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Short-Term Vacation Rentals

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1. What is a Short-Term Vacation Rental (STVR)?

A Short-Term Vacation Rental (STVR) is most often defined as a rental of a residence (Single-Family/Multi-Family), a portion of a residence, or a detached bedroom/bathroom (Non-Junior/Accessory Dwelling Unit per State Law), for periods of less than one month (<30 days). STVRs are also commonly referred to as vacation rentals, transient rentals, short-term rentals and resort dwelling units.

Generally, there are two types of vacation rentals: “Hosted” (Home-Share) and “Non-hosted” (Whole-Home). A “Hosted” (Home-Share) is the rental of one or more guest rooms (Non-Junior/Accessory Dwelling Unit per State Law), where the property owner resides in the residence during the guest stay. This could also include the rental a detached guest room and bathroom (Non-Accessory Dwelling Unit) while the property owner is in the main residence for the duration of the stay. A “Non-hosted” conversely, is when a property owner typically rents out the entire residence to a guest and is located off-site from the premises for the duration of the stay. This rental arrangement would typical involve a property management company.

2. What are my responsibilities as a Short-Term Vacation Rental (STVR) host and operator?

Your responsibility as a STVR host and operator is to ensure that the STVR operates in a manner that protects the quality of life for your neighbors and surrounding neighborhood and complies with all City operational requirements.

3. Where can I report an issue with neighboring Short-Term Vacation Rental (Noise, Parking, Trash, etc.)?

An issue can be reported at the following link www.MurrietaCA.gov/stvr or at (951) 210-7675.

4. Where are Short-Term Vacation Rentals allowed in the City?

Hosted STVRs are permissible in the Rural Residential (RR), Estate Residential (ER-1), (ER-2), (ER-3), Single-Family (SF-1), (SF-2), and Multi-Family (MF-1), (MF-2), and (MF-3) zones (subject to limitations¹).

Non-Hosted STVRs are permissible in the Rural Residential (RR), and Estate Residential (ER-1), (ER-2) zones (subject to limitations^1,2).

¹Hosted and Non-Hosted STVRs are limited to 300 in total availability. Please contact the Planning Division for additional details.

²For Non-Hosted STVRs within the ER-1 and ER-2 zones shall have a minimum of 300 feet between the subject non-hosted location and another non-hosted location as measured from all property lines. Please contact the Planning Division for additional details. 

5. How many are allowed?

300 in total, inclusive of Hosted and Non-Hosted STVRs.

6. How can I apply for a Short-Term Vacation Rental permit?

Please see the following links:

www.MurrietaCA.gov/stvr

(Future link from Vendor here)

7. What is the cost?

Non-Hosted STVR application/renewal fee = $349.00 + $75.00* Business License Fee (base) + $4.00* Assembly Bill (AB) 1379 State Fee.

Hosted STVR application/renewal fee = $200.00 + $75.00* Business License Fee (base) + $4.00* AB 1379 State Fee.

*Please Note that business license fees can vary depending on gross receipts and the State of California fees are subject to change over time. Please see the Schedule of Fees at the following link for additional details: https://www.murrietaca.gov/903/Fee-Schedule

8. How many overnight Short-Term Vacation Rental occupants can stay at my Short-Term Vacation Rental?

Two per bedroom for overnight occupants with a maximum of ten overnight occupants. See following table:

TABLE 5.27-01 SHORT-TERM VACATION RENTAL OCCUPANCY LIMITS AND PARKING LIMITATIONS*
Number of Bedrooms	Total Overnight  Transient Occupants	Additional Day Time  Transient  Occupants (Guests)	Total Daytime Occupancy	Total Vehicles Allowed On-Site (Overnight)	Total Vehicles Allowed On-Site (Daytime)
Studio	2	1	3	1	2
1	2	1	3	1	2
2	4	1	5	2	3
3	6	1	7	3	3
4	8	1	9	3	3
5	10	0	10	3	3
For Estate Residential (ER) and Rural Residential (RR) Zones:
Studio	2	1	3	1	2
1	2	1	3	1	2
2	4	1	5	2	3
3	6	1	7	3	4
4	8	1	9	3	4
5	10	0	10	3	4
*Residents of “hosted rental unit” locations do not count towards maximum occupancy levels

