Morro Bay, California

Short-Term Rental Regulations — San Luis Obispo County

Allowed (Permit Required)

STR Status

Permit: RequiredBusiness License Required
✓ Verified against the official ordinance.View source· Last verified 6/19/2026
175 ftBuffer Distance

Permit & Licensing

Permit RequiredYes
Renewalannual
Permit Cap175 permits
Business License RequiredYes
WaitlistYes

Owner Requirements

Owner Occupancy RequiredNot specified
Primary Residence RequiredNot specified
Insurance RequiredNot specified

Limits & Restrictions

Density / Distance Cap175 full-home rentals in residentially zoned areas; new STRs must be separated by at least 175 feet from property lines
Parking RequiredNot specified

Taxes & Fees

Transient Occupancy Tax / TOTContact city for rates

Zoning Restrictions

  • Full-home STRs in residential zones subject to cap and buffer; home-share STRs in residential zones and all STRs in commercial/mixed-use zones not subject to cap or buffer

Official Sources

morrobayca.gov/1085/Short-Term-Vacation-Rentals
Data confidence: 88%Last updated: June 9, 2026

Short-term rental rules in Morro Bay, California

Short-term rentals (Airbnb, Vrbo) in Morro Bay, California are allowed with a permit. Operators must obtain a permit.

Frequently asked questions

Are short-term rentals allowed in Morro Bay, California?

Short-term rentals (including Airbnb and Vrbo) are allowed with a permit in Morro Bay, California.

Do I need a permit to run an Airbnb in Morro Bay?

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

Where do these Morro Bay short-term rental rules come from?

These details are verified against Morro 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 Morro Bay, San Luis Obispo County, or California authorities — and consult a qualified attorney — before purchasing property or operating an STR. This is not legal advice.