All short-term rentals in San Francisco must register with the Office of Short-Term Rentals under Admin Code Chapter 41A. Registration requires proof of permanent residency (275+ days/year), liability insurance, business registration, and a Transient Occupancy Tax certificate.
Registering an STR in San Francisco is a multi-step process overseen by the Office of Short-Term Rentals (OSTR). Requirements: (1) host must be a permanent resident of the unit, occupying it at least 275 days each year, proven via driver's license, utility bills, and voter registration; (2) host must obtain a Business Account Number from the Treasurer; (3) register with OSTR and pay the application fee (around $450); (4) obtain a Transient Occupancy Tax certificate and collect the 14% TOT on every stay; (5) carry $500,000+ in liability insurance or rent only through platforms that provide equivalent coverage. Registration is valid for two years, renewable. Condo and rental-housing STRs require proof the HOA or landlord allows short-term rental. BMR (Below-Market-Rate) units are prohibited from STR use. Units subject to SF Rent Ordinance rent control must not have been subject to an Ellis Act eviction within the last 5 years. Listing a unit on Airbnb or VRBO without a visible OSTR registration number risks removal and platform-side penalties.
Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact San Francisco code enforcement directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.
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