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Short-term Rentals on properties in a Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) must show proof of a vegetation inspection as part of their registration. For 2020, property owners will be able to conduct a self-certified vegetation inspection, by completed a Vegetation Inspection Checklist and submitting photos of the front, back, and sides of the property. It is important...

To file a complaint regarding a Short-Term Rental in San Rafael: Call our 24/7 Complaint Hotline at: (415) 521-3556 Submit a compliant online: Short-Term Rental Complaint Online Form  For other questions, please  contact Hector Carlos at Hector.Carlos@cityofsanrafael.org or at 415.458.5337.

Any hosts who have received three or more upheld citation violations of the program rules in a two year period, they will immediately lose the short-term rental registration.

Yes, the City requires hosts collect and remit Transient Occupancy Taxes (TOT) for all short-term rentals. TOT is 12% (10% City, 2% for MCBIDTA). Airbnb will directly remit the taxes to the city. All other rental site (i.e. VRBO or Turn key ) you will have to remit the tax payment yourself.   There is a...

Yes, there is a $170 registration fee the first time you register your short-term rental. If you are renewing your registration the fee is $135.

Rentalscape is our new provider as of December 1, 2022. Please follow the link at top of page to start your registration.

Yes, Short-term Rentals are allowed on properties vehicle access is shared between neighbors. If you live on a property like this you must provide a "Parking Plan" when you register your property to be used as a short-term rental. A "Parking Plan"  must document how the  Short-Term Rental will avoid encumbering parking.  Documentation may include:...

Yes, one designated off-street parking space must be provided for every four guests. For properties with multiple residential units used as short-term rentals, each rental listing must have its own designated off-street parking.

The City allows  two individuals per bedroom plus two additional individuals if the rental provides additional living space. For instance, a studio could accommodate two individuals and a one-bedroom apartment could accommodate four individuals. The City also requires that rentals provide enough off-street parking to meet the number who can stay in the short-term rental. ...

To prove your Short-Term Rental is your "Primary Residence," you must provide three of the following five documents when you register: Motor vehicle registration; Driver's license; Voter registration; Tax documents showing the Residential Unit as the Permanent Resident's residence for the purposes of a home owner's tax exemption; A utility bill.

Yes, only the "Permanent Resident" can offer their home as a short-term rental and the home must be their "Primary Residence" A "Primary Resident" is a person who occupies a Residential Unit for at least 60 consecutive days with intent to establish that unit as his or her primary residence. A Permanent Resident may be...

The City allows for Accessory Structures (ex. Accessory Dwelling Units, Junior Dwelling Units, and Accessory Structures less than 120 square feet) to be used as Short-Term Rentals. These units must still meet the primary residency requirements. However, You cannot offer an entire single home or residential unit and the accessory structure at the same time....

The following properties cannot be used as a short-term rental: Income-restricted affordable housing, including Below-Market-Rate (BMR) units and public housing Student housing, dormitories and Single-Room-Occupancy (SRO) buildings Commercial or industrial zoned lots Non-residential areas within buildings, such as storage areas, and living/sleeping quarters added in garages Recreation Vehicles (RVs), including non-motorized Travel Trailers Boats/House Boats...

A property must meet the following four criteria to be eligible for short-term rental use: All or a portion of the Residential Unit is offered for Tourist or Transient Use by the Permanent Resident of the Residential Unit the Residential Unit is the Primary Residence of the Permanent Resident the Permanent Resident is a natural...

Yes. San Rafael allows short-term rentals but they must be registered with the Short-Term Rental program and hosts must collect and remit transient occupancy taxes.

A short-term residential rental is a rental of all or a portion of your home for periods of less than 30 nights.