Short-term rentals in Eureka: the local rules

Each rule below links to the section of the Eureka Municipal Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (extracted October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What Eureka's code says

Eureka code What Eureka's code adds
Allowed	Yes. Vacation rentals are allowed in residential zones. Applies: With or without the proprietor on-site; a vacation rental permit and a city business license are required. § 155.304.150 · code text This subsection establishes regulations to allow for short-term vacation rentals within residential zoning districts. No. These units may not be used as short-term or vacation rentals. Applies: Accessory dwelling units or junior accessory dwelling units given a certificate of occupancy after January 1, 2020. § 155.316.050 · code text An accessory dwelling unit or junior accessory dwelling unit in a residential or mixed-use zoning district may not be converted to, or utilized as, a short-term, transient, vacation rental or commercial lodging if the accessory dwelling unit or junior accessory dwelling unit was granted a certificate of occupancy after January 1, 2020. No. It may not be used as a vacation rental. Applies: A second single-family home created on an RE or R1 zoned parcel under state law. § 155.304.150 · code text A second single-family home created on a parcel in the RE or R1 zoning district pursuant to Cal. Gov’t Code § 65852.21 may not be utilized as a vacation rental. No. It may not be used as a vacation rental. Applies: Single-family homes on parcels created by an urban lot split. § 155.304.150 · code text A single-family home created on a parcel resulting from an urban lot split subdivision may not be utilized as a vacation rental.
Cap on rentals	Limited to a yearly number set by the City Council. Applies: Vacation rentals with no proprietor on-site. The Council may instead set a total limit. § 155.304.150 · code text The number of vacation rentals with no proprietor on-site permitted/licensed each year may not exceed the annual limit set by the City Council. Not counted toward the yearly limit on new vacation rentals. Applies: Vacation rentals with a proprietor on-site. § 155.304.150 · code text Vacation rentals with a proprietor on-site are exempt from the annual limit for new vacation rentals.
Permit or registration	A vacation rental permit is required. § 155.304.150 · code text Vacation rental permit. A vacation rental permit is a ministerial approval by the Department to confirm that a proposed vacation rental complies with all applicable standards. A minor use permit is required. Applies: Certain types of vacation rentals listed in the residential zoning district rules. § 155.304.150 · code text Minor use permit. See Table 204-1 in § 155.204 (Residential Zoning Districts) for types of vacation rentals that require a minor use permit. A home occupation permit may be required. Applies: Applies to some vacation rental operators. § 155.304.150 · code text Home occupation permit. Vacation rental operators may require a home occupation permit. See § 155.304.070 (Home Occupations). A city business license is required and must be kept current. § 155.304.150 · code text Business license. Vacation rental operators must acquire and maintain a city business license.
Primary residence	No. The proprietor does not have to live on-site. Applies: Vacation rentals with no proprietor on-site. § 155.304.150 · code text The rental of an entire dwelling unit, or any portion of a dwelling unit, when the proprietor is not a resident on-site during any portion of the duration of the rental.

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Can I rent out my home short-term in Eureka?

Eureka's code: Yes. Vacation rentals are allowed in residential zones. (With or without the proprietor on-site; a vacation rental permit and a city business license are required.) (§ 155.304.150); No. These units may not be used as short-term or vacation rentals. (Accessory dwelling units or junior accessory dwelling units given a certificate of occupancy after January 1, 2020.) (§ 155.316.050).

Short-term rentals in Eureka

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