Redding, California Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

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

YES, short-term rentals are allowed in Redding, CA, but under strict regulatory framework designed to balance the economic benefits of short-term rentals with neighborhood character preservation. The City of Redding recognizes short-term rentals as legitimate lodging alternatives and has established a comprehensive permitting system with two distinct categories: Hosted Homestay and Vacation Rental.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Redding?

Redding hosts earn a median $34,542/year with $208 ADR and 64% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $56,382+ per year.

See the full Redding market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Redding

Step 1: Determine Your Rental Category

Hosted Homestay:

Owner-occupied single-family home
Rent individual rooms (maximum 2 bedrooms)
Stays less than 30 days
Maximum 180 days per calendar year

Vacation Rental:

Entire single-family dwelling rented as one unit
Stays less than 30 days
Additional location: Apartment units in Downtown Core District
No annual day limit

Step 2: Initial Assessment and Pre-Application Discussion

Contact Planning Division staff to discuss your plans and ensure compliance with city regulations. This consultation helps determine:

Property eligibility based on zoning
Required permit type
Parking availability assessment
Proximity restrictions for Vacation Rentals

Step 3: Complete Application Process

For Vacation Rental:

Submit Site Development Permit application
Complete physical property inspection
Wait for 600-foot radius notification period (10 business days)
Final review by Planning Director
Obtain business license
Create Transient Occupancy Tax account
Permit issuance after 10-day appeal period

For Hosted Homestay:

Complete Hosted Homestay Affidavit
Ensure compliance with owner-occupancy requirements
Obtain business license
Create Transient Occupancy Tax account

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Required Documents

Application Form Requirements:

Property owner contact information (must be current residence and mail address)
Local site manager contact information (must respond within 45 minutes)
Off-street parking information (minimum 2 spaces required)
CC&R restriction confirmation
Rental property specifications

Site and Floor Plans:

Reproducible floor plan showing all areas/rooms for rent
Reproducible site plan depicting property, structures, and improvements
All plans must be uniform size (minimum 8.5" x 11")
Clear labeling of property lines, buildings, and parking areas
Driveway surface material labeling (must be asphalt or concrete)

Required Permits and Licenses

Permits:

Hosted Homestay: Zoning Clearance & Affidavit (annual renewal required)
Vacation Rental: Site Development Permit (annual renewal required)
Downtown Core Vacation Rental: Site Development Permit (annual renewal required)

Licenses:

City Business License: $50 annually (City Clerk's Office)
Transient Occupancy Tax Account: Required through Finance Department

Application Fees:

Vacation Rental Site Development Permit: $1,287.30 annually
Hosted Homestay: No application fee

Guidelines and Standards

Property Standards:

Meet all applicable building, health, fire, and safety codes
Working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors required
Emergency evacuation instructions posted in each bedroom
Property must pass City inspection before permit issuance

Specific Regulations by Jurisdiction

City of Redding Regulations

Zoning Requirements:

Hosted Homestay: Permitted in all zoning districts (single-family only)
Vacation Rental: Permitted in all zoning districts (single-family only)
Downtown Core Vacation Rental: Apartments permitted, duplexes not permitted

Parking Requirements:

Minimum 2 on-site parking spaces (garage, primary driveway, or other on-site location)
No street parking for tenants permitted
No recreational vehicle or trailer parking in first 15 feet of property
Parking surfaces must be asphalt concrete or Portland cement concrete

Occupancy Limits:

Hosted Homestay: Two adults per bedroom, maximum 180 days per calendar year
Vacation Rental: Two adults per bedroom, maximum 16 persons total at any time

Proximity Restrictions:

Vacation Rentals not permitted within 600 feet of existing permitted Vacation Rental
May be reduced to 300 feet with buffering features (major arterial, rail right-of-way, flood control channel, or stream corridor)

Operational Restrictions:

No cooking, preparing, or serving food for tenant consumption
No weddings, parties, or similar events
No on-site advertising signs or displays
Online advertisements must include accurate information and parking space numbers
All advertisements must include Business License and Transient Occupancy Tax account numbers

Management Requirements:

Local contact person required 24/7 availability
Physical response within 45 minutes if necessary
Contact information must be posted conspicuously inside rental
Maintain tenant vehicle record (license plate, make, model, color)

Density Limits:

Maximum 400 Vacation Rentals citywide at any time

Shasta County Regulations

The provided content focuses primarily on City of Redding regulations. County-level regulations may apply to properties outside city limits but are not detailed in the source materials.

