Capitola, California

Short-Term Rental Regulations — Santa Cruz County

Conditional

STR Status

Permit: RequiredBusiness License Required
✓ Verified against the official ordinance.View source· Last verified 6/17/2026

Permit & Licensing

Permit RequiredYes
Renewalannual
Business License RequiredYes
WaitlistNot specified

Owner Requirements

Owner Occupancy RequiredNot specified
Primary Residence RequiredNot specified
Insurance RequiredNot specified

Limits & Restrictions

Parking RequiredYes

Taxes & Fees

Transient Occupancy Tax / TOTContact city for rates

Zoning Restrictions

  • only permitted within -VRU overlay zone; ADUs prohibited

Official Sources

codepublishing.com/CA/Capitola/html/Capitola17/Capitola1740.html
Data confidence: 97%Last updated: June 17, 2026

Short-term rental rules in Capitola, California

Short-term rentals (Airbnb, Vrbo) in Capitola, California are allowed under certain conditions. Operators must obtain a permit.

Frequently asked questions

Are short-term rentals allowed in Capitola, California?

Short-term rentals (including Airbnb and Vrbo) are allowed under certain conditions in Capitola, California.

Do I need a permit to run an Airbnb in Capitola?

A short-term rental permit is required, a business license is also required.

Where do these Capitola short-term rental rules come from?

These details are verified against Capitola's official short-term rental ordinance and updated when the rules change.

Always verify before you buy. Short-term-rental rules change often and may not be fully current here. Confirm directly with Capitola, Santa Cruz County, or California authorities — and consult a qualified attorney — before purchasing property or operating an STR. This is not legal advice.