Richmond, CA Short-Term Rentals: Occupancy Limits (2026)

Richmond has not adopted a specific numeric occupancy cap for short-term rentals, but several overlapping standards limit how many guests a host can accept. The California Building Code and Uniform Housing Code establish minimum square-footage requirements per occupant (70 sq ft for the first person in a sleeping room, 50 sq ft for each additional occupant). Richmond's noise ordinance (Chapter 9.52) prohibits disturbances audible at the property line, particularly during the 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. quiet hours, and hosts are responsible for guest conduct. Parking requirements in Chapter 15.04 apply to the underlying residential use, and overflow onto public streets must comply with Vehicle Code parking rules. Best practice, widely used by Bay Area hosting platforms, is to limit guests to two per bedroom plus two additional occupants, post a house manual with quiet hours and parking instructions, and prohibit parties or events. Repeat nuisance complaints can result in abatement actions, business license revocation, and liability under Richmond's public nuisance provisions.