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Seaside, CA

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STR Regulations for Seaside, California

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

YES - Short-term rentals are explicitly allowed in Seaside, CA under the City's Short-Term Rental Program, subject to comprehensive licensing requirements and operational limits. The City administers two distinct license categories: Hosted Short-Term Rentals (owner-occupied) and Non-Hosted Short-Term Rentals (entire home rentals). While hosted STRs have no cap, non-hosted STRs are capped at 90 licenses citywide, with a waiting list currently in place due to maximum capacity. All STR operations must comply with Chapter 17.52.251-252 of the Seaside Municipal Code, pay applicable Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) of 12%, and adhere to strict occupancy, parking, and neighborhood compatibility standards.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Seaside?

Seaside hosts earn a median $67,748/year with $347 ADR and 70% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $87,112+ per year.

See the full Seaside market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Seaside

Step 1: Determine License Eligibility

Hosted Short-Term Rental License

  • Eligibility: Property owner must occupy the dwelling as their principal residence and be present during all guest occupancy
  • Current Status: Actively accepting new applications
  • Restrictions: Cannot use affordable housing units or Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)

Non-Hosted Short-Term Rental License

  • Eligibility: Property owner rents entire dwelling unit without occupying it
  • Current Status: NOT accepting new applications due to 90-license cap
  • Waiting List: Available through application process with $250 non-refundable deposit

Step 2: Complete Application Process

For Hosted STRs:

  1. Download and complete the Hosted STR License Application
  2. Have Building Inspection Checklist completed by licensed general contractor
  3. Email complete application packet to hnoori@ci.seaside.ca.us
  4. Include all required residency documentation

For Non-Hosted STRs:

  1. Submit Non-Hosted STR License Waiting List Request Form
  2. Verify property complies with 55-foot density requirement
  3. Ensure property is safe to inhabit (no construction/development properties)
  4. Pay $250 non-refundable fee upon approval
  5. Wait for notification when license becomes available

Step 3: Property Inspection and Safety Requirements

  • Complete property inspection using City's official checklist
  • Inspection must be performed by licensed general contractor or certified home inspector
  • Verify adequate egress from sleeping quarters and common areas
  • Install accessible fire extinguishers and carbon monoxide alarms on each level
  • Ensure compliance with building codes and land use requirements

Step 4: License Processing and Fees

  • Processing Time: Applications are valid until license issued, not exceeding 45 calendar days
  • License Term: 12 calendar months from date of issuance
  • Renewal Deadline: June 30th annually

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Essential Documents and Applications

For All STR License Applications:

  1. Completed STR License Application (specific form for hosted vs. non-hosted)
  2. Building Inspection Checklist (completed by licensed general contractor)
  3. Property Site Plan and Floor Plan (required for non-hosted licenses)
  4. Business License Application ($17 fee)
  5. Transient Occupancy Tax Registration
  6. Owner Affidavit affirming smoke detector and fire extinguisher compliance

Additional Requirements for Non-Hosted Licenses:

  • Site Plan: Must label each room, structures, number/square footage of bedrooms, off-street parking spaces
  • Floor Plans: Detailed layout showing bedroom configurations
  • Property Management Documentation if using management company

Safety and Building Compliance

Mandatory Safety Equipment:

  • Smoke detectors on all levels in sleeping quarters and common areas
  • Accessible fire extinguishers
  • Carbon monoxide alarms on each level
  • Adequate egress routes from all sleeping areas

Property Standards:

  • Property must comply with all zoning and building codes
  • Must be safe and habitable for intended use
  • Cannot be under construction or newly constructed
  • Must maintain residential character of exterior appearance

Legal and Tax Requirements

Business Operations:

  • City business license required at all times
  • Transient Occupancy Tax collection and remittance (12% rate)
  • Compliance with noise ordinances (quiet hours 10:00 PM - 7:00 AM)
  • Good Neighbor Brochure distribution to guests

Required Disclosures in Rental Contracts:

  • Owner name, address, phone, email
  • Owner representative contact information
  • Responsible tenant/guest information
  • Maximum occupancy limits
  • Parking restrictions
  • Noise regulations

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

City-Level Regulations (Seaside Municipal Code)

License Caps and Density Limits:

  • Hosted STRs: No cap or density limits
  • Non-Hosted STRs: 90-license cap citywide
  • Density Restriction: 55-foot zone of exclusion from existing non-hosted STR parcels
  • One-per-parcel limit for non-hosted licenses

Occupancy Limits:

  • Base Calculation: Two adults (18+) per bedroom plus one additional adult per site
  • Maximum: 9 adults for homes with 4+ bedrooms
  • Age Requirement: All limits apply to occupants 18 years or older

Vehicle and Parking Limits:

  • Maximum vehicles cannot exceed total number of bedrooms
  • All designated on-site parking spaces must be available for guests
  • On-site driveways must be accessible for guest use

Operational Requirements:

Local Contact Person:

  • Must be available 24/7
  • Must respond within 60 minutes to complaints
  • Must be able to physically present at property within 60 minutes
  • Failure to respond to 2+ complaints within 12 months may result in penalties

Property Maintenance:

  • Trash/refuse cannot be stored in public view except in proper containers
  • No exterior changes affecting residential character (color, materials, lighting)
  • No "vacation rental" signs or advertising mechanisms on property
  • No commercial functions or similar events

Noise and Conduct:

  • Quiet hours: 10:00 PM - 7:00 AM
  • Amplified sound audible beyond property boundaries prohibited
  • Guests must comply with all City noise ordinances
  • No disorderly or unlawful conduct

Listing and Advertising Requirements:

  • STR license number must be displayed prominently in all advertisements
  • Maximum occupancy and parking limits must be accurately represented
  • License must be displayed prominently within the rental unit

County-Level Regulations

Note: No specific Monterey County STR regulations were identified that apply differently to Seaside properties beyond general county ordinances.

