Half Moon Bay, California
Short-Term Rental Regulations — San Mateo County
Allowed (Permit Required)
STR Status
Permit: Required
Permit & Licensing
Permit RequiredYes
Business License RequiredNot specified
WaitlistNot specified
Owner Requirements
Owner Occupancy RequiredNot specified
Primary Residence RequiredNot specified
Insurance RequiredNot specified
Limits & Restrictions
Parking RequiredNot specified
Taxes & Fees
Transient Occupancy Tax / TOTContact city for rates
Zoning Restrictions
- Permitted in all residential zoning districts and mixed-use development within Commercial-Downtown, Commercial-General, and Commercial-Visitor Serving; not permitted in ADUs
Official Sources
Data confidence: 75%Last updated: June 9, 2026
Short-term rental rules in Half Moon Bay, California
Short-term rentals (Airbnb, Vrbo) in Half Moon Bay, California are allowed with a permit. Operators must obtain a permit.
Frequently asked questions
Are short-term rentals allowed in Half Moon Bay, California?
Short-term rentals (including Airbnb and Vrbo) are allowed with a permit in Half Moon Bay, California.
Do I need a permit to run an Airbnb in Half Moon Bay?
A short-term rental permit is required.
Where do these Half Moon Bay short-term rental rules come from?
These details are verified against Half Moon Bay'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 Half Moon Bay, San Mateo County, or California authorities — and consult a qualified attorney — before purchasing property or operating an STR. This is not legal advice.