What should Northridge hosts know about strictly primary residence only: you?

Strictly Primary Residence only: You cannot list a second home or investment property.

What should Northridge hosts know about rso prohibition: units built before?

RSO Prohibition: Units built before 1978 are often RSO and completely banned from STR use.

What should Northridge hosts know about adu restriction: most accessory dwelling?

ADU Restriction: Most Accessory Dwelling Units cannot be used for short-term rentals.

What are the permit fees in Northridge?

120-Day Cap: Standard permits only allow 120 nights per year; Extended permits require $1,166 fee and 6 months of prior hosting history.

Short-Term Rental Laws in Northridge, CA

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Summary

Northridge is governed by the City of Los Angeles Home-Sharing Ordinance, which permits short-term rentals only in a host's primary residence.

Restriction Level

🚫

Prohibited

Score: 96 (lenient)

Why this classification:

•Primary residence required
•Owner-occupied required
•Moderate night cap: 120 nights/year
•Standard permit fee: $199
•Limited to 1 property per owner
•Permit required
•Reporting required
•Tenants can host

In Plain English

To host a short-term rental in Northridge, you must live in the property for at least six months of the year and register for a City permit. Rentals are capped at 120 days per year unless you apply for an 'Extended' permit, and rentals are strictly prohibited in rent-stabilized (RSO) units or most ADUs.

At a Glance

Permit Required

Night Limit

120/year

Primary Residence

Required

Total Tax Rate

0.1%

Permit Fee

$199

Max Fine

$10,000

4 Things Hosts Often Miss

1.Strictly Primary Residence only: You cannot list a second home or investment property.
2.RSO Prohibition: Units built before 1978 are often RSO and completely banned from STR use.
3.ADU Restriction: Most Accessory Dwelling Units cannot be used for short-term rentals.
4.120-Day Cap: Standard permits only allow 120 nights per year; Extended permits require $1,166 fee and 6 months of prior hosting history.

Regulation Details

Eligibility(7)

•Northridge prohibits STRs in the following property types: ADU (Accessory Dwelling Units built after 2017), Vehicles/RV, Temporary structures.
•Northridge allows STRs in the following property types: Single Family Home, Condo, Apartment (if primary residence and not RSO).
•Northridge requires that the property be the host's primary residence.
•Northridge allows tenants to host STRs.

Requirements(7)

•Northridge STR warning: ADU Restriction: Most Accessory Dwelling Units cannot be used for short-term rentals.
•Northridge STR warning: Strictly Primary Residence only: You cannot list a second home or investment property.
•Northridge requires liability insurance for STR hosts. Minimum coverage: 1,000,000.

Application Process(6)

•Step-by-step guide to get an STR permit in Northridge: Step 1: Verify Eligibility - Ensure the property is your primary residence (lived in 6+ months/year) and check that it is not subject to the Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO) or an ineligible ADU. Documents needed: Proof of residency, Utility bills. Estimated time: 1 day. More info: https://planning.lacity.gov/project-review/home-sharing-registration Step 2: Gather Documentation - Prepare a government-issued ID and two forms of proof of primary residency (e.g., voter registration, vehicle registration, utility bill). If a tenant, obtain a notarized Landlord Affidavit. Documents needed: Government ID, Utility Bill, Landlord Affidavit (if tenant). Estimated time: 1 week. Step 3: Submit Online Registration - Create an account on the Los Angeles Home-Sharing Portal and complete the application forms. Documents needed: Digital copies of residency proofs. Estimated time: 30 minutes. More info: https://planning.lacity.gov/project-review/home-sharing Step 4: Pay Registration Fee - Pay the non-refundable registration fee. For 2024/2025, the standard fee is $199. Estimated time: 1 day. Cost: $199.

Fees & Costs(1)

•Northridge charges a registration fee of $199 (annual).

Taxes(2)

•Los Angeles charges a Transient Occupancy Tax of 0.12%.
•Northridge charges a Transient Occupancy Tax of 0.14%.

Limits & Restrictions(3)

•Northridge limits STRs to a maximum of 2 guests.
•Northridge has a citywide cap of 120 STR permits.
•Northridge limits STRs to 120 nights per year.

Safety Requirements(1)

•Northridge requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, posted emergency contact, noise restrictions (Quiet hours 10pm-7am; no amplified sound or evening outdoor gatherings.).

Penalties(1)

•Northridge enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First violation: $500 per day for unregistered hosting. Subsequent violations: $2,000 per day for exceeding night limits. Maximum fine: $10000.

Exemptions(1)

•Northridge exempts the following from STR regulations: bed and breakfast establishments, hotels and motels, long-term stays (30+ days), Stays of 31 consecutive days or more.

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Disclaimer

Regulatory information is AI-researched for educational purposes. Details may be outdated or incomplete. Always verify requirements directly with your city/county planning department before operating a short-term rental.

Other California Markets

Los Angeles

California

Strict

The City of Los Angeles requires all short-term rental hosts to register for a Home-Sharing permit and only permits the rental of one's primary residence. Stays are capped at 120 days per year unless an Extended Home-Sharing permit is obtained, and rentals in RSO-regulated buildings or newer ADUs are strictly prohibited.

Permit requiredNight limitsPrimary residence

0.1% total tax

Anaheim

California

Prohibited

Short-term rentals in Anaheim are strictly limited to approximately 277 'pre-moratorium' operators who were grandfathered in 2019. The city currently prohibits the issuance of any new STR permits. Allowed operators must follow rigid 'Good Neighbor' policies, enforce a 3-night minimum stay, and pay a 15% Transient Occupancy Tax.

Permit required

15.0% total tax

Mammoth Lakes

California

Moderate

Short-term rentals are heavily regulated in Mammoth Lakes and generally restricted to multi-family and resort zones (RMF-2, Resort, etc.). Hosts must obtain an STR Certificate and a Business Tax Certificate, and pay a total TOT rate of 13%. Stays of 31 days or longer are exempt from these regulations.

Permit required

0.1% total tax

Big Bear Lake

California

Strict

The City of Big Bear Lake regulates short-term rentals under Chapter 5.44, requiring an annual license, rigorous safety inspections, and a strict guest limit of 2 per bedroom plus 2. Owners are limited to 2 licenses total and must remit a 9% combined TOT and TBID tax quarterly.

Permit required

0.1% total tax

Northridge

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Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

4 Things Hosts Often Miss

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Regulation Details

Eligibility(7)

Requirements(7)

Application Process(6)

Fees & Costs(1)

Taxes(2)

Limits & Restrictions(3)

Safety Requirements(1)

Penalties(1)

Exemptions(1)

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Step-by-Step Application Guide

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Frequently Asked Questions

Related Content

Other California Markets

Los Angeles

Anaheim

Mammoth Lakes

Big Bear Lake

Northridge

Gold Standard Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

4 Things Hosts Often Miss

Step-by-Step Application Guide

Upgrade to Pro

Frequently Asked Questions

1Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Northridge?

2What is the night cap for rentals in Northridge?

3What is the TOT tax rate in Northridge?

4Can I rent out an ADU in Northridge?

5What are the residency requirements for Northridge hosts?

Related Content

Other California Markets

Los Angeles

Anaheim

Mammoth Lakes

Big Bear Lake