Regulations are outlined to ensure that these accommodations do not negatively impact the surrounding neighborhoods.

Accessibility Requirement

There are no specific accessibility requirements

Waste disposal regulations

Waste Disposal Regulations are outlined to ensure that these accommodations do not negatively impact the surrounding neighborhoods.

Emergency Contact Information

A Local Contact Person is provided as part of registration application and renewal in order to assist with potential noise, parking, trash, or traffic issues. This person must be available 24 hours, seven days a week during the term of a rental stay. They must respond with 60 minutes and take remedial action to resolve any complaints.

What is short term rental?

In San Mateo County, California, short-term rentals (STRs), commonly referred to as "vacation rentals," are legal but subject to strict regulations. Property owners must obtain a short-term rental permit and comply with zoning laws, which restrict their properties to residential areas. Notably, rentals are limited to 120 days per year if the host is not present, and hosts must pay a Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) of 10% on the rent collected. The STR market is diverse, with properties ranging from coastal homes and vacation cabins to urban apartments, thriving in both tourist and business travel sectors. As the area is near Silicon Valley, many STRs cater to business travelers attending conferences or visiting tech firms, although tourism peaks during summer and local events. The San Mateo County Planning Department and local city planning departments oversee these regulations, ensuring compliance. For further details, visit the official government websites: San Mateo County Short-Term Rentals and City of San Mateo Short-Term Rentals.

Are there STR regulations that affect property owners?

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Is there any short-term rental-related tax?

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Is it only individuals that are permitted to operate short-term rental?

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What are the procedures and requirement for the neighborhood approval?

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Do I need a neighborhood approval?

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Building, Health & Safety Regulation

For building regulations, San Mateo County adheres to a comprehensive set of codes that include the International Building Code, Uniform Housing Code, National Electrical Code, among others, to ensure uniform administration and enforcement of construction, maintenance, and safety standards. These regulations are designed to provide safe homes, offices, stores, and other buildings through the permitting and inspection process for construction projects within the county's unincorporated areas.

Which of these taxes does Airbnb or other booking company collect?

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What zoning laws affect Short Term Rentals?

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Is there any guest record requirement?

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Do i require any license(s) for STR?

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Which tax(es) am i obligated to collect and remit?

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Which tax(es) am i obligated to collect and remit?

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What ZIP Codes have been prohibited for STR use?

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What types of properties are eligible for short-term rentals?

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Does occupancy limit affect STR?

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What STR regulations affect me as an Owner?

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What are the procedures or requirements for keeping the guest records?

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What are the occupancy limits for STR?

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What other STR regulations am i obligated to observe?

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What are the penalties and fines for non compliance?

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Is there any official regulatory body or authority?

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How can i contact the authority?

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Which jurisdictions are exempted from the regulations?

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What are the requirements and fees for the permit (s)?

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Basic Information

Length of Stay

Less than 30 consecutive calendar days

Occupancy taxes and fees

A transient occupancy tax of 14% is levied by the city. Monthly payments are made to the City by renters who collect the tax from their guests.

Licenses or Permits Required

Yes, a license or permit is required

Building and Health Regulation

Registration & Licensing Fees

Accessibility Requirement

There are no specific accessibility requirements

Property Inspection

No, inspections are not required

Zoning Regulations

Yes, there is zoning for short-term rentals in San Mateo County, specifically within certain parts of the unincorporated Coastal Zone.

Guest Record

Occupancy Restriction

Occupancy is limited to 2 people per bedroom or 10 people per property, whichever is less.

Regulations on hosting events or parties in STR

Noise Regulation

Insurance Requirement

Regulations for short-term rentals include specific insurance requirements to ensure that properties are adequately protected.

Restrictions on number of reservations

There is an annual limit of 120 days per calendar year, when hosts are not present. Hosted properties have no annual limit on the number of days they can be rented.

Waste disposal regulations

Waste Disposal Regulations are outlined to ensure that these accommodations do not negatively impact the surrounding neighborhoods.

Limitation on number of STR owned

Emergency Contact Information

Neighbor Notification

None required

Does any Building, Health & Safety Regulation affects STR?

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Parking Requirement

Properties with three or fewer bedrooms must provide at least one off-street parking space. Properties with four or more bedrooms must provide at least two off-street parking spaces.

Advertising Requirement

Regulations on hosting events or parties in STR

Waste disposal regulations

Waste Disposal Regulations are outlined to ensure that these accommodations do not negatively impact the surrounding neighborhoods.