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

1. 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.

2. 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).

3. 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.

4. 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)
  • www.ci.richmond.ca.us/3219/Short-Term-Rentals
• City of Richmond – Business Licenses (general program)
  • www.ci.richmond.ca.us/3735/Business-Licenses
• City of Richmond – Business License Search & Payments
  • ims.ci.richmond.ca.us/
• City of Richmond – Transient Occupancy Tax (Municode Chapter 7.88)
  • www.municode.com/library/ca/richmond/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=ARTVIIBU_CH7.88UNTROCTA
• City of Richmond – Measure U (Gross Receipts Ballot Measure)
  • www.ci.richmond.ca.us/2913/Measure-U---Gross-Receipts-Ballot-Measure
• City of Richmond – Business License Issuing Division (contact information and hours)
  • www.ci.richmond.ca.us/185/Business-License-Issuing

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
  • www.richmond.ca/business-development/resources/business-licences/short-term.htm
• Richmond, BC – Short‑term Residential Rentals Guide (PDF)
  • richmond.ca/__shared/assets/rental69267.pdf

Important: Always consult the current City of Richmond, CA Municipal Code and City guidance for the most up‑to‑date requirements.