Short Term Rental regulations are applicable in the Coastal Zone, until the Vacation Rental Ordinance is certified by the California Coastal Commission.

This page is designed to provide information related to current County of Monterey land use policy related to short term rentals in the Coastal Zone.

The County of Monterey collects complaints related to short term rental activity in the unincorporated areas of Monterey County. To report concerns with short term rentals, or any building or land use code violations, you can submit a complaint to the County of Monterey Code Compliance Division here via Accela Citizen Access.

Related Resources:

• Guidance on Current Regulations Relative to the Transient Use of Residential Property
• Transient Use of Residential Property (Short-term rental - 30 consecutive days or less) may be permitted with an approved discretionary permit, in certain designated zoning districts in the County. Discretionary permits require review and approval by a decision making body and may or may not be granted.
• Approved and Pending "STR" and & "B&B" Applications

Applicable Monterey County Policy/Regulation:

Coastal

• Title 20 - Coastal Zone:
• Sections 20.10.050W, 20.12.050U, 20.14.050Z, 20.16.050NN (similar use as determined by the Planning Commission)
• Section 20.64.100 (Regulations for Bed and Breakfast Facilities)

Transient Occupancy Tax

Rental for 30 days or less requires payment of transient occupancy tax (Uniform Transient Occupancy Tax Ordinance) - Treasurer-Tax Collector Site. Each operator renting occupancy to transients are required to register with the Tax Collector and obtain from the Tax Collector a transient occupancy registration certificate, to be at all times posted in a conspicuous place on the premises. Payment of taxes does not otherwise permit a use that is not otherwise allowed. 

Short Term Rental FAQs

• How do I get a short-term rental permit? 
  • In the coastal areas of the County, short term rentals may be allowed by obtaining a coastal development permit under the category of similar use. These permits cost approximately $12,000.
  • To start the land use permitting process, we recommend you call (831) 755-5025 and ask to speak with a Permit Technician, or email us at HCDVacationRentals@CountyofMonterey.gov. The Permit Technician can look up your parcel record and provide you information about zoning and the land use permitting process. When you call or email, please have your Assessor's Parcel Number, or APN, available. To look up your APN, see the Assessor’s ParcelQuest site.

 

• I pay Transient Occupancy Taxes to the County. Do I need to do anything further with the County to legally operate a short term rental?
• The Treasurer-Tax Collector's Office coordinates and collects the Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) for all of Monterey County. This tax is completely separate from land use permitting and does not authorize short term rentals. In order to legally operate a short term rental, property owners may also need permits, licenses, or other approvals, depending on their local government jurisdiction. This means property owners must work with their local jurisdictions to operate short term rentals legally. Property owners in the unincorporated areas of Monterey County must have a land use permit which allows this specialized land use. If your property is in unincorporated Monterey County, the permitting agency is Housing & Community Development. If you are within a city limit, contact your local jurisdiction’s planning department.

 

• I'm concerned about a neighbor who may be operating a short term rental. What should I do? 
• Call the HCD Complaint Hotline at (831) 796-3674, or, to report a noise complaint, call our Noise Complaint Hotline at 831-755-5177. You can also read our Noise Ordinance for more information.
• To report concerns with short term rentals, or any building or land use code violations, you can submit a complaint to the County of Monterey Code Compliance Division here. For more information about filing a complaint is available on our website.

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