Richmond, California
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Richmond, CA
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STR Regulations for Richmond, California
Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Richmond, CA?
Yes. Short-term rentals are allowed in the City of Richmond, California. To operate, you must obtain the applicable business license, meet zoning/home-occupation requirements, and collect and remit the City’s Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT). Business licenses are issued per rental property location (parcel). City code classifies short‑term rentals under the “Hotel/Motel” class for tax purposes. Rental periods of thirty (30) consecutive calendar days or less are subject to the 10% TOT and related registration/recordkeeping obligations.
How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Richmond, CA
- Confirm Zoning and Home Occupation Compliance
- Apply for a Home Occupation Authorization under Richmond Municipal Code (RMC) Chapter 15.04.810 through the Planning Division.
- If needed, obtain any required building inspections prior to license issuance (additional fees apply).
- Note: Licensing staff will route you to Planning for these items; approvals must be in place before the City will issue a business license.
- Obtain Your Business License (Business Tax Certificate)
- Pay the annual business tax. Richmond Measure U (adopted November 2020) changed the tax methodology from employee‑based to gross receipts on a tiered structure. Short‑term rentals are classified as Class E: Hotel/Motel.
- Submit application via eTrakit or in person at City Hall. A separate license is required for each rental property (parcel).
- City Hall, 450 Civic Center Plaza, 2nd Floor, Richmond, CA 94804; open Mon–Fri, 8:45 am–4:00 pm (Planning Division: Mon–Thu 8:30 am–4:00 pm; Fri 9:00 am–12:30 pm).
- Set Up Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT)
- Register to collect and remit TOT at 10% of the rent for stays of 30 consecutive days or less.
- Display your TOT registration certificate and provide guests with compliant receipts.
- File returns and remit taxes to the City per RMC Chapter 7.88 requirements.
- Ongoing Compliance and Advertising
- Include your business license/TOT registration number in listings and advertising.
- Keep guest records and TOT records as required.
- Monitor municipal code updates and City guidance.
Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines
- Business License (Business Tax Certificate) per property location
- Apply via eTrakit or at City Hall
- Requires Business Tax payment under Measure U; classification: Class E (Hotel/Motel)
- Home Occupation Authorization (RMC 15.04.810)
- Issued by Planning Division; may require building inspection prior to license issuance
- Transient Occupancy Tax Registration (RMC Chapter 7.88)
- Registration certificate; posting requirements
- Receipts, records, returns, and remittance procedures per Chapter 7.88
- Zoning/Building Determinations (as applicable)
- Planning Division review and any required inspections before license issuance
Specific Regulations (City and State)
City of Richmond
- Business License and Measure U
- Annual business license required for each parcel; short‑term rentals taxed under Hotel/Motel class.
- Transient Occupancy Tax (RMC Chapter 7.88)
- 10% TOT on rent for stays of 30 consecutive days or less.
- Tax is a debt of the transient; operator collects and remits; City sets detailed collection, receipt, registration, posting, returns, and remittance requirements.
- “Hotel” broadly defined; short‑term rentals for 30 days or less are subject to TOT.
- Home Occupation (RMC 15.04.810)
- Authorization required as part of the business license process; additional fees/inspections may apply.
- Advertising and Licensing
- Include license/registration number in online and printed listings.
State of California
- Local Authority
- Cities and counties retain authority to regulate short‑term rentals. Richmond’s rules (above) govern local operation.
- TOT/Occupancy Taxes
- California law authorizes local transient occupancy taxes; Richmond’s 10% TOT applies as a local tax.
- Posting/Recording Obligations
- Operators must post and maintain TOT registrations, maintain records, and remit taxes on schedule under local ordinance (RMC 7.88).
- Administrative and Enforcement Framework
- Cities may require business licenses, registrations, and enforce compliance through citation/adjudication processes; Richmond’s Revenue Division oversees TOT, and the City investigates compliance as needed.
Note: There is no statewide prohibition on short‑term rentals in California. Local jurisdictions set their own rules; Richmond’s framework permits STRs subject to licensing, zoning/home occupation approval, and TOT.
Enforcement
- The City investigates complaints and proactively reviews STR operations and online advertising for compliance.
- Fines for violations can range from minimum penalties up to $50,000 depending on the bylaw and severity of the violation.
- Report concerns by email or phone to the City’s Bylaw Complaint line.
Contact Information (City of Richmond)
- Business Licensing/In‑Person Applications
- City Hall, 450 Civic Center Plaza, 2nd Floor, Richmond, CA 94804
- Phone: 510‑621‑1240 (Business License Issuing)
- Hours: Mon–Fri, 8:45 am–4:00 pm
- Planning Division (Home Occupation Authorization/Zoning)
- Located at City Hall, 2nd Floor
- Hours: Mon–Thu, 8:30 am–4:00 pm; Fri, 9:00 am–12:30 pm
- Transient Occupancy Tax (Revenue Division)
- Phone: 510‑620‑5555
- Bylaw Complaints
- Email: bylawrequest@richmond.ca
- Phone: 604‑276‑4345
Links to Source Pages
- City of Richmond – Short‑Term Rentals (Business License, TOT, Home Occupation, Measure U)
- City of Richmond – Business Licenses (general program)
- City of Richmond – Business License Search & Payments
- City of Richmond – Transient Occupancy Tax (Municode Chapter 7.88)
- City of Richmond – Measure U (Gross Receipts Ballot Measure)
- City of Richmond – Business License Issuing Division (contact information and hours)
Richmond, BC Short-Term Rentals (Contextual Reference Only)
For investors reviewing Richmond, British Columbia’s framework (distinct jurisdiction), the City permits hosted short‑term rentals through two annual business license categories:
- Bed & Breakfast (B&B)
- Principal residence requirement; single detached houses only; up to 3 rooms and 6 guests (2 per room); 500‑metre separation from other B&Bs; neighbor notification required.
- Boarding and Lodging
- Principal residence requirement; single detached, duplex, apartment, or townhome; max 2 guests at a time; no separate cooking facilities; not permitted in secondary suites/coach houses/granny flats; strata permission required if applicable.
- Richmond, BC does not allow entire home/unit STRs under 90 days under any circumstance. Richmond, CA rules are different.
Source:
- Richmond, BC – Short‑Term Residential Rentals page
- Richmond, BC – Short‑term Residential Rentals Guide (PDF)
Important: Always consult the current City of Richmond, CA Municipal Code and City guidance for the most up‑to‑date requirements.
Richmond
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Overview of Richmond
Richmond is a city in western Contra Costa County, California, United States. The city was incorporated on August 7, 1905, and has a city council. Located in the San Francisco Bay Area's East Bay region, Richmond borders San Pablo, Albany, El Cerrito and Pinole in addition to the unincorporated communities of North Richmond, Hasford Heights, Kensington, El Sobrante, Bayview-Montalvin Manor, Tara Hills, and East Richmond Heights, and for a short distance San Francisco on Red Rock Island in the San Francisco Bay. Richmond is one of two cities, the other being San Rafael, that sits on the shores of both San Francisco Bay and San Pablo Bay. Its population was 116,448 as of the 2020 census.
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