El Cerrito, California
Short-Term Rental Regulations — Contra Costa County
Prohibited
STR Status
Owner Occupancy RequiredBusiness License Required
215 ftBuffer Distance
Permit & Licensing
Permit RequiredNot specified
Business License RequiredYes
WaitlistNot specified
Owner Requirements
Owner Occupancy RequiredYes
Primary Residence RequiredNot specified
Insurance RequiredNot specified
Limits & Restrictions
Density / Distance Cap215 ft
Parking RequiredNot specified
Taxes & Fees
Transient Occupancy Tax / TOTContact city for rates
Official Sources
Data confidence: 92%Last updated: June 8, 2026
Short-term rental rules in El Cerrito, California
Short-term rentals (Airbnb, Vrbo) in El Cerrito, California are prohibited. The property must be owner-occupied.
Frequently asked questions
Are short-term rentals allowed in El Cerrito, California?
Short-term rentals (including Airbnb and Vrbo) are prohibited in El Cerrito, California. The property must be owner-occupied.
Do I need a permit to run an Airbnb in El Cerrito?
A business license is also required.
Where do these El Cerrito short-term rental rules come from?
These details are verified against El Cerrito'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 El Cerrito, Contra Costa County, or California authorities — and consult a qualified attorney — before purchasing property or operating an STR. This is not legal advice.