Cross-referenced against 3 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.
Stinson Beach is subject to Marin County's STR ordinance which mandates a specific township cap of 192 licenses and a 14% transient occupancy tax for West Marin coastal communities.
Property owners in Stinson Beach must obtain an STR license, a business license, and a TOT certificate through Marin County. Licenses are currently limited by a local cap and managed via a lottery or waitlist system, with strict rules against using ADUs built after 2020 or multi-family units. Hosts must also provide proof of septic system inspections from the Stinson Beach County Water District and limit themselves to one STR permit per person.
Step-by-step guide for Stinson Beach
Due to the 192-unit cap in Stinson Beach, new operators must apply to be on the official waitlist. Licenses are issued via a lottery or order of receipt when availability opens.
Upon invitation to apply, prepare a site plan showing property lines and at least two on-site parking spaces. Obtain a recent septic inspection report from the Stinson Beach County Water District.
Submit the full application and flat fee to the Marin County Community Development Agency Planning Division.
Once the STR license is approved, apply for a Marin County Business License and Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) Certificate through the Department of Finance.
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 Details may be outdated or incomplete.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