Short-Term Rentals in Pismo Beach, CA (2026)

9 verified short-term rentals rules for Pismo Beach, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.

Verified from official government sources

Short-Term Rental Permits

In the City of Pismo Beach, California, no owner can rent, offer or advertise a short-term rental or homestay without a license issued under Chapter 5.22. Section 5.22.130 caps licenses at twenty-eight (28), accepted no new applications after December 5, 2023 for properties without an existing license, and states an intention to reach zero licenses through attrition.

Short-Term Rental License Rules in Pismo Beach

Heavy Restrictions

Pismo Beach Municipal Code §§ 5.22.100, 5.22.130

No owner or owners of a property shall rent, offer to rent, or advertise for rent the property as a short-term rental or homestay to another person without a license approved and issued in the manner provided for by this chapter. ... ... A. As of the date of adoption of the ordinance revising this Chapter 5.22, there are twenty-eight (28) properties authorized for short-term rental or homestay ...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Noise Rules

In the City of Pismo Beach, California, renters and visitors at a short-term rental or homestay cannot make noise that unreasonably interferes with neighbors, and any noise after 10:00 p.m. and before 7:00 a.m. must be contained within the property. Visitors are barred from 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.

Noise and Party Rules for Pismo Beach Short-Term Rentals

Some Restrictions

Pismo Beach Municipal Code §§ 17.113.070 D and 17.113.070 G (1983 Zoning Ordinance); § 17.09.070 G (1998 Zoning Code)

Visitors are not allowed in the STR or homestay between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. and shall not stay overnight on the premises. ... G. Noise. ... Renters and visitors of STR and homestay properties shall not generate noise to an extent that unreasonably interferes with the quiet use and enjoyment of any other residence or business in the area. Any noise occurring after 10:00 p.m. and before 7:00...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Taxes & Fees

In the City of Pismo Beach, California, a licensed short-term rental owner collects and remits transient occupancy tax, lodging business improvement district assessments and the county tourism marketing district assessment through one TOT/LBID/TMD certificate. Section 3.20.030 sets the tax at eleven percent of the rent charged, and payments go to the city every month.

Pismo Beach Short-Term Rental Taxes and Fees

Some Restrictions

Pismo Beach Municipal Code § 3.20.030; § 3.26.070; § 17.113.080 (1983 Zoning Ordinance); same text at § 17.09.080 (1998 Zoning Code)

For the privilege of occupancy in any hotel, each transient is subject to and shall pay a tax in the amount of eleven percent of the rent charged by the operator. ... The city council hereby levies and imposes and orders the collection of the initial assessment to be imposed upon lodging operations in the PBLBID described above, which shall be calculated based upon 1% of the gross lodging reven...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Short-Term Rental Parking Rules

In the City of Pismo Beach, California, every short-term rental and homestay must provide on-site parking by bedroom count: 1 space for 1 bedroom, 2 for 2 bedrooms, 3 for 3 to 4 bedrooms, and 4 for 5 or more. Spaces must be in a garage or on a driveway, and street parking does not count.

Parking Requirements for Pismo Beach Short-Term Rentals

Some Restrictions

Pismo Beach Municipal Code § 17.113.070 F (1983 Zoning Ordinance); § 17.09.070 F (1998 Zoning Code)

F. On-site parking. ... On-site parking shall be required for the operation of an STR or homestay. 1. Required parking is based on the number of bedrooms provided for rent, as follows: 1 bedroom: Minimum of 1 on-site parking space 2 bedrooms: Minimum of 2 on-site parking spaces 3-4 bedrooms: Minimum of 3 on-site parking spaces 5 or more bedrooms: Minimum of 4 on-site parking spaces 2. Required ...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Occupancy Limits

In the City of Pismo Beach, California, maximum overnight occupancy of a short-term rental or homestay is two people per bedroom plus two additional people, counting children. The identical rule is printed in both zoning codes under Title 17, and the city confirms the bedroom count by inspection before issuing the license.

