At that link, you'll see "Monterey County Planning and Building Inspection Department requires Homeowners wishing to pursue short term residential rentals (7-30 days) to obtain an Administrative Permit."
County of Monterey
Non-Coastal:
Administrative permit required for rentals less than 30 days in R-1 zoning district
Minimum rental period 7 days
Zoning Ordinance 21.64.280
Coastal:
Contact: Planning and Building Inspection Department (831) 883-7500
I'd guess that the county is easier to deal with on this than the various cities (where the hotels and the bulk of the housing are).
In other words, you can't just pay the tax.
On http://www.mcar.com/montereycounty.html, we find:
County of Monterey Non-Coastal: Administrative permit required for rentals less than 30 days in R-1 zoning district Minimum rental period 7 days Zoning Ordinance 21.64.280
Coastal: Contact: Planning and Building Inspection Department (831) 883-7500
I'd guess that the county is easier to deal with on this than the various cities (where the hotels and the bulk of the housing are).