Fremont Restricts Airbnb and Short-Term Rentals

The new regulations, which took effect on February 8, 2024, define a short-term rental as the leasing of a residential space for less than 30 consecutive days. This ordinance was developed after extensive community feedback in late 2022, which included surveys and virtual meetings, to address concerns about housing availability and neighborhood character. Under the ordinance, hosts are required to obtain a no-cost permit from the city and will have until the end of 2024 to comply. A key restriction is that a host can only operate one short-term rental in Fremont, and it must be their primary residence. This prevents the operation of short-term rentals in accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and investment properties. The rules establish a maximum of two guests per bedroom. Additionally, hosts must provide at least one off-street parking space per rented bedroom and ensure the property is equipped with fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, and carbon monoxide detectors. The city also mandates a minimum of $500,000 in liability insurance. To enforce these new rules, Fremont has hired a third-party data monitoring firm to track short-term rental activity. Violations of the ordinance will lead to fines starting at $250 for a first offense, increasing to $500 for a second, and $1,000 for a third, with the potential for permit suspension or revocation. Operating without a permit will incur a fine starting at $1,000.