Do you need a permit to run an Airbnb in San Francisco?

Yes. San Francisco requires Short-Term Residential Rental Certificate (Office of Short-Term Rentals registry), and the fee is $925. San Francisco allows short-term rentals (stays under 30 nights) only in a host's primary residence: you must be a permanent resident who lives in the unit at least 275 nights per year, register with the Office of Short-Term Rentals ($925 application, valid two years), and hold a business registration certificate. Un-hosted rentals are capped at 90 nights per calendar year (hosted stays are unlimited), and violations draw penalties starting at $484 per day. Always confirm current requirements with the city before operating.

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

The Short-Term Residential Rental Certificate (Office of Short-Term Rentals registry) fee in San Francisco is $925, renewed biennial. Fee is $925 per the SF Planning fee schedule effective Aug 29, 2025 (line item: 'Short-Term Residential Rental Registry Application $925'); non-refundable if denied; certificate valid two years. Renewal is treated as reapplying every two years, and past official fee notices (e.g., Oct 2022) set application and renewal fees at the same amount; some industry blogs claim a $250 renewal fee, which is not corroborated by the official fee schedule. Hosts also need an annual business registration certificate from the Treasurer & Tax Collector (separate fee, renewed by May 31 each year).

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

San Francisco requires Short-Term Residential Rental Certificate (Office of Short-Term Rentals registry) — the fee is $925, renewed biennial. Here's how to get and keep it.

Permit at a glance

Permit required	Yes
Permit name	Short-Term Residential Rental Certificate (Office of Short-Term Rentals registry)
Permit fee	$925
Renewal	Biennial

Step by step

1
Confirm your property is eligible
San Francisco restricts short-term rentals to your primary residence, so confirm the property qualifies before applying. No neighborhood-level zoning ban; registration is available citywide for legal residential units that are the host's primary residence. Ineligible: below-market-rate/income-restricted and public housing; SRO and dormitory/student housing; legally established ADUs and JADUs; units subject to Ellis Act evictions after November 1, 2014; commercial/industrial and other non-residential spaces; vehicles, boats, treehouses and similar; and properties in The Presidio, Fort Mason, and Treasure Island (outside city jurisdiction). Tenants may host with landlord-permission caveats but cannot earn more than their monthly rent from STR fees.
2
Apply for the Short-Term Residential Rental Certificate (Office of Short-Term Rentals registry)
Submit the Short-Term Residential Rental Certificate (Office of Short-Term Rentals registry) application to San Francisco and pay the $925 fee. Fee is $925 per the SF Planning fee schedule effective Aug 29, 2025 (line item: 'Short-Term Residential Rental Registry Application $925'); non-refundable if denied; certificate valid two years. Renewal is treated as reapplying every two years, and past official fee notices (e.g., Oct 2022) set application and renewal fees at the same amount; some industry blogs claim a $250 renewal fee, which is not corroborated by the official fee schedule. Hosts also need an annual business registration certificate from the Treasurer & Tax Collector (separate fee, renewed by May 31 each year).
3
Register for occupancy taxes
Register to collect and remit the applicable lodging/occupancy taxes for San Francisco. Some are collected automatically by the booking platform and some you may need to remit yourself.
4
Renew on schedule
The permit renews biennial — 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 San Francisco changes its short-term rental rules — plus renewal reminders before your permit expires.

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Verified July 10, 2026. Informational only — not legal, tax, or financial advice. Permit requirements and fees change; confirm current requirements with San Francisco before applying.

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