Short-Term Rental Program

  1. *** IMPORTANT UPDATES ***

** On November 17, 2022, the City of Seaside City Council approved substantial changes to the Short-Term Rental Program affecting both existing Short-term Rental License holders and new applicants. A summary of these changes can be found here. Please read the information below carefully to understand these new regulations and requirements.

** The City of Seaside will begin accepting applications for new Hosted and Non-Hosted Short-Term Rental Licenses on Friday, March 3, 2023, staring at 8:30am. Applications must be submitted in person at City Hall by applicant or their representative. Applications will be received and processed on a first-come, first- serve basis. The process for application submittal is described in the New/First-time Applicants tab below.

Owners of Short-Term Rentals (STRs), also known as Vacation Rentals, are required to obtain a Short-Term Rental License per Chapter 17.52.251 of the Seaside Municipal Code. This code apply to all properties (including rooms and guest houses whether or not detached) rented for 30 or fewer consecutive days. 

The City administers the following two types of Short-term Rental licenses: 

1) Hosted Short-Term Rental License: A Hosted STR license allows a Seaside property owner to rent out a portion their main dwelling on a short-term basis (i.e. owner-occupied hosted room rentals). The property owner must occupy the dwelling unit as their principal residence and must be present during the occupancy of the hosted Short-Term Rental. 

2) Non-Hosted Short-Term Rental License: A Non-Hosted STR License allows a Seaside property owner to rent out their entire dwelling unit on a short-term basis (i.e. non-owner occupied entire home rentals). 

Each type of license is subject to a discrete set of requirements including an initial application, annual renewal, property inspection, and payment of associated fees. Please read the information below to determine your eligibility for each type of license along with the application requirements.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Olivia LaJudice
(831) 899-6735 OLaJudice@ci.seaside.ca.us

Haroon Noori
(831) 899-6726 hnoori@ci.seaside.ca.us

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  1. NEW / FIRST-TIME APPLICANTS

Hosted Short-Term Rental License

A Hosted STR License allows a homeowner to rent out a habitable portion (i.e. rooms) of their main dwelling unit/house while the homeowner occupies the STR property as their principle residence. Hosted STR Licenses are not subject to any cap or density limits. Additionally, Hosted STR Licenses do not authorize the use of affordable housing units and Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU's) to be used for hosted Short-Term Rentals.

The City of Seaside will begin accepting applications for new Hosted Short-Term Rental Licenses on Friday, March 3, 2023, staring at 8:30am. Applications must be submitted in person at City Hall by applicant. 

The process for application submittal will be as follows:

Step 1: Download and complete the attached application form. Please be advised that the applicant for a hosted STR license can only be the property owner and not a tenant even if authorized by the property owner. The property owner must occupy the property as their principal residence. Please also note that the Building Inspection checklist must be completed by a licensed general contractor.

Step 2: Deliver your complete application packet, supporting residency documents, and a check (payable to City of Seaside) in the amount of $141.33, on the date and time specified above. The fee amount includes a prorated STR license fee of $83.33, business license application fee of 17, business operations tax of 37, and CASp fee of $4. 

Non-Hosted Short-Term Rental License

A Non-Hosted STR License allows non-owner occupied entire home rentals. Non-Hosted STR Licenses are subject to following limits:

  1. License Cap: Non-Hosted STR Licenses are limited to 90 City-wide.
  2. Density Limits: Non-Hosted STR licenses are subject to a one-per-parcel and 55' zone of exclusion limits. The zone of exclusion is the distance of fifty-five (55) lineal feet from an existing STR parcel boundary. Please contact program staff to determine eligibility of your property based on these limits.
  3. Occupancy Limits: Two adults (aged 18 or older) per bedroom plus one additional adult per site, up to a maximum of
    9 adults for homes with 4+ bedrooms.
  4. Vehicle Limits: Maximum number of vehicles allowed at a Short-term Rental (both on- and off-street) cannot exceed the total number of bedrooms included in the rental.

The City of Seaside will begin accepting applications for new Non-Hosted Short-Term Rental Licenses on Friday, March 3, 2023, staring at 8:30am. Applications must be submitted in person at City Hall by applicant or their representative. Applications will be received and processed on a first-come, first-serve basis. 

The process for application submittal will be as follows:

Step 1: Download and complete the attached application form. Please do NOT complete the inspection checklist until after your property is deemed eligible for a Non-Hosted STR license by City staff. You will be required to submit a completed Building Inspection Report once your property is determined eligible for a Non-Hosted STR license.

Step 2: Deliver your complete application packet along with a check (payable to City of Seaside) in the amount of $141.33, on the date and time specified above. The fee amount includes a prorated STR license fee of $83.33, business license application fee of 17, business operations tax of 37, and CASp fee of $4. Submitting a check at the time of application is optional. You will be required to pay required fees via check or credit card payment online once your property is determined eligible for a Non-Hosted STR license.

Step 3: On Friday, March 3, 2023, please do not arrive earlier than 8:00am as the City Hall will be closed. Upon arrival at City Hall, please proceed to the Permit Service Counter, and check in using a visitor log. If you intend to arrive early, please form an orderly queue outside. Please do not block entrances, stairs, or access ramps while you wait. Please use good judgment, and be courteous to other applicants while you wait.

Step 4: Staff will begin application intake at 8:30AM in order of application arrival based on the visitor log. City Staff will stamp each application with a Date and Receipt Number. The Receipt number and the Visitor Log will be used to verify the order in which applications were received. Applications will be reviewed in the following days in the order of receipt. Applicants will be contacted regarding approval or denial within 3 business days. City Staff will provide direction to Approved Applicants regarding the next steps.

  1. EXISTING SHORT-TERM RENTAL LICENSE HOLDERS
  1. COMPLAINTS/ENFORCEMENT
  1. Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT)
  1. Change of Contact Information