Humboldt County
short-term rental taxes.

Tax and permit requirements for Humboldt County. Use your full address to find its governing authorities.

Outside city limits: what you need to do in unincorporated Humboldt County

From the linked source

To confirm
Check that short-term rentals are allowed at your address
The record has no finding on whether Humboldt County allows short-term rentals. Ask the planning or zoning office before you list.
To confirm
Check whether you need a license or permit
The record does not say whether Humboldt County requires a short-term rental license. Ask the county licensing office.
To do
Airbnb, Vrbo and Booking.com collect the 12% Humboldt County occupancy tax for you
That is per the record. On direct bookings, you collect and remit it yourself.
To do
File quarterly returns for direct bookings
The record does not state the due day; the tax office's calendar has it. File even when you owe nothing for the period (per the source). If every booking goes through a collecting platform, ask the tax office whether you still file.

Verify each step with the authority before you file or apply. Source

Get a reminder before each quarterly Humboldt County return is due

Save your rental and its filing dates for free. Starter and Pro email you before each saved date, and when a published rule change for Humboldt County affects your rental.

Create a free account

Before you use these figures

Rental eligibility

Whether short-term rentals are allowed in unincorporated Humboldt County is not established in our record. Check zoning and permit rules with the county before listing.

Check the recorded local source

What to know.

The record for Humboldt County lists a 12% occupancy tax. City and district taxes are shown separately. Browse the local guides below and check your address.

At a glance.

County tax: 12%
State tax: Local only
Highest recorded city rate: 12%
Cities tracked: 7

The highest recorded city rate describes the available dataset. It is not a legal maximum or the full tax due for an address.

Source Sources & confidence How we research Report a problem with this page

See the detailed rental report

Create a free account Check my address

Tax details

Exemptions, penalties, filing information, and effective dates from the linked sources.

Humboldt County: Recorded exemptions

TOT 12% of taxable rents (stays <30 days) via county remittance form; Airbnb and Vrbo facilitation deducted (both platforms collect/remit TOT). Filed 12% confirmed; no rate change. Exempt: government agency stays (exemption certificates). Separate 2% Humboldt Tourism Assessment (5+ units only; platforms do not collect it).

Humboldt County: Recorded penalties and interest

Return delinquent after one calendar month from close of period; return required even if no tax. Penalty 10% for 1st and 2nd month after delinquent date; interest 0.5%/mo or fraction.

Humboldt County: Recorded filing schedule

Filing frequency: Quarterly.

Source for these notes: humboldtgov.org: tot remittance tbid tourism business improvement

How county vs. city works here

The recorded county rate is 12%
The occupancy-tax rate for Humboldt County is 12%. Use your address to find the applicable jurisdiction. Platforms collect this tax; filing duties are listed separately.
Check the rules for your local area
Open a city guide below for city and special district requirements.
Outside city limits, the county rules apply
The list under "Outside city limits" above is what Humboldt County requires there. Special district rules may also apply.

Sources & confidence

How we collect and check this information · Report a problem with this page

FigureValueSourceStatus

Humboldt County occupancy tax12%

Source

Source linked

California local lodging tax guidanceLocally administered

Source

Source linked

Sources for the county taxes and local requirements shown above.

Cities in Humboldt County

Browse local tax and permit requirements or look up your full address.

Outside city limits (unincorporated Humboldt County)? See what the county requires or Look up your exact address

Communities outside city limits

Unincorporated communities in Humboldt County include Alderpoint, Bayview, Benbow, Big Lagoon, Cutten, Fairhaven, Fieldbrook, Fields Landing, Garberville, Hoopa, Humboldt Hill, Hydesville, and 21 more. An address in one of them is outside city limits, so Humboldt County rules apply. These are Census-designated places, not separate tax authorities.