| Rule | Details |
|---|---|
| Regulatory Status | Permitted with registration |
| Permit / License Required | Yes |
| Tax Rate | 14% TOT |
| Night / Day Cap | 90 days (un-hosted) |
| Minimum Stay | None for hosted |
| Permit Fee | $450/yr registration |
| Primary Residence Required | Yes |
| Occupancy Limit | Per unit |
Short-term rental operations in San Francisco, California are permitted under an active regulatory framework as of 2026. Hosts operating on Airbnb, VRBO, or other vacation rental platforms must obtain proper licensing: Yes. The associated permit fees are $450/yr registration.
Short-term rental operators in San Francisco should be aware of these tax obligations: 14% TOT.
Key operational rules for vacation rental hosts in San Francisco include: Primary residence requirement: Yes. Rental day cap: 90 days (un-hosted). Occupancy limit: Per unit. Minimum stay: None for hosted.
Zoning considerations for short-term rentals in San Francisco: Primary residence only. Insurance: Required ($500k liability).
Platform obligations for services like Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com operating in San Francisco: Yes - platforms enforce registration.
Apply for your STR permit or registration directly through the official government portal.
Official Source ↗Yes, Airbnb and short-term rentals are legal in San Francisco with proper registration and permits. San Francisco's vacation-rental law remains in effect and is slowly being implemented, though compliance has been slow. Airbnb and HomeAway are challenging the law in federal court, claiming it violat
Yes. San Francisco requires the following for short-term rental operation: Yes.
Short-term rental hosts in San Francisco are subject to the following tax obligations: 14% TOT.
['San Francisco vacation-rental law in effect but facing legal challenges', 'Airbnb and HomeAway claim law violates First Amendment and CDA protections', "Federal judge sharply questioned platforms' legal arguments", 'Compliance to date has been limited (only handful have complied)']
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