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1. What is a short-term rental (STR)?

A short-term rental (STR) is a residential or mixed-use property that contains a dwelling unit or habitable portion thereof that is offered to be rented for periods of 30 consecutive days or less. 

2. What is an unhosted short-term rental?

An unhosted short-term rental is a short-term rental where no resident is present in the rental unit during the course of the rental. An unhosted short-term rental shall be operated no more than sixty (60) nights per calendar year within residential zoning districts. 

3. What is a hosted short-term rental?

A hosted short-term rental is a short-term rental where a resident, who is the operator and acting as a host, occupies one or more bedrooms in a dwelling unit while other areas of the unit are rented for the purpose of transient overnight lodging. There is no limitation on the number of nights a hosted short-term rental may be rented.

4. What is a primary residence/primary residency?

A primary residence is a residential property at which a person resides the majority of the time, carries basic living activities, and the place he or she usually returns to, in the event of travel. Primary residence is where the resident registers their property tax bill, voter registration, vehicle registration, etc.

5. Can a short-term rental be in a recreational vehicle (RV) or accessory dwelling unit (ADU)?

Short-term vacation rentals may not operate from mobile homes, recreational vehicles, multi-family developments with four or more units, and any development containing units restricted to be affordable to lower-income households or farmworker housing. Short-term rentals are also prohibited in accessory dwelling units (ADU), except in some cases pursuant to chapter 18.33 of the Municipal Code. 

6. How do I become a registered operator?

First, we suggest speaking with City Staff to discuss Short-Term Rental provisions within Half Moon Bay (tel:650-726-8270). Second, you will want to fill out an application and include the required information, which can be found in the application checklist, and pay the fee. Finally, staff will verify if the proposed short-term rental is consistent with the Half Moon Bay Short-Term Rental and Home Occupation Ordinance and request any additional information needed prior to registering the STR.