Los Angeles only allows short-term rentals in primary residences — whether you rent the entire home or just part of it — for stays of 1 to 29 days. A primary residence is generally a place you live in for more than six months each year. Los Angeles does not distinguish between hosted and unhosted stays. Instead, the number of days you can rent depends on the type of home-sharing registration you hold.
The city offers two types of registration:
- Regular home-sharing registration: Allows home-sharing for up to 120 days per year.
- Extended home-sharing registration: Allows home-sharing for more than 120 days per year, but requires landlords to meet additional requirements.
Key Takeaways
- Los Angeles only allows short-term rentals (stays of 1–29 days) in a primary residence, typically where you live more than six months per year, whether you rent the whole home or part of it. The city doesn’t differentiate hosted vs. unhosted stays; your allowed rental days depend on your registration type.
- LA uses two home-sharing registrations: Regular (up to 120 days per year) and Extended (more than 120 days, with additional requirements).
- Hosts must obtain a home-sharing registration, designate a 24/7 local contact, and display the registration number on all listings. LA also limits bookings and occupancy, only one listing per address can be booked at a time (even if you list by bedroom).
Zoning and Property Restrictions
Verify that the property is located within the City of Los Angeles. These rules only apply within city limits, and nearby jurisdictions (such as Santa Monica) often have different short-term rental restrictions and enforcement practices.
Accessory dwelling units may qualify for home-sharing as long as they have a certificate of occupancy.
License and Registration Requirements
Landlords must obtain a home-sharing registration, either the regular home-sharing registration or the extended. Long-term tenants can also apply as long as they have their landlord’s approval and the required documents to prove that. To apply, you will need:
- Photo identification
- Documentation of primary residence
- Home-sharing records (for renewals only)
- Local contact person who is available 24/7/365
- Hosting platforms used for listings
Accessory dwelling units also count as long as they have a certificate of occupancy.
Other Requirements
All marketing and online listings must display the registration number. If you create multiple listings for the same address (for example, one listing per bedroom), only one of those listings may be booked at a time. The max occupancy limits are two people (excluding children) per habitable room.
Operational Requirements and Compliance Rules
Home-sharing landlords must ensure their rental meets city requirements, including maintaining basic life-safety equipment (such as fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, and carbon monoxide detectors), avoiding excessive noise, and not allowing late-night events. A Code of Conduct needs to be provided to all guests as well.
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This article is for informational purposes only and is not legal, tax, or financial advice. The information presented here is a general overview and is not all-encompassing; it may not cover every requirement, exception, permitting process, enforcement practice, or recent update in each location. Short-term rental laws and tax rules vary by location and can change, so verify current requirements and consult a qualified attorney or professional for guidance.
FAQs
Are short-term rentals legal in Los Angeles?
Yes, but only under Los Angeles’ home-sharing rules. The city allows short-term rentals (stays of 1 to 29 days) only in a host’s primary residence, whether you rent the whole home or a portion of it. Los Angeles doesn’t distinguish between hosted vs. unhosted stays; what matters is the registration type and how many days per year you rent.
Do I need a license or permit in Los Angeles to operate a short-term rental?
Yes, you must obtain a home-sharing registration from the City of Los Angeles:
- Regular home-sharing registration: up to 120 days per year
- Extended home-sharing registration: more than 120 days per year, but requires additional requirements
Does a short-term rental have to be my primary residence in Los Angeles?
Yes, Los Angeles only allows short-term rentals in primary residences. A primary residence is generally where you live more than six months each year. Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) can qualify only if they have a certificate of occupancy.
