MONTEREY COUNTY — County of Monterey Vacation Rentals Ordinances, which regulate vacation rental operations in inland unincorporated Monterey County, will take effect Oct. 14.
For the county’s Coastal Zone, however, Vacation Rentals Ordinances will not take effect until they are certified by the California Coastal Commission.
The inland Vacation Rentals Ordinances were passed and adopted by the Monterey County Board of Supervisors on Aug. 27. On that day, the Board also approved a Resolution of Intent to approve Coastal Vacation Rental Ordinances after review and certification by the Coastal Commission.
On Sept. 10, the Board also adopted ordinances requiring annual licenses and registrations for vacation rental operators. These new ordinances establish three types of Vacation Rentals:
- Homestays are allowed countywide and require the property owner stay in the home while it is rented;
- Limited Vacation Rentals are allowed countywide and allow a house to be rented three times or fewer per year; and
- Commercial Vacation Rentals are not allowed in Big Sur, Carmel Highlands, Moss Landing residential zones and Carmel Valley residential zones. Outside these areas, Commercial Vacation Rentals may be allowed subject to approval of a Use Permit (inland) or Coastal Development Permit (coastal). Commercial Vacation Rentals allow a whole house rental more than three times per year.
All three types of Vacation Rentals require approval of a “Vacation Rental Operator’s Permit” from the County of Monterey Housing and Community Development and registration with the Treasurer/Tax Collector. Commercial Vacation Rentals additionally require a Use Permit (inland) or Coastal Development Permit (coastal).
All unpermitted vacation rentals currently operating in the inland area must submit an application or come into compliance by April 14, 2025.
Previously permitted vacation rentals in the inland area must comply with the new regulations once their permit expires or within seven years, whichever is sooner.
“The ordinance will not take effect in the county’s Coastal Zone right away because of an additional requirement,” according to the County in a news release. “The new coastal regulations must be submitted and certified by the California Coastal Commission, which has oversight in the state’s coastal zones, before it can go into effect.”
Those with questions about how these ordinances apply to them can contact the County of Monterey Permit Center at 831-755-5025 or find more information at tinyurl.com/yzjrfsjm.
In addition, the County of Monterey Housing and Community Development Department invites residents to learn more about the new vacation rental ordinances through a webinar on Monday, Oct. 14, from 5 to 6 p.m. via this Zoom link (Webinar ID: 945 6627 0205; Passcode: 971935; Dial in: +1 669 900 6833).
The webinar will review how applicants can apply to operate a Vacation Rental in the Inland Area of unincorporated Monterey County and Vacation Rental regulations.
