What should Davis hosts know about non-host occupied permits are capped?

Non-host occupied permits are capped at 20 total city-wide; there is often a waitlist.

What should Davis hosts know about only one str permit is?

Only one STR permit is allowed per person or entity.

What are the key requirements for Davis hosts?

The property must be the owner's primary residence if applying for the 'Host-Occupied' category.

What should Davis hosts know about str permits in davis are?

STR permits in Davis are personal to the owner and do not transfer with the sale of the property.

Davis

Moderate

California · City of DavisUpdated Apr 7, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 3 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Feb 4, 2026Sources 3

Summary

Plain-english overview

The City of Davis regulates short-term rentals through a mandatory registration program that distinguishes between host-occupied and non-host occupied units, requiring a permit and business license.

Restriction level

Severity 33

Classification

Moderate

Severity

Why this classification

Limited to 1 property per owner
Tenants cannot host
Permit required
Reporting required
No night cap
No primary residence requirement

In plain English

What this means for you

If you want to rent your home for stays shorter than 30 days in Davis, you must apply for a Short-Term Rental Permit and a City Business License. You can rent out a room while you are home or rent the whole house, but 'non-host occupied' permits are subject to a city-wide cap and stricter limits.

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredNo

Night limitNone

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$124

Max fine$1,000

4 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Non-host occupied permits are capped at 20 total city-wide; there is often a waitlist.
2Only one STR permit is allowed per person or entity.
3The property must be the owner's primary residence if applying for the 'Host-Occupied' category.
4STR permits in Davis are personal to the owner and do not transfer with the sale of the property.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility6 rules

Davis limits hosts to a maximum of 1 STR properties per owner.
Davis: Properties with affordable housing restrictions or subsidies cannot be used for short-term rentals.
Davis does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.
Davis prohibits STRs in the following property types: Affordable housing units, ADUs built after 2020 (state/local restrictions).

Requirements9 rules

Davis STR warning: Only one STR permit is allowed per person or entity.
Davis STR warning: The property must be the owner's primary residence if applying for the 'Host-Occupied' category.
Davis: Hosts must report their rental activity periodically to the city, even if platforms collect taxes.
Davis does not require STR registration.

Application process7 rules

Davis STR permit - Step 3: Submit Short-Term Rental Permit Application. Complete the STR application including a site plan, interior floor plan, and 24/7 local contact information. Required documents: STR Application, Floor Plan, Site/Parking Plan, Local Contact Form. Time: 2-4 weeks. Cost: 124.

Fees & costs1 rule

Davis charges a registration fee of $124.

Taxes1 rule

Davis charges a Transient Occupancy Tax of 0.12%.

Limits & restrictions3 rules

Davis: Non-host occupied permits are capped at 20 total city-wide; there is often a waitlist.
Davis limits STRs to a maximum of 10 guests.
Davis: Each person can only register ONE property for short-term rental. You cannot legally operate multiple STRs.

Safety requirements1 rule

Davis requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher.

Penalties1 rule

Davis enforces the following penalties for STR violations: Maximum fine: 1000.

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for Davis

0/4

steps completed

Step 1

Verify Zoning and Ownership

Confirm the property is in an allowed residential or commercial zone and that the applicant is the legal owner.

1 dayFree

Documents needed

Proof of ownership

Official resource

Step 2

Obtain City Business License

Apply for a standard Davis business license which is a prerequisite for the STR permit.

1 week$100

Documents needed

Business license application form

Official resource

Step 3

Submit Short-Term Rental Permit Application

Complete the STR application including a site plan, interior floor plan, and 24/7 local contact information.

2-4 weeks$124

Documents needed

STR Application
Floor Plan
Site/Parking Plan
Local Contact Form

Official resource

Step 4

Establish TOT Collection

1 weekFree

Documents needed

TOT Registration Form

Official resource

Frequently asked questions

5 answered

Disclaimer

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

Davis

Moderate

California · City of DavisUpdated Apr 7, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 3 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Feb 4, 2026Sources 3

Summary

Plain-english overview

The City of Davis regulates short-term rentals through a mandatory registration program that distinguishes between host-occupied and non-host occupied units, requiring a permit and business license.

