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

• Yes—but only as “Bed and Breakfast” establishments. The Dublin Municipal Code (DMC) regulates short‑term rentals under the Bed and Breakfast use type (see DMC Section 8.08). Hosting short‑term rentals outside of a permitted Bed and Breakfast is not permitted. [Source: City of Dublin Short-Term Rental page, DMC Section 8.08]
• A Bed and Breakfast requires a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) approved by the Planning Commission. You must also obtain a Dublin business license and pay Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT). [Source: City of Dublin Short-Term Rental page, DMC Section 8.08]
• Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units (JADUs) are prohibited from being rented for less than 30 days; therefore, ADUs and JADUs cannot be used as short‑term rentals. [Source: DMC Sections 8.80.030.O and 8.80.040.I]
• The City’s enforcement posture has historically been complaint‑based. As of a 2020 City report, no Bed and Breakfast uses were approved in Dublin, and the City had identified approximately 45 STR listings (roughly half hosted, half unhosted) via online platforms; enforcement is made difficult by the lack of specific addresses provided by platforms. [Source: Informational Report on Short-Term Rentals (June 2, 2020)]

Conclusion for investors: Dublin strictly limits STR activity to licensed Bed and Breakfasts under a CUP. Non‑hosted STRs and ADU‑based STRs are prohibited. Plan your business model around a hosted Bed and Breakfast with the appropriate approvals and ongoing compliance.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Dublin

• Define your concept: Dublin’s STR pathway is the Bed and Breakfast (B&B) model—typically a hosted establishment providing overnight lodging and optional meals to transient guests. [Source: DMC Section 8.08]
• Confirm zoning eligibility: Bed and Breakfasts require Planning Commission approval via a CUP and must meet use‑specific standards. City records indicate none have been approved to date; therefore, confirm current zoning allowances and any additional standards before investing. [Source: City of Dublin Short-Term Rental page, Informational Report (June 2, 2020)]
• Initiate permitting: Contact the Planning Division to discuss CUP criteria, submittal requirements, and Processing timeline (public hearing before the Planning Commission). [Source: City of Dublin Short-Term Rental page]
• Secure business license: Obtain the Dublin business license required for Bed and Breakfasts. Coordinate with the City’s business licensing team. [Source: City of Dublin Short-Term Rental page]
• Tax registration and remittance: Register for and remit Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) on all short-term occupancy. [Source: City of Dublin Short-Term Rental page]
• Anticipate community input: The City has historically had active community discussion on STRs; investors should prepare for outreach and address neighborhood considerations during the CUP process. [Source: Informational Report (June 2, 2020)]
• Operational planning: Align staffing, guest capacity, parking, and on‑site management to meet Dublin’s B&B standards and mitigate neighborhood impacts.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

• Conditional Use Permit (CUP):
  • Application and processing through the Planning Division.
  • Public hearing before the Planning Commission.
  • Compliance with Bed and Breakfast use type and any use‑specific standards. [Source: DMC Section 8.08, City of Dublin Short-Term Rental page]
• Dublin Business License:
  • Required for Bed and Breakfast operations. [Source: City of Dublin Short-Term Rental page]
• Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) registration and remittance:
  • Required for all short-term lodging. [Source: City of Dublin Short-Term Rental page]
• Zoning and use compliance:
  • STRs are regulated under the Bed and Breakfast use type. ADUs and JADUs cannot be used for STRs (minimum 30‑day rentals prohibited). [Source: DMC Sections 8.80.030.O and 8.80.040.I]
• Planning and contact process:
  • Begin with the Planning Division for the CUP; obtain business licensing through the City’s business office; confirm TOT requirements with Finance or the Tax Collector’s office. [Source: City of Dublin Short-Term Rental page]

Specific Regulations: City of Dublin (and Context within Alameda County and California)

• City of Dublin regulations:
  • Short-term rentals are permitted only as Bed and Breakfast operations; must obtain a CUP from the Planning Commission, a Dublin business license, and pay TOT. [Source: City of Dublin Short-Term Rental page, DMC Section 8.08]
  • ADUs and JADUs are prohibited from being rented for less than 30 days and thus cannot be operated as short-term rentals. [Source: DMC Sections 8.80.030.O and 8.80.040.I]
  • Enforcement has been complaint‑based; platforms do not provide addresses, complicating proactive enforcement. [Source: Informational Report (June 2, 2020)]
• Alameda County and California:
  • Dublin is a charter city; STRs within Dublin are governed by Dublin Municipal Code. The provided sources do not include county‑specific STR requirements. [Source: City of Dublin Short-Term Rental page]
  • At the state level, hosts generally report income and may have local tax obligations; this guide remains Dublin‑focused per the provided sources. If no city‑specific regulations exist, the guide would pivot to state‑level rules; however, Dublin does have specific STR/B&B regulations under the DMC.

Local Authority Contact Information (Dublin, CA)

• Planning Division (CUP inquiries)
  • Email: planningpermits@dublin.ca.gov
  • Phone: 925-833-6610 [Source: City of Dublin Short-Term Rental page]
• Dublin City Hall (general contact)
  • Address: 100 Civic Plaza, Dublin, CA 94568
  • Phone: 925-833-6650 [Source: City of Dublin Short-Term Rental page]

Links to Source Pages

• City of Dublin — Short-Term Rental page:
  • www.dublin.ca.gov/2573/Short-Term-Rental
• Dublin Municipal Code (DMC) Section 8.08 — Bed and Breakfast definition and requirements:
  • www.codepublishing.com/CA/Dublin/#!/Dublin08/Dublin0808.html#8.08
• DMC Section 8.80 — Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and JADUs (rentals less than 30 days prohibited):
  • www.codepublishing.com/CA/Dublin/#!/Dublin08/Dublin0880.html#8.80
• Informational Report on Short-Term Rentals (June 2, 2020):
  • dublin.ca.gov/Archive.aspx?ADID=1061

This guide is tailored to the City of Dublin, California. Bedford by Bedford is not applicable here; Dublin’s STR framework is grounded in its Bed and Breakfast ordinance, CUP process, business licensing, and TOT requirements. Investors should pursue a hosted Bed and Breakfast model with full regulatory compliance.