Santa Monica, California Short Term Rental Regulations
Navigate short-term rental regulations with ease! From coastal retreats to urban hubs, our in-depth guides break down the essentials for cities across the nation. Stay informed of changes to local Airbnb rules with our up-to-date insights and best practices.
Reviewed by Derick Hargrave
Last updated September 03, 2023
Santa Monica Short-Term Rental Regulations
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Short Term City Rating5.3
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Competition
4.0 -
Real Estate Cost
2.2 -
STR Regulations
N/A -
Seasonality
5.5 -
Rental Rates
9.6
Santa Monica, California Quick Stats
Short-term rentals have gained a lot of traction in the last few years. The trends and statistics of this sector are constantly changing, and having access to accurate data is essential for making sound investment decisions.
- Population
- 93,076
- STR License Required
- No
- Tourist Season
- May to September
- County
- Los Angeles
- Airports
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
- Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR)
Want to learn more about Santa Monica?
Hostscouts has you covered. Our guides for this city cover topics that can help you research cities across the US quickly and easily.
Check out our Santa Monica rental analytics guide if you're interested in data on the Santa Monica rental market.
Review the popular activities that hosts include in their property positing in Santa Monica.
The most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings.
Explore nightly rates that hosts list their properties and the average fees for pets and additional guests.
What are the most popular property sizes for rent? Research whether a 1, 2, or 3 bedroom best fits Santa Monica guests.
Interested in other California cities?
Check out the California Airbnb rules directory
What makes Santa Monica a great place to invest?
- Prime Tourist Destination: Santa Monica is a top tourist destination, attracting millions of visitors each year. The famous Santa Monica Pier, beautiful beaches, and proximity to other major attractions in Los Angeles make it a popular choice for travelers. This high demand for accommodations translates to a lucrative market for short-term rentals.
- Favorable Climate Year-Round: The city boasts a Mediterranean climate, with mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers. This means that there is no 'off-season' in Santa Monica, ensuring a steady stream of visitors and, consequently, a consistent demand for short-term rentals throughout the year.
- Excellent Transportation Links: Santa Monica is well-connected to other parts of Los Angeles and the surrounding areas. With its own light rail station, multiple bus lines, and bike-sharing programs, it is easily accessible for tourists, making it an attractive location for short-term rentals.
- High-Quality Amenities: Santa Monica offers a wide range of amenities, from upscale shopping and dining options to well-maintained public spaces and recreational facilities. These amenities make it an attractive destination for a diverse range of travelers, from families to business professionals.
- Proximity to Major Employment Centers: Santa Monica is home to a number of major employment centers, including the Silicon Beach tech hub, which houses the offices of companies like Google, Hulu, and Snapchat. This attracts business travelers who often prefer the comfort and convenience of short-term rentals over hotels.
Santa Monica Nearby Cities
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1 miles away
- Rating: 5.4
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5 miles away
- Rating: 5.3
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Local Real Estate
How expensive is the real estate in Santa Monica?
The cost of real estate can vary widely depending on the location, size, and features of the property, as well as market conditions. The median home value in Santa Monica has decreased -5% over the past year, and the average price per square foot is $996, which is higher than the national average.
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Median Sale Price
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$1,833,872
-5% YoY
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Median per Square Foot
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$996
-3% YoY
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Average Monthly Rent
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$4,916
2% YoY
The most common terms hosts include in their listings for Santa Monica, California
Common terms for Santa Monica short term rental listings.
When potential guests are scrolling through listings on Airbnb, they’re looking for certain essential information to help them decide if your property is the right fit for their needs. As a host, ensuring that your listing includes all the relevant information that guests will be looking for is vital.
Some of the must-have elements of a property description include:
- Location: Guests will want to know where your property is located in relation to popular attractions, public transportation, and other points of interest.
- Amenities: What amenities does your property offer? Be sure to list all features guests can access, such as a pool, hot tub, parking, etc.
- Informative: The average listing in Santa Monica has a description approximately 1,766 words long. Make sure yours is long enough to describe your property but doesn't require your potential guest to read a novel.
After reviewing more than 3,464 listings in Santa Monica, we've consolidated the most common terms on the word cloud. The larger text represents a term that is used more often. The top ten mentioned terms are Beach, Santa Monica, Outdoor, Place, Block, Patio, Malibu, Quiet, Walking, and Venice Beach.
What are the most popular tourist activities in Santa Monica?
Whether renting a house, an apartment, or a room, you should include popular tourist activities in your posting. The most common choices mentioned on property listings in Santa Monica involve going to the Beach, Swimming, Cycling, Museums, and Surfing. When you write your listing, have a section with recommended activities near the property to give your guests an idea of what is available.
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Beach
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Swimming
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Cycling
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Museums
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Surfing
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Hiking
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Boating
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Health Spa
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Sailing
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Marina
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Wind Surfing
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Whale Watching
Local Attractions
What attractions do hosts highlight to guests?
There are quite a few popular attractions in Santa Monica, including Santa Monica Beach, Venice Beach, Santa Monica Pier, Rodeo Drive, and Sunset Strip. Below we've included the most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings. Many hosts like to show off lesser-known regional landmarks visitors might not have heard of.
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Well Known Attraction
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Santa Monica Beach
Included on 69% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Venice Beach
Included on 64% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Santa Monica Pier
Included on 63% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Venice Beach Boardwalk
Included on 63% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Abbot Kinney Boulevard
Included on 62% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Getty Center
Included on 61% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center
Included on 61% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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University of California, Los Angeles
Included on 54% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Sunset Strip
Included on 50% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Rodeo Drive
Included on 49% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Westwood Village
Included on 49% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Melrose Avenue
Included on 49% of listings
What’s the weather like in Santa Monica, California?
The weather is about the same as the national average, with an average high temperature of around 70°, while the average low is about 57°. It has normal rainfall, averaging about 14 inches per year, compared to the national average of about 27 inches. Snowfall is scarce, with an average year having no snowfall. The humidity levels in Santa Monica are generally lower than the national average, and the city has a mix of clouds and sunshine for most of the year.
Winter
December through February
50° Low 66° High
Spring
March through May
55° Low 68° High
Summer
June through August
63° Low 74° High
Fall
September through November
59° Low 73° High
Cities Near Santa Monica
Santa Monica, California, is located in Los Angeles County. Some cities that are located nearby include:
