Short-Term Rentals in Redwood City, CA (2026)
6 verified short-term rentals rules for Redwood City, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Permit Requirements
Redwood City requires STR operators to obtain a permit and business license. STRs must be the host's primary residence. Unhosted stays are capped at 120 days/year. ADUs cannot be used as STRs unless registered before January 1, 2020.
Redwood City Short-Term Rental Registration
Heavy RestrictionsNoise Rules
STR guests must comply with all Redwood City noise ordinances. A 24/7 complaint hotline exists for STR issues with a 1-hour response time commitment. Hosts are responsible for guest conduct.
Redwood City STR Noise Rules
Some RestrictionsTaxes & Fees
Redwood City charges 12% TOT on all STR stays under 30 days. TOT revenue is dedicated to the City's Affordable Housing Fund. Hosts must collect and remit TOT unless their platform collects it on their behalf.
Redwood City STR Transient Occupancy Tax
Some RestrictionsParking Rules
STR guests in Redwood City must comply with all city parking rules. RVs may be parked on private property if registered as operable. Commercial vehicles over 6 feet high or 20 feet long are banned from residential streets.
Redwood City STR Parking Rules
Some RestrictionsOccupancy Limits
Redwood City Municipal Code Chapter 42A limits short-term rental occupancy to two guests per bedroom plus two additional guests per stay, capped at ten guests total. STRs are restricted to the host's primary residence; second homes and investment properties are not permitted. Hosted stays (host on-site) have no annual day cap, while un-hosted stays are limited to 120 nights per calendar year. ADUs are prohibited from STR use unless they were registered with the City before January 1, 2020. Hosts must also designate a local contact who will respond to complaints whenever the host is away.
Redwood City STR Occupancy Limits
Some RestrictionsCalifornia Health & Safety Code § 17920.3
(l) All buildings or portions thereof not provided with adequate exit facilities as required by this code, except those buildings or portions thereof whose exit facilities conformed with all applicable laws at the time of their construction and that have been adequately maintained and increased in relation to any increase in occupant load, alteration or addition, or any change in occupancy.
Insurance Requirements
Redwood City requires short-term rental hosts to carry a minimum of $1 million in liability insurance covering STR operations as part of registration under Municipal Code Chapter 42A. This is in addition to the program's $250 annual permit fee, $50 business license, indemnification of the City, and the 12% Transient Occupancy Tax. Major hosting platforms supply broadly similar protection (Airbnb's AirCover up to $1 million, Vrbo's Liability Insurance up to $1 million), but platform coverage applies only to bookings made through that platform and does not satisfy the City's requirement for hosts who take direct bookings or use multiple platforms.
Redwood City STR Insurance Requirements
Some RestrictionsLooking for San Mateo County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Redwood City city rules.
Short-Term Rentals in San Mateo County →