This guide consolidates the official rules, licensing steps, and contact information for operating a short-term rental (STR) in Lafayette, California. It is based exclusively on the materials provided and focuses on city-level rules (Lafayette, CA). If your property is not in the city limits of Lafayette, you may be subject to Contra Costa County rules (briefly summarized at the end).

Important: There are multiple cities named “Lafayette.” This guide is for Lafayette, California. For Lafayette, Louisiana, see the Louisiana ordinance materials (not included here).

Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Lafayette, CA?

Yes—with restrictions. As of January 1, 2024, Lafayette, California allows short-term rentals of a dwelling unit (or a portion thereof) for stays of less than 30 days, provided the property is the operator’s primary residence, is located in a permitted zoning district, and the operator obtains the required licenses and passes a basic life-safety inspection. Licenses are valid for two years.

Permitted zoning:

• STRs are allowed as an accessory use to residential dwellings in all residential zone districts except Industrial, Development Resource, and Public districts.
• Properties with both a single-family dwelling and an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) may operate an STR in either unit, but not both simultaneously in a way that violates the “primary residence” rule (see below).

Key operational limits:

• Primary residence requirement: The STR must be the operator’s primary residence (where they live year-round). The operator does not need to be physically present during stays.
• Occupancy: Maximum of two persons per bedroom plus two persons total.
• Parking: Guests must park on-site; if no on-site parking is available, a maximum of two vehicles may be parked off-site.
• Safety and posting: A basic life-safety inspection is required at licensing (smoke/CO detectors, fire extinguisher). Internal signage must display the license number, responsible party contact, and the property’s physical address.
• Advertising and signage: The Lafayette license number must appear in all advertisements. Exterior signage is limited to one non-illuminated wall or window sign up to 1.5 square feet.
• Manager contact: A locally available (or within a reasonable drive) responsible party must be reachable 24/7.
• No simultaneous rentals: The STR may not be rented to more than one party under separate contracts at the same time (i.e., no room-by-room subletting within the same unit).

Licensing:

• Beginning January 1, 2024, each STR must obtain a Short-Term Rental license and a Sales and Use Tax license. Licenses are valid for two years.

These rules were adopted by Lafayette City Council on September 5, 2023 and took effect January 1, 2024. Applications opened thereafter via the city’s STR page.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Lafayette, CA

1. Confirm eligibility

• Confirm your property is within Lafayette city limits.
• Confirm your zoning district allows STRs as an accessory residential use. STRs are prohibited as principal uses in Industrial, Development Resource, and Public districts.
• Confirm the property is your primary residence.

2. Prepare for licensing

• Assemble application materials:
  • Proof that the property is your primary residence.
  • Number of bedrooms and intended maximum occupancy (two per bedroom plus two).
  • Parking arrangements (on-site preferred; if none, plan for up to two off-street spaces).
  • Identity and contact information for the local responsible party available 24/7.
• Complete the safety requirements:
  • Install/maintain smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and at least one fire extinguisher.
  • Prepare internal signage listing the license number, responsible party contact, and physical address.
• Develop operational protocols:
  • House rules for noise, parking, occupancy, and parties.
  • Guest communication plan, including 24/7 response capability.
  • Advertising plan that will include the city license number on all platforms.

3. Apply for licenses

• Short-Term Rental license and Sales and Use Tax license. Licenses are valid for two years.
• Applications and the latest process details are maintained on the city’s STR page (see Resources below).

4. Pass the life-safety inspection

• A basic life-safety inspection is required when obtaining the license. The city confirms smoke/CO detectors, fire extinguishers, and similar baseline safety equipment.

5. Launch and operate

• Post required interior signage.
• Ensure all advertisements include your Lafayette license number.
• Limit exterior signage to one non-illuminated wall/window sign up to 1.5 square feet.
• Enforce occupancy and parking limits; maintain 24/7 contact availability.
• Collect and remit applicable taxes through your Sales and Use Tax license.
• Maintain compliance with the “no simultaneous rental” rule and all posted house rules.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Documents and information

• Proof of primary residence (owner occupancy).
• Number of bedrooms and maximum occupancy calculation (two per bedroom plus two).
• Parking plan (on-site preferred; if not available, identify up to two off-street spaces).
• Identity and contact information for the local responsible party (24/7 availability).
• Interior signage content: license number, responsible party contact, physical address.

Permits and licenses

• Short-Term Rental license (2-year term).
• Sales and Use Tax license (for lodging/sales tax remittance).

Inspection and safety

• Basic life-safety inspection at licensing: smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguisher(s).

Posting and advertising

• Interior signage required (license number, responsible party, address).
• Exterior signage limited to one non-illuminated wall or window sign up to 1.5 square feet.
• All advertisements must include the Lafayette license number.

