Permit Requirements: Berkeley vs Fremont
How do permit requirements rules compare between Berkeley, CA and Fremont, CA?
Fremont has fewer restrictions than Berkeley.
Berkeley, CA
Alameda County
Berkeley requires a Short-Term Rental (STR) permit for rentals under 14 consecutive days. STRs are limited to owner-occupied primary residences with a strict 90-day annual cap for un-hosted stays.
View full Berkeley rules →Fremont, CA
Alameda County
Fremont requires short-term rental operators to register with the city, obtain a business tax certificate, and comply with zoning limits on non-primary residence rentals.
View full Fremont rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Berkeley | Fremont |
|---|---|---|
| Ownership | Primary residence only, 275+ days occupancy | - |
| Un-hosted Cap | 90 nights per calendar year | - |
| Hosted | No day limit when host is on-site | - |
| Permit | STR Permit plus Business License required | - |
| Contact | Planning (510) 981-7410 | Fremont Revenue (510) 494-4790 |
| Registration | - | Annual STR registration with Fremont |
| Business tax cert | - | Required in addition to STR registration |
| Platform listings | - | Must display city registration number |
| Local contact | - | 24/7 local responsible party required |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Berkeley FAQ
Can I rent out a second home in Berkeley on Airbnb?
No. Berkeley restricts STRs to the host primary residence only. Second homes cannot be used as short-term rentals.
What happens if I exceed 90 un-hosted nights?
Violations can result in fines up to 1,000 dollars per day and permit revocation. Platforms are also required to de-list non-compliant units.
Fremont FAQ
Can I rent out an investment property as an STR in Fremont?
Non-owner-occupied STRs face stricter limits including potential night caps and zoning district restrictions. Confirm eligibility with Planning before purchasing to operate.
What happens if I don't register?
Unregistered STRs are subject to administrative citations, back TOT with penalties, and platform takedown requests by the city.
Compare other topics
See how Berkeley and Fremont compare on other ordinance categories.
Want to add a third city?
Use our full comparison tool to compare up to three cities.
Open Comparison Tool