State-Level Regulations (California)

Business and Professions Code Compliance:

  • CASp Fee ($4) - California accessibility compliance
  • SB 1186 requirements for public accommodation accessibility

Tax Requirements:

  • Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) collection and remittance
  • State tax obligations for short-term rental income

Insurance and Liability:

  • Property owners should maintain adequate liability insurance
  • Compliance with California landlord-tenant laws for short-term arrangements

Contact Information for Local Authority

Primary STR Program Contacts

STR Program Manager:

STR Program Coordinator:

STR Program General Inquiries:

Mailing Address

City of Seaside - STR Program
440 Harcourt Avenue
Seaside, CA 93955

General City Contacts

  • City Hall Main: (831) 899-6700
  • Code Enforcement: (831) 899-6729 or (831) 899-6735
  • Police Department (Non-Emergency): (831) 394-6811
  • Emergency: 9-1-1

Online Resources

  • STR Portal: seasideca.portal.iworq.net/SEASIDECA/entities/1100
  • TOT Filing: Available through STR portal or by mail

Fee Schedule and Financial Obligations

Initial License Fees

  • STR License Fee: $250
  • Business License Application: $17
  • CASp Fee: $4
  • Business Operations Tax: $37.50 (for income under $25,000) + $9 per additional $5,000

Non-Hosted Waitlist Fees

  • Waitlist Application: $250 (non-refundable, applied to future license fees)

Late Renewal Fees

  • Late renewal applications subject to additional fees as set by City Council resolution

Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT)

  • Rate: 12% of gross rental income
  • Payment Due: End of following month
  • Filing: Monthly online or by mail
  • Platform Collection: Airbnb collects and remits TOT automatically

Important Source Links

  1. City of Seaside Short-Term Rental Program: www.ci.seaside.ca.us/662/Short-Term-Rental-Program
  2. Seaside Short-Term Rentals Ordinance: ca-seaside.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/13766/Seaside-Short-term-Rentals-Ordinance
  3. Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) Return Form: ca-seaside.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/13768/TOT-Form
  4. Hosted STR License Application: www.ci.seaside.ca.us/DocumentCenter/View/13764
  5. Non-Hosted STR License Waiting List Request Form: form.jotform.com/232318557207052
  6. Hosted STR License Renewal Application: form.jotform.com/251227716365155
  7. Non-Hosted STR License Renewal Application: form.jotform.com/251227724802150
  8. Building Inspection Checklist: ca-seaside.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/13976
  9. STR Database/Portal: seasideca.portal.iworq.net/SEASIDECA/entities/1100
  10. Airbnb Seaside STR Information: www.airbnb.ca/help/article/3470

This guide is current as of the information provided and subject to change. Investors should verify all requirements with the City of Seaside STR Program before making investment decisions.

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Seaside

Market Saturation Score

036912
Low Saturation
1/ 12
months with declining YoY revenue
0–1 declining months: minimal saturation pressure — revenue trends are stable.
View Full Seaside Market Analysis

Photos of Seaside

Overview of Seaside

Seaside is a small coastal city tucked along the northern edge of the Monterey Peninsula in Monterey County, California. With a population of roughly 33,000, it has a relaxed, working-class coastal character that distinguishes it from its better-known neighbors, Monterey and Carmel-by-the-Sea. The city sits along Monterey Bay and is appreciated for its broad sandy beaches, neighborhood feel, and easy access to some of the most iconic destinations on the California coast. Seaside is approximately 115 miles south of San Francisco, reached in roughly two hours by car via US-101 and CA-156, making it a natural hub for visitors exploring the central California shoreline.

Directly adjacent to downtown Seaside lies the Fort Ord National Monument, a vast expanse of public land on the site of a former U.S. Army base. The monument features more than 80 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding, set against a backdrop of rolling grasslands and oak woodlands. Because much of the land is just minutes from the city center, it draws outdoor enthusiasts who want quick access to nature without leaving the Monterey Bay area.

Just a short drive west of Seaside, the city of Monterey is home to the renowned Monterey Bay Aquarium, one of the most celebrated aquariums in the United States. Visitors come to see its towering kelp forest exhibit, sea otters, and rotating seasonal displays that highlight the marine life of the Pacific. The aquarium sits on Cannery Row, a waterfront district lined with shops, restaurants, and historic cannery buildings, giving the area a lively, walkable feel that complements the museum experience.

A few miles further along the coast, Asilomar State Beach offers a quieter, more natural stretch of shoreline known for its windswept dunes, tide pools, and the historic Asilomar Conference Grounds, designed by architect Julia Morgan. The surrounding Pacific Grove neighborhood adds to the appeal with its Victorian-era homes and dramatic coastal viewpoints. Together, these nearby sites give visitors a mix of educational, scenic, and outdoor experiences within a compact radius.

Seaside's blend of affordability, central location, and proximity to the Monterey Peninsula's marquee attractions makes it a particularly compelling base for short-term rental operators. Travelers who book a stay in Seaside can spend their mornings at the aquarium, their afternoons biking the Fort Ord trails, and their evenings watching the sunset over Monterey Bay, all without the premium nightly rates of staying in Carmel or downtown Monterey. For guests who want to venture farther, the gateway to Big Sur and the dramatic Highway 1 coastline is just a short drive south, while the rolling vineyards of the Carmel Valley lie just inland.

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