Monterey County · checked 2026-09-13
Can you BnB it in Pacific Grove?
RestrictedPacific Grove caps short-term rental licenses at 250 citywide, limits them to the Coastal and Commercial zones, and enforces a 15% per block density limit with a 55 foot exclusion buffer. The license does not transfer on sale except between spouses, so a buyer must apply for a new license.
The rules, with their sources
Permit or licenseA permit or license is required before operating.L17.40.020 · code text · checked 2026-09-13
Hosted onlyThe code does not limit rentals to hosted stays.L1PGMC Ch. 7.40 (Ord. 17-024 § 2, 2017; lottery Ord. 18-005 § 2, 2018; Ord. 20-027 § 5, 2020; Ord. 24-016 § 2, 2024); Measure M initiative Ord. 18-018 (2018) · code text · checked 2026-09-13
Primary residenceThe code does not require the rental to be the operator's primary residence.L1PGMC Ch. 7.40 (Ord. 17-024 § 2, 2017; lottery Ord. 18-005 § 2, 2018; Ord. 20-027 § 5, 2020; Ord. 24-016 § 2, 2024); Measure M initiative Ord. 18-018 (2018) · code text · checked 2026-09-13
Permit capPermits are capped at 250.L17.40.040(a) · code text · checked 2026-09-13
Caps and limitsMaximum 250 STR licenses citywide (7.40.040(a)); 84 active per the city program page, so licenses are available first come first served. Per-block density limit of 15% with a lottery for over-dense blocks (7.40.035). 55 foot zone of exclusion drawn from the STR parcel boundary (7.40.040(b)(2)). Program page: STR licenses only in the Coastal or Commercial zone (Measure M effect); Home Sharing licenses permitted throughout the city.L17.40.040(a) · code text · checked 2026-09-13
SpacingA separation of 55 feet applies between rentals.L17.40.040(b)(2) · code text · checked 2026-09-13
Transfer when the home sellsLicense is nontransferable to any other person except that transfer of ownership is allowed between spouses; also nontransferable to any other location (7.40.070(f)). No trust, heir, or entity exceptions. License expires annually, renewal by March 31 with inspection and proof the unit was rented at least once for a minimum of three nights during the preceding 90 days (7.40.080).L17.40.070(f) · code text · checked 2026-09-13
Read the code text →
In the city's own words
7.40.020“transient use or short-term rental of residential property [...] is prohibited, except as otherwise expressly permitted by this chapter” source
7.40.040(a)“maximum number of STR licenses allowed throughout the city shall be 250” source
7.40.040(b)(2)“55-foot zone of exclusion [...] drawn from the STR parcel boundary” source
7.40.070(f)“nontransferable to any other person, except that transfer of ownership shall be allowed between spouses [...] nontransferable to any other location” source
Citation: PGMC Ch. 7.40 (Ord. 17-024 § 2, 2017; lottery Ord. 18-005 § 2, 2018; Ord. 20-027 § 5, 2020; Ord. 24-016 § 2, 2024); Measure M initiative Ord. 18-018 (2018)
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The checker resolves any California address to its jurisdiction and returns these rules with their verification level. Where a county or city publishes a licensed-rental registry or parcel map (Riverside County, San Diego, Palm Springs, and a growing list), it also runs parcel spacing, permit cap, and registry checks.
How this page was verified
Verified from the municipal code (level 1), checked on 2026-09-13 by the CanIBnB research desk. Research is AI assisted and human reviewed; the method, the level system, and the re-check schedule are on the How we verify page. If anything here is wrong, report it and it goes in the public corrections log.