Are short-term rentals allowed in Monterey?

**No**, short-term rentals are strictly prohibited in all residential zones within the City of Monterey. To legally rent your property, stays must be for a minimum of 30 consecutive days. The City actively enforces this ban, so be sure to comply. Fines can reach $1,000 per day.

What is the TOT tax rate in Monterey, CA?

**10% TOT** is the current transient occupancy tax rate in Monterey. If you are operating a licensed hotel, motel, or approved B&B in a commercial zone, you are responsible for collecting this tax from guests. Ensure you remit these taxes to the city in accordance with local regulations, as penalties can apply.

What happens if I operate an illegal STR in Monterey?

**You will be fined.** Operating a short-term rental in a residential zone in Monterey can result in significant penalties. The City actively enforces its ban on stays less than 30 days, and fines can reach up to $1,000 per day for each violation. Always verify zoning regulations before operating.

Can renters host on Airbnb in Monterey?

**No**, tenants are not permitted to operate short-term rentals in Monterey. Since STRs are prohibited in residential areas, this rule applies to both property owners and renters. Any rentals must be for a minimum of 30 consecutive days to comply with city regulations and avoid facing substantial fines for violating the ban.

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

**No**, there is currently no local STR-specific license required in Monterey, though standard state and county regulations may still apply. However, short-term rentals (less than 30 days) are PROHIBITED in all residential zones. Only licensed hotels and B&Bs in commercial zones are permitted to offer lodging for shorter stays.

Monterey, CA Short-Term Rental Laws | Learn STR by GoStudioM

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Summary

Short-term rentals (stays less than 30 consecutive days) are PROHIBITED in all residential zones within the City of Monterey. The City does not issue permits for home-sharing or vacation rentals in residential areas and actively enforces this ban with fines up to $1,000 per day.

Restriction Level

🚫

Prohibited

Score: 100 (lenient)

Why this classification:

•Residential STRs prohibited
•Banned in all/most residential zones
•All residential property types prohibited
•Severe night cap: 0 nights/year
•Long minimum stay: 30 nights
•Tenants cannot host
•No STR-specific permit required
•No primary residence requirement
•No STR-specific fee

In Plain English

To host an Airbnb in the City of Monterey, you must be renting your property for 30 days or longer. Short-term rentals are currently illegal in all residential neighborhoods. If you are caught renting for less than 30 days, you can be fined $1,000 per day. Only licensed hotels, motels, and specific B&Bs in commercial zones are allowed to provide short-term lodging.

At a Glance

Permit Required

Night Limit

None

Primary Residence

Not Required

Total Tax Rate

0.1%

6 Things Hosts Often Miss

1.PROHIBITION: STRs are completely banned in residential zones; there is no permit to apply for.
2.30-DAY MINIMUM: Any rental for a period of less than 30 consecutive days is considered an illegal short-term rental.
3.ACTIVE ENFORCEMENT: The City uses monitoring software to identify and cite illegal listings on platforms like Airbnb and VRBO.
4.CITY VS COUNTY: Rules differ significantly in Unincorporated Monterey County; ensure your property is within City Limits before assuming these rules apply.
5.ADUs: Accessory Dwelling Units are strictly prohibited from being used as short-term rentals even if the main house is long-term rented.
6.HOTEL TAX: Even if operating legally (30+ days), different tax rules may apply if the stay becomes transient, though typically stays over 30 days are exempt from TOT.

Regulation Details

Eligibility(5)

•Monterey: ADUs: Accessory Dwelling Units are strictly prohibited from being used as short-term rentals even if the main house is long-term rented.
•Monterey does NOT allow tenants to host STRs. Only property owners may operate short-term rentals.
•Monterey: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.

Requirements(11)

•Common mistakes and gotchas for STR hosts in Monterey: 1. PROHIBITION: STRs are completely banned in residential zones; there is no permit to apply for. 2. 30-DAY MINIMUM: Any rental for a period of less than 30 consecutive days is considered an illegal short-term rental. 3. ACTIVE ENFORCEMENT: The City uses monitoring software to identify and cite illegal listings on platforms like Airbnb and VRBO. 4. CITY VS COUNTY: Rules differ significantly in Unincorporated Monterey County; ensure your property is within City Limits before assuming these rules apply. 5. ADUs: Accessory Dwelling Units are strictly prohibited from being used as short-term rentals even if the main house is long-term rented. 6. HOTEL TAX: Even if operating legally (30+ days), different tax rules may apply if the stay becomes transient, though typically stays over 30 days are exempt from TOT.

Application Process(4)

•How to set up an STR in Monterey: To host an Airbnb in the City of Monterey, you must be renting your property for 30 days or longer. Short-term rentals are currently illegal in all residential neighborhoods. If you are caught renting for less than 30 days, you can be fined $1,000 per day. Only licensed hotels, motels, and specific B&Bs in commercial zones are allowed to provide short-term lodging.

Taxes(1)

•Monterey charges a Transient Occupancy Tax of 0.1%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Note: Since STRs are prohibited in residential zones, platforms generally do not have tax collection agreements for residential STRs.

Limits & Restrictions(3)

•Monterey requires a minimum stay of 30 nights.
•Monterey: CITY VS COUNTY: Rules differ significantly in Unincorporated Monterey County; ensure your property is within City Limits before assuming these rules apply.
•Monterey enforces quiet hours: 10:00 PM - 7:00 AM (Standard Noise Ordinance).

Penalties(1)

•Monterey enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: Citation and fines up to $1,000 per day. Second offense: Increased administrative penalties. Third offense: Legal action. Daily fine: $1,000. Maximum fine: Cumulative daily fines.

Exemptions(3)

•Monterey: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
•Monterey: HOTEL TAX: Even if operating legally (30+ days), different tax rules may apply if the stay becomes transient, though typically stays over 30 days are exempt from TOT.

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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.

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

Monterey

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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(11)

Application Process(4)

Taxes(1)

Limits & Restrictions(3)

Penalties(1)

Exemptions(3)

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Step-by-Step Application Guide

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Monterey

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

1Are short-term rentals allowed in Monterey?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Monterey, CA?

3What happens if I operate an illegal STR in Monterey?

4Can renters host on Airbnb in Monterey?

5Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Monterey?

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Other California Markets

Los Angeles

Anaheim

Mammoth Lakes

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