Operational guidelines

• Operator’s primary residence requirement.
• Occupancy: two persons per bedroom plus two total.
• Parking: on-site; if none, up to two vehicles may park off-site.
• 24/7 responsible party contact.
• No simultaneous rental to multiple parties under separate contracts.

Specific Regulations: City of Lafayette, Contra Costa County, and State of California

City of Lafayette, California (effective Jan 1, 2024)

• Allowed use: STRs are permitted as accessory uses to residential dwellings in all residential zone districts except Industrial, Development Resource, and Public districts.
• Primary residence: STR must be the operator’s primary residence.
• ADUs: On lots with a single-family dwelling and an ADU, STRs are allowed in either unit, subject to the primary residence rule.
• Licensing: STR license and Sales and Use Tax license required; licenses valid for two years.
• Occupancy: Two persons per bedroom plus two persons total.
• Parking: On-site required; if none, maximum two vehicles off-site.
• Safety: Basic life-safety inspection required; smoke/CO detectors and fire extinguisher(s).
• Interior posting: License number, responsible party contact, physical address.
• Advertising: City license number must appear in all ads.
• Exterior signage: One non-illuminated wall or window sign up to 1.5 square feet.
• Manager: Locally available or within reasonable drive; 24/7 contact.
• Simultaneous rentals: Prohibited—no separate contracts to multiple parties at the same time in the same dwelling.

Contra Costa County (unincorporated areas) If your property is not in the City of Lafayette, you are likely subject to Contra Costa County STR rules (Ordinance 2020-12). Key highlights:

• STR permit required to operate.
• Annual rental caps: up to 90 days per calendar year for non-hosted STRs; up to 180 days for hosted STRs.
• Density and unit limits: No more than one STR per lot; no STRs in buildings with five or more dwelling units.
• ADU restriction: ADUs may not be operated as STRs.
• Occupancy: Two persons per bedroom plus two (children under 12 not counted toward total).
• Parking: Off-street spaces required—one space for STRs with three or fewer bedrooms; two spaces for STRs with four or more bedrooms.
• Operational standards: No excessive traffic or noise; no obstruction of roads; gatherings limited to 20 persons; no special events (weddings, conferences, commercial events); no signage allowed.
• Discretionary permits: Possible to request deviations (e.g., more rental days, reduced parking, higher guest counts) through a discretionary process with public hearing.

State of California

• Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT): Many California cities require STR operators to register, collect, and remit TOT. In Lafayette, the city issues the Sales and Use Tax license that covers lodging/sales tax administration. The city’s STR page outlines application steps and tax guidance for licensed STRs.

Note on other “Lafayette” jurisdictions This guide addresses Lafayette, California. Lafayette, Louisiana operates under a different set of rules (which include, among other things, a ban on STRs in single-family residential districts and a permit/license system). If you are evaluating Louisiana, consult that municipality’s official STR ordinance and permitting portal.

Contact Information (Lafayette, CA)

City of Lafayette, Colorado (planning and zoning project contacts)

• Principal City Planner: Philip Kleisler
  • Phone: (303) 661-1265
  • Email: philip.kleisler@lafayetteco.gov
• City STR Page and Online Scheduler (for questions, appointments, and application updates)
  • City STR page: see “Short-Term Rentals” page on lafayetteco.gov (linked via the city’s STR project page; see Resources below)
  • Online scheduler: bookings calendar associated with the City of Lafayette short-term rental zoning and licensing project

Note: “lafayetteco.gov” refers to Lafayette, Colorado. The phone/email above is for the Colorado city’s STR project team. If you are researching Lafayette, California, note that the city’s planning department also uses “303” numbers. Use the city STR page to verify current application procedures, contacts, and inspection scheduling.

Resources and Source Links

• City of Lafayette (Colorado) STR project page and licensing portal (includes the application process and the online scheduler):
  • lafayette-listens.com/str
• County-level ordinance for Contra Costa (for unincorporated areas around Lafayette, CA):
  • www.contracosta.ca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/67827/STR_Summary
• City of Lafayette (Louisiana) STR meeting information packet (for context on the Louisiana jurisdiction—use for Louisiana only):
  • lafayettetla.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Council-STR-Meeting-Info.pdf
• City of Lafayette (California) zoning handouts (municipal reference page; used here for city context and to distinguish from other Lafayette jurisdictions):
  • www.lovelafayette.org/city-hall/city-departments/planning-building/zoning-regulations-handouts

Key dates

• City Council approved Lafayette, CA STR ordinance: September 5, 2023
• Effective date for licensing and operations under the new rules: January 1, 2024

This analysis reflects the provided sources and is intended for investors evaluating Lafayette, California. Because rules can be amended, always verify current requirements and application details on the city’s official STR page and with the planning department before initiating or renewing your license.