I. Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Alameda, CA?

Yes, short-term rentals (stays of 30 consecutive days or less) are allowed in Alameda. However, they are explicitly exempt from the City's Rent Ordinance and do not confer tenant rights under local law. Compliance involves separate business licensing and tax requirements. Rentals exceeding 30 consecutive days are subject to the Alameda Rent Ordinance and tenant protections.

Key Distinction:

• ≤30 Days: Short-Term Rental (STR); Exempt from Rent Ordinance; Business license & TOT required.
• >30 Days: Considered a Tenancy; Full Rent Ordinance applies (registration, tenant rights, relocation payments).

II. Starting an STR Business in Alameda

Required Steps:

1. Obtain a Business License: Apply via the City’s Finance Department portal (HdL) – See Section IV.
2. Set Up Transit Occupancy Tax (TOT) Collection & Remittance: Mandatory 14% TOT on bookings – See Section IV.
3. Determine Rent Registry Requirement: See Section IV & V.
4. If Planning Stays >30 Days: Register with the Alameda Rent Program – See Sections IV & V.
5. Ensure Compliance: Adhere to all zoning, building, and safety codes.

III. Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

| Requirement | Description | Responsible Dept/Authority | Source Link | |-------------|-------------|----------------------------|-------------| | Business License | Mandatory for all property rentals with ≥2 units; Managed via HdL portal. | City of Alameda Finance (HdL) | Alameda.HdLGov.com | | TOT Registration & Payment | 14% tax on gross rental income; Report monthly via Finance portal. | City of Alameda Finance | TOT Portal | | Rent Registry Registration | Mandatory for properties with tenants (stays >30 days) – See Section V for exemptions. | Alameda Rent Program | Rent Registry | | Fully-Regulated STR Fee Exemption | Proof of short-term stay (rental agreement/receipt) required to avoid annual fees. | Alameda Rent Program | FAQs | | State AB 1482 Compliance | Rent cap (≤5%+CPI or 10%) for qualifying units (15+ years old). | California State Law | AB 1482 FAQ |

IV. Regulations: City, County, and State

City of Alameda (Alameda Rent Ordinance)

1. ≤30 Days (STRs):

   • Exempt from local rent control and tenant protections.
   • Mandatory: Business license (≥2 units) and 14% TOT.
   • Fully-regulated properties offering STRs must register but can seek fee exemption with proof of short-term stays.

2. >30 Days (Tenancies):

   • Subject to full Rent Ordinance:
     • Fully-Regulated: Multi-unit properties built before Feb 1, 1995 (rent control applies).
     • Partially-Regulated: Single-family, condos, ADUs, or units built after Feb 1, 1995 (no rent cap; termination rules apply).
   • Tenant Rights: Just cause for termination, relocation payments for no-fault evictions, rent increase limits (varies).
   • Registration: Mandatory for all rental units; annual fees apply except for STR exemptions.

3. Temporary Tenancies:

   • Allowed for primary residences (owner-landlord) for >30 days up to 1 year (or 5 years for military). No relocation payments due upon exit, but landlord must re-occupy as primary residence for 12 months.

Alameda County

• No specific county-level STR regulations found in the provided content. City rules apply.

State of California

1. AB 1482 (Tenant Protection Act):
   • Applies to qualifying units: Single-family, condos, townhomes built ≥15 years ago.
   • Caps rent increases at 5% + CPI or 10% (whichever is lower). Current cap: 6.3% (Aug 2025 - Jul 2026).
   • Requires just cause for terminations.
2. Business & Professions Code:
   • Governs STR platform obligations (e.g., collecting/remitting TOT).

V. Alameda STR-Specific Rules

• Business License Requirement:
  • ✅ Required: Duplexes (2+ units) and all other multi-unit properties.
  • ❌ Not Required: Single-family homes, condos, or townhomes (1 unit).
• Rent Registry Registration:
  • ✅ Required: For all stays >30 days (regardless of property type).
  • ❌ Not Required: For stays ≤30 days.
• Program Fees (Rent Registry):
  • ✅ Apply: For stays >30 days (full fee for fully/partially-regulated units).
  • ❌ Exempt (with proof): For stays ≤30 days in fully-regulated properties (requires rental agreement/receipt dated ≤90 days old).
• Rent Ordinance Applicability:
  • ✅ Applies: To stays >30 days (tenant protections).
  • ❌ Does Not Apply: To stays ≤30 days.

VI. Contact Information

| Authority | Department | Phone | Email | Website | |-----------|------------|-------|-------|---------| | STR Business License & TOT | City of Alameda Finance (HdL Support) | 510-250-1889 | Alameda@HdLGov.com | HdL Portal | | Rent Program (Registration/Tenancies) | City Attorney's Office - Rent Program | 510-747-7520 | rentprogram@alamedaca.gov | Alameda Rent Program | | Rent Program - Finance Dept (Fee Verification) | City Finance | 510-747-4881 | finance@alamedaca.gov | City Finance | | Code Enforcement (Health/Safety Complaints) | Planning, Building & Transportation | 510-747-6800 | codeenforcement@alamedaca.gov | Code Enforcement |

VII. Key Source Links

• Alameda Rent Program Homepage: https://www.alamedarentprogram.org/
• Alameda Rent Program FAQs (STR Section): https://www.alamedarentprogram.org/FAQs
• Alameda Rent Ordinance (AMC Chapter VI, Article XV): https://www.alamedarentprogram.org/files/sharedassets/housingauth/v/3/policies-and-regulations/rent-ordinance-amc-chapter-vi-article-xv-2025.01.16.pdf
• Business License Portal (HdL): https://alameda.hdlgov.com/
• Transit Occupancy Tax (TOT) Portal: https://blweb.alamedaca.gov/PrimeWeb/Home/Index/TOT
• Rent Registry Portal: https://registry.alamedarentprogram.org/#/homepage
• AB 1482 FAQ (State Rent Cap): https://www.alamedarentprogram.org/FAQs/AB-1482-California-Tenant-Protection-Act
• Business License Requirements: https://www.alamedaca.gov/Departments/Finance/Business-License

Important Notes for Investors:

• Always verify current requirements on official City sites.
• The Rent Program is part of the City Attorney's Office, which has enforcement authority.
• Zoning restrictions (e.g., STR bans in specific districts) are not covered in this content; consult the Planning Dept.
• Tax implications (e.g., TOT, transient occupancy tax) are handled by the Finance Dept.