Modesto requires short-term rental operators to obtain a Transient Occupancy Registration Permit and maintain liability insurance of at least $500,000 as a condition of permit issuance. The permit and proof of coverage are administered by the Finance Department under Modesto Municipal Code Title 8, Chapter 2 (Section 8-2-606).
Short-term rentals (stays under 30 days) in the City of Modesto cannot legally operate without an active Transient Occupancy Registration Permit (TORP) issued by the Finance Department. As part of the TORP application package, hosts must submit proof of liability insurance with limits of $500,000 or greater that covers the rental activity. Operators are required to keep the policy in force throughout the permit term, renew the permit annually, and notify the Finance Department whenever insurance details change (for example, a new carrier, policy number, or the addition or removal of named insureds). Coverage is in addition to platform-supplied protections such as Airbnb AirCover or Vrbo Liability Insurance, which the city does not treat as a substitute for an underlying policy. Stanislaus County does not regulate short-term rentals inside the City of Modesto; city rules control. Operators should also confirm their carrier specifically covers commercial short-term lodging activity, because many standard homeowners policies exclude or limit such use.
Operating a short-term rental without an active TORP, allowing the underlying liability policy to lapse, or failing to update the Finance Department on insurance changes can lead to administrative citations, permit suspension or revocation, back collection of transient occupancy tax, and an order to cease operations. Continuing to advertise or accept bookings while uninsured or unpermitted can be treated as a separate ongoing violation.
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