Huntington Beach, California Short Term Rental Regulations

City Code of Ordinances

Huntington Beach heavily regulates short-term rental. Huntington Beach defines short-term rentals as “a residential dwelling unit or portion thereof, that is offered or provided to a paying guest(s) by a Short-Term Rental Host or Operator for thirty (30) or fewer consecutive nights. The term “Short-Term Rental” shall not include hotels, motels, inns, or bed and breakfast inns.”  The city is divided into two zones: Zone 1 – properties within the City, excluding Sunset Beach; Zone 2 – properties within Sunset Beach:

• Hosted/owner-occupied STRs are allowed in Huntington Beach (Zone 1) and Sunset Beach (Zone 2)
• Un-hosted/owner un-occupied STRs are allowed in Sunset Beach (Zone 2) who obtain a permit by March 1, 2022

One STR per property (SFR, duplex, triplex, rental properties of any size and up to 3 STRs per property (on ownership properties with 4 or more units, i.e., condominiums and townhomes if allowed by CC&Rs) The maximum number of guests who may occupy the STR at one time is two persons per bedroom, plus two additional guests (including children). Lofts that meet California Building Code egress requirements are considered bedrooms for the occupancy calculation. In no event may the maximum occupancy exceed ten (10) persons in any STR. Large-scale events (i.e., exceeding maximum allowed occupancy), such as commercial parties, weddings, fundraisers, and conferences, are prohibited. View the Short-Term Rentals in Huntington Beach page for more information and the STR Regulations. 

Business License Requirements

A valid, non-transferable annual City of Huntington Beach Short-Term Rental Permit is required to operate an STR. 

• Application - Hosted Short-Term Rentals
• STR Business License and TOT Information
• Business License Application

Building and Housing Standards

A Third Party inspection certification must be submitted to confirm life/safety requirements. In addition, an inspection by the Code Enforcement Division is needed before the issuance of the short-term rental permit. You will be contacted to schedule an inspection upon submission of a complete application. Related documents: 

• Property Inspection Certification Form
• Code Enforcement Inspection Checklist
• Neighborhood Notice
• Exterior STR Sign Template
• STR Enforcement
• STR Host or Operator Requirements
• STR Hosting Platform Responsibilities
• STR Permit Conditions

Visit the City Building Division for more information. 

Tourist and Local Taxes

All Transient Occupancy Taxes (TOT) (10%) and Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID) assessments (4%) for STRs shall be collected and paid to the City. 

Other Rules

Each STR shall have a notice posted within the unit in a location marked and accessible to the Guest (e.g., posted on the refrigerator, included within a binder with additional information on the unit, etc.), containing the following information:  

• The maximum number of occupants permitted in the unit; 
• Location of parking spaces; 
• Trash and recycling pickup information; 
• Emergency contact information for police, fire, or emergency medical services; and 
• Evacuation plan for the unit showing emergency exit routes, exits, and fire extinguisher locations. 
• The name of the local contact and a telephone number at which that person may be reached on a twenty-four (24) hour basis are posted in a place that a member of the public can read without entering the STR.

Other rules:

• No sign shall be posted on the STR's exterior to advertise the unit's availability.
• The minimum age of STR Tenants shall be 25 years old.

It is also essential to understand and abide by other contracts or rules that bind you, such as leases, condo boards, co-op rules, HOA rules, or rules established by tenant organizations. Please read your lease agreement and check with your landlord if applicable. Visit the Huntington Beach website for more information.