9. How many daytime guests are allowed?

One additional daytime guest in addition to overnight occupants (up to four bedrooms) 

Please see following table:

TABLE 5.27-01 SHORT-TERM VACATION RENTAL OCCUPANCY LIMITS AND PARKING LIMITATIONS*
Number of Bedrooms	Total Overnight  Transient Occupants	Additional Day Time  Transient  Occupants (Guests)	Total Daytime Occupancy	Total Vehicles Allowed On-Site (Overnight)	Total Vehicles Allowed On-Site (Daytime)
Studio	2	1	3	1	2
1	2	1	3	1	2
2	4	1	5	2	3
3	6	1	7	3	3
4	8	1	9	3	3
5	10	0	10	3	3
For Estate Residential (ER) and Rural Residential (RR) Zones:
Studio	2	1	3	1	2
1	2	1	3	1	2
2	4	1	5	2	3
3	6	1	7	3	4
4	8	1	9	3	4
5	10	0	10	3	4
*Residents of “hosted rental unit” locations do not count towards maximum occupancy levels

10. Where does the Short-Term Vacation Rental Permit Number have to be posted?

On all advertisements, parking passes, and temporary short-term vacation rental signage.

11. How much parking is required with operating a Short-Term Vacation Rental?

Please see following table for required on-site parking quantities:

TABLE 5.27-01 SHORT-TERM VACATION RENTAL OCCUPANCY LIMITS AND PARKING LIMITATIONS*
Number of Bedrooms	Total Overnight  Transient Occupants	Additional Day Time  Transient  Occupants (Guests)	Total Daytime Occupancy	Total Vehicles Allowed On-Site (Overnight)	Total Vehicles Allowed On-Site (Daytime)
Studio	2	1	3	1	2
1	2	1	3	1	2
2	4	1	5	2	3
3	6	1	7	3	3
4	8	1	9	3	3
5	10	0	10	3	3
For Estate Residential (ER) and Rural Residential (RR) Zones:
Studio	2	1	3	1	2
1	2	1	3	1	2
2	4	1	5	2	3
3	6	1	7	3	4
4	8	1	9	3	4
5	10	0	10	3	4
*Residents of “hosted rental unit” locations do not count towards maximum occupancy levels

12. Where does parking for the Short-Term Vacation Rental have to be located and what has to be displayed?

These parking spaces have to be located on-site (driveway or within garage) or within a designated location for a condominium.

Parking passes will be issued at approval based on the associated number vehicles allowed.

A parking pass will be required to be placed under the windshield for all STVR occupants for the duration of the stay and their daytime guest.

13. What is Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) and how does it have to paid?

The Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) is a tax paid for a nightly stay for a lodging establishment within the City. 

The owner and/or the owner’s authorized agent or representative shall comply with all provisions of Chapter 3.24 (Transient Occupancy Tax) of the Murrieta Municipal Code concerning the payment of Transient Occupancy Taxes (TOT), including, but not limited to, submission of a monthly reporting and remitting requirements in compliance with Section 3.24.080 of the Murrieta Municipal Code, which shall be required to be filed monthly even if the short-term vacation rental was not rented during such month. 

This calculation shall include “cleaning fees”, “resort fees”, and “other” fees as part of the total “rent” charged for the short-term vacation rental.

14. What is the Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) rate?

The current rate is 10 Percent per night.

This calculation shall include “cleaning fees”, “resort fees”, and “other” fees as part of the total “rent” charged for the short-term vacation rental.

15. How long is my Short-Term Vacation Rental Permit good for?

Permits are good for one year from the date of issuance. They run concurrently with the Business License Permit.

16. If I sell my property, can I transfer the existing Short-Term Vacation Rental Permit?

Yes, however, subject to limitations:

A permit issued by the City pursuant to this Chapter shall not be transferred, sold or assigned to any other person or entity, except with the prior written approval of the City.  

A written request for such transfer shall be accompanied by an application for a new permit issued by the City under this Chapter, and must be received within thirty (30) days of the transfer of the property to a new owner.

17. Do I have to notify my neighbors with Permit approval?

Yes, a written Courtesy Notification is required to be provided to all properties within a 300 foot radius from all property lines of your property. 

A title company or similar service can help provide this documentation.