Short-Term Rentals in Richmond, CA (2026)
7 verified short-term rentals rules for Richmond, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Permit Requirements
Richmond requires a business tax certificate for STR hosts under RMC Chapter 7.04.020. STRs are classified as Class E (Hotel/Motel) under Measure U (approved Nov. 2020). Host must be primary resident and live at property 185+ days per year.
Richmond Short-Term Rental Permit Requirements
Some RestrictionsNoise Rules
Richmond's Community Noise Ordinance (RMC Chapter 9.52) caps single-family residential property-line noise at 60 dBA, dropping to 50 dBA between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. STR guests must comply with the same standards.
short-term-rentals/noise-rules
Some RestrictionsTaxes & Fees
Richmond imposes a 10% Transient Occupancy Tax on the rent charged for any lodging stay of fewer than 30 consecutive days, including short-term rentals. Operators must collect the tax from each guest, file returns with the Finance Department, and remit the full amount regardless of whether the platform collects on their behalf.
Short Term Rentals: Taxes Tot
Heavy RestrictionsParking Rules
Short-term rentals in Richmond must provide the same off-street parking required for the underlying residential use, typically one to two spaces per dwelling unit. Hosts are expected to communicate parking arrangements to guests, and on-street overflow is subject to California Vehicle Code rules including the statewide 72-hour parking limit.
Short Term Rentals: Parking Rules
Some RestrictionsOccupancy Limits
Richmond applies California Building Code occupancy standards and general nuisance provisions to short-term rentals rather than a dedicated per-room guest cap. A commonly applied rule of thumb is two adults per bedroom plus two additional occupants, and hosts are responsible for preventing overcrowding, excessive noise, and parking overflow.
Short Term Rentals: Occupancy Limits
Some RestrictionsCal. Health & Safety Code Sec. 17920.3 (Substandard Buildings - Habitability Standards)
Any building or portion thereof, regardless of zoning designation or approved uses of the building, including any dwelling unit, guestroom or suite of rooms, or the premises on which the same is located, in which there exists any of the following listed conditions to an extent that endangers the life, limb, health, property, safety, or welfare of the occupants of the building, nearby residents,...
Insurance Requirements
Richmond's STR program (RMC Chapter 7.88) does not specify a numeric liability insurance minimum; operators must obtain a city business license, pay 10% Transient Occupancy Tax, and pass a property safety inspection before issuance.
short-term-rentals/insurance-requirements
Few RestrictionsRegistration Rules
Richmond requires short-term rental operators to obtain a City Business License and register with the Finance Department to collect and remit the 10% Transient Occupancy Tax. Hosted and unhosted rentals of fewer than 30 consecutive days fall within the TOT ordinance, and platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo collect tax directly in many cases.
Short Term Rentals: Registration
Some RestrictionsLooking for Contra Costa County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Richmond city rules.
Short-Term Rentals in Contra Costa County →