The City of Huntington Beach introduced a Short Term Rental (STR) program that took effect in December 2020, allowing residential properties to be rented for stays of thirty nights or fewer. These regulations are designed to maintain neighborhood quality while offering homeowners the opportunity to host responsibly on platforms such as Airbnb, VRBO, and others. If you’re planning to operate a short-term rental in the city, it’s critical to understand the zoning structure, licensing process, and legal requirements that apply as of 2025.
Zoning Zones: Zone 1 vs. Zone 2
The city is divided into two primary STR zones:
- Zone 1 includes all properties within Huntington Beach, except Sunset Beach.
- Zone 2 covers the Sunset Beach area.
Hosted or owner-occupied rentals are allowed in both zones. However, non-owner-occupied or un-hosted rentals are only permitted in Sunset Beach (Zone 2) and require a valid permit issued on or before March 1, 2022.
How to Apply for a Short-Term Rental Permit
Anyone wishing to host must obtain an annual Short Term Rental Permit. The permit is non-transferable, valid for one year, and must be renewed before expiration. Permit fees are:
- Initial application (valid for two years): $624
- Annual renewal fee: $324
Failure to submit a renewal at least 30 days before expiration may lead to a loss of STR operating privileges.
STR Operator Responsibilities
All STR operators must comply with specific requirements, including:
- Adhering to guest occupancy limits through a written agreement.
- Preventing noise disturbances, illegal activity, or disorderly conduct.
- Post a copy of the STR permit and its rules in a visible area of the property.
- Submitting and following an approved guest parking plan.
- Assigning a local contact person available 24/7 to respond to guest issues within one hour.
Eligibility Requirements for Operating an STR
To qualify for an STR permit, properties must meet the following criteria:
- Cannot be affordable housing units or special group residences.
- Only one permit is allowed per owner within the city.
- Single-family homes, duplexes, triplexes, and similar rentals are allowed one permit per property.
- Condo and townhouse complexes with four or more units may obtain up to three permits per property.
- Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) or junior ADUs must have been legally established before the ordinance’s effective date.
- All STRs must follow citywide noise control laws.
Operational Rules for Hosts
Huntington Beach imposes clear rules that must be followed at all times:
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- STR permit number must be displayed in all online listings.
- Guests may only occupy legally permitted areas of the residence.
- The rental must include an in-unit notice that outlines occupancy limits, parking locations, trash collection details, emergency contact numbers, fire safety info, and evacuation plans.
- Exterior signage advertising the STR is not allowed.
- Guests must be at least 25 years old to book a stay.
- The city will publicly list local contact information for short-term rentals (STRs) on its official website.
- STRs cannot double as commercial home-based businesses.
Maximum Guest Occupancy
Occupancy is limited to two people per bedroom, plus two additional guests, for a total of ten individuals. Commercial events, such as weddings, fundraisers, and large parties, are not permitted, regardless of the guest count.
Violations and Penalties
Operators must keep their property free of any building or code violations. Each confirmed violation results in a $1,000 daily fine. If three or more violations occur within a 12-month period, the operator’s permit will be revoked.
Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) and TBID
All STRs are subject to a 10 percent Transient Occupancy Tax. If the booking platform doesn’t collect the tax, the host is responsible for doing so and submitting it directly to the city. Additionally, operators are responsible for collecting and remitting the Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID) Assessment. When platforms like Airbnb handle payments, both the host and platform are legally responsible for ensuring tax collection and remittance.
Other Rules to Know
Short-term rental operators must comply with all applicable agreements and regulations. These include:
- Lease restrictions
- HOA and condo board guidelines
- Community-specific rules
For additional support, check with your landlord or local association. You can also find more details on the City of Huntington Beach’s official website.
To simplify compliance, guest communication, and listing management, explore our Airbnb Management Huntington Beach services. Our experts ensure your rental runs smoothly while meeting all legal obligations.