Short-term rental permit rules in Berkeley, CA — also called Airbnb permits, vacation rental licenses, or STR registration — list the application steps, fees, and operating requirements for hosting.
Berkeley requires a Short-Term Rental (STR) permit for rentals under 14 consecutive days. STRs are limited to owner-occupied primary residences with a strict 90-day annual cap for un-hosted stays.
Berkeley Municipal Code Chapter 23.314 (formerly 23C.22) governs short-term rentals. Only a primary residence may be rented short-term, and the host must occupy the property at least 275 days per year. Hosted rentals (host on-site) have no day limit; un-hosted rentals are capped at 90 nights per calendar year. Hosts must obtain a Berkeley STR Permit, a Zoning Certificate, and a Business License. Proof of primary residency (drivers license, utility bills, voter registration) is required. The permit number must be posted in every listing on Airbnb, VRBO, and similar platforms. Second homes, investor-owned units, and non-owner-occupied rentals are prohibited. Rent-controlled units have additional restrictions.
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.
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