Short-Term Rental Regulations — Los Angeles, CA

Q: How many nights can I Airbnb my home in Los Angeles?

Up to 120 nights per calendar year under a standard Home-Sharing registration. Going beyond that requires a separate Extended Home-Sharing approval (LAMC § 12.22 A.32(d)(3), (h)).

Q: Can I short-term rent a property I don’t live in, in Los Angeles?

No. Home-Sharing is limited to your Primary Residence — the home you live in more than 6 months of the year. Second homes, investment properties, rent-stabilized units, and most ADUs permitted on or after Jan 1, 2017 are not eligible (LAMC § 12.22 A.32).

Q: Do I have to register to Airbnb in LA?

Yes. You must register with the LA Department of City Planning and show your registration (or pending) number on every listing on every platform — hosting without it is prohibited (LAMC § 12.22 A.32(c)–(d)).

Q: Can I short-term rent my ADU in Los Angeles?

Generally no — an ADU whose building permit application was submitted on or after January 1, 2017 may not be used for Home-Sharing (LAMC § 12.22 A.32(d)(4)).

Compiled by the Home Code Guide Editorial Team from primary municipal code · Verified Jun 4, 2026

Residential zoning reference — not legal advice; verify with your jurisdiction.

Source: § 12.22 A.32(d)(3) Verified Jun 4, 2026

General STR Requirements

Requirement	Rule	Source
Day CapStandard registration; more requires Extended Home-Sharing	Capped at 120 nights per calendar year	§ 12.22 A.32(d)(3)
Verbatim from the codeNo Host shall engage in Home-Sharing for more than 120 days in any calendar year unless the City has issued the Host an Extended Home-Sharing registration pursuant to Paragraph (h).
Extended HomesharingSeparate, discretionary approval with added requirements (Paragraph (h))Exception: Extended Home-Sharing permits unlimited nights but requires a separate City approval under § 12.22 A.32(h).	Beyond 120 nights needs Extended Home-Sharing approval	§ 12.22 A.32(h)
Verbatim from the codeExtended Home-Sharing. Home-Sharing that is permitted for an unlimited number of days in a calendar year.
Host Nuisance FeeNuisance violations at the home-shared residence	Host liable for nuisance; site-inspection fee can apply	§ 12.22 A.32(e)
Verbatim from the codeA Host may be responsible for any nuisance violations, as described in Sec. 13B.6.2. (Nuisance Abatement / Revocation) of Chapter 1A of this Code, arising at the Host’s Primary Residence during Home-Sharing activities. The Host, or owner of the Host’s Primary Residence if the Host does not own it, may be assessed a minimum inspection fee, as specified in Section 98.0412 of this Code for each site inspection.
New Adu ExcludedADU with a building permit application submitted on or after 1/1/2017Exception: An Accessory Dwelling Unit permitted on or after January 1, 2017 generally may not be used for Home-Sharing (§ 12.22 A.32(d)(4)).	Newer ADUs (permitted on/after Jan 1, 2017) can’t be home-shared	§ 12.22 A.32(d)(4)
Verbatim from the codeAccessory Dwelling Units for which a complete building permit application was submitted on or after January 1, 2017, to the Department of Building and Safety pursuant to Section 12.26 A.3. may not be used for Home-Sharing.
One RegistrationYou may register only your single primary residence	One Home-Sharing registration per person	§ 12.22 A.32(c)
Verbatim from the codeNo Person may apply for or obtain more than one Home-Sharing registration.
Pending CitationOpen code-enforcement citation on the property	A home with a pending citation can’t be registered	§ 12.22 A.32(c)
Verbatim from the codeNo Primary Residence which is the subject of any pending Citation may be registered for Home-Sharing.
Primary Residence RequirementHome-Sharing is an accessory use of the Host’s primary residence	Only your primary residence (where you live > 6 months/year)	§ 12.22 A.32(b)
Verbatim from the codePrimary Residence. The sole residence from which the Host conducts Home-Sharing and in which the Host resides for more than 6 months of the calendar year.
Registration ApplyApplication verifies your identity, primary residence, and a local contact	Register with the Dept. of City Planning before hosting	§ 12.22 A.32(c)(1)
Verbatim from the codeTo register for Home-Sharing, an applicant shall file an application with the Department of City Planning in a manner provided by the Department, and shall include: information needed to verify the Host’s identification and Primary Residence; identification of a local responsible contact person.
Registration NumberAll advertisements, on every platform	Registration number must appear on every listing	§ 12.22 A.32(d)(2)
Verbatim from the codeA Host may not participate in Home-Sharing unless all advertisements clearly list the City-issued Home Sharing registration number or pending registration status number.
Rso ExcludedRSO (LAMC Ch. 15), affordable covenants, or income-restricted unitsException: A unit under the Rent Stabilization Ordinance, affordable covenants, or income restrictions cannot be home-shared.	Rent-stabilized & income-restricted units are ineligible	§ 12.22 A.32(c)
Verbatim from the codeaffordable housing covenants, and/or Chapter 15 of the Los Angeles Municipal Code (“Rent Stabilization Ordinance”), and/or are income-restricted under City, state or federal law, is not eligible for Home-Sharing.

