Are short-term rentals allowed in Cerritos, CA?

**No**, short-term rentals are prohibited in Cerritos. The city's zoning code does not explicitly permit transient habitation as a residential use, effectively banning rentals of less than 30 days. You need to confirm with the local zoning department before hosting.

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

**No**, there is currently no local STR-specific license required in Cerritos, though state and county regulations may still apply. The city prohibits short-term rentals, so no permits are issued. Check with the Cerritos planning department for detailed zoning information before considering a short-term rental.

What is the TOT tax rate in Cerritos, CA?

**Tax rates vary**; check with the city's finance department. Since short-term rentals are prohibited in Cerritos, specific transient occupancy tax (TOT) information is not readily available for such activities. You need to verify tax obligations for any allowed rental activity with the local authorities.

Can renters host on Airbnb in Cerritos, CA?

**No**, renters are not allowed to host in Cerritos. Since short-term rentals are prohibited in the city, tenants are unable to operate Airbnb or similar short-term rental businesses from their leased properties. Confirm with the city planning and zoning department prior to hosting.

Cerritos, CA Short-Term Rental Laws

Gold Standard Verification

100%

Forensically verified with 3+ official sources

Verified: Jan 30, 2026

3 Official Sources

Summary

Short-term rentals of less than 30 days are PROHIBITED in the City of Cerritos. Under the city's permissive zoning code, uses not explicitly listed as permitted are forbidden, and the city does not recognize transient habitation as an allowed residential use.

Restriction Level

🚫

Prohibited

Score: 100 (lenient)

Why this classification:

•Banned in all/most residential zones
•All residential property types prohibited
•Severe night cap: 0 nights/year
•Long minimum stay: 30 nights
•Tenants cannot host
•No STR-specific permit required
•No primary residence requirement
•No STR-specific fee

In Plain English

To host an Airbnb in Cerritos, you must ensure the stay is for 30 consecutive days or longer. The City of Cerritos does not allow short-term rentals in residential neighborhoods, and there is no permit or license available to authorize them. Operating a rental for less than 30 days can result in heavy fines and city enforcement action.

At a Glance

Permit Required

Night Limit

None

Primary Residence

Not Required

Total Tax Rate

Varies

6 Things Hosts Often Miss

1.STRs are strictly prohibited; there is no legal pathway to operate one in a residential zone.
2.The 30-day minimum stay is strictly enforced by Code Enforcement.
3.Advertising a rental for less than 30 days is considered evidence of a violation.
4.Cerritos uses 'permissive zoning,' meaning if a use isn't listed as 'Allowed,' it's banned.
5.Home-sharing (renting a room while the host is present) is also prohibited for stays under 30 days.
6.Do not confuse the City of Cerritos with unincorporated LA County areas where rules differ.

Regulation Details

Eligibility(6)

•Cerritos: Home-sharing (renting a room while the host is present) is also prohibited for stays under 30 days.
•Cerritos, CA: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
•Cerritos: STRs are strictly prohibited; there is no legal pathway to operate one in a residential zone.

Requirements(12)

•Cerritos: Do not confuse the City of Cerritos with unincorporated LA County areas where rules differ.
•Cerritos STR warning: Advertising a rental for less than 30 days is considered evidence of a violation.
•Cerritos STR warning: STRs are strictly prohibited; there is no legal pathway to operate one in a residential zone.
•Cerritos: The 30-day minimum stay is strictly enforced by Code Enforcement.

Application Process(4)

•Step-by-step guide to get an STR permit in Cerritos: Step 1: Prohibition Verification - Short-term rentals (less than 30 days) are not a permitted use in any residential zone in the City of Cerritos. Do not attempt to list your property. More info: https://qcode.us/codes/cerritos/

Limits & Restrictions(2)

•Cerritos enforces quiet hours: 10:00 PM - 7:00 AM.
•Cerritos requires a minimum stay of 30 nights.

Safety Requirements(1)

•Cerritos requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors.

Penalties(3)

•Cerritos, CA: Serious or repeated STR violations can result in criminal charges, not just fines.
•Cerritos: Serious or repeated STR violations can result in criminal charges, not just fines.
•Cerritos enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: Citation and Administrative Fine. Daily fine: Varies per Cerritos Municipal Code Chapter 1.08. Criminal penalties may apply.

Exemptions(3)

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

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

Cerritos

Gold Standard Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

6 Things Hosts Often Miss

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Regulation Details

Eligibility(6)

Requirements(12)

Application Process(4)

Limits & Restrictions(2)

Safety Requirements(1)

Penalties(3)

Exemptions(3)

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Cerritos

Gold Standard Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

6 Things Hosts Often Miss

Frequently Asked Questions

1Are short-term rentals allowed in Cerritos, CA?

2Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Cerritos?

3What is the TOT tax rate in Cerritos, CA?

4Can renters host on Airbnb in Cerritos, CA?

Related Content

Other California Markets

Los Angeles

Anaheim

Mammoth Lakes

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