Step 1
Verify Eligibility and Primary Residence
Confirm the unit is your primary residence where you live at least 275 days a year and check that your zoning allows STRs.
1 dayFree
Documents needed
- CA Driver License
- Utility Bill
- Voter Registration
Cross-referenced against 2 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.
Short-term rentals in Berkeley are only permitted in the host's primary residence and are limited to 14 consecutive days per stay.
To host an STR in Berkeley, the property must be your primary home where you live at least 275 days a year. If you are not physically present during the guest's stay, you can only rent the unit for a total of 90 days per year; otherwise, there is no annual limit. You must obtain a zoning certificate, notify your neighbors, and pay a combined 14% tax and enforcement fee.
Step-by-step guide for Berkeley
Confirm the unit is your primary residence where you live at least 275 days a year and check that your zoning allows STRs.
Apply for a standard Berkeley business license through the Finance Department.
Submit the Short-Term Rental Zoning Certificate application online or in person at the Permit Service Center.
Once approved, you must notify the residents of all adjacent properties that an STR has been established and provide contact information.
Regulatory information is AI-researched from public city/county codes for educational purposes. Details may be outdated or incomplete. Always verify requirements directly with your city/county planning department before operating a short-term rental.
Researched & verified by Learn STR at GoStudioM