Ferndale, California Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Overview

Short-term rentals are allowed in Ferndale, California, but they are regulated under Humboldt County's Short-Term Rental Ordinance, which was adopted on March 5, 2024. Ferndale, as a small city within Humboldt County, does not have city-specific STR regulations and operates under the county-wide framework that balances the economic benefits of STRs with community impacts on housing availability and neighborhood character.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Ferndale?

Ferndale hosts earn a median $25,455/year with $191 ADR and 46% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $36,835+ per year.

See the full Ferndale market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Ferndale

Initial Steps

Determine Your Property Location: Confirm whether your property is within the inland or coastal zone of Humboldt County, as regulations differ slightly between these areas.
Review Zoning Compatibility: Ensure your property is in a zone that allows STRs under the county ordinance.
Assess Neighborhood Concentration: Check if there are existing permitted STRs nearby, as a Special Permit may be required if you're exceeding neighborhood concentration limits.
Understand Timeline Requirements:
- Coastal Zone Properties: Applications for existing STRs can be submitted through November 24, 2025. New STR applications may be submitted 90 days after the ordinance's effective date (December 24, 2025).
- Shelter Cove Properties: Applications for both existing and new STRs can be submitted immediately.
- Inland Properties: Applications can be submitted now.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Essential Documentation

Planning Permit Application (required for all STRs)
Good Neighbor Guide - Fillable form demonstrating understanding of neighbor policies
Application Checklist - Fillable form ensuring all requirements are met
Property Information Package including:
- Site plan and property boundaries
- Proof of property ownership
- Detailed property description and amenities
- Parking arrangements
- Maximum occupancy calculations

Permits and Licenses

Administrative Permit (created under the new ordinance)
Special Permit (potentially required if exceeding neighborhood concentration limits)
Coastal Development Permit (for properties in the coastal zone)

Compliance Requirements

Life Safety Compliance: Properties must meet International Property Maintenance Code standards
Maximum Occupancy Standards: Based on bedroom count and square footage
Insurance Requirements: Comprehensive liability coverage
Tax Registration: Transient Occupancy Tax registration may be required

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

Humboldt County STR Ordinance (Effective March 5, 2024)

Inland Regulations (HCC Section 314-60.05)

Permit Type: Administrative Permit required
Neighborhood Concentration Limits: Maximum number of STRs per block/specific area
Special Permit Requirement: May be needed to exceed neighborhood concentration limits when existing STRs are present
Operating Standards: Compliance with established operational requirements

Coastal Regulations

Coastal Commission Certification: The Coastal STR Ordinance has been certified by the California Coastal Commission (effective September 24, 2025)
Application Timeline:
- Existing STRs: Application deadline November 24, 2025
- New STRs: Applications accepted after December 24, 2025 (90 days after effective date)
Special Exemptions: Immediate application acceptance for:
- Farm stays
- Properties listed on local, state, or federal historic registry
- Home-share rentals
- STRs rented for 60 consecutive days or fewer per year (with long-term housing occupation for remainder)

Operational Standards

Maximum Occupancy: Based on bedroom count and safety standards
Parking Requirements: Must meet established parking standards
Noise Limitations: Must comply with noise ordinances
Property Maintenance: Required to maintain properties to International Property Maintenance Code standards
Life Safety Equipment: Smoke detectors, handrails, guardrails, operable windows required

Enforcement and Violations

Permit Suspension: Administrative permit suspension standards established
Code Enforcement: Violation reporting and enforcement procedures
Violation Consequences: Potential permit revocation for serious or repeated violations

California State Regulations

Transient Occupancy Tax: Collection and remittance requirements
Business License: General business operation requirements
Health and Safety Code Compliance: Property maintenance and safety standards
Americans with Disabilities Act: Accessibility considerations where applicable

Contact Information for Local Authority

Humboldt County Planning and Building Department

Primary Contact:

