Berkeley vs Oakland
How do primary-residence-only rule rules compare between Berkeley, CA and Oakland, CA?
Berkeley and Oakland have similar restriction levels.
Berkeley, CA
Alameda County
Berkeley caps short-term rental activity to the host's bona fide primary residence, blocking investor-owned platforms and protecting long-term housing stock under the 2017 ordinance.
View full Berkeley rules →Oakland, CA
Alameda County
Oakland limits short-term rentals to the operator's primary residence, defined as the dwelling occupied by the host for at least the majority of the calendar year. Investor-owned vacation rentals are not authorized.
View full Oakland rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Berkeley | Oakland |
|---|---|---|
| Residency threshold | 275 days yearly | - |
| Code | BMC 23.328 | - |
| Proof required | Utility, voter, tax records | - |
| Adopted | 2017 | - |
| Eligibility | - | Primary residence only |
| Proof | - | License or utility bills |
| Limit | - | One registration per person |
| Investors | - | Not eligible |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Berkeley FAQ
Can two co-owners both list the same home?
Only one host may register an STR per dwelling, and that host must satisfy the 275-day primary residence requirement themselves.
Are corporate landlords eligible?
No. Berkeley restricts STRs to natural persons whose primary home is the listed dwelling, blocking LLC and investor entities.
Oakland FAQ
How does Oakland define primary residence?
The dwelling the host occupies for the majority of the calendar year, supported by official documents like a CA driver license, voter registration, or utility account in the host's name.
Can I list a duplex unit I do not live in?
No. STR registration is tied to the operator's primary residence. The non-occupied unit must be offered as a long-term rental rather than a short-term listing.
Compare other topics
See how Berkeley and Oakland 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