Richmond, CA Short-Term Rentals: Registration Rules (2026)

Richmond Municipal Code Chapter 7.04 establishes the Transient Occupancy Tax and registration framework for lodging operators, including short-term rental hosts. Any person offering a residence, room, or unit for rent for fewer than 30 consecutive days must register as a TOT operator, obtain a Transient Occupancy Registration Certificate, and secure a Richmond Business License. The city does not impose a cap on rental nights per year or a blanket prohibition on whole-home rentals, but the dwelling must comply with zoning use regulations and any applicable Fair Rent and Just Cause Eviction Ordinance protections (adopted 2016, codified in Chapter 11.100) that limit conversion of long-term rental-controlled units. Hosts must display the TOT certificate and collect tax from each guest. Platforms including Airbnb have voluntary collection agreements in California and remit TOT directly to many jurisdictions; hosts should confirm whether their platform remits on Richmond's behalf or whether they must file monthly/quarterly returns. Building, fire, and health codes apply equally to STRs, and dwellings must have working smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, and posted emergency information.