Exceptions to the Standard Rules

Extended Homesharing: Extended Home-Sharing permits unlimited nights but requires a separate City approval under § 12.22 A.32(h).§ 12.22 A.32(h)
New Adu Excluded: An Accessory Dwelling Unit permitted on or after January 1, 2017 generally may not be used for Home-Sharing (§ 12.22 A.32(d)(4)).§ 12.22 A.32(d)(4)
Rso Excluded: A unit under the Rent Stabilization Ordinance, affordable covenants, or income restrictions cannot be home-shared.§ 12.22 A.32(c)

Permit Requirements

When required: Short-term renting your LA home requires a Home-Sharing registration from the Department of City Planning before you list. Standard registration caps you at 120 nights/year and only your primary residence qualifies. Confirm current rules and any Extended Home-Sharing requirements with the LA Department of City Planning.
Where to apply: Los Angeles Department of City Planning

Documents typically required:

Proof of primary residence (e.g., utility bill, driver's license)
Valid identification (e.g., ID or passport)
Proof of ownership (if owner) or landlord permission (if tenant)

Verified June 4, 2026

Official Code Language (10 sections)

No Host shall engage in Home-Sharing for more than 120 days in any calendar year unless the City has issued the Host an Extended Home-Sharing registration pursuant to Paragraph (h).
— § 12.22 A.32(d)(3)

Extended Home-Sharing. Home-Sharing that is permitted for an unlimited number of days in a calendar year.
— § 12.22 A.32(h)

A Host may be responsible for any nuisance violations, as described in Sec. 13B.6.2. (Nuisance Abatement / Revocation) of Chapter 1A of this Code, arising at the Host’s Primary Residence during Home-Sharing activities. The Host, or owner of the Host’s Primary Residence if the Host does not own it, may be assessed a minimum inspection fee, as specified in Section 98.0412 of this Code for each site inspection.
— § 12.22 A.32(e)

Accessory Dwelling Units for which a complete building permit application was submitted on or after January 1, 2017, to the Department of Building and Safety pursuant to Section 12.26 A.3. may not be used for Home-Sharing.
— § 12.22 A.32(d)(4)

No Person may apply for or obtain more than one Home-Sharing registration.
— § 12.22 A.32(c)

No Primary Residence which is the subject of any pending Citation may be registered for Home-Sharing.
— § 12.22 A.32(c)

Primary Residence. The sole residence from which the Host conducts Home-Sharing and in which the Host resides for more than 6 months of the calendar year.
— § 12.22 A.32(b)

To register for Home-Sharing, an applicant shall file an application with the Department of City Planning in a manner provided by the Department, and shall include: information needed to verify the Host’s identification and Primary Residence; identification of a local responsible contact person.
— § 12.22 A.32(c)(1)

A Host may not participate in Home-Sharing unless all advertisements clearly list the City-issued Home Sharing registration number or pending registration status number.
— § 12.22 A.32(d)(2)

affordable housing covenants, and/or Chapter 15 of the Los Angeles Municipal Code (“Rent Stabilization Ordinance”), and/or are income-restricted under City, state or federal law, is not eligible for Home-Sharing.
— § 12.22 A.32(c)

The honest money picture

The money trap in LA isn't the nightly rate — it's the night cap and the tax. A standard registration limits you to 120 nights a year, so any pro-forma that assumes 365 nights is fiction unless you win Extended Home-Sharing (a separate, harder approval). On top of the registration fee you collect and remit the City's Transient Occupancy Tax on every booking, and a neighbor complaint can trigger a site-inspection fee. Budget the registration, the TOT, and the real 120-night ceiling — and confirm current amounts with the Department of City Planning.

Permit fee$89

What to do next

If it IS your primary residence:

Register with the LA Department of City Planning before you list.
Put your registration (or pending) number in every listing, on every platform.
Plan around the 120-night cap — or apply for Extended Home-Sharing if you need more.
Set up Transient Occupancy Tax collection and remittance from your first booking.
Keep a local responsible contact reachable while guests are staying.

If it's NOT your primary residence (second home, rental, new ADU):

It generally can't be home-shared — LA limits Home-Sharing to your primary residence.
Most ADUs permitted on or after Jan 1, 2017, plus rent-stabilized and income-restricted units, are excluded entirely.
Consider a 30-day-or-longer rental instead, which falls outside the Short-Term Rental rules.

Before you call Los Angeles Department of City Planning

Have ready: proof this is your primary residence, your platform listings, a local contact person.

Three questions worth asking:

Is my property eligible for Home-Sharing?
What is the current registration fee and the night cap?
Do I qualify for Extended Home-Sharing?

Los Angeles Department of City Planning →

Common Questions

How many nights can I Airbnb my home in Los Angeles?

In Los Angeles, up to 120 nights per calendar year under a standard Home-Sharing registration. Going beyond that requires a separate Extended Home-Sharing approval (LAMC § 12.22 A.32(d)(3), (h)).

Can I short-term rent a property I don’t live in, in Los Angeles?

In Los Angeles, no. Home-Sharing is limited to your Primary Residence — the home you live in more than 6 months of the year. Second homes, investment properties, rent-stabilized units, and most ADUs permitted on or after Jan 1, 2017 are not eligible (LAMC § 12.22 A.32).

Do I have to register to Airbnb in LA?

In Los Angeles, yes. You must register with the LA Department of City Planning and show your registration (or pending) number on every listing on every platform — hosting without it is prohibited (LAMC § 12.22 A.32(c)–(d)).

Can I short-term rent my ADU in Los Angeles?

In Los Angeles, generally no — an ADU whose building permit application was submitted on or after January 1, 2017 may not be used for Home-Sharing (LAMC § 12.22 A.32(d)(4)).

Sources

Data last verified: June 4, 2026