Short-Term Rentals in Alameda County, CA (2026)

7 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 6 cities in Alameda County, California.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Alameda County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply — see the city list below.

Permit Requirements

Unincorporated Alameda County requires rental housing registration under Chapter 6.64. STRs under 30 days prohibited in ADUs and JADUs. Business license required for any rental activity. Annual registration renewal required.

Alameda County Short-Term Rental Permit Requirements

Some Restrictions

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Noise Rules

Short-term rentals in unincorporated Alameda County must comply with the countywide noise ordinance and general nuisance rules; amplified sound and outdoor gatherings are restricted during nighttime hours.

Short-Term Rental Noise Rules in Alameda County

Some Restrictions

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Taxes & Fees

Unincorporated Alameda County imposes a Transient Occupancy Tax on short-term lodging of 30 days or fewer; combined TOT rates in Alameda County cities typically range from about 10 to 14 percent.

Short-Term Rental Taxes and Fees in Alameda County

Some Restrictions

California Revenue & Taxation Code § 7280(a), (c)

(a) The legislative body of any city, county, or city and county may levy a tax on the privilege of occupying a room or rooms, or other living space, in a hotel, inn, tourist home or house, motel, or other lodging unless the occupancy is for a period of more than 30 days. The tax, when levied by the legislative body of a county, applies only to the unincorporated areas of the county. ... (c) Fo...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Parking Rules

STRs in unincorporated Alameda County must provide on-site parking consistent with the residential zoning standard and should limit guest vehicles to the number of on-site spaces to avoid neighborhood impacts.

Short-Term Rental Parking Rules in Alameda County

Some Restrictions

California Vehicle Code § 22651

A peace officer, as defined in Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 830) of Title 3 of Part 2 of the Penal Code, or a regularly employed and salaried employee who is engaged in directing traffic or enforcing parking laws and regulations of a city, county, or jurisdiction of a state agency in which a vehicle is located may remove a vehicle located within the territorial limits in which the offic...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Occupancy Limits

Unincorporated Alameda County does not set an STR-specific occupancy cap but enforces building code, fire code, and nuisance rules that effectively limit total guests based on bedrooms and egress.

Short-Term Rental Occupancy Limits in Alameda County

Some Restrictions

California Health & Safety Code § 17920.3

Any building or portion thereof, regardless of zoning designation or approved uses of the building, including any dwelling unit, guestroom or suite of rooms, or the premises on which the same is located, in which there exists any of the following listed conditions to an extent that endangers the life, limb, health, property, safety, or welfare of the occupants of the building, nearby residents,...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Insurance Requirements

Alameda County does not mandate a specific STR insurance policy, but standard homeowner policies usually exclude commercial hosting, making dedicated STR coverage or platform liability coverage essential.

Short-Term Rental Insurance in Alameda County

Some Restrictions

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Night Caps

Unincorporated Alameda County does not currently impose a countywide annual night cap on short-term rentals, but individual cities and future county programs may limit un-hosted rentals to a set number of nights.