Santa Cruz requires a short-term rental permit and a Transient Occupancy Tax Certificate before a property is used as an STR. The owner also handles taxes, cleaning, and local duties. BnBGenius answers guest messages on Airbnb and VRBO 24/7.
The city has set a current restriction on new permits.
“The City is not issuing new Non-Hosted/non-owner occupied STR permits or Accessory Dwelling Unit STR permits.”
Source: no new non-hosted permits
What this means for you: The city is not issuing new non-hosted permits. It is also not issuing new non-owner occupied permits. The city is not issuing new ADU STR permits either. An owner must verify the address and current city status.
What Is Restricted in Santa Cruz
The city states a permit requirement for all STR units.
“All owners of STR units are required to obtain a STR permit and Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) Certificate to use their property for STR purposes.”
Source: permit required
The city also caps the hosted permit type.
“A total of 250 owner-occupied/hosted STR permits are available on a first come, first served basis.”
Source: hosted permit cap
The city describes current hosted application status.
“There is currently no waitlist for hosted STR permits; the City is actively taking in STR permit applications.”
Source: hosted availability
The city defines the hosted type.
“Hosted is defined as an STR where the owner lives in the home for more than 6 months per year, although the owner does not need to be present during the STR guests’ stay.”
Source: hosted definition
The city defines the non-hosted type.
“Non-Hosted is defined as an STR where the owner does not live in the home or lives in the home for less than 6 months per year.”
Source: non-hosted definition
The city notes existing non-hosted rentals may continue.
“However, there are several existing, legally permitted and operating Non-Hosted STRs that will be allowed to continue under the ordinance.”
Source: non-hosted continuation
What this means for you: Every STR unit needs a permit and a TOT Certificate. The city makes a total of 250 owner-occupied/hosted permits available. The city hands out these hosted permits first come, first served. The city is taking hosted applications now, with no waitlist. Hosted means the owner lives in the home over 6 months yearly. The owner does not need to be present during the guests’ stay. Non-hosted means the owner does not live in the home. It also covers owners living there less than 6 months per year. Existing, legally permitted, operating non-hosted STRs may continue under the ordinance. A new owner seeking a non-hosted rental finds no new permit path. The city quote gives no route to a new non-hosted permit.
How to Check Your Address and Permit Path
The city bars permits for properties with both a single-family home and an ADU.
“Properties with a single-family home and an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) are not approved to receive an STR permit for either the single-family home or the ADU.”
Source: single-family ADU bar
The city gives a caveat for multi-family properties.
“Multi-family properties may be eligible to receive an STR Permit; please contact the staff member at the bottom of this page for more information.”
Source: multi-family
The city sets a parking requirement.
“the property must be in full compliance with the current minimum parking requirement, which is 1 parking space for each studio/1-bedroom residence and 2 parking spaces for each residence containing 2 or more bedrooms.”
Source: parking
The city lists proof of hosted residency.
“Three Proofs of Principal Residency: Applicants for Hosted STRs must provide: Evidence of a Santa Cruz County Assessor’s Homeowners Exemption. Two additional forms of evidence that the property is the owner’s principal residence, such as state and federal tax returns, a bank account statement, a car registration document, a driver’s license, a voter registration document, or a utility bill.”
Source: hosted residency proof
What this means for you: A single-family home plus an ADU cannot get a permit. Neither the home nor the ADU is approved for a permit. Multi-family properties may qualify, so ask city staff. Studios and 1-bedroom homes need 1 parking space. Homes with 2 or more bedrooms need 2 spaces. Hosted applicants provide three proofs of principal residency. One proof is the county assessor’s Homeowners Exemption. Two additional forms of evidence are also required. Confirm your property type and current permit availability with the city. The city page lists application materials, so review it before applying.
What the City Requires Where Rentals Are Allowed
The city sets a review timeline after fees are paid.
“After fees are paid, the City has 30 calendar days to review the STR application in order to approve it or to provide a detailed comment letter explaining what information is needed for approval.”
