Los Angeles Short-Term Rental Regulations

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Permit & Licensing

Home-Sharing Registration

The property must be your primary residence. This means investment properties are not eligible for this permit type.

Extended Home-Sharing Registration

The property must be your primary residence. This means investment properties are not eligible for this permit type.

Application Process

Online application filed with Department of City Planning; must include host identification, Primary Residence info, local contact person, list of hosting platforms, and unit details; filing fee required; if required information not received within 45 days, registration considered withdrawn

Note: Document requirements vary by permit type. See individual permit sections above for eligibility details.

Tax Obligations

Combined rate: 14% of gross rental income.

Collection: Platform auto-remit if platform has a Platform Agreement with the City; otherwise host self-remits via Transient Occupancy Registration Certificate from the Office of Finance

Rental Limits

Los Angeles does not impose an annual cap on the number of nights you can rent.

Zoning & Restrictions

Owner-occupied: Allowed in all zones where residential uses are permitted by right; prohibited in RSO units, affordable housing with covenants, and Ellised units. Prohibited in RSO units (most multi-family units built before October 1978), affordable housing with legal restrictions, Ellised units, and buildings converted from RSO to single family within 5 years

Insurance & Safety

Insurance

Los Angeles does not require short-term rental operators to carry specific insurance. Standard homeowner policies often exclude short-term rental activity, so many hosts obtain dedicated short-term rental or landlord liability coverage.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Registration suspended for 30 days upon 2 citations; Director may require suspension, modification, discontinuance or revocation of registration for violations.

Platform Requirements

• Hosting platforms must enter a Platform Agreement with the City to collect and remit Transient Occupancy Tax on behalf of hosts
• Hosts must post their registration number on all advertisements.

Compliance Checklist

Follow these steps to legally operate a short-term rental in Los Angeles:

1. Determine your permit type. Los Angeles has 2 permit types. Identify which applies to your property (Home-Sharing Registration, Extended Home-Sharing Registration).
2. Apply for your STR permit. Submit application + $192 fee. See permit types above to determine which applies.
3. Register for tax accounts. Set up hotel occupancy tax accounts with the city tax authority.
4. Display your permit number. Include your permit/license number in all listings and advertisements.
5. Collect and remit taxes. 14% on all bookings.
6. Renew annually. $192 renewal fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need a permit to run an Airbnb in Los Angeles?

Yes. Los Angeles requires a short-term rental permit to operate an Airbnb or Vrbo, and there are 2 permit types. See the permit types above to find which applies to your property.

How much does a short-term rental permit cost in Los Angeles?

A short-term rental permit in Los Angeles costs $192.

Does Los Angeles require a short-term rental to be your primary residence?

Yes. Every Los Angeles permit type requires the property to be your primary residence, so investment or non-owner-occupied rentals generally are not eligible.

How many days a year can you short-term rent in Los Angeles?

Los Angeles does not cap the number of nights per year you can short-term rent, though permitting, zoning, and occupancy rules still apply.

What taxes do you pay on a short-term rental in Los Angeles?

Short-term rental stays in Los Angeles are subject to a 14% Transient Occupancy Tax. The host is responsible for collecting and remitting it.

What happens if you run a short-term rental without a permit in Los Angeles?

Operating without a permit can cost up to $2,500 per day.