Santa Cruz, California

Short-Term Rental Regulations — Santa Cruz County

Allowed (Permit Required)

STR Status

Permit: Required
County-level data: No city-specific ordinance found. Showing regulations for Santa Cruz County which apply to this area.
✓ Verified against the official ordinance.View source· Last verified 6/17/2026
831 ftBuffer Distance

Permit & Licensing

Permit RequiredYes
Renewalevery 5 years
Permit Cap250 permits
Business License RequiredNot specified
WaitlistYes

Owner Requirements

Owner Occupancy RequiredNot specified
Primary Residence RequiredNot specified
Insurance RequiredNot specified

Limits & Restrictions

Density / Distance Capyes — block limit of 20% of residential parcels per block in Designated Areas; SALSDA cap of 241 vacation rental permits and 45 hosted rental permits
Parking RequiredYes

Taxes & Fees

Transient Occupancy Tax / TOTContact city for rates

Zoning Restrictions

  • Allowed in all zone districts that allow residential use; ADUs, habitable/nonhabitable accessory structures, and affordable housing units not eligible

Official Sources

cdi.santacruzcountyca.gov/Portals/35/CDI/UnifiedPermitCenter/Discretionary%20Permits%20and%20Zoning/Forms%20and%20Publications/Vacation%20Rentals/Vacation%20Rental%20Ord-%20BoS%20Approved%201-26-2021.pdf
Data confidence: 90%Last updated: June 17, 2026

Short-term rental rules in Santa Cruz, California

Santa Cruz, California has no separate city ordinance, so Santa Cruz County rules apply — under which short-term rentals are allowed with a permit. Operators must obtain a permit.

Frequently asked questions

Are short-term rentals allowed in Santa Cruz, California?

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

Do I need a permit to run an Airbnb in Santa Cruz?

A short-term rental permit is required.

Where do these Santa Cruz short-term rental rules come from?

These details are verified against Santa Cruz'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 Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz County, or California authorities — and consult a qualified attorney — before purchasing property or operating an STR. This is not legal advice.