The new restrictions and guidelines for vacation rentals in Monterey County, specifically for the inland area, went into effect Monday. County officials organized webinars and attended county meetings to get the word out to the public.

Commercial vacation rentals will not be allowed in inland Carmel Valley residential zones or the coastal areas of Big Sur, Carmel Highlands and Moss Landing’s residential zones.

All vacation rentals in the inland area will be required to operate under a license at a $965 cost, which must be renewed annually. A use permit will also be required for commercial vacation rentals which will be renewed every seven years with an initial fee of $5,500. Vacation rentals will be required to register for the Transient Occupancy Tax and have a business license.

Unpermitted vacation rentals must comply with the new regulations by April 14 next year, by making an application or ceasing operation. Existing vacation rentals must comply with the new regulations upon expiration of their current permit or within seven years, whichever is later.

New regulations in the coastal zone of unincorporated areas of Monterey County are scheduled to go into effect within a year after being submitted and certified by the California Coastal Commission.

“For now, the coastal regulations are maintained in the status quo,” said Taylor Price, a Monterey County Housing and Community Development associate planner.

The county defines a vacation rental as the use of residential property for transient lodging, where the term of occupancy is 30 days or fewer. The process is akin to an Airbnb reservation, but typically handled by a homeowner. Limited vacation rentals are considered three times or fewer a year, while commercial vacation rentals rent more than three times a year and are subject to more stringent regulations.

“We’re trying to ensure that there are clear instructions for everyone to follow,” Price said.

Application materials and a list of commonly asked questions can be found at https://comry.us/VacationRentals.