4 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Monterey County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Monterey County's Vacation Rental Ordinance (effective October 14, 2024 inland; October 24, 2025 coastal) requires a Vacation Rental Operator's Permit from Housing and Community Development for all short-term rentals (under 30 nights) in unincorporated areas. Three categories: Homestay (host on-site), Limited Vacation Rental (3 rentals/year max), and Commercial Vacation Rental (capped at 4% of housing per planning area). CVRs are banned in Big Sur, Carmel Highlands, Moss Landing residential, and Carmel Valley residential zones.
Operators of vacation rentals in unincorporated Monterey County must collect a 10.5% Transient Occupancy Tax (Monterey County Code Chapter 5.40) on all stays of 30 days or fewer, hold a Vacation Rental Operation License (VROL) under Chapter 7.120, and maintain a County Business License. Commercial Vacation Rentals (CVRs) additionally require a discretionary Use Permit (Inland) or Coastal Development Permit (Coastal Zone) with substantially higher fees.
Vacation rentals in unincorporated Monterey County must submit an On-Site Parking Plan with their Vacation Rental Operation License application under Monterey County Code §21.64.290 (Inland) and the parallel Title 20 Coastal Vacation Rental Ordinance. All required guest vehicles must be accommodated on-site (driveway, garage, or designated parking pad); reliance on public street parking is restricted, and Commercial Vacation Rentals must designate a property manager who can respond on-site within 30 minutes for parking complaints.
Vacation rentals in unincorporated Monterey County operate under occupancy standards adopted with Ord. 24-027 (Monterey County Code §21.64.290 inland; Title 20 coastal counterpart). The widely-reported standard is two adults per bedroom with a maximum of nine adults at any 4+ bedroom property, plus stricter limits in Big Sur where Commercial Vacation Rentals are prohibited entirely. Limited Vacation Rentals require the principal resident to occupy the property except for up to three rental periods per year.
1 cities in Monterey County have their own short-term rentals rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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