What is a Short-Term Rental?
A Short-Term Rental (STR) is a furnished residential living space available for a stay of 30 consecutive days or less. STRs are commonly listed on websites like AirBnB, VRBO, and FlipKey. STR’s permit homeowners to supplement their income.
While some cities and towns in Marin County prohibit STRs, others allow them and have detailed ordinances governing the practice. Regulations protect long-term housing and ensure that STRs do not become a nuisance to the community.
What are the requirements and limitations of STRs in Marin County?
Rules for STRs differ in each of Marin’s cities and towns, but for those that allow STRs, obligations and restrictions typically include:
- Obtaining a permit and a business license, which must be renewed on a regular basis.
- Homeowners are responsible for remitting the transient occupancy tax (paid by the tenant) to their town.
- Ineligibility of certain property types, which may include accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and junior accessory dwelling units (JADUs); income- or deed-restricted affordable housing units; multifamily dwelling units; non-residential areas within buildings, such as garages, storage areas or accessory structures.
- Time limits on total number of days per year a unit may be rented; for example, 75 days in Corte Madera.
- Limits on the number of occupants.
- Parking requirements.
Status of STRs Marin
| STR Status | More Information | |
| Belvedere | Prohibited | |
| Corte Madera | Allowed | Town web page with requirements, instructions, FAQ’s |
| Fairfax | Allowed | Town web page with requirements, instructions, forms |
| Larkspur | Prohibited | Violations carry fines up to $5,000. |
| Mill Valley | Allowed | Town web page with requirements, instructions, forms |
| Novato | Allowed | Town web page with requirements, instructions, FAQ’s |
| Ross | Allowed | Not regulated. |
| San Anselmo | Prohibited | Town web page. |
| San Rafael | Allowed | Town web page with requirements, instructions, FAQ’s |
| Sausalito | Prohibited | Violations carry fines up to $5,000. |
| Tiburon | Prohibited | |
| Unincorporated Marin County* | Allowed | License required. Web page with details. |
*The Marin County Board of Supervisors governs unincorporated Marin County, which includes most of Greenbrae, all of Kentfield, parts of Mill Valley, San Rafael, Novato, Sausalito, San Anselmo, and Fairfax, plus all north and west Marin. The Board approved updated STR regulations in January 2024. The program places a limit of 1,200 STR licenses for the entire unincorporated county, with caps for specific each community in west Marin.