Merced County, CA Short-Term Rentals: Parking Rules (2026)

Off-street parking is a core operating requirement for short-term rentals in unincorporated Merced County. The County's short-term rental standards (Section 18.60.270) require that off-street parking be provided for guests, and the design, number, and dimensions of parking spaces are governed by the County's general off-street parking regulations in Chapter 18.38 of the Zoning Code, which apply to all residential and commercial development. Because a short-term rental operates out of an existing single-family dwelling, the underlying residential parking requirement for that dwelling forms the baseline, and the Director may add parking conditions through the Administrative Permit to prevent guest vehicles from spilling onto public streets or impacting neighbors. The goal of these provisions is to keep the rental compatible with its residential surroundings by ensuring guests park on the property rather than along the public right-of-way. Specific space counts are set by Chapter 18.38 and any conditions of permit approval rather than by a single fixed number in the short-term rental section itself.