Overview: Are short‑term rentals allowed in Ukiah, CA?

• Yes, short‑term rentals (STRs) are allowed in Ukiah and Mendocino County, but the regulatory framework is evolving. In the City of Ukiah, STRs are subject to the City’s Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) and must be operated by a “hotel/motel operator” who collects and remits the tax monthly. The City’s current TOT rate is 10%, and the measure to increase it to 13% was on the November 5, 2024 ballot; if approved, the higher rate will apply in Ukiah once the measure takes effect.
• For land use and operational standards, Mendocino County is currently developing a new Inland Short‑Term Rental Ordinance (2025) that will govern STRs in inland areas, including Ukiah’s city limits for zoning purposes and properties in the unincorporated inland areas of the county. The County’s existing zoning rules for STRs are limited to coastal regions (Division II – Coastal Zoning Code and Division III – Town of Mendocino Zoning Code). A county‑wide permitting and standards program for inland STRs has not yet been adopted and remains under development with ongoing stakeholder outreach in 2025.
• Ukiah-specific STR permits are not documented in the provided sources. Until the County’s inland STR ordinance is finalized and the City implements any new licensing or permit requirements, investors should rely on City TOT compliance and confirm zoning suitability.

How to start a short‑term rental business in this market

• Confirm zoning and land use suitability
  • Identify whether the subject property is inside the City of Ukiah limits (zoned and governed by City) or in unincorporated Mendocino County (zoned and governed by County).
  • For inland areas, the County is developing a comprehensive inland STR ordinance (see Regulatory Context below). Until adoption, confirm with Planning and Building Services whether an STR use is permissible under the current zoning and if any review is required. A zoning verification letter may be prudent for underwriting.
  • For coastal properties, reference Division II and III of the County Zoning Code to determine coastal STR allowances and coastal development permits. For the City of Ukiah (which is not in the coastal zone), follow City rules and the County inland ordinance once adopted.
• Establish a business entity and obtain a City of Ukiah business license (if required)
  • The City’s Business Licenses page is the entry point for local licensing. The City requires a business license for many business activities; STR operators should confirm whether a license is required for operating a rental and complete any application/renewal process. The City’s Municipal Code is the authoritative source for licensing requirements.
  • If the STR is a sole‑owner/individual operation, confirm whether any fictitious business name registration is needed.
  • Note: The County business license reference is not city‑specific; Ukiah STRs should follow the City of Ukiah business license process.
• Register for Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) and set up monthly remittance
  • STR operators are considered “operators” under the City’s TOT program and must collect TOT from guests and remit monthly with a City report. The current rate is 10%; the voter‑approved measure would raise it to 13% upon implementation.
  • Prepare to collect TOT at the time of payment, separately state it from the room charge, and remit to the City each month. Maintain records (reservations, guest data, payments, remittances) for audit.
• Adopt operating policies and guest communications
  • Draft house rules: occupancy limits, quiet hours/noise, parking, trash and recycling, smoking/vaping, pets (if any), event/party restrictions, and emergency procedures.
  • Post and enforce a “good neighbor” policy; prepare guest messaging before arrival and at check‑in/out to reduce noise and nuisance issues.
  • Implement a 24/7 local contact model for guest support and rapid response.
• Insurance and risk management
  • Carry appropriate homeowners or commercial rental insurance and confirm coverage for short‑term hosting; understand any exclusions related to transient occupancy or short‑term rentals.
  • Note: Specific insurance requirements (if any) will be set by the County’s future inland STR ordinance. For now, treat it as a due‑diligence requirement.
• Safety and habitability
  • Ensure functional smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, fire extinguishers, safe egress, and basic life safety measures. Exterior address visibility is good practice to aid emergency response.
  • The County’s future ordinance is expected to define safety and accessibility standards. Until then, follow best practice and City life safety codes where applicable.
• Marketing and platform compliance
  • List on platforms (Airbnb, Vrbo, etc.). Include local contact information, house rules, and city‑specific messages (e.g., quiet hours).
  • If applicable, ensure platform collection/remittance of TOT aligns with the City’s reporting obligations; maintain your own records to reconcile remittances.
• Monitoring regulatory updates
  • Track the County’s inland STR ordinance development and any City of Ukiah STR implementation measures. Subscribe to county and city alerts (Enotification lists) and attend public meetings as the rules evolve.

Required documents, permits, licenses, and guidelines

• City of Ukiah Business License
  • Obtain and renew per the City’s Business Licenses process. Confirm if a short‑term rental operation requires a license and any local tax certificate or registration.
  • Source: City of Ukiah – Business Licenses. City Municipal Code is the controlling authority for license scope.
• Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) registration and monthly reporting
  • Operators must collect and remit TOT. Rate is currently 10%; Measure W would raise it to 13% if approved by voters.
  • Prepare monthly remittance and reporting to the Finance Department (TOT program).
  • Sources: City of Ukiah – Transient Occupancy Tax; Ballot Measure W full text.
• Zoning/land use confirmation (inland areas, pre‑ordinance)
  • Confirm allowable use under current County zoning (Division I for inland) and any future requirements under the upcoming inland STR ordinance.
  • Sources: Mendocino County – Ordinance Updates; Short‑Term Rentals page; Coastal Zoning Code references (Division II, III) for coastal properties only.
• Coastal permits (if applicable)
  • For properties within the coastal zone, consult the County’s Division II (Coastal Zoning Code) and related coastal permits. Properties inside City limits (e.g., Ukiah) are not within the coastal zone and are not subject to coastal permitting for STR operations.
• Building/life safety
  • The provided sources do not specify STR building permits for typical single‑family or multi‑family rentals. Verify with the City’s Building Division if any alterations or change‑of‑use permits are required (e.g., for accessory Dwelling Units, Accessory Uses, or fire/life safety retrofits).
  • Source: City of Ukiah – Departments (Building Division references via Municipal Code and permit guidance pages).

