Skip to main content
CityRuleLookup

San Francisco, CA Short-Term Rentals: Short-Term Rental Parking Rules (2026)

Few Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Measurement
Chapter 41A imposes no STR-specific off-street parking requirement
Measurement
Street parking limited to 72 consecutive hours (CVC 22651(k))
Permit/License
RPP zones require permit beyond posted time limits
Permit/License
One-day visitor permits: up to 20 per address per year
Permit/License
Two-week visitor permits: up to 32 weeks per address per year
Authority
Street-cleaning, meter, and red-curb rules apply to all guests

Summary

San Francisco Administrative Code Chapter 41A does not impose dedicated parking requirements on short-term rentals, and the Planning Code does not require off-street parking specifically for STR use beyond what already applies to the underlying residential unit. STR guests parking on the street are subject to all standard SFMTA rules: posted Residential Permit Parking (RPP) time limits, street-cleaning restrictions, the 72-hour vehicle storage limit, and metered zones. RPP areas allow guests to park beyond posted limits only with a valid one-day visitor permit purchased by the host or guest.

22651. A peace officer... or a regularly employed and salaried employee who is engaged in directing traffic or enforcing parking laws and regulations of a city, county, or jurisdiction of a state agency in which a vehicle is located may remove a vehicle located within the territorial limits in which the officer or employee may act, under the following circumstances: ... (k) If a vehicle is parked or left standing upon a highway for 72 or more consecutive hours in violation of a local ordinance authorizing removal... (n) Whenever a vehicle is parked or left standing where local authorities, by resolution or ordinance, have prohibited parking and have authorized the removal of vehicles. A vehicle shall not be removed unless signs are posted giving notice of the removal.

Source: SFMTA - Residential Parking Permits (RPP)View official code

Full Breakdown

Administrative Code Chapter 41A (the STR ordinance) regulates registration, primary residency, the 90-night unhosted cap, taxes, and reporting, but contains no parking-specific provisions. The San Francisco Planning Code generally exempts most existing residential units in transit-rich neighborhoods from minimum off-street parking requirements (Planning Code Sec. 1 and related), so converting one's primary residence to occasional STR use does not trigger a new parking obligation. However, STR guests using personal vehicles on city streets must follow all standard SFMTA parking regulations: posted time limits (typically 1, 2, or 4 hours in metered or signed areas), street-cleaning posting (a vehicle parked during street-sweeping hours is subject to citation and tow), and California Vehicle Code Sec.

22651(k) plus SF Transportation Code Sec. 27, which prohibit parking any vehicle on a city street for more than 72 consecutive hours. In Residential Permit Parking (RPP) zones, only vehicles with a valid permit (or visiting outside enforcement hours) may exceed posted time limits. STR hosts can purchase up to 20 one-day temporary RPP permits per address per calendar year for guests, or up to 32 weeks of two-week-increment permits per year (proof of residency by the permit holder is required). Driveways, garages, and curb cuts may not be blocked, and street parking on a sidewalk or red curb is prohibited under the Transportation Code. Hosts are encouraged by OSTR to disclose parking conditions and any RPP requirements in listing descriptions to avoid guest citations.

Violations & Fines

SFMTA parking citations vary by violation type: street-cleaning violations typically run around $80-$110, expired meter or time-limit violations $90-$100, and 72-hour overtime parking results in a citation and tow. Blocking a driveway or curb cut is subject to citation and tow under the Transportation Code. Although Chapter 41A imposes no STR-specific parking penalty, repeated guest parking complaints can be considered by OSTR as part of a broader nuisance review of an STR certificate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does San Francisco require off-street parking for STRs?
No. Administrative Code Chapter 41A does not impose a dedicated STR parking requirement, and Planning Code reductions for transit-rich areas mean most existing units do not need new off-street parking when used as an STR.
Can my STR guest park in my Residential Parking Permit zone?
Only with a valid permit or outside enforcement hours. SFMTA sells one-day visitor permits (up to 20 per year per address) and two-week increment permits (up to 32 weeks per year per address) that can be purchased by the resident or by the guest with proof of the resident's address.
How long can a guest's car stay on the same block?
California Vehicle Code Sec. 22651(k) and SF Transportation Code Sec. 7.2.27 prohibit parking any vehicle on a city street for more than 72 consecutive hours. After that, the vehicle may be cited and towed.
Can guests park in front of my driveway?
No. Blocking a driveway or curb cut is prohibited under the SF Transportation Code and is subject to citation and tow, even on the host's own driveway in many cases.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in San Francisco

All San Francisco rules

California rules heatmap·Compare San Francisco to another location·View the California short-term rentals overview

Get notified when Short-Term Rental Parking Rules in San Francisco, CA changes

We'll email you the moment we detect a change in the code. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We'll never sell or share your email. One-click unsubscribe in every email.

See something wrong?

Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.