Source: review period
The city requires enrollment in an inspection service after permit issuance.
“After STR permit issuance, applicants will also be required to enroll in the City’s Rental Inspection Service (RIS).”
Source: inspection
The city gives a business-license exception.
“You do not need a City business license as part of the application process, unless there are more than 3 dwellings on the parcel.”
Source: business license
What this means for you: After fees are paid, the city has 30 calendar days. The city reviews the application within that 30-calendar-day window. It approves the application or sends a detailed comment letter. The letter explains what information is needed for approval. After the permit issues, you must enroll in the Rental Inspection Service. You do not need a city business license for the application process. That exception applies unless more than 3 dwellings sit on the parcel.
Taxes
The table below lists the 2 platforms and their tax statements.
| Platform | Tax statement | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Airbnb | “Hosts may need to manually collect and remit other applicable taxes on their stay or experience price.” (Source: Airbnb tax) | Airbnb help article 1036 |
| Vrbo | “You’re also responsible for collecting and remitting lodging taxes when we’re not liable to do so.” (Source: Vrbo tax) | Vrbo help article on stay taxes |
What this means for you: Airbnb says hosts may need to collect and remit manually. These are other applicable taxes on the stay or experience price. Vrbo says you collect and remit lodging taxes when it is not liable. Platform collection and owner duties can differ, so keep records. Check current city instructions for your own tax duties.
If Your Address Qualifies: What BnBGenius Does
BnBGenius does not know local rules and does not issue licenses or permits. The permit, TOT Certificate, and city duties remain the owner’s responsibility.
Answers Guest Messages on Airbnb and VRBO 24/7
BnBGenius answers guest messages on Airbnb and VRBO 24/7.
Requests a Review from the Guest and Publishes the Host’s Review
BnBGenius requests a review from the guest and publishes the host’s review.
Kent Morgan shared his experience with review handling.
“We went from reviewing 40% of stays to 100% overnight. The AI even thanked guests for things we fixed mid-stay. Our review-to-review rate jumped immediately.”
Source: Kent reviews
Creates Cleaning and Repair Tasks After Checkout
BnBGenius creates cleaning and repair tasks after checkout.
Kent Morgan shared his experience with task handling.
“We used to find out about issues in post-stay reviews. Now BnBGenius flags them mid-stay, creates the task, and our cleaners respond in under 15 minutes.”
Source: Kent tasks
Answers Guest Calls with a Voice AI Agent
BnBGenius answers guest calls with a voice AI agent.
Kent Morgan shared his experience with guest calls.
“The concierge answered 84% of our after-hours calls last month without waking anyone up. Guests thought it was our in-house team the whole time.”
Source: Kent voice
Sells Gap Nights, Early Check-in and Late Checkout
BnBGenius sells gap nights, early check-in and late checkout.
Is Run from Telegram
BnBGenius is run from Telegram.
The reviews guide is available on the site. The tasks guide is available on the site. The voice guide is available on the site. The Telegram guide is available on the site.
Airbnb and VRBO
The table below has 3 rows covering host touchpoints.
| Touchpoint | Airbnb | VRBO |
|---|---|---|
| Messages | BnBGenius answers guest messages on Airbnb and VRBO 24/7. | BnBGenius answers guest messages on Airbnb and VRBO 24/7. |
| Reviews | BnBGenius requests a review from the guest and publishes the host’s review. | BnBGenius requests a review from the guest and publishes the host’s review. |
| Guest calls | BnBGenius answers guest calls with a voice AI agent. | BnBGenius answers guest calls with a voice AI agent. |
The Airbnb automated messages guide is available on the site. The VRBO automated messages guide is available on the site. The guide on stopping late night messages is available on the site.
How to Start
You can choose between 2 paths below.
The Pricing page lists current pricing. The guide on whether you need Airbnb PMS software is available on the site. The Airbnb accounting and tax software guide is available on the site.
Rules and rates last checked on 23 October 2026.
