The City of Malibu passed its updated Short Term Rental Regulations to regulate the vacation rental of residential property. These vacation rental rules and regulations are operative from January 2021. Firstly, it states that short term rental operators must obtain a permit and renew it annually. Secondly, advertising or operating your vacation rental without a license is considered a violation of the Ordinance. Thirdly, unregistered listings are issued huge fines of $100 per day, or double the amount of the property’s daily rental rate, whichever is higher.
City officials encourage short term rental hosts to submit their applications for permits as soon as possible. This is because it takes time to go through each application and process it.
Online STR Permit Application Submittal
The online application system offered by the City requires property owners to follow these steps to apply:
- Upload a copy of their Grant Deed and operating agreement if it’s relevant in order to provide proof of ownership.
- Print the attestation page, sign, initial, and upload it into the online form.
- Hosts should mail the original signed and initialed attestation page to the City of Malibu Short Term Rental Permit Program.
- Pay the $294 fee by credit card.
Mail-In STR Permit Application Submittal
The mail-in STR permit application requires property owners to follow these steps to apply:
- Write down information in the Mail-In Application Form.
- Once the form has been completed, signed, and initialed, print it out.
- Along with that, keep a copy of the Grant deed and operating agreement if it’s relevant. These documents will provide proof of ownership.
- Mail the application form to the City of Malibu Short Term Rental Permit Program.
- Include the fee of $295 payable.
Taxes
Hosts must collect the City’s Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) from guests. Also, hosts must file quarterly TOT returns with the City. Malibu voters increased the TOT rate paid by hotel and other lodging guests in November 2020 from 12% to 15%. On behalf of its hosts, Airbnb automatically collects TOT, but VRBO does not provide this service.
Other Short Term Rental Regulations
When applying for a short term rental permit, vacation rental operators should notify their homeowners’ associations. Homeowner associations have the right to prohibit or allow vacation rentals in their zones.
Hosts must also ensure they have installed safety equipment like smoke detectors in their residence. In addition, they should abide by rules on guest “nuisance activities” and occupancy limits.
Short term rental operators should also appoint an agent who can be available 24/7. The purpose of this agent should be to take care of any problems that might come up.
As a responsible host, you must abide by other contracts or vacation rental rules and regulations that bind you. These include leases, community rules, HOA rules, or other guidelines set up by tenant associations. Feel free to reach out to your landlord, housing authority, or community council to find out more. To get more information about other regulations, you can also visit Malibu’s official website or contact us.
For Airbnb Management Malibu, follow the link.