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Short-Term Rentals

Register a short-term rental. Discover eligibility criteria and rental rules, or file a complaint about unpermitted ones.

If you rent your Dwelling Unit, authorized Accessory Dwelling Unit, or Accessory Building, for 13 days or less, you are considered a Short-Term Rental (STR). You are required to register with the City based on Berkeley Municipal Code (BMC) Section 23.314 to become a Certified Short-Term Rental Host. 

For questions regarding unit eligibility or the application process, contact:

Planning Department Land Use Division
E-mail: str@cityofberkeley.info
Phone: (510) 981-7410

For questions regarding taxes, contact:

Finance Department Revenue Development Division
E-mail: revdev@cityofberkeley.info
Phone: (510) 981-7318 

For complaints about or to research possible unpermitted short-term rentals or nuisance problems:

Contact: 24-hour STR Compliance Line - (833) 300-0787

Look up an STR: Online Permits Portal

You can rent an eligible unit without becoming an Airbnb

A Short-Term Rental (STR) is the use of any dwelling unit, authorized accessory dwelling unit, or accessory building, or portions thereof, for dwelling, sleeping, or lodging purposes by a paying guest. The City's STR Ordinance assumes most transient stays will be 14 consecutive days or less.

This use is commonly associated with an online rental platform (e.g., Airbnb, HomeAway, or VRBO), but can also be rented without the assistance of a third-party service.

A Dwelling Unit is defined as a building or portion of a building designed for, or occupied exclusively by, persons living as one household.

Is your unit eligible?

To use a unit as a short-term rental, it must be:

  • your primary residence
  • approved by the property owner if you are a tenant
  • covered by liability insurance of $1,000,000
  • located in one of the following zones: R-1, R-1A, R-2, R-2A, R-3, R-4, R-5, R-S, R-SMU, C-C, C-U, C-NS, C-SA, C-T, C-DMU, C-W, MUR - Including any of these zones within the Hillside (H) overlay (use our parcel information lookup tool to learn what zone you are in)

Is your unit not eligible?

You cannot use a unit as a short-term rental if it:

  • is an accessory dwelling unit that:
    • was built after April 1, 2017
    • has been used as a long-term rental since April 1, 2007
  • is a Below Market Rate unit
  • has had a no-fault eviction within the last five years
  • does not comply with the requirements of the Berkeley Housing Code

What you'll need to apply

Complete a Short-Term Rental Zoning Certificate. Make sure you have these documents ready as an electronic file before you start the online application.

Proof of ownership or property owner approval, either:

  • deed
  • signed property owner agreement form
  • property tax bill (do not submit an internet copy, as it does not list an owner's name; instead, submit a copy of the bill that was mailed to you)

Three proof of residency documents:

  • California driver's license or ID
  • credit card bill
  • property tax bill
  • voter registration
  • bank statement
  • utility bill

Please note that proofs of residency must specify a unit number, if applicable. If you are renting out an accessory dwelling unit, you'll also need to provide a copy of your deed restriction demonstrating the unit is legal.

Paying your Taxes and Fees

There is a $220.00 non-refundable application fee with a $5.50 processing fee upon submittal. In addition to the 12% Transient Occupancy Tax, hosts must pay a 2% enforcement fee remitted monthly. You can file your returns and pay your taxes online through our secure vendor.

Requirements for Hosts

Once your application is approved, you will receive a zoning certificate that allows you to use your home for short-term rentals. You must list your zoning certificate number on all advertisements for your rental.

Additionally, you must:

If you are not present while guests are there, you may only rent out your home as a short-term rental for 90 days each calendar year. The number of people that can occupy an STR is generally two per bedroom.

Any STR Transient staying for 14 consecutive days or more may be subject to the tenant protections in the Rent Stabilization and Eviction for Good Cause Ordinance, BMC Chapter 13.76.

Questions? Email us. You may also leave a message with the City's Zoning Division: (510) 981-7410.

Related Documents

Short-term Rental Program
Email: str@cityofberkeley.info
Phone: (510) 981-7410

Related BMC