San Benito County, CA Short-Term Rentals: Registration Rules (2026)

While San Benito County has no STR-specific registry, the County Code does impose a registration duty on anyone operating transient lodging in the unincorporated area. Under Chapter 5.03, Article III of the San Benito County Code, within 30 days after commencing business, each operator of any hotel renting an occupancy to transients must register the hotel with the Tax Administrator and obtain a transient occupancy registration certificate, which must at all times be posted in a conspicuous place on the premises. The County's definition of 'hotel' is broad - any structure or portion thereof occupied or intended for occupancy by transients for dwelling, lodging, or sleeping purposes - which captures short-term and vacation rentals. To register, an operator completes the County's application and submits it to the Tax Administrator at 481 Fourth Street, Hollister, CA 95023. Separately, the County requires a business license for any business activity conducted in the County, processed through the County's HdL online portal. After the transient occupancy registration certificate is issued, the operator must file a quarterly tax return. Because registration is tied to the TOT framework rather than a standalone STR ordinance, operators should also confirm their zoning status with the Resource Management Agency.