Explicit answer: Based on the provided documents (City of Hollister Housing Element 2015–2023, planning/zoning references, and fee/special needs policies), Hollister does not show a city-specific short-term rental (STR) ordinance, permitting regime, or defined STR use-type. The content covers housing policy, zoning districts, growth management, second units, homeless shelters/transitional housing, and development fees but contains no explicit rules governing STRs (e.g., registration, TOT, caps, host requirements, or STR use classifications). Until the City adopts an STR ordinance, state law governs STRs in Hollister; hosts must also address zoning and business license/TOT compliance citywide and countywide, respectively.

• What this means: STRs can be lawful only if they do not constitute a change of use under zoning. Renting an entire dwelling unit as transient lodging likely constitutes a “lodging” or “hotel/inn/boarding house” activity typically not permitted as a home occupation in residential zones and may require a discretionary permit. Short-term “home-sharing” (owner-hosted with no change of use) may be acceptable, but you should confirm with Planning.

• TOT (Transient Occupancy Tax) and business taxes: San Benito County (and possibly the City) assess TOT on lodging. You must collect/remit TOT if you provide lodging for fewer than 30 days (see state-level requirements below). Business licensing and Transient Occupancy Registration Certificate (TORS) are typical local compliance steps; confirm Hollister’s current requirements with Finance.

• Next steps: Confirm with the City of Hollister whether STRs are permitted by-right as home-sharing, or require any CUP or other permit. Also confirm the current TOT rate and TORS process.

Source pages used: City of Hollister Housing Element 2015–2023 (HCD Review Draft) — zoning and program references (e.g., Measure Y, R4-20, second units, homeless shelters/transitional housing compliance). No city STR ordinance was found in the provided documents.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Hollister

1. Use and Zoning Feasibility

• Verify the property’s zoning and whether renting for fewer than 30 days changes the use. If so, determine what permit is required (e.g., CUP) to allow lodging in that district.
• In the interim, treat STRs as a “home occupation” only if you remain resident on-site and the rental is incidental to residential use.

2. Licensing and Tax Registration

• Apply for any required City business license/registration and a Transient Occupancy Registration Certificate (if the City or County issues one).
• Enroll to collect and remit TOT, and file Transient Occupancy Returns per the City/County schedule.

3. Safety and Compliance

• Meet California safety and accessibility standards for lodging; verify with the Building/Fire Department whether inspections are required for STRs in your zone.
• If operating a multi-family STR (e.g., apartments/condos), confirm that STRs are allowed under HOA/CC&R restrictions and that local zoning permits such uses in the subject district.

4. Advertising and Listing

• Include your TOT registration number and any STR permit on your listing once issued.
• Retain booking/occupancy records and TOT filings as required.

Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Because the City has no STR ordinance in the provided documents, STR operators generally need the following items, to be confirmed with the City/County:

• Business License/Registration (City of Hollister)
• Transient Occupancy Registration Certificate (TORS) and Transient Occupancy Returns (City/County Finance)
• Zoning Confirmation/Discretionary Permit
  • If the STR changes the use, a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) or similar discretionary approval may be required in the subject district (per Hollister’s Site & Architectural Review process and general plan/zoning).
• Fire/Life Safety Compliance
  • Confirm with Fire/Building whether standard fire egress, smoke/CO detectors, posted egress, and occupancy limits apply to STRs in your zone.

Regulatory anchors from City documents:

• Site & Architectural Review (S&A) process exists for residential/mixed-use projects; discretionary reviews require noticing and timelines (see “specific regulations” for process summary).
• Zoning and incentives have been updated (e.g., R4-20 district; second-unit amnesty; Measure Y exemptions). These do not create an STR framework but indicate active zoning/programmatic oversight.

Specific Regulations: City, County, and State

City of Hollister (from provided documents):

• No STR-specific ordinance or permit program identified.
• Development review relies on zoning districts (e.g., R1, R3, R4-20), Measure Y exemption area, and S&A process; lodging-type uses generally require discretionary review when sought in residential zones.
• Second units and accessory dwelling units are addressed; no STR-specific provisions.
• Transient lodging for homeless shelters and transitional housing is compliant with SB 2; not a short-term rental framework.

San Benito County:

• The provided documents do not include County STR rules. County TOT commonly applies to lodging; confirm current TOT rate, reporting frequency, and whether County issues TORS (some counties delegate to cities). For Hollister STRs, check both County and City tax rules.

State of California (short-term rental framework):

• Registration and TOT
  • Platforms (e.g., Airbnb/VRBO) and hosts must register and collect/remit TOT; state law (e.g., AB 3180, 2020) mandates registration numbers and disclosures on listings and requires TOT collection and remittance.
• Safety and Accessibility
  • Lodging must comply with applicable state fire/safety codes and posting requirements.
• Coastal Zone/Local Preemption
  • Hollister is not in the coastal zone; coastal rules do not apply. City may later adopt local STR rules; check the municipal code/ordinances before launching.
• Advertising and Recordkeeping
  • Lists must display the registration number and comply with state lodging recordkeeping and posting requirements.

Planning and zoning context (from the Housing Element):

• Zoning updates (2009 onward) and S&A process govern development; while detailed (e.g., tiered impact fees, R4-20, second-unit amnesty, homeless shelters/transitional housing compliance), no STR-specific permit is defined. Treat STRs as a lodging change-of-use unless confirmed otherwise.

Contact Information

Use the following contacts for current Hollister and San Benito County requirements. Confirm which department issues TORS and manages STR zoning questions; in many jurisdictions, Finance handles TOT and Business Licensing, while Planning/Building review zoning/permits and Fire/Life Safety.

• City of Hollister — Development Services (Planning, Zoning, S&A)

  • Main line: 831-636-4360
  • Address: 450 4th Street, Hollister, CA 95023

• City of Hollister — Finance (Business Licenses, TOT/TORS)

  • Main line: 831-636-4360
  • Address: 450 4th Street, Hollister, CA 95023

• City of Hollister — Fire Department (Fire/Life Safety Compliance)

  • Main line: 831-636-4325
  • Address: 901 Santa Ana Road, Hollister, CA 95023

• San Benito County — Finance/Transient Occupancy Tax

  • Phone: 831-636-4160
  • Address: 481 4th Street, Hollister, CA 95023

Source Pages

• City of Hollister Housing Element 2015–2023 (HCD Review Draft, Dec. 2015) — zoning updates, S&A process, Measure Y, second units, homeless shelter/transitional housing compliance, and program implementation status (note: no STR-specific ordinance appears in this document).