Merced County, CA Short-Term Rentals: Permit Requirements (2026)

Merced County's Unified Development Ordinance (Title 18, Zoning Code) treats a short-term rental as a defined residential land use rather than leaving it to general zoning. In the use tables (Tables 2-1, 2-3, and 2-5), 'Short Term Rentals' are marked 'A,' meaning they are allowed only with the approval of an Administrative Permit issued under Chapter 18.114, with additional regulations referenced at Section 18.60.270. This applies across agricultural zones (A-1, A-1-40, A-2), residential zones (R-R, R-1, R-1-5000, R-2, R-3, R-4, M-H), and commercial zones (C-P, C-1, C-2, C-3, H-I-C, MU). For commercial zones, Section 18.14.040(A)(7) provides that a short-term rental may be allowed on a lot 'with the approval of an Administrative Permit, if the lot is currently developed with an existing single-family dwelling.' The Code expressly states short-term rentals 'do not include County approved hotels, motels, hostels, and time shares.' An Administrative Permit is a ministerial-to-discretionary planning approval reviewed by the Director; conditions of approval may be attached to address parking, noise, and neighborhood compatibility. Because STRs are a permitted use only when this permit is obtained, operating an unpermitted vacation rental in the unincorporated county is a zoning violation.