Contra Costa, California Short Term Rental Regulations

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Reviewed by Karolyn Hutson

Last updated August 29, 2023

Contra Costa Short-Term Rental Regulations

Information is maintained by the community to provide helpful insights and links to local regulations, HostScouts does not provide legal or investment advice.

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  • Short Term City Rating
    5.8
  • Competition

    5.8
  • Real Estate Cost

    2.1
  • STR Regulations

    N/A
  • Seasonality

    6.3
  • Rental Rates

    9.0

Contra Costa, California Quick Stats

Short-term rentals have gained a lot of traction in the last few years. The trends and statistics of this sector are constantly changing, and having access to accurate data is essential for making sound investment decisions.

Population
1,165,927
STR License Required
No
Tourist Season
May to September
County
It is the county
Airports
Oakland International Airport (OAK)
San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Review our Contra Costa California short-term rental analytics guide, including rates, property types and other metrics

Want to learn more about Contra Costa?

Hostscouts has you covered. Our guides for this city cover topics that can help you research cities across the US quickly and easily.

Check out our Contra Costa rental analytics guide if you're interested in data on the Contra Costa rental market.

City Activities

Review the popular activities that hosts include in their property positing in Contra Costa.

City Attractions

The most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings.

Contra Costa Rental Rates & Fees

Explore nightly rates that hosts list their properties and the average fees for pets and additional guests.

Property Types & Sizes

What are the most popular property sizes for rent? Research whether a 1, 2, or 3 bedroom best fits Contra Costa guests.

Interested in other California cities?

Check out the California Airbnb rules directory 

What makes Contra Costa a great place to invest?

Contra Costa County, located in the northern portion of the state of California, presents a lucrative opportunity for investing in short-term rentals due to its strategic location, diverse attractions, and booming economy.
  • Strategic Location: Contra Costa County is conveniently located close to major cities like San Francisco and Oakland, making it an ideal base for travelers looking to explore the Bay Area. Its accessibility via major highways and public transportation makes it easy for visitors to commute to and from the region.
  • Diverse Tourist Attractions: From the historic John Muir National Historic Site to the vibrant arts scene in Walnut Creek, Contra Costa County offers a wide range of attractions that cater to all types of travelers. Additionally, the county is home to numerous wineries, golf courses, and shopping districts.
  • Booming Economy: Contra Costa County has a strong and growing economy, with a focus on industries such as healthcare, technology, and education. This attracts business travelers and professionals who often seek short-term rentals for their stays.
  • Professional Sports Teams: While Contra Costa County itself does not have any professional sports teams, its proximity to Oakland and San Francisco means that visitors can easily attend games of teams like the Golden State Warriors, San Francisco Giants, and Oakland Athletics.
  • Natural Parks: The county is home to several natural parks, including Mount Diablo State Park, which offers hiking, cycling, and camping opportunities. The abundance of outdoor activities attracts nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers, increasing the demand for short-term rentals in the area.

Contra Costa Nearby Cities

Local Real Estate

How expensive is the real estate in Contra Costa?

The cost of real estate can vary widely depending on the location, size, and features of the property, as well as market conditions. The median home value in Contra Costa has decreased -17% over the past year, and the average price per square foot is $1,099, which is higher than the national average.

Median Sale Price

$2,209,127

-17% YoY

Median per Square Foot

$1,099

-18% YoY

Average Monthly Rent

$4,881

2% YoY

Property Descriptions

The most common terms hosts include in their listings for Contra Costa, California

Word Cloud for Contra Costa, California Short Term Rentals

Common terms for Contra Costa short term rental listings.

When potential guests are scrolling through listings on Airbnb, they’re looking for certain essential information to help them decide if your property is the right fit for their needs. As a host, ensuring that your listing includes all the relevant information that guests will be looking for is vital.

Some of the must-have elements of a property description include:

  • Location: Guests will want to know where your property is located in relation to popular attractions, public transportation, and other points of interest.
  • Amenities: What amenities does your property offer? Be sure to list all features guests can access, such as a pool, hot tub, parking, etc.
  • Informative: The average listing in Contra Costa has a description approximately 1,627 words long. Make sure yours is long enough to describe your property but doesn't require your potential guest to read a novel.

After reviewing more than 957 listings in Contra Costa, we've consolidated the most common terms on the word cloud. The larger text represents a term that is used more often. The top ten mentioned terms are Deck, Mill Valley, View, Outdoor, Cottage, San Francisco, Beach, Garden, Beautiful, and Quiet.

What are the most popular tourist activities in Contra Costa?

Whether renting a house, an apartment, or a room, you should include popular tourist activities in your posting. The most common choices mentioned on property listings in Contra Costa involve Hiking, Mountain Biking, Cycling, Kayaking, and Wildlife Viewing. When you write your listing, have a section with recommended activities near the property to give your guests an idea of what is available.

Hiking

Mountain Biking

Cycling

Kayaking

Wildlife Viewing

Surfing

Swimming

Beach

Wind Surfing

Horseback Riding

Sailing

Boating

Local Attractions

What attractions do hosts highlight to guests?

There are quite a few popular attractions in Contra Costa, including Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco Bay, Golden Gate Bridge, Muir Woods National Monument, and Presidio of San Francisco. Below we've included the most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings. Many hosts like to show off lesser-known regional landmarks visitors might not have heard of.

Well Known Attraction

San Francisco Bay

Included on 49% of listings

Well Known Attraction

Muir Woods National Monument

Included on 48% of listings

Well Known Attraction

Point Reyes National Seashore

Included on 45% of listings

Well Known Attraction

Golden Gate Bridge

Included on 42% of listings

Well Known Attraction

San Francisco Bay

Included on 41% of listings

Well Known Attraction

Muir Woods National Monument

Included on 41% of listings

Regional Landmark

Point Reyes National Seashore

Included on 38% of listings

Well Known Attraction

Golden Gate Bridge

Included on 34% of listings

Regional Landmark

Presidio of San Francisco

Included on 33% of listings

Regional Landmark

Stinson Beach

Included on 31% of listings

Regional Landmark

Baker Beach

Included on 31% of listings

Well Known Attraction

Presidio of San Francisco

Included on 30% of listings

What’s the weather like in Contra Costa, California?

The weather is about the same as the national average, with an average high temperature of around 71°, while the average low is about 50°. It has normal rainfall, averaging about 17 inches per year, compared to the national average of about 27 inches. Snowfall is scarce, with an average year having no snowfall. The humidity levels in Contra Costa are generally lower than the national average, and the city has a mix of clouds and sunshine for most of the year.

Winter

December through February

42° Low 58° High

Precipitation
9.6"
Snowfall
0.0"
Muggy Days
0.0 days
Cloudiness
55%

Spring

March through May

50° Low 70° High

Precipitation
4.1"
Snowfall
0.0"
Muggy Days
0.0 days
Cloudiness
42%

Summer

June through August

57° Low 84° High

Precipitation
0.1"
Snowfall
0.0"
Muggy Days
0.0 days
Cloudiness
13%

Fall

September through November

52° Low 74° High

Precipitation
3.1"
Snowfall
0.0"
Muggy Days
0.0 days
Cloudiness
29%