Report a Vacation Rental Violation
Wait List Requests
The County maintains a Wait List for Vacation Rental and Hosted Rentals permits in the three Designated Areas (LODA, SALSDA, and DASDA). Permits will be issued on a first-applied, first-issued system, with evaluation of permit availability occurring on a bi-annual basis (June 1st and December 1st). There is a $145.00 annual Wait List fee to maintain a space on the List.
To submit a Wait List Request, please complete the Wait List Form and email it to: vacation.eplanreview@santacruzcountyca.gov for review and signature. Applications will not be accepted without signature. Following receipt of signature, please drop off the completed form with the cashier during Unified Permit Center Counter business hours, or mail it, along with the annual Wait List Fee ($145.00 check made out to the County of Santa Cruz) to:
County of Santa Cruz CDI, Unified Permit Center
Attn: Vacation Rental Processing
701 Ocean Street, Room 400
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
To check your placement on the most up-to-date Wait List, you may view the current Wait List.
What is a Vacation Rental?
In Santa Cruz County, property owners may rent part or all of their home as a short-term rental (less than 30 days) with a permit.
Short-term rental of an entire home requires a Vacation Rental Permit. Vacation Rentals are different from Hosted Rentals and “Bed and Breakfasts” (short-term rental of a portion of a home where the property owner is on site during the rental).
The following is some key information about Vacation Rentals in Santa Cruz County.
Vacation Rental Application
It is strongly advised that you consult with a planner via a Zoning appointment before applying for a new short-term rental.
Apply for a Vacation Rental/Renewal Permit
All permit application submittals are being taken in remotely via the our online “ePlan” portal. To submit an application for a Vacation Rental Permit or Renewal, please visit the ePlan Review Page.
For more information about the ePlan process, please refer to ePlan Overview & Application Process for Vacation and Hosted Rentals and Renewals.
Surrender a Vacation Rental Permit
If you wish to surrender your vacation rental permit, indicating your voluntary decision to cancel your short-term rental authorization, the property owner must send an email requesting the surrender of the permit to: vacation.eplanreview@santacruzcountyca.gov. Be sure to include the permit #, site address and/ or APN, and a clear request to surrender the permit approval. Upon surrendering the vacation rental permit, it will be rendered null and void as of the specified date.
Questions? Visit the Unified Permit Center counter by making an appointment, email us at vacation.eplanreview@santacruzcountyca.gov or call the Zoning Information Line at (831) 454-2130.
Interested in Hosted Rentals? Please visit our Hosted Rentals Page.