Paso Robles, California Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Paso Robles?

YES, short-term rentals are allowed in Paso Robles, CA. The city explicitly permits short-term rentals (defined as rentals of less than 30 days) through a structured permit system. However, there are important limitations and requirements that investors must understand before entering this market.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Paso Robles?

Paso Robles hosts earn a median $52,668/year with $345 ADR and 48% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $78,142+ per year.

See the full Paso Robles market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Paso Robles

Step 1: Determine Your Permit Type

Paso Robles distinguishes between two primary types of short-term rentals:

Homeshare Permits:

Owner-occupied properties where the owner resides on-site during guest stays
No numerical limit on homeshare permits
Owner may be absent for a maximum of 10 days during guest occupancy (if authorized agent is designated)

Non-Hosted Accommodation Permits:

Properties where the owner does not reside during guest stays
Currently at capacity - new applications are placed on a waiting list
May operate as a homeshare when the owner is present

Step 2: Submit Permit Application

Download the STR permit application packet
Email completed application with supporting documents to str@prcity.com
Pay non-refundable application fee (3-year term):
- $300 for one-bedroom homeshare
- $550 for two or more-bedroom homeshare or non-hosted accommodation

Step 3: Obtain Business License

Apply for business license tax certificate through:

Online: pasopermits.com
In-person: 821 Pine Street, Suite A, Paso Robles, CA 93446
Download application: Business License Tax Certificate Application

Step 4: Renewal Process

Permits must be renewed annually through pasopermits.com
Renewal fees: $300 for one-bedroom homeshares, $550 for all other short-term rentals
Submit updated neighbor notification letters within 10 days of renewal

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Permit Requirements

Short-Term Rental Permit:

Completed application packet
Supporting documentation (specific requirements vary by property type)
Proof of legal residential use
Agent designation form (if applicable)

Business License Tax Certificate:

Business license application
Applicable fees
Registration for Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT)

Supporting Documentation

Site plan showing parking locations
Floor plan with room designations
Property ownership verification
Agent contact information (if applicable)
Insurance verification
Good Neighbor Brochure acknowledgment

Tax Requirements

Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT):

Collected from guests (percentage varies)
Remitted to city finance department
Tourism Marketing District assessment may apply

Specific Regulations

Zoning and Capacity Limits

Current Permit Status (as of 9/24/2025):

R1 Zone: 79 permits issued (limited to 75), 52 on waitlist
All Other Zones: 246 permits issued, 32 on waitlist
Citywide Total: 325 permits issued, 84 on waitlist

Operational Requirements

Occupancy Limits:

Maximum occupants determined by bedroom count
Based on California Building Code standards
Enforced through permit conditions

Parking Requirements:

Minimum on-site parking requirements apply
Varies by property type and zoning district
Must be clearly designated on site plan

Separation Requirements:

R-1 Single-family zones: Minimum 100 feet between non-hosted STR units
Other zones: No separation requirement specified

Neighbor Notification:

Notify all properties within 100 feet (increased from original 50-foot requirement)
Submit notification list to str@prcity.com
Required within 10 days of permit renewal

Hotline Requirements:

Maintain 24/7 hotline contact availability
Respond to complaints within 30 minutes
Violations may result in permit revocation

Prohibited Activities

Exterior signage for short-term rentals
Operation in unpermitted structures
Rental periods exceeding 30 days
Violation of Good Neighbor Brochure guidelines

County and State Regulations

San Luis Obispo County Requirements

For properties in unincorporated SLO County (outside Paso Robles city limits):

County Business License: Required for all vacation rentals
Land Use Authorization: Must be obtained from County Planning and Building
TOT Registration: Required with County Tax Collector
Annual license fee: $50 (lower renewal fees in subsequent years)

California State Requirements

Compliance with California Building Code standards
Adherence to state health and safety regulations
Proper insurance coverage
ADA compliance where applicable

Contact Information

City of Paso Robles - Primary Contacts

Community Development/Planning Department:

Phone: (805) 237-3970
Email: str@prcity.com
Address: 1000 Spring Street, Paso Robles, CA 93446
Business Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Short-Term Rental Complaint Hotline:

Phone: (805) 227-7224
Emergency: 911

Administrative Services (Business Licenses):

Address: 821 Pine Street, Suite A, Paso Robles, CA 93446
Phone: (805) 237-3970
Online Portal: pasopermits.com

San Luis Obispo County Contacts

Tax Collector (for unincorporated areas):

Phone: (805) 781-5831
Address: 1055 Monterey St. Rm D-290, San Luis Obispo, CA 93408

Planning and Building Department:

Phone: (805) 781-5600
Website: slocounty.ca.gov/planning-building

Links to Source Pages

Official City Resources

County Resources

Additional Resources

Permitting Systems

Important Note: Regulations may change. Always verify current requirements with the City Planning Department before making investment decisions. The city updates permit status regularly, and waiting list positions may change frequently.

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Ask the AI Advisor about Paso Robles

Paso Robles sits in the rolling hills of San Luis Obispo County along California's Central Coast, with a population of roughly 31,000 residents. The city has a relaxed, Western-meets-wine-country character, anchored by a walkable downtown square and surrounded by oak-studded landscapes. It is best known for its nearly 200 nearby wineries and tasting rooms, as well as its natural hot springs, and it serves as a popular gateway to the Central Coast's beaches, Hearst Castle, and Big Sur. Paso Robles lies roughly halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles along U.S. Highway 101, sitting about 200 miles northwest of Los Angeles.

One of the region's most celebrated destinations is Hearst Castle, the hilltop estate built by newspaper publisher William Randolph Hearst in San Simeon. Located about 40 miles west of Paso Robles, the estate offers guided tours of its grand mansion, art-filled guesthouses, terraced gardens, and the famous Neptune Pool, drawing visitors interested in early 20th-century architecture and Gilded Age glamour.

Downtown Paso Robles, centered around the tree-lined City Park and the historic Carnegie Library, is a draw in its own right. Visitors can stroll between boutique shops, tasting rooms, farm-to-table restaurants, and antique stores within a few walkable blocks. The square frequently hosts farmers' markets and seasonal festivals that give the city a community-oriented atmosphere distinct from the larger coastal cities to the south.

For outdoor recreation, Lake Nacimiento sits about 20 miles north of Paso Robles and offers boating, fishing, swimming, and shoreline camping in the foothills. The lake is a popular escape during the warmer months, with houseboats and water sports attracting families and groups looking to spend time on the water away from the coast.

Further south along the coast, Morro Bay lies roughly 30 miles from Paso Robles and is known for its iconic Morro Rock, a volcanic plug rising at the entrance to the harbor. The waterfront town offers kayaking, seafood dining, and access to Montana de Oro State Park, making it a common day trip for visitors based inland who want to experience the Pacific.

Paso Robles makes a compelling base for short-term rentals because it combines the appeal of a walkable wine-country town with quick access to some of the Central Coast's most recognizable destinations. Guests can spend mornings exploring downtown and afternoons touring Hearst Castle, the coast, or the surrounding lakes, then return each evening to a quieter, more affordable inland setting that captures the slower pace of Central California.