Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Fort Bragg?

**Yes**, Fort Bragg requires a Short-Term Rental Permit for all rentals. You need to complete an application and pay a fee of $435 to obtain this permit. The city distinguishes between hosted and non-hosted rentals, with separate regulations applying to each type of unit. Operating without a permit is prohibited.

What is the TOT tax rate in Fort Bragg?

**12% TOT** is the current transient occupancy tax rate for short-term rentals in Fort Bragg. Hosts are responsible for collecting this tax from guests and remitting it to the city. Check with the city's finance department for details on reporting frequency and payment methods to remain compliant with local regulations.

Are short-term rentals allowed in Fort Bragg?

**Yes**, short-term rentals are allowed in Fort Bragg, but they are regulated. You need to obtain a short-term rental permit and a business license to operate legally. The city also requires hosts to collect and remit a 12% Transient Occupancy Tax. Check local zoning laws before operating.

How much does an STR permit cost in Fort Bragg?

**$435** is the current fee for a Short-Term Rental Permit in Fort Bragg. This fee is required to obtain the necessary permit to legally operate a short-term rental within city limits. Be sure to check with the city for any potential changes to this fee or additional requirements.

Can renters host on Airbnb in Fort Bragg?

**No**, tenants are not allowed to host on Airbnb in Fort Bragg. The regulations require that the property owner or authorized property manager obtain the short-term rental permit. Renters are not eligible to apply for or hold a permit, ensuring that the property owner is ultimately responsible for compliance.

Fort Bragg, CA Short-Term Rental Laws

Gold Standard Verification

100%

Forensically verified with 3+ official sources

Verified: Jan 30, 2026

3 Official Sources

Summary

Fort Bragg regulates short-term rentals through a formal permit system that distinguishes between hosted and non-hosted units. All hosts must obtain an STR permit, a business license, and collect a 12% Transient Occupancy Tax.

Restriction Level

⛔

Strict

Score: 41 (moderate)

Why this classification:

•Moderate permit fee: $435
•Limited to 1 property per owner
•Tenants cannot host
•Permit required
•Reporting required
•No night cap
•No primary residence requirement

In Plain English

To host an Airbnb in Fort Bragg, you must apply for a Short-Term Rental permit from the City Planning Department. You are generally limited to owning only one STR property in the city. You'll need to pay a one-time application fee and an annual business license fee. While platforms like Airbnb collect the 12% tax for you, you are still required to file quarterly tax forms with the city even if you owe $0.

At a Glance

Permit Required

Yes

Night Limit

None

Primary Residence

Not Required

Total Tax Rate

0.1%

Permit Fee

$435

Processing Time

4-6 weeks

7 Things Hosts Often Miss

1.ADUs built after 2017 cannot be used as short-term rentals.
2.Individuals are limited to only one STR permit in the city limits.
3.A local contact person must be available 24/7 to respond to complaints within 30 minutes.
4.Quarterly TOT filings are mandatory even if the platform collects the tax.
5.Off-street parking is required for guests (usually 1 space per bedroom).
6.Quiet hours are strictly enforced from 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM.
7.The city has a 'cap' on the total number of non-hosted STR permits allowed; check availability before applying.

Regulation Details

Eligibility(10)

•Fort Bragg does NOT allow tenants to host STRs. Only property owners may operate short-term rentals.
•Fort Bragg: ADUs built after 2017 cannot be used as short-term rentals.
•Fort Bragg limits hosts to a maximum of 1 STR properties per owner.
•Fort Bragg: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.

Requirements(21)

•Fort Bragg: Hosts must report their rental activity quarterly to the city, even if platforms collect taxes.
•Fort Bragg: A local contact person must be available 24/7 to respond to complaints within 30 minutes.
•Fort Bragg STR warning: Individuals are limited to only one STR permit in the city limits.
•Fort Bragg STR warning: Quiet hours are strictly enforced from 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM.

