Contra Costa County, CA Short-Term Rentals: Insurance Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- County Liability Minimum
- None set
- Authority
- Ord. Code Ch. 88-32 (Ord. 2020-12)
- Application Requires
- Owner info, site/floor plan, responsible party
- Application Fee
- $380
- Platform Coverage
- Airbnb AirCover $1M, Vrbo $1M (not county-mandated)
- City Rules May Differ
- Walnut Creek, Concord, Richmond, San Ramon
Summary
Unincorporated Contra Costa County does not set a minimum liability-insurance requirement for short-term rental hosts. The STR rules in Ordinance Code Chapter 88-32 focus on the application, owner information, site and floor plans, a responsible party, and a $380 fee, leaving insurance to hosts and platforms.
88-32.406 Application. (a) An owner, lessee, or holder of a similar interest in a residential dwelling unit may apply for a short-term rental permit by filing an application with the department. The application must be on a form approved by the director and contain all of the following information. ... (9) The applicant's agreement to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the County, its boards, commissions, officers, employees, and agents from any and all claims, costs, losses, actions, fees, liabilities, expenses, and damages arising from or related to the applicant's application for a short-term rental permit, the County's approval of the permit, and the operation of the short-term rental. (Ord. 2020-12 § 2).
Full Breakdown
Insurance is the requirement Contra Costa County didn't impose. Chapter 88-32 of the county ordinance code (adopted by Ordinance 2020-12) governs short-term rentals in the unincorporated area, and its application asks for owner information, a site and floor plan, a designated responsible party and a $380 fee, but no proof of liability coverage. That leaves protection to the platforms and to hosts themselves: Airbnb's AirCover and Vrbo's liability program each provide $1 million in host liability coverage, though neither is county-mandated. Hosts should still review their homeowners policy, which often excludes paid short-term rental activity, and any HOA requirements. Cities like Walnut Creek, Concord, Richmond and San Ramon set their own rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does unincorporated Contra Costa County require STR hosts to carry liability insurance?
Does Airbnb or Vrbo coverage substitute for a county requirement?
Could my homeowners policy or HOA still require STR coverage?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Contra Costa County
California rules heatmap·Compare Contra Costa County to another location·View the California short-term rentals overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.