Overview: Are short‑term rentals allowed in Corte Madera?

Yes. Short‑term rentals are allowed in the Town of Corte Madera only if the property meets the Town’s eligibility standards, the owner obtains an STR license, and the property operates in full compliance with Chapter 5.34 of the Corte Madera Municipal Code (CMMC) and Ordinance No. 1031 (effective January 1, 2024). The Town permits owner‑registered STRs and prohibits them in multiple‑dwelling and commercial zones. Owners may hold a license for only one STR property in Corte Madera.

What qualifies as an STR and where can it operate?

• Definition: A short‑term rental is any rental of all or a portion of a residential unit for 30 consecutive days or less. Rentals exceeding 30 days are not regulated as STRs.
• Eligible zoning: Allowed in single‑family detached units located in R‑1 Medium Density Residential, R‑1‑A Low Density Residential, R‑1‑B Very Low Density Residential, and R‑1‑C Open Residential districts.
• Ineligible areas: Prohibited in R‑2 or R‑3 Multiple Dwelling Residential zones and all Commercial (C‑Districts), Mixed Use, Light Industrial, and Professional and Administrative Office Districts.
• Eligible structures: Only standard single‑family residences within the listed residential zones. Ineligible property types include:
  • Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and Junior ADUs (JADUs)
  • Units created via Senate Bill 9
  • Income‑restricted or deed‑restricted affordable housing (BMR/public housing)
  • Student housing and dormitories
  • Multifamily dwelling units
  • Non‑residential spaces (e.g., garages, storage areas, accessory structures not permitted for residential occupancy)
  • RVs, travel trailers, boats/houseboats, tents, yurts, teepees, treehouses, and sleeping quarters in vans or cars
• One‑license rule: A natural person or business entity may only hold one STR license in Corte Madera.

How to start an STR business in Corte Madera

• Verify eligibility and zoning. Confirm the property is a single‑family detached unit in an eligible R‑1 district and not among the prohibited property types or uses.
• Address outstanding code violations. Properties with any outstanding violations cannot obtain or maintain an STR license.
• Prepare the application package. Submit a complete STR License Application (see Required Documents) to the Planning Division.
• Pay required fees and taxes.
  • Initial license fee: $500 (annual license renewal fee: $400)
  • Business license: Annual fee due from the Host; remit directly to the Town
  • Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT): 12% of rent, remitted monthly (host or hosting platform responsible; taxes due 30 days after month‑end)
• Post mandatory interior signage and submit exterior signage if access/parking is shared.
• Maintain compliance year‑round and renew annually.

Required documents, permits, licenses, and acknowledgments

• Completed STR License Application (fillable PDF)
• Written consent and signature of the property owner (if applicant is not the owner)
• Application fee ($500)
• STR Regulations Acknowledgement Checklist
• Self‑Certification/Self‑Inspection Checklist (safety items)
• WUI Vegetation Self‑Inspection Checklist (if the property lies within the Wildland Urban Interface)
• Annual Town business license
• Parking Plan: Accurately dimensioned map depicting the location, size, and access to designated parking spaces (parking spaces may not be in the front setback/driveway per application guidance)
• Evacuation floor plan diagram indicating egress routes; location of smoke/CO alarms and fire extinguishers
• Vicinity map showing the most direct vehicular evacuation route
• Photographs of:
  • All designated parking spaces
  • Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and their locations
  • Fire extinguishers (labeling, location)
  • The posted required interior signage
• Host identification and contact details, including a 24/7 local emergency contact who lives within 30 miles

Key operational rules and caps

• Rental cap: A short‑term rental may be rented for no more than 75 days per calendar year.
• License term: Annual license expiring December 31 of the calendar year issued; renewal applications must be filed 30–90 days before expiration.
• Occupancy limit:
  • Bedroom standard: 2 occupants per bedroom (per California Building Code definition)
  • Additional allowance: +2 occupants if the STR provides a separate living space (e.g., family room with roll‑out sofa)
  • Example: 3 bedrooms + family room = 8 occupants
• Parking and nighttime occupancy:
  • Only occupants listed on the rental agreement may be present on the property between 10 pm and 6 am
  • Occupancy cannot exceed the capacity of off‑street parking available per the approved Parking Plan
  • Minimum parking standards apply (see table below)
• Noise: Quiet hours are 10:00 pm–6:00 am per CMMC §9.36.
• Emergency contact: An emergency contact who lives within 30 miles and is available 24/7 is required during all rental periods.

Table 1. Bedrooms, Maximum Occupancy, and Required Parking

• 1 bedroom: 4 occupants; 1 required space
• 2 bedrooms: 6 occupants; 2 required spaces
• 3 bedrooms: 8 occupants; 2 required spaces
• 4 bedrooms: 10 occupants; 3 required spaces
• 5 bedrooms: 12 occupants; 3 required spaces

Note: A minimum of two compliant parking spaces is required for the STR; additional spaces are required for occupancies above eight. A Parking Plan is mandatory at application.