California State Regulations

State-level short-term rental regulations are not detailed in the provided content. Investors should consult state tax requirements and any applicable state-level housing regulations separately.

Contact Information for Local Authority

City of Redding Planning Division (STR Authority):

Phone: (530) 225-4022
Email: STR@CityofRedding.org
Address: 777 Cypress Avenue, Redding, CA 96001
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Additional Department Contacts:

Permit Center:

Phone: (530) 225-4030
Location: First Floor, 777 Cypress Avenue

City Clerk's Office (Business Licenses):

Phone: (530) 225-4424
Location: Third Floor, 777 Cypress Avenue

Finance Department (Transient Occupancy Tax):

Phone: (530) 225-4424
Location: Third Floor, 777 Cypress Avenue

Mailing Address for All Departments: City of Redding Permit Center P.O. Box 496071 Redding, CA 96049-6071

Source Links

Primary Official Sources:

Additional Resources:

Important Note: All permits require annual renewal, and processing time typically ranges from 6-8 weeks. The total cost for operating a Vacation Rental includes the $1,287.30 permit fee plus $50 business license fee, plus applicable taxes and ongoing compliance costs.

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Ask the AI Advisor about Redding

Redding sits in Shasta County in northern California, a hub city of roughly 90,000 residents that serves as the commercial and cultural anchor for a wide swath of the state's far north. With its setting along the Sacramento River and at the foot of the southern Cascades, Redding carries a relaxed, outdoorsy character that blends small-city convenience with easy access to some of the most dramatic landscapes in the western United States. It is widely considered a gateway to Shasta Lake, Mount Shasta, Lassen Volcanic National Park, and the Trinity Alps, and it lies about 160 miles north of Sacramento and roughly 230 miles northeast of San Francisco, drawing visitors who want a base camp for northern California adventure without the crowds of better-known resort towns.

One of the city's signature landmarks is the Sundial Bridge, a 700-foot glass-and-granite pedestrian span designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava that crosses the Sacramento River on the north side of town. The bridge connects downtown Redding to the Turtle Bay Exploration Park campus, which includes gardens, a museum complex, and exhibits focused on the region's natural and cultural history, making it a popular stop for travelers arriving in or passing through the city.

Just a few miles north of Redding, Shasta Lake is one of the largest reservoirs in the United States and a major draw for houseboating, fishing, swimming, and water sports. Adjacent to the lake, Shasta Dam towers more than 600 feet above the Sacramento River and offers guided tours during the warmer months, giving visitors a close look at one of the most significant engineering works in the region.

About 15 miles west of town, Whiskeytown National Recreation Area surrounds a deep blue lake with waterfalls, hiking trails, and the historic Camden House, offering a quieter, lake-focused alternative to the larger Shasta Lake recreation area. Further afield, roughly an hour to the east, Lassen Volcanic National Park showcases bubbling hydrothermal areas, steaming fumaroles, and the stark, recovering slopes of Lassen Peak, providing a distinctly different high-country experience within easy day-trip distance.

For short-term rental investors and visitors alike, Redding offers a compelling combination: an affordable, full-service California city with hospitals, restaurants, and an airport, surrounded by a ring of marquee outdoor destinations that bring travelers year-round. Summer brings lake and trail traffic, while spring and fall draw visitors to the national park and the surrounding forests, giving the market a long shoulder season that can support strong occupancy for well-located properties.