Phone: (707) 445-7541
Email: planningbuilding@co.humboldt.ca.us
Physical Address: 825 5th Street, Eureka, CA 95501
Website: humboldtgov.org/3387/Short-Term-Rental-Ordinance

Permit Application:

Apply for Planning Permit: humboldtgov.org/3474/Apply-for-a-Planning-Permit

Code Violations:

Report Code Violations: humboldtgov.org/DocumentCenter/View/185/Code-Complaint-Form-PDF

Staff Directory: humboldtgov.org/directory.aspx

California Department of Housing and Community Development

Website: www.hcd.ca.gov/
For housing element compliance and state housing law inquiries

Links to Source Pages

Primary Regulations

Application Resources

Supporting Documents

City of Ferndale Housing Context

Ferndale Housing Element 2019-2027

Code Violation Reporting

Code Complaint Form

Important Note for STR Investors: Before proceeding with any STR investment in Ferndale, California, consult directly with Humboldt County Planning and Building Department to confirm current regulations, neighborhood concentration limits, and any recent updates to the STR ordinance. The county's regulations are the governing authority for STR operations in Ferndale, as the city does not maintain separate STR regulations.

Next step

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Ask the AI Advisor about Ferndale

Ferndale is a small city of roughly 1,400 residents tucked into the Eel River Valley in Humboldt County, on California's scenic North Coast. Often called "The Victorian Village," the town is celebrated for its remarkably preserved nineteenth-century architecture, its rolling dairy pastures, and its slow, small-town pace. It sits about 260 miles north of San Francisco—approximately a five-hour drive—and roughly twenty miles south of Eureka, the nearest larger city. Ferndale serves as a popular gateway to the redwood coast, the rugged Lost Coast, and the dairy country of southern Humboldt County.

The heart of Ferndale is its Victorian Main Street, a designated historical district lined with colorful, gingerbread-trimmed storefronts, inns, and churches that date back to the late 1800s. The downtown is so well preserved that it has been the backdrop for several films, and visitors strolling the wide sidewalks can wander past landmarks such as the ornate Victorian Inn, the red-brick firehouse, and a cluster of independent shops, cafés, and cheese shops that showcase the region's dairy heritage. The street is walkable end to end in just a few minutes and provides an easy introduction to the town's character.

About an hour south of Ferndale, Humboldt Redwoods State Park protects one of the largest stands of old-growth coast redwood forest remaining in the world. The park's centerpiece, the Rockefeller Forest, contains some of the tallest trees on Earth, and the parallel two-lane road known as the Avenue of the Giants winds beneath the canopy for roughly thirty-one miles, offering numerous pull-offs, short hiking trails, and picnic spots. It is one of the most dramatic natural attractions within easy day-trip distance of the town.

To the north, the Redwood National and State Parks complex lies about an hour and a half from Ferndale. Managed jointly by the National Park Service and California State Parks, it stretches along the coastline and inland river valleys, blending old-growth redwood groves, prairie, and rugged Pacific shoreline. Hikes range from short loops among towering trunks to longer trails descending to empty beaches, and the visitor centers at Orick and Kuchel offer interpretive programs throughout the year.

Just west of town, the Lost Coast begins—a remote, largely roadless stretch of coastline where the King Range drops directly into the Pacific. The trailheads near Petrolia and Shelter Cove are about forty-five minutes to an hour from Ferndale, and backpackers come for the wilderness beaches, tide-pooling, and the sense of solitude that has made the area famous among hikers seeking somewhere truly off the grid.

Ferndale's combination of preserved Victorian charm, a thriving dairy and agricultural identity, and immediate access to some of the most spectacular redwood forests and wild coastline in the lower forty-eight makes it a natural fit for travelers looking to slow down. Its compact size, walkable core, and proximity to both inland redwood groves and the Pacific shore give short-term rental guests a comfortable home base for exploring a quieter, greener corner of California.