Transient occupancy tax

The City imposes a tax in the amount of 14% of the amount of rent paid for occupying transient lodging (hotel, Airbnb, etc.). Measure CC, which was approved by 83.55% of voters in the General Municipal Election on November 5, 2024, increases the Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) from 12% to 14% in January 2025 and 15.5% in January 2026. The City Council declared the certified election results at its December 10, 2024 meeting.

This tax is required to be collected from guests by every person providing transient lodging in the city of Menlo Park, unless that rent qualifies for exclusion or exemption. The complete details of the tax are contained in Chapter 3.16 of the municipal code.

All hotels and short-term rental operators must register for an account.

All operators of hotels, as defined in the code, are required to pay the tax to the City each month and to file a transient occupancy tax return with the payment.