Short-Term Rentals in Santa Cruz County, CA (2026)

Santa Cruz County Code §§ 13.10.694, 13.10.690

Short-term rental of an entire home requires a Vacation Rental Permit per County Code Section 13.10.694. Short-term rentals of one or two rooms in a home requires a Hosted Rental Permit per County Code Section 13.10.690.

SCCC § 13.10.694(E)(5)

All short-term rentals shall comply with the noise standards set forth in SCCC Chapter 8.30, and a copy of that chapter shall be posted inside the rental in a location readily visible to all guests. No use of equipment requiring more than standard household electrical current at 110 volts or activities that produce noise, dust, odor, or vibration detrimental to occupants of adjoining dwellings ...

Santa Cruz County Code § 4.24.030 (Imposition—Amount)

For the privilege of occupancy in any transient occupancy facility that is a hotel, motel, inn, or similar commercial lodging facility, such transient is subject to and shall pay a tax in the amount of 12 percent of the rent charged. For the privilege of occupancy in any transient occupancy facility that is a vacation rental property, such transient is subject to and shall pay a tax in the amou...

SCCC § 13.10.694(D)(9)(ix)

The number of vehicles a non-hosted rental guest is allowed to park on-site and off-site (specific to the neighborhood) shall not exceed the number of existing, required, or permitted parking spaces. The on-site parking requirements for new non-hosted rental permits shall be a minimum of one on-site space for one- and two-bedroom units, and a minimum of two on-site spaces for three- or more bed...

Santa Cruz County Code § 13.10.694

Vacation rentals are allowed two overnight guests per bedroom plus two additional overnight guests. Additionally, during the daytime, twice the number of overnight guests may be present at a vacation rental.

Santa Cruz County Code § 13.10.694(D)(4)(a), (c)

Within the LODA, no more than 262 non-hosted rental permits shall be issued, and no more than 18 hosted rental permits shall be issued, for a total of 280 short-term rentals in the LODA. Within the SALSDA, no more than 147 non-hosted rental permits shall be issued, and no more than 45 hosted rental permits shall be issued, for a total of 164 short-term rentals in the SALSDA. Within the DASDA, n...

Santa Cruz County Code § 13.10.694(C)(5), (D)(7)(c)

"Hosted rental" means a legal dwelling unit with two or more bedrooms, where a long-term resident acting as host occupies one or more bedrooms in a dwelling unit, while no more than three legal bedrooms are rented for the purpose of overnight lodging for a period of no more than 30 days. ... permitted non-hosted rentals in which the entire home is rented while no host is present... Hosted renta...

SCCC § 13.10.694(E)(12)(b)

If more than two significant violations occur on a short-term rental property within a 12-month period, the permit shall be noticed for a public hearing to consider permit revocation pursuant to SCCC § 18.10.117. "Significant violations" are: citations for violation of SCCC Chapter 8.30 (Noise); violation of any specific conditions of approval associated with the permit; mis-advertising the cap...

SCCC §§ 13.10.695, 13.10.696

Subject to applicable laws and as requested by the County, hosting platforms shall disclose to the County the URL and permit number for each short-term rental listing located in the County. All hosting platforms that display short-term rental listings for properties located in Santa Cruz County shall require all owners using the platform to include a permit number in any listing for a short-ter...