Hotel and short-term rental tax in Salinas: the local rules

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

What Salinas's code says

Salinas code What Salinas's code adds
Stays not taxed	Stays of 29 days or more are exempt. Applies: Only when the rent for that stay is paid at one time. § 32-22 · code text Rent paid at one time for a period of occupancy of twenty-nine days or more shall be exempt.
Tax rate	An extra 3% of the rent, on top of the 7% base tax. Applies: Applies to hotel stays; in effect since July 1, 1984. § 32-22 · code text In addition to the tax set forth in subsection (a), for the privilege of occupancy in any hotel, each transient is subject to and shall pay a tax in the amount of three percent of the rent collected by the operator effective July 1, 1984. A base tax of 7% of the rent. Applies: Applies to hotel stays; an extra 3% tax is added on top. § 32-22 · code text each transient is subject to and shall pay a tax in the amount of seven percent of the rent collected by the operator.
Who collects it	The hotel operator collects the tax from the guest when the rent is paid. § 32-22 · code text The transient shall pay the tax to the operator of the hotel at the time the rent is paid.

Who this affects

TenantsLandlordsProperty managers

Frequently asked questions

What is the hotel tax on short-term rentals in Salinas?

City rule: hotel stays pay 7% of the rent plus an extra 3%; stays of 29 days or more paid at once are exempt.

Hotel and short-term rental tax in Salinas

Key points

What Salinas's code says

Who this affects

Frequently asked questions

Ask about a specific Salinas property

More on renting & eviction in Salinas