Unincorporated Alameda County imposes a Transient Occupancy Tax on short-term lodging of 30 days or fewer; combined TOT rates in Alameda County cities typically range from about 10 to 14 percent.
Alameda County levies a Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) on hotels, motels, inns, and other lodging in unincorporated areas rented for 30 consecutive days or fewer, as authorized under Revenue and Taxation Code 7280. Operators must register with the Alameda County Treasurer-Tax Collector, collect TOT from guests, and remit collected taxes on a regular schedule (monthly or quarterly) along with exemption documentation. Short-term rentals booked through platforms like Airbnb or Vrbo are generally subject to the same TOT, although some platforms collect and remit on the host's behalf in certain jurisdictions. Combined TOT rates across Alameda County cities generally range from roughly 10 to 14 percent depending on the city and any additional tourism or business improvement district assessments. Failure to register, collect, or remit can result in back taxes, interest, and penalties, and STR operators may also be subject to state income tax, business license taxes, and federal reporting requirements.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Alameda County.
See how other cities in Alameda County handle taxes & fees.
See how Castro Valley's taxes & fees rules stack up against other locations.
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