Oakland CA regulations and zoning

[Terese19]

Is there anyone on Oakland CA that can help me navigate the business rules here? I have tried to contact their office, but it has not been very useful. I'm looking to get clarity for zoning and length of stays. The zoning office told me the minimum stay allowed was 30 days unless I had a hotel, motel or b&B licence. I have seen 7 days before and on their website, but could not find the place again now. Is there anyone who can help me navigate this?

Thank you!

[Helen427]

Hello @Terese19 from across the miles in New Zealand.

Have you tried using related keywords here in the CC Search box for similar situations in your location?
Often there's very useful info from others who have been going through the same situation.

All the very best

[Helen3]

http://www2.oaklandnet.com/government/o/PBN/OurOrganization/PlanningZoning/short-term-residential-re...

[Erika249]

Unfortunately, the link isn't working 😕 .

[Terese19]

Thank you both for answering and trying to help me. I appreciate it!

[Erika249]

I'm trying to find similar information about Oakland's rules for short term rentals.  I've been all over the City's website, permits, zoning.  Yeesh.  I don't understand why it is so hard to get this info!   I finally reached a Zone person and he said from the zoning department they're technically illegal but from the permit department and finance, they  require you to have to have a certain kind of permit (not the normal business license) to have one.  What a mess and I am so confused!

[Atul68]

Any body found what is required to start an air bnb in Oakland?

[Bhumika · Accepted solution]

Hi @Atul68 ,

I wanted to share this resource where you can check about requirements and rental rules in Oakland. I hope it helps you get a general idea: https://www.airbnb.co.uk/help/article/872.

[Luca432]

Hi everyone - I'm also joining the Oakland host community after having hosted in SF in the past. Did anyone manage to get to the bottom of how regulation works? @Erika249 any insights from your search? I found some options via conditional use permits but can't tell which one is the right one (Semi-transient, B&B, Transient). Any help from anyone here would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks so much!

[Anthony1611]

Hello. Did you find a solution for this situation? I recently went through the zoning requirements with the city of Oakland if you still need some assistance. 

[Jeanette308]

Yes please, help. @Anthony1611 

[Tracy-And-Susan0]

@Anthony1611 , any help would be appreciated. We are ready to launch - after waiting out the pandemic. Oakland's rules are clear as mud! as others have said in this string. What a mess. Please assist with specifics, type of permit needed, and biz license. I stayed in 5 different ABNBs when I first moved here 6 years ago. Can't tell me they are all illegal or just grandfathered in. Get it together Oakland! 

thanks!

tracy

[Lucia2496]

Hi Anthony - I'd be interested in learning more about what you discovered. Is there a way to message directly via airbnb?

[Jean523]

Hi Anthony,

Others on this chat and I would really like to know what you've discovered through your process with Oakland.  It seems that Oakland's rental regulations do not allow for short-term "Transient Habitation" unless it's at least 30 days and one owns a B&B, it's owner occupied, has particular zoning requirements, etc.

What have you discovered from Oakland?  Can people have short-term rentals (e.g., less than 30 days) under Airbnb or not?

I wish Airbnb will weigh in too!  Thanks, jean

[Jean523]

Hi Anthony,

Many would-be hosts on this site are trying to find out what you discovered about zoning requirements in Oakland re short-term Airbnb rentals.  Is it legal or not to have short-term rentals (eg, less than 30 days/mo) in Oakland?  People here would really like to know a clear answer since Oakland's zoning laws are very difficult to decipher.

Thank you, Jean