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Owner Resources
Los Angeles restricts home-sharing to primary residences only — if you don't live there most of the year, you almost certainly cannot operate a legal STR at that address. A 2023 enforcement expansion resulted in hundreds of registrations being revoked after audits identified primary-residency fraud, and fines for operating without registration run $1,500 per violation per day.
Malibu, the South Bay cities (Torrance, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, El Segundo), and other incorporated cities in the greater LA area each operate their own programs separate from the City of Los Angeles. The requirements below apply to properties within LA city limits.
Primary residence required: Home-sharing is permitted only at the host's primary residence — the address where you live for the majority of the calendar year. Second homes, investment properties, and properties where you do not live cannot be registered as STRs within LA city limits.
Registration portal: Apply through the City Planning Department's Home-Sharing Registration Portal at planning.lacity.org/home-sharing. Registration must be renewed annually.
Required documents: Home-sharing property address, government-issued photo ID, proof of primary residence (utility bills, voter registration, or similar), and landlord approval if the property is rented.
Hosted rentals: When you are physically present at the property, you may rent rooms or the entire home for an unlimited number of nights per year. The only requirement is an active registration.
Extended Absence Permit: For periods when you are away from your primary residence, a separate Extended Absence Permit allows unhosted rentals for up to 90 days per calendar year. This requires a separate application, fee, and attestation of intent to return. Exceeding 90 unhosted days violates the ordinance.
Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT): Hosts must register for TOT with the Office of Finance within 30 days of beginning rental activity. Annual renewal required. Platforms collect most of this automatically, but you remain liable for any uncollected amounts.
Penalties: Operating without valid registration incurs fines of $1,500 per violation per day. Additional penalties apply for advertising without a registration number or renting a non-primary residence.
Enforcement (2023 expansion): The Department of Building and Safety conducted enhanced audits in 2023, revoking hundreds of registrations for primary-residency fraud. Platform data is now used to identify non-compliant listings.
Hollywood Hills (2025 proposal): Density-based restrictions for the Hollywood Hills area were under committee review as of 2025. If approved, they would impose additional location-specific caps beyond the primary-residence rule.
Malibu and South Bay cities: Each operates independently. Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, and Redondo Beach have passed STR ordinances with their own fees, caps, and zoning rules. Confirm requirements directly with each city before listing.
Los Angeles's home-sharing ordinance has been in place since 2019, with significant enforcement expansion in 2023. Proposed density restrictions and ongoing platform audits mean the landscape continues to shift. This page is reviewed regularly against verified government sources, but it is not a substitute for checking directly with the City Planning Department or your local manager before applying.
Last verified: August 2026.