Safety and signage requirements

• Interior signage (mandatory; posted on or directly adjacent to the inside front door):
  • 24‑Hour emergency local contact name and phone
  • Maximum number of occupants/guests
  • Maximum number of vehicles and location of off‑street parking
  • Garbage/recycling/compost disposal instructions
  • Emergency phone numbers (police and fire)
  • For WUI properties: Neighborhood Response Group (NRG) contact information
  • Floor plan diagram showing egress routes
  • Vicinity map showing most direct vehicular evacuation route
  • Emergency alert signup (www.nixle.com) and local weather forecast (www.weather.gov/mob/forecast)
  • Nearest 24‑hour emergency medical facility name, address, and phone
  • Noise Ordinance information (CMMC §9.36.050)
  • Advisory for shared‑access properties: short‑term renters must not block shared access
• Exterior signage: Required only if vehicle access and/or designated parking is shared with other owners and is privately maintained. Submit proposed text and placement to the Town for approval with the application.
• Safety equipment and standards:
  • Operable smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in accordance with the currently adopted California Building Standards Code
  • An operable fire extinguisher on every floor and in the garage (minimum rating 2A:10BC)
  • WUI properties: Maintain defensible space per Cal Fire Code §§4901.1–4907.4 and Central Marin Fire Department requirements

Taxes and reporting

• Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT): 12% of the rent charged for the STR (per CMMC §3.08.030). Hosts or hosting platforms must collect and remit monthly. Taxes are due 30 days after the end of the month for which the tax was collected.
• Semi‑annual reporting: Hosts must submit a report to the Community Development Department by January 1 and July 1 each year, including the number of STR rental days since initial registration or the last report (whichever is more recent), plus any additional information required by the Department to demonstrate compliance.
• Business license: Hosts must obtain an annual business license and remit the fee to the Town. No home occupation permit is required.

Enforcement, audits, and revocations

• Annual audits: Each year, the Town selects STR‑licensed properties at random for audits covering program compliance, property inspection, and TOT payment review.
• Administrative citations and civil penalties: The Town may issue administrative citations and pursue civil injunctive and monetary relief, including civil penalties up to $1,000 per day for violations. If the Town prevails, the violator may be liable for attorneys’ fees.
• Escalation for repeated violations:
  • If a property is cited three or more times in the prior 12 months, fines for subsequent violations range from $1,500 to $5,000.
  • If the same owner/host/platform violates three or more times within 24 months, the third and subsequent violations constitute a misdemeanor.
• Revocation grounds: The Community Development Director may revoke a license if:
  • TOT is not current or not paid in full by the due date
  • Three or more upheld citations for violations within 24 months
  • Material misrepresentation or omission of material facts in the application
  • Attempted transfer of the STR license to another person, entity, or property
• Non‑transferable license: STR permits are revocable licenses that expire annually, do not run with the land, and are not transferable upon sale/purchase.

Contact information and application submission

• Planning Division (STR Program administration):
  • Email: plcounter@tcmmail.org
  • Phone: 415‑927‑5064
  • Mailing address: Town of Corte Madera, 240 Tamal Vista Blvd., Suite 110, Corte Madera, CA 94925
  • Department hours: Monday–Thursday 8:30 am–4:00 pm; Friday 8:30 am–12:00 pm
• Town website (STR Program): www.townofcortemadera.org/1092/Short-Term-Rentals

State and county context (for additional perspective)

• State level (California): As referenced by the Town, STR safety items must comply with the currently adopted California Building Standards Code (e.g., smoke/CO alarms). Hosts should also be prepared to meet standard state requirements for habitability and life safety equipment.
• County level (Marin County): Marin County’s unincorporated areas maintain a separate STR program with different caps, licensing processes, and eligibility standards. This guide addresses only Corte Madera’s municipal rules. Investors considering unincorporated Marin should consult Marin County’s STR program directly.

Recent program developments (March 2025)

• The Town Council has discussed amendments to make licensing easier and boost participation, including potential adjustments to parking (e.g., allowing driveway parking), allowing rentals in R‑2 while the owner resides on site, and requiring a license to list properties online for improved monitoring. Staff was directed to draft revisions. Until adopted, the current rules summarized above remain in effect.

Links to source pages

• Town STR FAQ and Program Details: www.cortemadera.gov/DocumentCenter/View/8931/Corte-Madera-STR-FAQ_Final
• Town STR Program Webpage (forms, news): www.townofcortemadera.org/1092/Short-Term-Rentals
• News Flash announcing STR Ordinance effective 1/1/2024: www.cortemadera.gov/CivicAlerts.asp?AID=706&ARC=2096
• STR License Application (fillable PDF): www.cortemadera.gov/DocumentCenter/View/8946/Short-Term-Rental-Application-Package_fillable
• Interior Signage Template (Town template): tinyurl.com/IntSignTemp
• STR Program “tiny” page (Town link): tinyurl.com/TCMSTR

Note: If a property is governed by an HOA, the applicant is responsible for confirming that STR activity is permitted by the HOA’s covenants, conditions, and restrictions before applying.