Do you need a permit to run an Airbnb in Sacramento?

Yes. Sacramento requires Short-Term Rental Permit, and the fee is $260. Short-term rentals (stays of 30 days or less) are legal citywide in Sacramento, but every operator must hold an annual Short-Term Rental Permit from the city's Revenue Division, maintain a business operations tax account, and collect 12% transient occupancy tax plus tourism district assessments. Units that are not the operator's primary residence are capped at 90 rental days per calendar year unless a conditional use permit is obtained, and no more than six lodgers may stay at any one time. A city proposal debated in March 2026 would tighten rules toward primary-residence-only operation but has not been adopted as of July 2026.

How much does a short-term rental permit cost in Sacramento?

The Short-Term Rental Permit fee in Sacramento is $260, renewed annual. New permit $260.00; renewal $250.00; late renewal assessment fee $50.00 (per the city's official Short-Term Rental Permit Application, form revised 2024-07-01). Operators must also hold a Business Operations Tax account and pay an annual business tax as a hotel of $50. Exceeding 90 rental days/year at a non-primary residence requires a separate conditional use permit from Community Development (separate planning entitlement fees apply).

How to get a short-term rental permit in Sacramento, CA (2026)

Sacramento requires Short-Term Rental Permit — the fee is $260, renewed annual. Here's how to get and keep it.

Permit at a glance

Permit required	Yes
Permit name	Short-Term Rental Permit
Permit fee	$260
Renewal	Annual

Step by step

1
Confirm your property is eligible
Confirm the property's zoning allows short-term rentals. STRs are allowed citywide as a use of a dwelling unit — the permit application covers main dwellings, ADUs, tri-plex/4-plex/half-plex units, and apartments — with no zone-specific prohibitions or overlay districts in the city's STR rules. The key land-use distinction is primary vs. non-primary residence: a non-primary residence may be rented short-term for only 90 aggregate days per calendar year; exceeding 90 days requires a conditional use permit. Renting more than one structure on a parcel may require additional permits. Occupancy is capped at six lodgers at any one time, exterior 'for rent' signage is prohibited, and special events (conferences, weddings, fundraisers) are prohibited at STRs.
2
Apply for the Short-Term Rental Permit
Submit the Short-Term Rental Permit application to Sacramento and pay the $260 fee. New permit $260.00; renewal $250.00; late renewal assessment fee $50.00 (per the city's official Short-Term Rental Permit Application, form revised 2024-07-01). Operators must also hold a Business Operations Tax account and pay an annual business tax as a hotel of $50. Exceeding 90 rental days/year at a non-primary residence requires a separate conditional use permit from Community Development (separate planning entitlement fees apply).
3
Register for occupancy taxes
Register to collect and remit the applicable lodging/occupancy taxes for Sacramento. Some are collected automatically by the booking platform and some you may need to remit yourself.
4
Renew on schedule
The permit renews annual — set a reminder so it never lapses, since operating on an expired permit typically triggers fines.

STR rules change without warning.

Get an email the moment Sacramento changes its short-term rental rules — plus renewal reminders before your permit expires.

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Verified July 21, 2026. Informational only — not legal, tax, or financial advice. Permit requirements and fees change; confirm current requirements with Sacramento before applying.

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