Occupancy Limits: Antioch vs Walnut Creek
How do occupancy limits rules compare between Antioch, CA and Walnut Creek, CA?
Antioch has fewer restrictions than Walnut Creek.
Antioch, CA
Contra Costa County
Antioch has no city-specific overnight or annual day-count limits on short-term rentals. The zoning code, however, defines a 'dwelling unit' as housing occupied on a permanent basis for no more than one family, which constrains intensive STR use in residential zones.
View full Antioch rules →Walnut Creek, CA
Contra Costa County
Walnut Creek applies standard residential occupancy limits to short-term rentals — generally 2 guests per bedroom plus 2 additional, consistent with California Building Code and Uniform Housing Code standards. Hosts must also comply with parking, noise, and nuisance rules; exceeding occupancy is a common basis for neighbor complaints and permit enforcement.
View full Walnut Creek rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Antioch | Walnut Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Per-Bedroom Cap | None set by City of Antioch | - |
| Annual Day Cap | None set by City of Antioch | - |
| Dwelling Definition | Permanent occupancy — § 9-5.203 | - |
| Hotel Threshold | 6+ guest rooms = hotel use (§ 9-5.203) | - |
| Boarding House | Lodging ≥30 days (§ 9-5.203) | - |
| RSO Coverage | Stays ≤30 days exempt from RSO (§ 11-1.08) | - |
| - | - |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Antioch FAQ
How many guests can I have at an Antioch short-term rental?
Antioch has no STR-specific guest cap. Practical limits come from § 9-5.203 (which keys a dwelling unit to permanent single-family occupancy), the California Building Code's occupant-load limits for the unit, and any business license conditions. A property that operates as if it had 6+ guest rooms for paid stays could be classified as a hotel use under § 9-5.203.
Is there a maximum number of days I can rent my Antioch home short-term?
The City of Antioch has not adopted a hosted/non-hosted annual day cap. Note that unincorporated Contra Costa County does impose 90/180-day caps under Chapter 88-32, but those rules do not apply inside Antioch city limits.
Does the Antioch Rent Stabilization Ordinance apply to short-term rentals?
No. The City's Rent Program FAQ states the RSO exempts 'Hotels, vacation rentals, and other properties used for short-term rentals of no more than 30 days,' per Antioch Municipal Code § 11-1.08.
Walnut Creek FAQ
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