Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Mariposa County?

**Yes**, a Vacation Rental Permit is required for short-term rentals in unincorporated Mariposa County. You need to apply through the Planning Department. The permit ensures your rental meets safety and zoning requirements and that you are compliant with local regulations. Only one vacation rental permit is allowed per owner.

What is the TOT tax rate in Mariposa County?

**12% TOT** is the current transient occupancy tax rate for short-term rentals in Mariposa County. Hosts are responsible for collecting this tax from guests and remitting it to the Treasurer-Tax Collector quarterly. Platforms like Airbnb do not automatically remit this tax, so you must handle it directly to avoid penalties.

How much does an STR permit cost in Mariposa County?

**$587** is the one-time fee for a Vacation Rental Permit in unincorporated Mariposa County. This fee covers the administrative costs of processing your application and ensuring compliance with local regulations. Note that this is a one-time fee, but you must maintain compliance to avoid penalties.

Can renters host on Airbnb in Mariposa County?

**No**, renters are not permitted to host on Airbnb or other short-term rental platforms in Mariposa County. Only property owners are eligible to obtain a Vacation Rental Permit and operate a short-term rental legally. Subletting or operating without a permit can result in fines.

Are short-term rentals allowed in Mariposa County?

**Yes**, short-term rentals are allowed in unincorporated Mariposa County, but they are regulated. You need to obtain a Vacation Rental Permit and comply with all local regulations, including occupancy limits and safety requirements. Yurts and RVs are not allowed to be used as short-term rentals.

Mariposa County, CA STR Laws & Regulations

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Verified: Jan 30, 2026

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Summary

Short-term rentals in unincorporated Mariposa County require a Vacation Rental Permit from the Planning Department and a TOT Certificate from the Treasurer-Tax Collector. The county enforces strict occupancy limits (2 per bedroom + 2) and requires a 12% Transient Occupancy Tax which platforms like Airbnb do not remit automatically.

Restriction Level

⚠️

Moderate

Score: 25 (restrictive)

Why this classification:

•Limited to 1 property per owner
•Tenants cannot host
•No night cap
•No primary residence requirement

In Plain English

To host an Airbnb in Unincorporated Mariposa County, you must apply for a specific Vacation Rental Permit which costs $587 as a one-time fee. You must also register for a tax certificate to pay the 12% Transient Occupancy Tax every quarter. Be aware that most areas require you to have a landline telephone for guest safety because cell service is unreliable, and you cannot use yurts or RVs as rentals. Only one vacation rental permit is allowed per owner.

At a Glance

Permit Required

Yes

Night Limit

None

Primary Residence

Not Required

Total Tax Rate

0.1%

Permit Fee

$587

Processing Time

4-6 weeks

6 Things Hosts Often Miss

1.Platforms (Airbnb/VRBO) do NOT collect Mariposa County TOT; hosts must remit 12% manually every quarter.
2.Properties in the 'Yosemite West' area must pay an additional $5.00 per night per unit in district fees.
3.A landline telephone is MANDATORY for all vacation rentals due to emergency communication needs.
4.You are only allowed to hold ONE vacation rental permit in Mariposa County.
5.Guest houses (secondary structures) cannot be used as STRs; only the primary dwelling or an ADU (if authorized) may be used.
6.If you operate without a permit, you may be barred from applying for a legal permit for up to two years.

Regulation Details

Eligibility(5)

•Mariposa County allows STRs in the following property types: Single-family residence, Agricultural homestay.
•Mariposa County: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
•Mariposa County: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.

Requirements(13)

•Mariposa County STR warning: 600-Foot Notification: Neighbors within 600 feet are notified of your application; if 50% sign a protest petition, you must undergo the much more expensive Conditional Use Permit process.

Application Process(7)

•Mariposa County STR permit - Step 3: Safety Inspections. Schedule inspections with Fire and Building departments to verify compliance with the safety checklist. Required documents: Completed safety checklist. Time: Varies.

Fees & Costs(2)

•Mariposa County charges a registration fee of $99 (one_time).
•Mariposa County: 600-Foot Notification: Neighbors within 600 feet are notified of your application; if 50% sign a protest petition, you must undergo the much more expensive Conditional Use Permit process.

Taxes(3)

•Mariposa County: Monthly Reporting: TOT returns are due monthly, regardless of whether any income was earned that month.
•Mariposa County charges a Transient Occupancy Tax & TBID of 13.5%.
•Mariposa County: 13.5% Total Tax: The tax rate is 13.5% (12% TOT and 1.5% TBID assessment).

Limits & Restrictions(2)

•Mariposa County: 3-Bedroom Limit: New vacation rentals are restricted to a maximum of 3 bedrooms due to septic system constraints.
•Mariposa County: Septic Inspection: You must provide a pumper's report/flow test from within the last 3 years; occupancy is capped based on septic design.

Safety Requirements(1)

•Mariposa County requires: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection.

Penalties(1)

•Mariposa County enforces penalties: First offense: Subject to standard code enforcement fines.

Exemptions(2)

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

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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.

Mariposa County

Gold Standard Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

6 Things Hosts Often Miss

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Regulation Details

Eligibility(5)

Requirements(13)

Application Process(7)

Fees & Costs(2)

Taxes(3)

Limits & Restrictions(2)

Safety Requirements(1)

Penalties(1)

Exemptions(2)

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Step-by-Step Application Guide

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Mariposa County

Gold Standard Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

6 Things Hosts Often Miss

Step-by-Step Application Guide

Upgrade to Pro

Frequently Asked Questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in Mariposa County?

3How much does an STR permit cost in Mariposa County?

4Can renters host on Airbnb in Mariposa County?

5Are short-term rentals allowed in Mariposa County?

Related Content

Other California Markets

Los Angeles

Anaheim

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Big Bear Lake