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

**Yes**, a Short-Term Rental Permit is required in Anaheim, but new permits are only available in specific commercial/tourist zones. You need to apply and pay a fee of $250. Residential zones are prohibited from obtaining new permits as of 2019. Existing grandfathered units must adhere to strict standards.

What is the TOT tax rate in Anaheim?

**15% TOT** is the current transient occupancy tax rate for short-term rentals in Anaheim. You need to collect this tax from guests and remit it to the city. Note that Airbnb and VRBO may automatically collect a portion of this tax in certain jurisdictions, so verify before collecting.

Are short-term rentals allowed in Anaheim?

**Short-term rentals are strictly limited** in Anaheim, particularly in residential zones. New permits are prohibited in all residential areas as of 2019. You can only operate an STR in specific commercial or tourist zones. Existing units are grandfathered but must meet occupancy and noise standards.

How much does an STR permit cost in Anaheim?

**The STR permit costs $250** in Anaheim. You need to pay this fee when applying for the Short-Term Rental Permit. Remember that new permits are only available in specific commercial and tourist zones, as residential zones are prohibited as of 2019. This applies to grandfathered units.

Can renters host on Airbnb in Anaheim?

**No**, tenants in Anaheim are prohibited from hosting on Airbnb or other short-term rental platforms. You need to be the property owner to apply for a short-term rental permit, and even then, permits are restricted to specific commercial/tourist zones. Residential zones are prohibited as of 2019 from obtaining new permits.

Anaheim, CA Short-Term Rental Laws

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Summary

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.

Restriction Level

🚫

Prohibited

Score: 100 (lenient)

Why this classification:

•Banned in all/most residential zones
•Standard permit fee: $250
•Tenants cannot host
•Permit required
•Reporting required
•No night cap
•No primary residence requirement

In Plain English

To host an Airbnb in Anaheim, you must already have a grandfathered permit, as the city stopped issuing new short-term rental permits years ago. If you are one of the few legal hosts, you must renew your permit and business license every year and collect a 15% tax from your guests. You are also required to ensure guests stay for at least three nights and that a local contact can respond to any complaints within 45 minutes. Hosting without a permit in Anaheim is illegal and can lead to heavy fines or your utilities being turned off.

At a Glance

Permit Required

Yes

Night Limit

None

Primary Residence

Not Required

Total Tax Rate

15.0%

Permit Fee

$250

Processing Time

Varies; application must be submitted in person or by mail

7 Things Hosts Often Miss

1.NEW PERMITS ARE PROHIBITED: Unless you already have an existing permit, you cannot legally start a new STR in Anaheim.
2.3-NIGHT MINIMUM: All stays must be at least 3 consecutive nights; shorter stays are strictly forbidden.
3.45-MINUTE RESPONSE: You must have a local contact reachable 24/7 who can be on-site within 45 minutes to resolve issues.
4.NO PARTIES: STRs are for overnight lodging only; weddings, bachelor parties, and large events are prohibited.
5.POST PERMIT NUMBER: You must display your REG# (Regulatory Permit Number) on all advertising and platform listings.
6.15% TAX RATE: The Transient Occupancy Tax is 15% and must be clearly stated as a separate line item to guests.
7.HOA RESTRICTIONS: If your HOA banned STRs, your city permit became invalid as of December 2022.

Regulation Details

Eligibility(8)

•Anaheim, CA allows STRs in the following property types: Single-family home, Multi-family home, Condominium.
•Anaheim, CA prohibits STRs in the following property types: New short-term rentals are prohibited, ADUs (implied by ban on new).
•Anaheim, CA: NO PARTIES: STRs are for overnight lodging only; weddings, bachelor parties, and large events are prohibited.

Requirements(16)

•Common mistakes and gotchas for STR hosts in Anaheim, CA: 1. NEW PERMITS ARE PROHIBITED: Unless you already have an existing permit, you cannot legally start a new STR in Anaheim. 2. 3-NIGHT MINIMUM: All stays must be at least 3 consecutive nights; shorter stays are strictly forbidden. 3. 45-MINUTE RESPONSE: You must have a local contact reachable 24/7 who can be on-site within 45 minutes to resolve issues. 4. NO PARTIES: STRs are for overnight lodging only; weddings, bachelor parties, and large events are prohibited. 5. POST PERMIT NUMBER: You must display your REG# (Regulatory Permit Number) on all advertising and platform listings. 6. 15% TAX RATE: The Transient Occupancy Tax is 15% and must be clearly stated as a separate line item to guests. 7. HOA RESTRICTIONS: If your HOA banned STRs, your city permit became invalid as of December 2022.

Application Process(7)

•Anaheim, CA: To apply for an STR permit, you'll need: Proof of ownership, Valid business license, Proof of liability insurance, Site plan with parking spaces, Floor plan with occupancy limits, HOA authorization letter (if applicable).

Fees & Costs(1)

•Anaheim, CA charges a registration fee of $250 (annual). Extended/additional fee: $260 (Includes $260 Business License/Tax Certificate fee in addition to $250 STR permit fee.).

Taxes(2)

•Anaheim, CA: 15% TAX RATE: The Transient Occupancy Tax is 15% and must be clearly stated as a separate line item to guests.
•Anaheim, CA charges a Transient Occupancy Tax of 15%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Measure J (2022) ensures platforms like Airbnb/VRBO collect tax on the full retail price.

Limits & Restrictions(5)

•Anaheim, CA occupancy calculation: Limited by floor plan and permit terms; typically 2 persons per bedroom plus 2, not to exceed local occupancy limits.. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
•Anaheim, CA enforces quiet hours: 10:00 PM to 9:00 AM.
•Anaheim, CA requires a minimum stay of 3 nights.

Safety Requirements(1)

•Anaheim, CA requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Local contact must respond within 45 minutes 24/7, Good Neighbor brochure must be provided to guests, Trash must be stored out of public view.

Penalties(3)

•Anaheim, CA: Serious or repeated STR violations can result in criminal charges, not just fines.
•Anaheim, CA: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.

Exemptions(2)

•Anaheim, CA: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
•Anaheim, CA exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days).

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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

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

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

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

Encinitas

California

Moderate

The City of Encinitas requires all short-term rental hosts to obtain an annual permit and pay a 10% Transient Occupancy Tax. Regulations include a 3-night minimum stay for most units and a strict cap on occupancy based on the number of bedrooms.

Permit required

0.1% total tax

Anaheim

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Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

7 Things Hosts Often Miss

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Regulation Details

Eligibility(8)

Requirements(16)

Application Process(7)

Fees & Costs(1)

Taxes(2)

Limits & Restrictions(5)

Safety Requirements(1)

Penalties(3)

Exemptions(2)

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Step-by-Step Application Guide

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Anaheim

Gold Standard Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

7 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 Anaheim?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Anaheim?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Anaheim?

4How much does an STR permit cost in Anaheim?

5Can renters host on Airbnb in Anaheim?

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Big Bear Lake

Mammoth Lakes

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Encinitas