Airbnb & Short-Term Rental Rules in Oakland, CA (2026)

Whether Oakland, CA permits short-term rentals (Airbnb/VRBO) has not been confirmed from an official source. Contact the local planning department at (510) 238-3443 to verify current STR rules — including whether hosting is permitted at all, registration requirements, and any local restrictions — before listing your property on Airbnb, VRBO, or a similar platform.

Statewide Preemption

Registration Requirements

Whether short-term rental registration is required in Oakland has not been confirmed from official sources. Contact the local planning department or local building department to verify current registration requirements before hosting on Airbnb, VRBO, or similar platforms.

Operational Rules

No specific operational rules listed for short-term rentals in Oakland beyond standard property codes.

• •Host must use registered unit as primary residence — must have lived there 6+ months in last year
• •Whole-home rentals limited to 90 nights per calendar year when host is not present
• •Hosted rentals (host is present) have no night cap
• •All short-term rental platforms must verify host's Oakland registration number
• •Host must maintain or demonstrate proof of adequate liability insurance
• •No short-term renting of units under the Just Cause for Eviction Ordinance without notice
• •No short-term renting of ADUs where owner does not reside on the property
• •Oakland Measure JJ (2016 Just Cause Ordinance) restricts STR of rent-controlled units

Penalties for Violations

Specific penalty amounts for STR violations in Oakland are not listed. Contact the local planning department for enforcement information.

• ⚠$500–$1,500 per day fine for operating without valid registration
• ⚠$250–$1,000 fine for violating occupancy or night-cap limits
• ⚠Registration suspension for repeated violations
• ⚠Civil enforcement action for chronic nuisance violations

Frequently Asked Questions