Contra Costa County, CA Short-Term Rentals: Occupancy Limits (2026)

Per Contra Costa County Ordinance Code Section 88-32.602(d), 'The overnight guest occupancy of a short-term rental may not exceed two persons per bedroom, plus two additional persons. Children under the age of 12 are not counted towards the total number of guests.' Section 88-32.604(d) reinforces this and adds an absolute gathering cap: 'No more than 20 persons, including children, may gather at a short-term rental at any time.' Section 88-32.602(c) sets annual rental day caps: a non-hosted STR may not be rented for more than 90 days in a calendar year, a hosted STR may not be rented for more than 180 days in a calendar year, and the maximum total in any case is 180 days per calendar year. Only one short-term rental may be operated on any lot (Section 88-32.602(a)), and a dwelling in a building with five or more units cannot be used as an STR (Section 88-32.602(b)). Parking standards in Section 88-32.602(e) require at least one off-street space for STRs with three or fewer bedrooms and at least two off-street spaces for STRs with four or more bedrooms. The maximum number of guest vehicles allowed equals the number of off-street parking spaces. Accessory dwelling units may not be used as short-term rentals (Section 88-32.606), and no events such as conferences, weddings, fundraisers, or other commercial gatherings are permitted (Section 88-32.608).