Fort Bragg, California Short-Term Rental Market
Fort Bragg allows STRs only above downtown shops; rural Northern California STRs earned $4,847 monthly at $272 ADR, 62.2% occupancy.
Quick Answer: Fort Bragg, California is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy in the California North Area market area is 56%. average monthly revenue in the California North Area market area is $3,923. average daily rate in the California North Area market area is $257. the top operator in the California North Area market area is Vacasa with 373 listings. market score is 72/100 (grade B).
Market data reflects the California North Area regional market, which includes Fort Bragg. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Fort Bragg.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions StaySTRA evaluates per market.
Market Overview
Fort Bragg is a Mendocino Coast town of about 7,032 residents, and it has one of the tightest short-term rental regimes on the California coast. Rentals are legal only in the Central Business District, only on the second or third floor above an active commercial use, and only with a Minor Use Permit. Apivex reports rental performance for Fort Bragg as part of a shared series that also covers Mount Shasta, Crescent City, Grass Valley, Clearlake, Weaverville and other small Northern California towns. The performance figures on this page therefore describe the rural Northern California STR market, not Fort Bragg alone. In August 2026 that market averaged a daily rate of $272 at 62.2% occupancy, with average monthly revenue of $4,847. Compared with August 2025, occupancy was down 2.3%, ADR was up 2.6% and monthly revenue was up 2.5%. Entire-home listings averaged $285 a night, above the all-listing average. For 2025 as a whole, the regional market averaged 52.4% occupancy, a $235 daily rate and $3,414 in monthly revenue. Through August 2026 the averages were 54.7% occupancy, a $244 daily rate and $3,705 in monthly revenue, but that partial year includes the summer peak and is not directly comparable to the full 2025 average. Occupancy peaked in 2021 at 68.2% and has stayed between 50.9% and 54.7% since 2022. The listing-type, bedroom and booking-channel mix is tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Fort Bragg, so this profile omits it. The practical point for buyers is that the regional numbers show demand, but Fort Bragg’s own rules decide how few properties can legally capture it.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy |
|---|---|
| Jan | 42% |
| Feb | 49% |
| Mar | 52% |
| Apr | 55% |
| May | 58% |
| Jun | 66% |
| Jul | 70% |
| Aug | 64% |
| Sep | 56% |
| Oct | 53% |
| Nov | 51% |
| Dec | 49% |
Month-by-month nightly rates and revenue figures for Fort Bragg are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in California North Area market area
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape. Operator data is published for the California North Area market as a whole, which includes Fort Bragg, so these counts are not Fort Bragg-only figures.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vacasa | 373 | 38,306 | ★ 4.67 |
| 2 | Evolve | 221 | 9,242 | ★ 4.68 |
| 3 | Casago | 123 | 6,490 | ★ 4.74 |
| 4 | Humboldt Retreats | 71 | 4,258 | ★ 4.89 |
| 5 | Grand Welcome | 56 | 4,140 | ★ 4.69 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Fort Bragg?
Revenue and nightly-rate breakdowns by bedroom count, property tier, and dwelling type for Fort Bragg are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Booking Channel Mix
Distribution of bookings across major STR platforms.
| Channel | Share |
|---|---|
| airbnb | 52.3% |
| vrbo | 6.8% |
| both | 41% |
Home Value Trends (Fort Bragg)
Typical home values, median sale prices, and the 10-year price trend for Fort Bragg are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Booking Insights
Booking-window and length-of-stay analysis for Fort Bragg — how far ahead guests book and how to price around it — is available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Short-Term Rental Regulations
Fort Bragg allows short-term rentals only in a narrow zone. The property must sit in the Central Business District, and the unit must be on the second or third floor above an active ground-floor commercial use. Residentially zoned homes and ground-floor units cannot be used as STRs. Operators need a Minor Use Permit from the Planning Department, a city business license and a Transient Occupancy Tax registration. The TOT rate is 14%, raised from 12% by voter-approved Measure U in November 2024 and effective in 2025. The city applies an informal cap of about 10 permits, yet only about 2 permitted STRs were operating in recent reporting. Several unpermitted units have drawn code enforcement attention, and the profile rates enforcement as strict. In January 2024 the City Council rejected a proposal to expand STR-eligible zones beyond the Central Business District, citing workforce housing. The permit fee and renewal period are not published in the sources reviewed. Confirm current rules with the Fort Bragg Planning Department before making an offer.
Market Comparison
The US short-term rental median is roughly 55% occupancy and a $220 daily rate. The rural Northern California STR market ran 62.2% occupancy and a $272 rate in August 2026, above both benchmarks. Its 2025 annual average occupancy of 52.4% sat below the national figure, while the 2025 average rate of $235 sat above it. The result is a market that earns on price more than on volume. Revenue in this series is also seasonal, as winter months fall well below summer. Top property managers are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Fort Bragg, so this profile omits the operator ranking. Fort Bragg’s own limits matter more than the benchmarks. A unit that qualifies for a permit competes in a very small legal supply.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fort Bragg, California
Are short-term rentals legal in Fort Bragg, CA?
How many STR permits does Fort Bragg issue?
What is the lodging tax on Fort Bragg short-term rentals?
What do STRs earn in the Fort Bragg area?
What is the best time of year for Fort Bragg rentals?
How long do guests stay and how far ahead do they book?
What does a typical home cost in Fort Bragg?
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