San Mateo County, CA Short-Term Rentals: Short-Term Rental Permits (2026)

Within thirty (30) days after the effective date of this chapter, or within thirty (30) days after commencing business, whichever is later, each operator of any hotel renting occupancy to transients shall register said hotel with the Tax Collector and obtain from him a "Transient Occupancy Registration Certificate" to be at all times posted in a conspicuous place on the Premises. Said certificate shall, among other things, state the following:

(1)The name of the operator;(2)The address of the hotel;(3)The date upon which the certificate was issued;(4)"This Transient Occupancy Registration Certificate signifies that the person named on the face hereof has fulfilled the requirements of this chapter by registering with the Tax Collector for the purpose of collecting from transients the tax provided in this chapter and remitting said tax to the Tax Collector. This certificate does not authorize any person to conduct any unlawful business or to conduct any lawful business in an unlawful manner, nor to operate a hotel without strictly complying with all local applicable laws, including, but not limited to, those requiring a permit from any board, commission, department or office of this County. This certificate does not constitute a permit." (Prior code § 6004; Ord. 1786, 08/25/66)