Short-term rental permit rules in Modesto, CA — also called Airbnb permits, vacation rental licenses, or STR registration — list the application steps, fees, and operating requirements for hosting.
Every operator of a vacation rental or short-term rental in Modesto must register with the Tax Administrator and obtain a Transient Occupancy Registration Permit before renting to transients. The permit must remain in effect at all times the unit is operated and must be posted on the premises.
Modesto Municipal Code section 8-2.606 requires every person operating a hotel, vacation rental, or short-term rental (Airbnb, Vrbo, etc.) renting to transients to register with the Tax Administrator and obtain a Transient Occupancy Registration Permit, which must remain in effect at all times the rental is operating and be posted in a conspicuous place on the premises. The City's online application (administered by the Business Licensing Division at 1010 10th Street, Suite 2100) requires operator and property information, a declaration under penalty of perjury, and is filed with the City Finance Department. Applicants select 'Vacation Rental/Short-Term Rental (Airbnb, Vrbo) - Residential Location' as their certificate type. A separate Business License application and $100 deposit are also required for new operators.
Operating a short-term rental without a current Transient Occupancy Registration Permit subjects the operator to back taxes, penalties, interest, civil action by the City to collect unpaid TOT, and citations from Code Enforcement. The City has contracted with a third-party service to identify unpermitted listings, and unpermitted operation can result in fines and revocation of any later-issued permit.
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