San Rafael, CA – The Marin County Board of Supervisors on June 25 approved a fee schedule for the licensing of short-term rental properties.

The changes come following a review of the costs involved in reviewing and issuing licenses for residential properties used for stays of 30 days or less. The new short-term rental (STR) license fee schedule also factored in a cost comparison with other counties.

After reviewing an initial recommendation from its Community Development Agency staff, the Board provided feedback, heard public input, and unanimously approved the following new rates:

• New STR applications: $600
• New primary home STR applications: $300
• STR license renewals: $300
• STR license renewals for primary homes: $150

STRs are a form of guest accommodations that generate income for property owners and employment for businesses that serve those guests. The majority of Marin’s licensed STRs are in West Marin, where 11% of all homes are used as STRs. Hotels, Bed and Breakfast Inns, and other commercial lodging do not require STR licenses.

CDA is looking to partially offset the costs of program administration. The CDA fees are separate from business licenses fees and transient occupancy tax revenues handled by the Marin County Department of Finance.

To support lower-income property owners, the Board approved a reduced retainer fee for operators applying to use their primary home for a STR. Many longtime property owners in Marin have limited income and substantial property maintenance expenses, and some rely on the income from an STR.

In Marin, the Supervisors first approved an STR ordinance in 2018. In May 2024, the Board approved an updated ordinance for the unincorporated county that placed new requirements on STRs.

More information about STR requirements is available on the County’s short term rentals webpage.Anyone may subscribe to receive emailed updates on the topic. 

The County encourages STR operators who were operating legally (with a business license and TOT certificate) as of January 1, 2024, to email CDA staff with questions about the licensing process or to schedule a short phone conversation.