Unincorporated Alameda County does not set an STR-specific occupancy cap but enforces building code, fire code, and nuisance rules that effectively limit total guests based on bedrooms and egress.
Short-term rentals in unincorporated Alameda County are not subject to a single numeric occupancy cap in the county code, but several overlapping rules control the practical maximum number of guests. The California Building Code and Residential Code require adequate sleeping room size, egress windows, and smoke and carbon monoxide alarm coverage. The California Fire Code limits occupancy based on exits and available paths of travel. A common industry benchmark is two guests per bedroom plus two additional guests, with a hard ceiling tied to the number of legal bedrooms on the property record. Occupancy that creates noise, traffic, parking, or sanitation impacts beyond a typical single-family use can be abated as a nuisance under county ordinance. Hosts should post an occupancy limit in house rules, refuse bookings exceeding it, and keep documentation of bedroom counts and alarm compliance. Overnight and daytime guest counts for events are treated separately and may be further restricted by nuisance and noise rules.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Alameda County.
See how other cities in Alameda County handle occupancy limits.
See how Castro Valley's occupancy limits rules stack up against other locations.
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