Short-Term Rental Occupancy Limits in Pismo Beach

Some Restrictions

Pismo Beach Municipal Code § 17.113.070(C) (1983 Zoning Ordinance); § 17.09.070(C) (1998 Zoning Code)

C. Maximum occupancy. ... Maximum overnight occupancy of an STR or homestay shall be limited to two people per bedroom, plus two additional people. For example, a two-bedroom STR may have up to and including six occupants overnight. This calculation shall be inclusive of children. Bedroom count shall be confirmed via inspection by the city prior to the issuance of an STR or homestay license. .....

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Night Caps

In the City of Pismo Beach, California, a short-term rental operated without the owner concurrently on site is limited to a maximum of 182 rental days per year. Homestays with the owner on site have no limit, and the city caps all licenses at twenty-eight, shrinking through attrition.

Rental-Day Caps for Pismo Beach Short-Term Rentals

Heavy Restrictions

Pismo Beach Municipal Code § 5.22.130 A; § 17.113.070 E (1983 Zoning Ordinance); § 17.09.070 E (1998 Zoning Code)

A. As of the date of adoption of the ordinance revising this Chapter 5.22, there are twenty-eight (28) properties authorized for short-term rental or homestay use. There shall be no more than twenty-eight (28) short-term/homestay licenses in effect at any given time under this chapter. ... E. Frequency. ... Consistent with the definition of primary residence, a qualifying STR property shall be ...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Host Presence Rule

In the City of Pismo Beach, California, a homestay is an owner-occupied home with no yearly cap on rental days, provided the property owner is concurrently on-site. A short-term rental run while the owner is away is capped at 182 rental days a year, and both need the same city license.

Owner Presence Rule for Pismo Beach Short-Term Rentals

Significant Restrictions

Pismo Beach Municipal Code §§ 17.113.020 B, 17.113.020 F and 17.113.050 (1983 Zoning Ordinance); § 17.09.050 (1998 Zoning Code)

B. "Homestay" shall mean an owner-occupied, detached single-family residence where bedrooms are rented for compensation for less than thirty (30) consecutive days. ... F. ... "Short-term rental" or "STR" shall mean the rental of a detached single-family residence or accessory dwelling unit for less than thirty (30) consecutive days where the primary residence is not being concurrently occupied ...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Primary-Residence-Only Rule

In the City of Pismo Beach, California, short-term rentals and homestays are permitted only at single-family properties that are the owner's primary residence, meaning the owner lives there one hundred eighty-three days or more per year. Owners prove it every year, and a company or LLC cannot hold the license.

Primary Residence Rule for Pismo Beach Short-Term Rentals

Significant Restrictions

Pismo Beach Municipal Code §§ 17.113.020 C and 17.113.060 (1983 Zoning Ordinance); § 17.09.060 (1998 Zoning Code)

C. "Primary residence" shall mean the dwelling owned and occupied as the property owner's principal place of residence, where the owner lives more than fifty percent of the year (26 C.F.R. § 1.121-1(b)(2)), defined herein as one hundred eighty-three days or more per year. ... ... A. STRs and homestays shall be permitted only at single-family properties that are the primary residence of the prop...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Repeat Violator Strikes

In the City of Pismo Beach, California, a short-term rental license faces revocation on a third violation of the same provision within a rolling year under § 5.22.140, and separately after more than three significant violations in twenty-four months under the zoning chapter. Minimum infraction fines climb from $1,500 to $3,000 to $5,000.

Pismo Beach Short-Term Rental Repeat Violator Rules

Significant Restrictions

Pismo Beach Municipal Code § 5.22.140; § 17.113.100(B) (1983 Zoning Ordinance); same text at § 17.09.100(B) (1998 Zoning Code)

the fine shall be, at a minimum, one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500.00) for an initial violation of this chapter, three thousand dollars ($3,000.00) for a second violation of the same provision within one (1) year, and five thousand dollars ($5,000.00) for each subsequent violation of the same provision within one (1) year. ... c. In addition to the penalties imposed under subsection a.,...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

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