Permits in Santa Cruz County

Permits in Santa Cruz County

Hi

I have a property in Santa Cruz county that I'd like to list on Air BNB but I can't get a short term permit for it because the property has a legal ADU.  However I see tons of guest houses, tiny houses, even yurts and trailers on here and there's no way they can have permits.  How is this happening and are these people getting in trouble?  

Thank You!

3 Replies 3
Bhumika
Community Manager
Community Manager
Toronto, Canada

Hi @Virginia-andQuot-CimmerandQuot-0, Welcome to the Airbnb Community Center!

Have you managed to get some information through the local website or Local Host Clubs? I wanted to share this Airbnb article that gives a general idea about Permits and regulations in Santa Cruz County.

I also wanted to reach out to a few Hosts from Santa Cruz who had previously posted on our Community Center, if they have some insights regarding your concerns and may be able to help us learn more about it: @Ronnie106 @Jennifer623 @Rex0 @Brian929 @Sally358. Hope we get to learn more about it!

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Please follow the Community Guidelines

@Virginia-andQuot-CimmerandQuot-0 Sorry, did not see your request about this but wondering if you got any more info. California is really doing everything they can to discourage STRs. Check this out, absolutely ridiculous:

 

California now taxing the ASSETS of Short Term Rental Businesses

 

 

California strikes again!

California is coming after small businesses once again by assessing a business tax to Short Term Rental businesses, based not on income but the book value of their business assets.  

The new STR tax

If you own an AirBnB or VRBO, expect to receive a new tax form and bill (form number is BOE-571-STR) from the county that must be filed and paid by May 7, 2024, and then every year thereafter.

This is not called the STR tax, but we are calling it what it is. California is wanting more tax from any source in its grasp. STRs have grown in California and so they see another tax opportunity.

Short-term rental businesses (even if you own it and don't have an LLC) may be required to report the basis of assets, reappraising your business property annually.  This filing will require you to list out things like furniture, appliances, equipment, televisions, tables, mattresses, etc. This does not apply to the real estate itself, but the assets you hold within the real estate that you are renting out.

Similar reporting and filing requirements apply to commercial real estate properties and business owners of those properties. Now California is extending that same business tax, filing, and payment of taxes to short-term rentals.

Who does this apply to?

This new filing applies to you if you rent out all or a portion of your property.

Every business that owns taxable personal property (other than a manufactured home) having an aggregate cost of $100k or more for any assessment year must file a signed property statement with the county assessor.

If you receive a notice and feel you are below the threshold, complete and send it in to avoid fines.  If you fall below the threshold, you may not receive the form or only receive the request to file every three or four years.

What is the tax?

The tax rate varies, but is usually a little more than 1% of the assessed value. A conservative estimate is 1.2% of the book value of your total assets (purchase price - depreciation).

 

Kalon3
Level 1
Santa Cruz, CA

Did you ever find out more information about this?