Fort Bragg, California Short-Term Rental Market
Fort Bragg, CA STRs averaged $233/night at 52.3% occupancy in April 2026, with 5.2% year-over-year revenue growth.
Quick Answer: Fort Bragg, California is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy in the California North Area market area is 65%. average monthly revenue in the California North Area market area is $4,715. average daily rate in the California North Area market area is $273. 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 small coastal city of approximately 7,032 residents on California’s Mendocino Coast, roughly 3.5 hours north of San Francisco. The market captures Bay Area weekenders, Highway 1 road-trippers, and nature-oriented leisure travelers drawn to Glass Beach, the Skunk Train, MacKerricher State Park, and Noyo Harbor. In April 2026, the market averaged $233/night ADR at 52.3% occupancy, generating RevPAR of $122 and average monthly revenue of $3,229.
All three performance metrics improved year-over-year: occupancy +0.29%, ADR +2.88%, and revenue +5.20%. The 2025 full-year averages were 52.3% occupancy, $231 ADR, and $3,352 average monthly revenue.
IMPORTANT MARKET AREA NOTE: The listing counts and operator data in this profile reflect the broader Mendocino Coast market area, not Fort Bragg city limits exclusively. Fort Bragg’s own STR regulations are among the most restrictive in California (see Regulatory Summary below). Investors should carefully distinguish between market-area performance data and the narrow band of properties actually eligible for STR operation within Fort Bragg city limits.
The market scores 72.3 overall, with rental demand the highest sub-score at 77.1, followed by regulation (71.9), revenue growth (67.3), and investability (66.3). Seasonality scores 73.8.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy |
|---|---|
| Jan | 42% |
| Feb | 49% |
| Mar | 52% |
| Apr | 55% |
| May | 58% |
| Jun | 66% |
| Jul | 70% |
| Aug | 65% |
| 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 has among the most restrictive STR regulations on the California coast. Short-term rentals are legal only within a narrow geographic and use window: the property must be located in Fort Bragg’s Central Business District, and the dwelling unit must occupy the second or third floor of a building whose ground floor contains an active commercial use. STRs in residentially zoned areas and any ground-floor units are prohibited citywide.
Operators must obtain a Minor Use Permit from the Planning Department, a city business license, and register for Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) collection. The TOT rate is 14%, raised from 12% by voter-approved Measure U in November 2024, effective 2025. The city applies an informal cap of approximately 10 STR permits citywide; as of the most recent reporting, only approximately two permitted STRs were operating, and several unpermitted units have received code enforcement notices.
No owner-occupancy or primary-residence requirement applies. There is no published maximum nights cap. Enforcement severity is rated strict. The City Council rejected a proposal in January 2024 to expand STR-eligible zones into other commercial areas, citing workforce housing concerns.
Investors should assume that residential properties in Fort Bragg city limits are not eligible for STR operation. The eligible inventory is limited to a small number of upper-floor commercial-district units. Properties in unincorporated Mendocino County surrounding Fort Bragg may face different, potentially less restrictive regulations.
Market Comparison
Fort Bragg’s April 2026 occupancy of 52.3% is near the US STR median of approximately 55%. The ADR of $233 exceeds the US STR median of roughly $220, reflecting the Mendocino Coast’s California coastal premium and above-average room rates.
Revenue growth of 5.2% year-over-year in April 2026 is a positive signal, contrasting with the -2.6% decline seen in the Forks, WA market (a comparable small-town coastal outdoor market). The 2025 average ADR of $231 and the 2024-to-2025 trend of continued ADR growth indicate steady pricing power.
Vacasa leads the professional management segment with 373 listings and 38,306 reviews (4.67 rating). Evolve follows with 221 listings and 9,242 reviews (4.68 rating). Casago holds 123 listings with 6,490 reviews (4.74 rating). These three operators represent approximately 717 managed listings across the broader Mendocino Coast market area. Humboldt Retreats (71 listings, 4.89 rating) and Grand Welcome (56 listings, 4.69 rating) round out the top five.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fort Bragg, California
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