Mill Valley, California Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Overview: STR Status in Mill Valley

Short-Term Rentals are ALLOWED in Mill Valley, CA. The city explicitly permits STRs in all residential units except deed-restricted Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units (JADUs). Mill Valley has established a comprehensive regulatory framework that allows STR operations while protecting the city's long-term housing stock and preventing nuisance activities.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Mill Valley?

Mill Valley hosts earn a median $57,791/year with $267 ADR and 78% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $80,803+ per year.

See the full Mill Valley market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Mill Valley

Step-by-Step Process

Verify Property Eligibility
- Ensure your property is a legally permitted residential space
- Confirm it is not a deed-restricted ADU or JADU
- If your lot contains a JADU, the primary unit cannot be rented concurrently with the JADU due to owner occupancy requirements
Submit Required Applications
- Complete the Short-Term Rental Registration Form
- Apply for a Residential Business License
- Submit both to the Planning Department
Pay Required Fees
- STR Registration Fee: $50 (annual)
- Business License Fee: $15 per unit + $4 (annual)
- Set up monthly transient occupancy tax remittances
Establish Guest Communication Systems
- Identify and register an emergency contact person (must be over 18)
- Prepare guest information materials covering all required topics
Maintain Ongoing Compliance
- Renew registrations annually by July 31st
- Submit monthly TOT returns and payments
- Respond to any violations or complaints

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Mandatory Documents and Permits

Short-Term Rental Registration Form

Source: City of Mill Valley Planning Department
Fee: $50 (annual)
Content Required:
- Project/property address
- Type of rental space (room in single-family, entire single-family, 2nd unit, or multi-family unit)
- Maximum occupancy capacity
- Number of available parking spaces
- Emergency contact information (name, phone, must be over 18)
- Applicant and owner information (if different)

Residential Business License

Issuing Department: Finance Department
Fee: $15 per unit + $4 (annual, payable online through OpenGov)
Process: Complete Business License Application and submit through OpenGov portal

Transient Occupancy Tax Registration

Portal: OpenGov online portal
Requirement: Monthly remittances of TOT collected from guests
Form: Mill Valley Transient Occupancy Tax Remittance Form

Required Guest Information Statement

All hosts must provide guests with a statement containing:

Maximum occupancy limits for the rental unit
Parking information describing available guest parking
Emergency contact details for a responsible person available 24/7
Trash disposal instructions and procedures
Mill Valley Noise Ordinance requirements and quiet hours
Good Neighbor conduct expectations, including:
- Noise limitation requirements
- Respectful parking practices
- Proper trash disposal in appropriate bins

Specific Regulations: City, County, and State

City of Mill Valley Regulations

Permitted STR Types:

Rooms within single-family homes
Entire single-family homes
Multi-family units
Second units (with restrictions)

Prohibited STR Types:

Deed-restricted ADUs
Deed-restricted JADUs
Properties where primary unit and JADU would be rented concurrently

Operating Requirements:

Maximum rental period: Less than 30 consecutive days
Annual registration and business license renewal required
Monthly TOT remittances mandatory
24/7 emergency contact availability required

Consequences for Violations:

Non-renewal of business license
Cease of STR operations for at least one year following expiration
Discretionary approval required from Planning Director for early reinstatement

Marin County Context

Unincorporated Marin County:

STRs allowed but with different regulations
License required from Marin County
Cap of 1,200 STR licenses for entire unincorporated county
Different application process through Marin County Department of Finance

California State Regulations

Tax Obligations:

Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) collection and remittance
State-level TOT rates apply in addition to local requirements
Monthly filing and payment requirements typically apply

General Business Requirements:

Valid business license (city/county level)
Compliance with health and safety codes
Adherence to local zoning regulations

Contact Information for Local Authority

Primary STR Contact

Planning Department

Email: planning@cityofmillvalley.gov
Phone: (415) 388-4033
Address: 26 Corte Madera Avenue, Mill Valley, CA 94941
Role: STR Registration, permit applications, zoning compliance

Tax and Financial Contacts

Finance Department - Transient Occupancy Tax

Phone: (415) 384-4802
Email: tot@cityofmillvalley.gov
Online Portal: OpenGov.com (millvalleyca.taxandrevenue.opengov.com)
Role: Business licenses, TOT collection and remittance

General City Contact

Mill Valley City Hall

Address: 26 Corte Madera Avenue, Mill Valley, CA 94941
Phone: (415) 388-4033
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Source Pages and References

