Which Cities in Orange County Allow Short-Term Rentals?
Short-term rentals, available through websites like AirBnb and VRBO, are becoming increasingly more popular in California every year among visitors looking for alternatives to hotel stays and homeowners looking for new streams of income.
Since the inception of these platforms, big cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco have taken to regulating the short-term rental market, which has now expanded to smaller parts of the state. Today, cities across Orange County are starting to put laws into place that regulate their short-term rental markets in an effort to stop residential neighborhoods from being overrun with revolving renters and, in some cases, to protect local hotels, and to solve the issue of decreasing long-term rental stock.
Below is information for each individual city, based on the city’s municipal codes regarding short term rentals. This information is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed and is provided for reference purposes only. Please be sure to contact the city to confirm the information provided.
SHORT TERM RENTAL GUIDELINES BY CITY
Aliso Viejo
Short-term rental uses such as transient bed and breakfast, hostel, hotel, inn, lodging, motel, resort and other transient lodging uses for remuneration are prohibited in all residential districts, except as otherwise permitted by the municipal code.
Anaheim
The opening of entirely new short-term rentals remains prohibited, however the majority of pre-existing STRs may continue to operate under strict regulations and good neighbor policies.
Brea
The city’s municipal code does not explicitly address short-term rentals. We suggest contacting city staff or the appropriate entity responsible for the property. (ex: homeowners’ association, condo association, leasing office, etc.)
Buena Park
STR hosts (or operators) located within the City of Buena Park are required to obtain a STR permit, STR home inspection, and a City of Buena Park Business License before offering STR accommodations.
Costa Mesa
The City Council adopted Ordinance 2021-17, prohibiting all short term rentals (STRs) throughout the City of Costa Mesa, on November 2, 2021.
Cypress
The city’s municipal code does not explicitly address short-term rentals. We suggest contacting city staff or the appropriate entity responsible for the property. (ex: homeowners’ association, condo association, leasing office, etc.)
Dana Point
The City of Dana Point first enacted a short-term rental permit and code enforcement program in 2013. It went into effect in 2016 and some 200 permits were issued for those wishing to rent their homes for 30 days or fewer. Currently, residents are fighting to make stricter changes to these rules. Changes to the Short-Term Rental Program are being deliberated. To remain informed on upcoming meetings, please subscribe to the City of Dana Point’s social media platforms and/or submit an interest email to str@danapoint.org.
Fountain Valley
The city’s municipal code does not explicitly address short-term rentals. We suggest contacting city staff or the appropriate entity responsible for the property. (ex: homeowners’ association, condo association, leasing office, etc.)
Fullerton
Visit the city's website and/or contact the city for information on the short-term rental program. Generally, the owner is required to obtain a short-term rental permit, business registration and have received instruction on completing the transient occupancy tax application prior to renting or advertising the availability of a short-term rental unit.
Garden Grove
Short-term rentals are prohibited in the city of Garden Grove.
Huntington Beach
All Short-Term Rentals must have a valid City Permit, or all online advertisements will be removed by platforms (AirBnB, VRBO, etc.). For more information, please contact the Planning and Zoning counter at (714) 536-5271 or email permitcenter@surfcity-hb.org
Irvine
The City of Irvine prohibits all short-term rentals within the City's residential zones, and within any other zoning district in the city, including all underlying or base zones, overlay zones and adopted specific plans, in which residential uses are a permitted or conditionally permitted use.
Laguna Beach
The Short-Term Lodging (STL) Ordinance has been adopted by the City Council and certified by the California Coastal Commission. Different zones have different regulations. Please click here for more information.
Laguna Hills
The city’s municipal code does not explicitly address short-term rentals. We suggest contacting city staff or the appropriate entity responsible for the property. (ex: homeowners’ association, condo association, leasing office, etc.)
Laguna Woods
The city’s municipal code does not explicitly address short-term rentals. However, most of the city’s residents live in the community of Laguna Woods Village which have their own set of regulations. We suggest contacting Laguna Woods Village for information.
Lake Forest
Short-term rentals are prohibited in the City of Lake Forest.
Lakewood
The city’s municipal code does not explicitly address short-term rentals. We suggest contacting city staff or the appropriate entity responsible for the property. (ex: homeowners’ association, condo association, leasing office, etc.)
La Palma
The city’s municipal code does not explicitly address short-term rentals. We suggest contacting city staff or the appropriate entity responsible for the property. (ex: homeowners’ association, condo association, leasing office, etc.)
Los Alamitos
The city’s municipal code does not explicitly address short-term rentals. We suggest contacting city staff or the appropriate entity responsible for the property. (ex: homeowners’ association, condo association, leasing office, etc.)
Mission Viejo
The city of Mission Viejo does not have an ordinance regarding short-term rentals. City staff suggests contacting your Homeowners Association.
Newport Beach
Short term lodging is allowed in Newport Beach but is limited to certain residential districts and requires a business license and short-term lodging permit from the City. See the city’s website for everything you need to know.
Orange
Any owner of a property in a zone that allows residential uses, except in mobile home parks, who wishes to rent all or a portion of a property for a period of thirty (30) days or less is required to obtain a short term rental permit ($250) and a business license ($260).
Placentia
Allowed, but rules and regulations must be adhered to. Please see the city’s website for everything you need to know.
Rancho Santa Margarita
The city does not have an ordinance regarding short-term rentals. City staff suggests contacting your HOA for information.
San Clemente
The City of San Clemente does allow short term-rentals under certain conditions. Check out the city’s website for more information.
San Juan Capistrano
The City of San Juan Capistrano’s municipal code identifies Boarding Houses as short and long-term rental facilities, and do not permit the use in any single family residential zone. The uses are permitted in the Multi-Family and Very High Density Residential zone. Please contact city staff if you have any questions.
Santa Ana
The city’s municipal code does not explicitly address short-term rentals. We suggest contacting city staff or the appropriate entity responsible for the property. (ex: homeowners’ association, condo association, leasing office, etc.)
Seal Beach
The city’s municipal code does not explicitly address short-term rentals. We suggest contacting city staff or the appropriate entity responsible for the property. (ex: homeowners’ association, condo association, leasing office, etc.)
Stanton
The city’s municipal code does not explicitly address short-term rentals. We suggest contacting city staff or the appropriate entity responsible for the property. (ex: homeowners’ association, condo association, leasing office, etc.)
Tustin
The city of Tustin has stated that a residential rental must be for 31 days or more, or it would be considered a hotel or motel, which is not allowed within a residential zone.
Villa Park
Short-term rentals are not allowed in the City of Villa Park.
Westminster
The City does not currently allow short term rentals. The ordinance however does not extend to Midway City. If you reside in Midway City, contact city officials for a letter confirming your address is not located in the City.
Yorba Linda
Short-term rentals are prohibited in the city of Yorba Linda at this time.
All Information Has Been Provided by the Orange County Realtors Association
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