Taxes & Fees: El Cerrito vs Richmond
How do taxes & fees rules compare between El Cerrito, CA and Richmond, CA?
El Cerrito has fewer restrictions than Richmond.
El Cerrito, CA
Contra Costa County
Contra Costa County imposes a 10% Transient Occupancy Tax on short-term rentals (stays under 30 days) in the unincorporated area. Operators must register, collect the tax, and remit it monthly or quarterly to the Treasurer-Tax Collector. Airbnb collects and remits TOT directly for qualifying bookings.
View full El Cerrito rules →Richmond, CA
Contra Costa County
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.
View full Richmond rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | El Cerrito | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| TOT rate | 10% of rent | - |
| Threshold | Stays of 30 days or less | - |
| Registration | Within 30 days of starting | - |
| Airbnb collection | Yes, direct remittance | - |
| Late penalty | 10% / 20% + 1% per month interest | - |
| - | - |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
El Cerrito FAQ
What is the TOT rate in unincorporated Contra Costa County?
The Transient Occupancy Tax rate is 10% on stays of 30 days or less in the unincorporated portions of the county. Incorporated cities may set their own rates.
Do I need to file TOT returns if Airbnb handles the tax?
If you rent exclusively through Airbnb, the platform files and remits on your behalf, but you must still register and obtain a certificate. Any direct bookings require you to file and remit separately.
Richmond FAQ
Compare other topics
See how El Cerrito and Richmond 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