Tulare, CA Short-Term Rentals: Insurance Requirements (2026)

Neither the Tulare Municipal Code nor any state statute requires a private short-term rental operator to carry a specific minimum liability insurance policy. Many California STR ordinances (e.g., County of San Diego, Sonoma County, Truckee) impose a $500,000–$1,000,000 commercial general liability requirement; Tulare County's draft ordinance (defeated 3-2 in 2024 and again in February 2025) had also contemplated a $1,000,000 floor, but it never took effect. Hosts should be aware that standard homeowners' policies frequently exclude commercial/business use, and renting your home as a short-term rental can be deemed a business use that voids the homeowner policy in the event of a guest claim. Airbnb's AirCover for Hosts provides up to $1,000,000 in host liability insurance and up to $3,000,000 in host damage protection at no cost to the host; Vrbo offers similar Liability Insurance up to $1,000,000 per stay. These platform programs require compliance with the platform's terms (e.g., the guest must have booked through that platform). The California Department of Insurance recommends a stand-alone short-term rental endorsement or commercial dwelling policy.