Short-Term Rental Ordinance

Draft Regulations

Most recent draft of Ordinance posted September 15, 2023 available below.

The Planning and Building Department has prepared hosted four public meetings on zoom and throughout the County to present an initial draft of the Short-term Rental Ordinance and listen to community feedback (recording available below). At the meetings many members of the public have identified concerns and shared ideas that are critical in our shared effort to craft regulations that fit the unincorporated areas of Humboldt County. Public engagement in the process will continue according to the schedule identified below.  

Short-term Rentals provide revenues for community members and support tourism; they also impact the availability and price of long-term housing and can significantly impact the character of the surrounding neighborhood. Through the public process the Planning and Building Department aims to provide the Board of Supervisors with draft regulations that balance the benefits and impacts of this land use.

The draft ordinance includes amendments to Chapter 2 of the Zoning Ordinance which governs Administration, Procedures, Amendments and Enforcement. The proposed amendments would create an Administrative Permit for use in limited circumstances, and would define a standards for permit suspension. The draft ordinance also includes edits throughout the zoning code, removing the existing provisions for Bed and Breakfast as well as the Vacation Rental (V) Combining Zone.

Recording of September 21, 2023 Planning Commission Workshop on 

Short-term Rental Ordinance

Video starts at 2:31:33 when the workshop began

Recording of September 21, 2023 JPR interview with Planning and Building Director John Ford

Humboldt County crafts a new ordinance for vacation rental homes | Jefferson Public Radio (ijpr.org)

Public Review

There will be several opportunities to contribute to the process of developing the Short-term Rental Ordinance
  • Public Meeting hosted by the Planning and Building Department
    When: COMPLETE - Wednesday, June 28, 2023
    Where: Zoom
  • Southern Humboldt Community Meeting hosted by the Planning and Building Department, the Southern Humboldt Chamber of Commerce and the Southern Humboldt Business and Visitors Bureau
    When: COMPLETE - Wednesday, August 9, 2023
    Where: Redwood Playhouse, 286 Sprowl Creek Rd, Garberville
  • Humboldt Bay Area Community Meeting hosted by the Planning and Building Department
    When: COMPLETE - Wednesday, August 16, 6-8 pm
    Where: Humboldt County Agricultural Center, 5630 South Broadway St., Eureka
  • Northern Humboldt Community Meeting hosted by the Planning and Building Department
    When: COMPLETE - Thursday, August 24, 6-8 pm
    Where: The Center at McKinleyville, 1615 Heartwood Dr., McKinleyville
  • Public Zoom Meeting hosted by the Planning and Building Department
    When: COMPLETE - Wednesday, September 6, 6-8 pm
    Where: Zoom
  • Public Workshop Part 1, Humboldt County Planning Commission
    When: COMPLETE - September 21, 2023
    Where: Humboldt County Board of Supervisors Chambers, 825 5th St, Eureka CA, 95501 AND by zoom - See the Meeting Agenda which includes the zoom link
  • Public Workshop Part 2, Humboldt County Planning Commission
    When: October 5, 2023
    Where: Humboldt County Board of Supervisors Chambers, 825 5th St, Eureka CA, 95501 AND by zoom - Meeting Agenda with zoom link will be available the Friday before the meeting on legistar
  • Public Hearing, Humboldt County Planning Commission
    When: TBD
    Where: Humboldt County Board of Supervisors Chambers
  • Public Hearing, Humboldt County Board of Supervisors
    When: TBD
    Where: Humboldt County Board of Supervisors Chambers

Short-Term Rental Moratorium

On July 21, 2023 the Short-term Rental Moratorium expired. Following the expiration, the county regulations returned to the status quo: Short-term Rental (STR) of residences for a period of fewer than 30 days is not permitted in the unincorporated area of Humboldt County except in the inland portion of Shelter Cove. 

While there are many residences operating as STRs in Humboldt County, enforcement against these rentals is pursued only in response to complaints from the public.

For more information, please see the Frequently Asked Questions.

The County of Humboldt is committed to providing equal access to all county programs, services and activities through the provision of accommodations for individuals with qualified disabilities as required under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). With 72 hours prior notice, a request for reasonable accommodation for public meetings can be made by calling (707) 268-3722.

For more information, please contact Associate Planner Keenan Hilton at khilton@co.humboldt.ca.us or (707) 268-3722.