Primary City Sources

City of Mill Valley Short-Term Rentals Page: www.cityofmillvalley.gov/2072/Short-Term-Rentals
STR Registration Form: www.cityofmillvalley.gov/DocumentCenter/View/121/Short-Term-Rental-Application-PDF
Business Licenses Information: www.cityofmillvalley.org/656/Business-Licenses
OpenGov TOT Portal: millvalleyca.taxandrevenue.opengov.com/
Planning Department Fee Schedule: www.cityofmillvalley.gov/DocumentCenter/View/8241

County and Regional Sources

Living in Marin - STR Overview: www.livinginmarin.com/marin-county-rules-for-short-term-rentals/
Marin County STR Information: www.marincounty.gov/departments/cda/planning/long-range-planning-initiatives/short-term-rental-str

Hosting Platform References

Airbnb Mill Valley Regulations Summary: www.airbnb.com/help/article/1407

Municipal Code and Legal References

Mill Valley Municipal Code: qcode.us/codes/millvalley/
Mill Valley TOT Ordinance (Section 5.28): qcode.us/codes/millvalley/view.php?topic=5-5_28&showAll=1

Important Notes for Investors

Critical Compliance Deadlines:

Annual registration renewal by July 31st each year
Monthly TOT remittances (due monthly, not annually)
Immediate response required for any violation notices

Financial Considerations:

Registration and license fees are non-refundable
TOT collection is guest-paid but host-remitted responsibility
Violations can result in complete suspension of operations

Property Investment Implications:

Properties with deed-restricted ADUs/JADUs are ineligible for STR operations
Properties with existing JADUs may have limitations on primary unit STR operations
Zoning verification recommended before property acquisition for STR purposes

This comprehensive regulatory framework positions Mill Valley as a STR-friendly market with clear, established processes for legal operation while maintaining community standards and housing stock protection.

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Ask the AI Advisor about Mill Valley

Mill Valley is a small, scenic city in Marin County, California, tucked into the wooded folds at the base of Mount Tamalpais in the San Francisco Bay Area. With a population of roughly 14,000, it carries a village-like atmosphere of tree-shaded streets, locally owned shops, and a strong creative community. Long associated with the natural beauty of southern Marin, Mill Valley serves as a popular gateway for visitors heading to Mount Tamalpais, Muir Woods, and the nearby stretches of the California coast, all while sitting just across the Golden Gate Bridge about fifteen miles north of San Francisco.

A short drive up the flanks of Mount Tam, Mount Tamalpais State Park spreads across thousands of acres of forested ridges, open grasslands, and chaparral. Hikers and cyclists are drawn to its extensive trail network, scenic viewpoints, and the winding road to the East Peak, which on clear days offers panoramic views of the Bay Area, the Pacific Ocean, and on occasion the Sierra Nevada. The park's lower slopes begin only a few minutes from downtown Mill Valley, making it one of the most accessible big-nature experiences in the region.

Just west of the city, Muir Woods National Monument preserves one of the last remaining old-growth coast redwood forests in the Bay Area. The flat main canyon trail threads beneath towering redwoods that draw visitors from around the world, while shorter loops and connecting paths climb up to surrounding ridgelines with views of the coast. From Mill Valley, Muir Woods is typically only about a ten- to fifteen-minute drive, though parking is limited and advance reservations are generally required.

In town, the walkable stretch of Throckmorton Avenue and the surrounding blocks form Mill Valley's compact downtown, where independent bookstores, galleries, coffee shops, and restaurants line the street beneath the redwood canopy. The neighborhood is also home to the Throckmorton Theatre, a historic performance venue that hosts concerts, film screenings, and the well-known annual Mill Valley Film Festival, giving the city an arts-driven identity that complements its outdoorsy setting.

A short drive west over the mountain, Stinson Beach offers a classic Northern California coastal experience with a wide sandy beach, a small laid-back town center, and access to the trails of the Marin Headlands and Point Reyes. From Mill Valley, the trip over the Panoramic Highway typically takes about twenty-five to thirty-five minutes, making the beach a comfortable day trip.

Mill Valley's combination of natural setting, proximity to San Francisco, and easy access to some of the most beloved landscapes in the Bay Area makes it an appealing base for short-term rental guests. Visitors can spend their mornings walking among redwoods, their afternoons wandering a hillside town, and their evenings dining in a community where arts and outdoor culture are woven into daily life, all while remaining within easy reach of one of the country's most iconic cities.