Short-term rental (Airbnb) rules in Mill Valley, California
Yes. Mill Valley allows short-term rentals (under 30 consecutive days) in rooms, whole single-family homes and multifamily units, but not in deed-restricted ADUs or JADUs. Before your first guest you must register with the Planning Department ($181, renewed annually for $90), get a business license ($15 per unit + $4) and pay the city's transient occupancy tax monthly.
| What counts as an STR | Rented for less than 30 consecutive days [1] |
| Where allowed | All residential units except deed-restricted ADUs and JADUs [1] |
| Registration fee | $181 initial; $90 renewal [4] |
| Business license fee | $15 per unit + $4, annually [5] |
| Renewal deadline | Annually, by July 31 [9] |
| Taxes | Transient occupancy tax, remitted monthly [3] |
| Penalty for violations | License not reissued; STR must stop for at least 1 year [8] |
Where short-term rentals are allowed
Mill Valley defines a short-term rental as a dwelling rented in whole or in part for overnight lodging for less than 30 consecutive days, and allows them in all residential units except deed-restricted ADUs and JADUs [1]. ADUs and JADUs approved under the current ADU chapter must carry a deed restriction barring rentals under 30 consecutive days [11], so the rental will usually be the main house, rooms in it, or a multifamily unit. The registration form does list "2nd Unit" as a rental type, so an older second unit without such a restriction may qualify; confirm with Planning. On a lot with a JADU, the main house can't be rented at the same time as the JADU, because the owner must live on site [6]. The rental space must be legally permitted.
Permit, license and taxes
You need a Residential Short-Term Rental Permit and a Residential Business License before operating [2]. Every STR must register with the city and pay a registration fee, a business license fee and transient occupancy tax (TOT), and registration is renewed every year [3]. The registration fee is $181 the first year and $90 for renewal [4]; the business license fee is $15 per unit plus $4, paid online through OpenGov [5]. Fees are collected annually by July 31 [9], and you must register before your first booking [10]. TOT is remitted monthly through OpenGov.
Guest rules
Hosts must give each guest a written statement of conditions [7] covering the maximum number of occupants, available guest parking, a 24-hour emergency contact, trash instructions, the city's noise ordinance and good-neighbor expectations.
Enforcement
If the host or guests break the registration terms, the business license won't be reissued and the rental must stop for at least one year after it expires, unless the Planning Director approves an exception for good cause [8].
Source note
These rules come from the city's STR web page and registration form; we did not review the underlying municipal code chapter, which may include more detail.
See how Mill Valley compares with 8+ other California towns on short-term rentals (airbnb / vrbo) →
Next steps
- Confirm the space is legally permitted and isn't a deed-restricted ADU or JADU.
- Submit the Short-Term Rental Registration Form with the $181 fee to the Mill Valley Planning Department (planning@cityofmillvalley.gov).
- Apply and pay for the Residential Business License ($15 per unit + $4) online through the city's OpenGov portal.
- Register for and file transient occupancy tax returns monthly through OpenGov (Finance Department, 415-384-4802, tot@cityofmillvalley.gov).
- Prepare a written statement of conditions for guests (occupancy, parking, emergency contact, trash, noise rules), and renew everything by July 31 each year.
Common questions
- Are short-term rentals allowed in Mill Valley, California?
- Yes. Mill Valley allows short-term rentals, meaning stays under 30 consecutive days, in rooms, whole single-family homes and multifamily units, but not in deed-restricted ADUs or JADUs. The rental space must be legally permitted.
- How do I get a short-term rental permit in Mill Valley, California?
- Before your first guest, register with the Planning Department ($181, renewed annually for $90), get a Residential Business License ($15 per unit plus $4, paid online through OpenGov), and pay the city's transient occupancy tax monthly. Fees are collected annually by July 31.
- Can I rent my ADU on Airbnb in Mill Valley, California?
- Usually not. ADUs and JADUs approved under the current ADU chapter must carry a deed restriction barring rentals under 30 consecutive days. The registration form lists "2nd Unit" as a rental type, so an older second unit without that restriction may qualify; confirm with Planning.