Regulatory context: specific regulations for city, county, and state

• City of Ukiah (current)
  • TOT: Operators must collect and remit TOT. Rate is 10% currently; the measure to increase to 13% was submitted to voters on November 5, 2024. If approved, implementation will follow the measure’s effective date and procedures.
  • Licensing: The City’s Business Licenses page governs local business licensing. Confirm whether an STR operation is covered and complete any required registration/renewal.
  • Zoning: STRs must align with underlying zoning; Ukiah is not in the coastal zone and therefore is not subject to Division II/III coastal zoning rules.
• Mendocino County (inland areas – under development)
  • The County is preparing an Inland Short‑Term Rental Ordinance to set standards for inland STRs (Division I – inland zoning). Current zoning rules for STRs exist only in coastal regions (Division II) and the Town of Mendocino (Division III). Adoption is pending; interim operations should confirm zoning and local compliance with the Planning and Building Services department.
  • For properties in the coastal zone, consult Division II (Coastal Zoning Code) and related coastal development requirements.
• California (state)
  • Coastal Zone: The California Coastal Act governs the coastal zone; inland/out-of-coastal designations vary by geography. Coastal regulations do not apply inside City of Ukiah limits.
  • Tax collection and reporting: Local TOT collection and remittance rules apply per City of Ukiah.
  • Accessibility and safety: Operators should adhere to applicable state life safety and accessibility standards. Exact STR-specific requirements are typically set locally; follow City/County guidance when adopted.

Contact information

• City of Ukiah – Finance Department (TOT program)
  • Phone: 707‑463‑6200 (City of Ukiah main line)
  • TOT submission guidance: City of Ukiah – Finance; TOT page
• City of Ukiah – Business Licenses / City Clerk
  • Phone: 707‑463‑6200
  • Licensing page: City of Ukiah – Business Licenses
• City of Ukiah – Community Development Department (Zoning/Planning)
  • Phone: 707‑463‑6200
  • Department reference: City of Ukiah – Departments
• City of Ukiah – Building Division (Permits)
  • Phone: 707‑463‑6200
  • Permit application guidance and Municipal Code: City of Ukiah – Municipal Code
• Mendocino County – Planning & Building Services (Inland STR Ordinance; zoning verification)
  • Phone: 707‑234‑6650 (County Department of Planning and Building Services)
  • Website: Mendocino County – Planning & Building Services
  • Short‑Term Rentals page: Short‑Term Rentals (Planning Division)
  • Ordinance Updates page: Ordinance Updates
  • Email (for updates on the inland STR ordinance): LCPUpdate@mendocinocounty.gov
• Mendocino County – Public Health – Environmental Health (if food service or special events are contemplated)
  • Phone: 707‑234‑6625
  • Website: Mendocino County – Public Health – Environmental Health

Important notes and cautionary items

• The County’s inland STR ordinance is under development. The provided sources do not include an adopted text, permitting standards, caps, safety requirements, or enforcement mechanisms. Operators should verify any new requirements immediately upon adoption.
• City of Ukiah licensing for STRs is not detailed in the sources. Check the City’s Business Licenses page and Municipal Code for current requirements and any STR-specific license categories.
• Measure W (TOT increase to 13%) was on the November 5, 2024 ballot. Confirm whether the measure passed and when the rate change takes effect; remit at the correct rate once effective.
• Some areas of coastal towns may fall within the inland regulatory boundary. Use the County’s coastal boundary resources when assessing jurisdiction.

Source links

• Mendocino County – Ordinance Updates (Zoning Code, Inland STR program status): www.mendocinocounty.gov/departments/planning-building-services/ordinance-updates
• Mendocino County – Short‑Term Rentals (Planning Division): www.mendocinocounty.gov/departments/planning-building-services/planning-division/short-term-rentals
• City of Ukiah – Transient Occupancy Tax (Measure W details): cityofukiah.com/tot/
• City of Ukiah – Ballot Measure W – Full Text (PDF): cityofukiah.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Ballot-Measure-W-2024_Full-Text.pdf
• City of Ukiah – Business Licenses: cityofukiah.com/business-licenses/
• City of Ukiah – Municipal Code: www.codepublishing.com/ca/ukiah/
• Mendocino County – Planning & Building Services (department portal): www.mendocinocounty.gov/government/planning-building-services
• County Coastal Zoning Code – Division II (Title 20): library.municode.com/ca/mendocino_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=MECOCO_TIT20ZOOR_DIVIIMECOCOZOCO_CH20.308DE_S20.308.035DED
• Town of Mendocino Zoning Code – Division III (Title 20): library.municode.com/ca/mendocino_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=MECOCO_TIT20ZOOR_DIVIIIMETOZOCO#TOPTITLE
• The Mendocino Voice – April 15, 2025 coverage (stakeholder meetings): mendovoice.com/2025/04/mendocino-short-term-rentals-meetings/
• The Mendocino Voice – May 1, 2025 coverage (stakeholder meetings concluding): mendovoice.com/2025/05/mendocino-county-wraps-up-stakeholder-meetings-on-short-term-rental-policies/