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

Yes, short-term rentals are allowed in Rodeo, California, but only with proper permits and compliance with strict regulations. Rodeo falls under Contra Costa County jurisdiction, which enacted comprehensive short-term rental regulations through Ordinance 2020-12. Investors must obtain a STR permit before operating and must adhere to both ministerial (automatic approval) and discretionary permit standards.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Rodeo

Step 1: Property Eligibility Assessment

• Verify your property is located within Contra Costa County unincorporated areas
• Confirm the property is a residential dwelling unit
• Check that the building does not contain 5 or more dwelling units (prohibited)
• Ensure no more than one STR exists on your lot
• Confirm the property is not an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) - ADUs cannot be operated as STRs

Step 2: Determine Permit Type

Ministerial Permit (Automatic Approval) - Available if your STR complies with:

• Rental day limits (90 days for non-hosted, 180 days for hosted)
• Occupancy limits
• Parking requirements
• All operational standards

Discretionary Permit - Required if seeking deviations from:

• Maximum rental days per year
• Reduced off-street parking requirements
• Greater number of guests per rental stay

Step 3: Application Process

1. Contact Contra Costa County Conservation & Development Department
2. Submit STR permit application
3. Pay applicable fees
4. Await 300-foot neighbor notification process
5. Receive permit upon approval

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Primary Requirements

• STR Permit - Required before operation
• Property ownership documentation
• Proof of insurance (recommended)
• Contact information for responsible party

Permitting Process Documentation

• Completed STR permit application
• Site plan showing parking spaces
• Verification of residential use
• Responsible party contact details for neighbor notification

Ongoing Compliance Documents

• Guest occupancy records
• Parking allocation proof
• Compliance with noise, traffic, and gathering limits

Tax Considerations

• Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) registration and payment
• Income tax reporting for rental income
• Business license requirements (verify with county)

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

Rental Day Limits

Non-hosted STRs:

• Maximum 90 rental days per calendar year
• "Non-hosted" means host is not present during guest stays

Hosted STRs:

• Maximum 180 rental days per calendar year
• "Hosted" means host remains on-site during guest stays

Universal Cap:

• No STR may exceed 180 total rental days regardless of hosting status

Occupancy Standards

Maximum Guest Limits:

• Two persons per bedroom, plus two additional persons total
• Children under 12 years old do not count toward total occupancy
• Example: 3-bedroom property = 6 adults + 2 additional persons = 8 total maximum guests

Parking Requirements

STRs with 3 or fewer bedrooms:

• Minimum 1 off-street parking space for guest use

STRs with 4 or more bedrooms:

• Minimum 2 off-street parking spaces for guest use

Operational Standards (Mandatory for All STRs)

• Traffic: No excessive traffic inconsistent with residential use
• Noise: No excessive noise inconsistent with residential use
• Road Access: No obstruction of any road allowed
• Gatherings: Maximum 20 total persons on property at any time
• Special Events: Prohibited (conferences, weddings, commercial events)
• Signage: No signage of any kind allowed

Property Restrictions

• Only one STR per lot permitted
• Units in buildings with 5+ dwelling units prohibited
• Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) cannot be operated as STRs

Enforcement Measures

• 300-foot neighbor notification upon permit issuance
• Contact information provided to neighbors for Code Enforcement Division reporting
• Violations subject to Code Enforcement action

Discretionary Permit Provisions

Available Deviations

Discretionary permits may allow exceptions to:

• Rental day maximums (above 90/180 day limits)
• Reduced parking requirements
• Increased guest occupancy limits

Process Requirements

• Processed as land use permit
• Public hearing may be required if requested
• Subject to neighbor notification and public comment
• No deviations allowed for Operational Standards

Contact Information for Local Authority

Primary Contact

Contra Costa County Department of Conservation and Development

• Phone: (925) 674-7792
• Address: 30 Muir Road, Martinez, CA 94553
• Website: www.contracosta.ca.gov/4736/Zoning-Code-and-Area-Wide-Planned-Unit-D

Additional Contacts

Code Enforcement Division

• Phone: (925) 674-7205
• Website: www.contracosta.ca.gov/4725/Code-Enforcement

Permit Information Center

• Phone: (925) 674-7792
• Website: www.contracosta.ca.gov/7947/Permit-information

County Administration

Address: 1025 Escobar Street, Martinez, CA 94553

State-Level Context (California)

While Rodeo follows county regulations, California state law provides additional framework:

• STRs defined as rentals under 30 days
• Local jurisdiction authority over zoning and permits
• State tax requirements for transient occupancy
• Fair housing and anti-discrimination laws apply

Source Links and References

Official County Documents

• STR Summary Document: www.contracosta.ca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/67827/STR_Summary
• Full STR Ordinance: www.contracosta.ca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/67683/Ordinance-No-2020-12-Short-Term-Rentals-PDF
• STR Code Section: library.municode.com/ca/contra_costa_county/codes/ordinance_code?nodeId=TIT8ZO_DIV88SPLAUS_CH88-32SHRMRE

Planning and Zoning Resources

• County Zoning Code: www.contracosta.ca.gov/4736/Zoning-Code-and-Area-Wide-Planned-Unit-D
• CCMAP Property Lookup: gis.cccounty.us/Html5//index.html?viewer=CCMAP
• Property Zoning Lookup: www.contracosta.ca.gov/4843/Property-Zoning-Lookup

Permitting and Contact Resources

• Permit Information: www.contracosta.ca.gov/7947/Permits
• Code Enforcement: www.contracosta.ca.gov/4725/Code-Enforcement
• Public Information Contacts: www.contracosta.ca.gov/5478

Important Disclaimers and Notes

1. Always verify current regulations as ordinances may be amended
2. Contact county directly for most current permit requirements and fees
3. Review specific zoning for your property through CCMAP or county planning
4. Consider homeowner association restrictions if applicable
5. Budget for compliance costs including permits, potential legal review, and ongoing monitoring

This guide provides a comprehensive framework for STR investment in Rodeo, but investors should always confirm current requirements with Contra Costa County before proceeding with any rental operations.