- What is the penalty for breaking short-term rental rules in Mill Valley, California?
- If the host or guests break the registration terms, the business license won't be reissued and the rental must stop for at least one year after it expires, unless the Planning Director approves an exception for good cause.
California state rules for short-term rentals
California has no statewide short-term rental license or registry. Your city or county decides whether and how you can rent on Airbnb or VRBO, including permits, caps, primary-residence rules and minimum stays.
Taxes: cities and counties may levy a transient occupancy tax (TOT) on stays of 30 days or less (Rev. & Tax. Code §7280). Rates and registration are local, and the county rate applies only in unincorporated areas.
New platform reporting law: since January 1, 2026, a city or county can adopt an ordinance requiring platforms like Airbnb and VRBO to report the address of each short-term rental (Gov. Code §50990 et seq., SB 346). Where a city has opted in, listings must also show the local license number and TOT certificate.
ADUs and SB 9 units: state law lets cities require that ADUs be rented for 30 days or longer. It requires that for by-right ADUs, junior ADUs and units built under SB 9 lot splits (see ADUs).
Coastal zone: in a December 2016 letter, the Coastal Commission said:
- STR rules in the coastal zone must be adopted through the city's Local Coastal Program or a coastal development permit, and bans adopted any other way are likely not enforceable there.
- The Commission has not historically supported blanket STR bans, finding they unduly limit public access to the coast.
- It has supported reasonable limits, such as caps on the number of rentals, occupancy limits, and limits on which housing types can be rented.
What the ordinance says
- Short-Term Rental, Short-Term Rentals (Planning page), p. 1
A Short-Term Rental (STR) is a dwelling that is leased or rented in full or in part for overnight lodging for less than thirty (30) consecutive days. Mill Valley allows Short-Term Rentals in all residential units except deed-restricted Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units (JADUs).
- What is the Short-Term Rental Program?, Short-Term Rentals (Planning page), p. 1
The Program requires the issuance of a Residential Short-Term Rental Permit (Permit) and Residential Business License before a homeowner may operate a STR.
- How to Apply for a Short-Term Rental Permit, Short-Term Rentals (Planning page), p. 1
All Short-Term Rentals in the City of Mill Valley are required to register with the City and pay a registration fee, business license fee, and transient occupancy tax. Registration must be renewed annually.
- Required Forms, Short-Term Rentals (Planning page), p. 1
Complete and submit the STR Registration Form to the City of Mill Valley Planning Department with the $181 initial STR Registration fee or $90 STR Registration renewal fee.
- Required Forms, Short-Term Rentals (Planning page), p. 1
Applicants will be required to pay an annual business license application fee for Residential Living Accommodations of $15 per unit + $4 and must be paid online through OpenGov.
- Required Conditions to Qualify for a Short-Term Rental, Short-Term Rentals (Planning page), p. 1
On lots that have a JADU, the primary unit may not be rented out concurrently with the JADU because owner occupancy is required on-site.
- Term of Agreement, Short-Term Rentals (Planning page), p. 1
All short-term rental hosts shall provide a statement of the conditions which apply to the rental to each guest.
- Violation of Terms, Short-Term Rental Registration Form, p. 1
In the event the host or his/her guests violate the terms and conditions of this Short-term Rental Registration, the Business License shall not be reissued, and the short-term rental shall cease for at least one year following its expiration date, unless good cause is shown that would prevent future violations, subject to the approval of the Planning Director.
- Registration Form, item 6 Fees, Short-Term Rental Registration Form, p. 2
6. Fees: The following fees are collected annually (by July 31 st of every year) in order to operate.
- Short-Term Rental Registration Form, Short-Term Rental Registration Form, p. 1
Hosts must register their short-term rental prior to the first date of operation by completing this form.
- MVMC 20.90.030(B)(2)(b) Restrictions - deed restriction, Municipal Code Chapter 20.90 - Accessory Dwelling Units, p. 1
If the ADU or JADU is rented, it shall not be rented for a period of less than 30 consecutive days.