Restriction level

Severity 33

Classification

Moderate

Severity

Why this classification

Limited to 1 property per owner
Tenants cannot host
Permit required
Reporting required
No night cap
No primary residence requirement

In plain English

What this means for you

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredNo

Night limitNone

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$124

Max fine$1,000

4 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Non-host occupied permits are capped at 20 total city-wide; there is often a waitlist.
2Only one STR permit is allowed per person or entity.
3The property must be the owner's primary residence if applying for the 'Host-Occupied' category.
4STR permits in Davis are personal to the owner and do not transfer with the sale of the property.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility6 rules

Davis limits hosts to a maximum of 1 STR properties per owner.
Davis: Properties with affordable housing restrictions or subsidies cannot be used for short-term rentals.
Davis does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.
Davis prohibits STRs in the following property types: Affordable housing units, ADUs built after 2020 (state/local restrictions).

Requirements9 rules

Davis STR warning: Only one STR permit is allowed per person or entity.
Davis STR warning: The property must be the owner's primary residence if applying for the 'Host-Occupied' category.
Davis: Hosts must report their rental activity periodically to the city, even if platforms collect taxes.
Davis does not require STR registration.

Application process7 rules

Davis STR permit - Step 3: Submit Short-Term Rental Permit Application. Complete the STR application including a site plan, interior floor plan, and 24/7 local contact information. Required documents: STR Application, Floor Plan, Site/Parking Plan, Local Contact Form. Time: 2-4 weeks. Cost: 124.

Fees & costs1 rule

Davis charges a registration fee of $124.

Taxes1 rule

Davis charges a Transient Occupancy Tax of 0.12%.

Limits & restrictions3 rules

Davis: Non-host occupied permits are capped at 20 total city-wide; there is often a waitlist.
Davis limits STRs to a maximum of 10 guests.
Davis: Each person can only register ONE property for short-term rental. You cannot legally operate multiple STRs.

Safety requirements1 rule

Davis requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher.

Penalties1 rule

Davis enforces the following penalties for STR violations: Maximum fine: 1000.

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for Davis

0/4

steps completed

Step 1

Verify Zoning and Ownership

Confirm the property is in an allowed residential or commercial zone and that the applicant is the legal owner.

1 dayFree

Documents needed

Proof of ownership

Official resource

Step 2

Obtain City Business License

Apply for a standard Davis business license which is a prerequisite for the STR permit.

1 week$100

Documents needed

Business license application form

Official resource

Step 3

Submit Short-Term Rental Permit Application

Complete the STR application including a site plan, interior floor plan, and 24/7 local contact information.

2-4 weeks$124

Documents needed

STR Application
Floor Plan
Site/Parking Plan
Local Contact Form

Official resource

Step 4

Establish TOT Collection

1 weekFree

Documents needed

TOT Registration Form

Official resource

Frequently asked questions

5 answered

Disclaimer

Researched & verified by Learn STR at GoStudioM

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

4 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

How to get permitted

Verify Zoning and Ownership

Obtain City Business License

Submit Short-Term Rental Permit Application

Establish TOT Collection

Frequently asked questions

1Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Davis?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Davis?

3Can I rent my entire home in Davis?

4What are the host-occupancy requirements?

5What qualifies as a short-term rental in Davis?

Disclaimer

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

4 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

How to get permitted

Verify Zoning and Ownership

Obtain City Business License

Submit Short-Term Rental Permit Application

Establish TOT Collection

Frequently asked questions

1Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Davis?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Davis?

3Can I rent my entire home in Davis?

4What are the host-occupancy requirements?

5What qualifies as a short-term rental in Davis?

Disclaimer