Short-Term Rentals in South San Francisco, CA (2026)
6 verified short-term rentals rules for South San Francisco, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Permit Requirements
South San Francisco requires a Short-Term Rental Permit under SSFMC §20.350.036. STRs allowed only in single-family homes by permanent residents. ADUs ineligible. Unhosted stays capped at 90 days/year. Business license required.
South San Francisco Short-Term Rental Registration
Heavy RestrictionsNoise Rules
STR guests in South San Francisco must comply with SSFMC Ch. 8.32 noise regulations. Hosts are responsible for guest conduct. The local contact must be reachable within 1 hour to address disturbances.
South San Francisco STR Noise Rules
Some RestrictionsTaxes & Fees
South San Francisco charges TOT under SSFMC Ch. 4.20 starting at 11% general + 1% special, automatically increasing 1%/year up to a 14% maximum. A Conference Center Tax (CCT) also applies. Business license also required.
South San Francisco STR Transient Occupancy Tax
Heavy RestrictionsParking Rules
South San Francisco requires STR properties to provide at least one designated off-street parking space. Guests must comply with all city parking rules. Oversized vehicles and unattached trailers are restricted in residential areas.
South San Francisco STR Parking Rules
Some RestrictionsOccupancy Limits
South San Francisco Municipal Code Section 20.350.037 caps short-term vacation rental occupancy by stay type. Hosted stays (host present in the dwelling) are limited to a maximum of 2 guests at one time. Un-hosted stays (host absent) are limited to 2 guests per bedroom plus 2 additional guests per booking. STR use is restricted to single-unit dwellings only — multi-family units, accessory dwelling units (ADUs), and junior accessory dwelling units (JADUs) may not be used as short-term rentals. Un-hosted stays are further capped at 90 days per year, while hosted stays have no annual day limit. Only one STR permit is allowed per dwelling unit per lot.
South San Francisco STR Occupancy Limits
Heavy RestrictionsCal. Health & Safety Code § 17920.3 (Substandard Housing Conditions)
occupancy. (n) All buildings or portions thereof occupied for living, sleeping, cooking, or dining purposes that were not designed or intended to be used for those occupancies. (o) Inadequate structural resistance to horizontal forces. “Substandard building” includes a building not in compliance with Section 13143.2. However, a condition that would require displacement of sound walls or ceiling...
Insurance Requirements
South San Francisco Municipal Code Section 20.350.037 and the Planning Division's Short-Term Rental program do not specify a dollar-amount liability insurance requirement for STR hosts. The City's published STR program materials reference permit, business license, TOT/CCT, parking, and local-contact obligations but do not impose a numeric minimum general-liability or umbrella policy. Hosts using major platforms typically receive platform-provided host protection (Airbnb's AirCover offers up to $1,000,000 in liability coverage; Vrbo's Liability Insurance offers up to $1,000,000 per occurrence) but this is not a city mandate. Hosts should confirm their homeowner's or renter's policy permits STR use and consider a dedicated short-term rental policy.
South San Francisco STR Insurance Requirements
Few RestrictionsLooking for San Mateo County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement South San Francisco city rules.
Short-Term Rentals in San Mateo County →