Merced County, CA Short-Term Rentals: Host Presence Rule (2026)

Rather than requiring the host to be physically present during every guest stay, unincorporated Merced County's short-term rental standards (Section 18.60.270) require a responsible person to be reachable around the clock. The operator must designate a local contact who is available 24 hours a day to respond to problems and emergencies at the property, ensuring that complaints about noise, parking, or other nuisances can be addressed promptly. This 24/7 contact obligation functions as the County's host-accountability mechanism. It is reinforced by the residential-zone requirement that the short-term rental be the owner's primary residence, which keeps an accountable party closely tied to the property. The combination of a primary-residence requirement (in residential zones) and a mandatory 24-hour contact gives the County and neighbors a clear path to resolve issues. The Director may add further host-accountability conditions through the Administrative Permit. Failure to keep the local contact available and responsive undermines a key permit condition and can trigger enforcement.