Application Process(11)

•STR regulations overview for Fort Bragg: Fort Bragg regulates short-term rentals through a formal permit system that distinguishes between hosted and non-hosted units. All hosts must obtain an STR permit, a business license, and collect a 12% Transient Occupancy Tax.
•Fort Bragg, CA extended permit requirement: Annual business license and inspection fees may also apply.

Fees & Costs(1)

•Fort Bragg charges a registration fee of $435 (one_time). Extended/additional fee: $261 (Annual business license and inspection fees may also apply.).

Taxes(2)

•Fort Bragg charges a Transient Occupancy Tax of 12%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb and VRBO remit TOT directly to the city via voluntary collection agreements, but hosts must still file zero-dollar quarterly returns.
•Fort Bragg: Quarterly TOT filings are mandatory even if the platform collects the tax.

Limits & Restrictions(9)

•Fort Bragg limits STRs to a maximum of 10 guests. Formula: 2 guests per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, not to exceed 10.
•Fort Bragg: The city has a 'cap' on the total number of non-hosted STR permits allowed; check availability before applying.
•Fort Bragg: Individuals are limited to only one STR permit in the city limits.

Safety Requirements(1)

•Fort Bragg requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Working landline phone or VOIP with 911 access, Egress map posted.

Penalties(3)

•Fort Bragg enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: $100. Second offense: $200. Third offense: $500. Daily fine: Varies by severity. Maximum fine: Permit revocation. Permit may be revoked for violations.
•Fort Bragg: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.

Exemptions(3)

•Fort Bragg: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
•Fort Bragg, CA: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
•Fort Bragg exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days).

Disclaimer

Regulatory information is AI-researched 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.

Other California Markets

Los Angeles

California

Strict

The City of Los Angeles requires all short-term rental hosts to register for a Home-Sharing permit and only permits the rental of one's primary residence. Stays are capped at 120 days per year unless an Extended Home-Sharing permit is obtained, and rentals in RSO-regulated buildings or newer ADUs are strictly prohibited.

Permit requiredNight limitsPrimary residence

0.1% total tax

Anaheim

California

Prohibited

Short-term rentals in Anaheim are strictly limited to approximately 277 'pre-moratorium' operators who were grandfathered in 2019. The city currently prohibits the issuance of any new STR permits. Allowed operators must follow rigid 'Good Neighbor' policies, enforce a 3-night minimum stay, and pay a 15% Transient Occupancy Tax.

Permit required

15.0% total tax

Mammoth Lakes

California

Moderate

Short-term rentals are heavily regulated in Mammoth Lakes and generally restricted to multi-family and resort zones (RMF-2, Resort, etc.). Hosts must obtain an STR Certificate and a Business Tax Certificate, and pay a total TOT rate of 13%. Stays of 31 days or longer are exempt from these regulations.

Permit required

0.1% total tax

Big Bear Lake

California

Strict

The City of Big Bear Lake regulates short-term rentals under Chapter 5.44, requiring an annual license, rigorous safety inspections, and a strict guest limit of 2 per bedroom plus 2. Owners are limited to 2 licenses total and must remit a 9% combined TOT and TBID tax quarterly.

Permit required

0.1% total tax

Fort Bragg

Gold Standard Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

7 Things Hosts Often Miss

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Regulation Details

Eligibility(10)

Requirements(21)

Application Process(11)

Fees & Costs(1)

Taxes(2)

Limits & Restrictions(9)

Safety Requirements(1)

Penalties(3)

Exemptions(3)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Related Content

Other California Markets

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Anaheim

Mammoth Lakes

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Fort Bragg

Gold Standard Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

7 Things Hosts Often Miss

Frequently Asked Questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in Fort Bragg?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Fort Bragg?

4How much does an STR permit cost in Fort Bragg?

5Can renters host on Airbnb in Fort Bragg?

Related Content

Other California Markets

Los Angeles

Anaheim

Mammoth Lakes

Big Bear Lake