Malibu Short-Term Rental Regulations

Last verified: 2026-07-04
TL;DR
Malibu requires Short-Term Rental (STR) Permit ($495) with no primary-residence requirement. Combined tax rate is 15%. No annual day limit.
Disclaimer
This information is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or regulatory advice. Short-term rental regulations change frequently. Always verify current requirements with your local government before listing your property or making investment decisions.
Key Requirements at a Glance
Permit ✓ Required — Short-Term Rental (STR) Permit ($495)
Primary Residence Not required
Annual Day Limit No limit
Tax Rate 15%
Max Penalty $1,000 per day or violation, or twice the advertised short-term rental's daily rental rate per day or violation, whichever is higher (for operating/advertising without a valid STR Permit)
Insurance Not required

New to short-term rentals? Jump to the compliance checklist →

Permit & Licensing

Short-Term Rental (STR) Permit

FeeAmount
Initial cost$495
Renewal$495 / 1 year

This permit type does not require primary residence.

Application Process

Owners apply either online through the City's Host Compliance portal (pay by credit card) or by mail (proof of ownership via Grant Deed, signed wet-signature application, and a $495 check). A separate permit is required for every legal lot or condominium unit. As of January 1, 2023, applicants must also hold a valid Onsite Wastewater Treatment System (OWTS) operating permit for the property or a compliance agreement with the City. Permits are issued for one year and must be renewed at least 30 days before expiration.

Tax Obligations

TaxRateAuthority
Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) 15% City of Malibu

Combined rate: 15% of gross rental income.

Collection: The operator (or the hosting platform, acting as the owner's agent) collects the TOT from the guest at the time rent is paid and remits it to the City's Tax Administrator; hosting platforms such as Airbnb collect and remit on behalf of hosts directly.

Filing: Quarterly

Rental Limits

Malibu does not impose an annual cap on the number of nights you can rent. Individual-stay rule: 30 consecutive days or less — rentals for a period of 30 days or less are regulated as short-term rentals and require a permit; longer-term rentals fall outside this chapter.

Occupancy & Density Limits

Maximum occupancy (including guests, owner, and any other natural persons) is two people plus twice the number of bedrooms of record, capped at 14 people total, unless a special event permit is obtained.

Zoning & Restrictions

Under the currently operative permit system (Ord. 468 / MMC Ch. 17.55), STR permits are available citywide for single-family residences, second units, condominiums, and multi-family units, with no zone-based ban currently in force. A separate 'Hosted STR Ordinance' (Ord. 472, adopted Nov. 23, 2020) would add multifamily restrictions, an onsite-host requirement, and a primary-residency requirement, but it cannot take effect until the associated Local Coastal Program/Land Use Plan amendment is certified by the California Coastal Commission — it is not yet in effect as of the retrieval date, so it does not currently constrain STR use.

Insurance & Safety

Insurance

Malibu 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.

Safety & Operating Requirements

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Operating or advertising a short-term rental without a valid STR Permit is subject to a fine of $1,000 per day/violation (or twice the advertised daily rental rate, whichever is higher); all other violations of the STR chapter carry a fine of $500 per day/violation (or the advertised daily rate, whichever is higher). A revoked permit bars short-term rental of the property for 12 months, and denial/revocation for cause bars new applications at that location for at least 12 months.

Compliance Checklist

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

  1. Meet safety requirements. Owner must ensure basic health and safety features are provided and operational, including fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, and carbon monoxide detectors.
  2. Apply for Short-Term Rental (STR) Permit. Submit application + $495 fee.
  3. Register for tax accounts. Set up lodging tax accounts with City of Malibu Finance Division (Tax Administrator).
  4. Collect and remit taxes. 15% on all bookings.
  5. Renew annually. $495 renewal fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need a permit to run an Airbnb in Malibu?
Yes. Operating a short-term rental — including an Airbnb or Vrbo — in Malibu requires a Short-Term Rental (STR) Permit.
How much does a short-term rental permit cost in Malibu?
A Short-Term Rental (STR) Permit in Malibu costs $495 per year.
Does Malibu require a short-term rental to be your primary residence?
No. Malibu allows non-owner-occupied short-term rentals, so investment properties can qualify provided you hold the required permit.
How many days a year can you short-term rent in Malibu?
Malibu 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 Malibu?
Short-term rental stays in Malibu are subject to a 15% Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT). The host is responsible for collecting and remitting it.

Official Sources

  1. Chapter 17.55: Short-Term Rental of Property | Malibu Municipal Code
  2. Chapter 3.24: Transient Occupancy Tax | Malibu Municipal Code
  3. Short-Term Rental Program | Malibu, CA - Official Website
  4. Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) - Residential | Malibu, CA - Official Website
  5. Short-Term Rental Permit Application/Attestation (Revised 6.10.2025) | City of Malibu