Are short-term rentals allowed in Irvine, CA?

**No**, short-term rentals are strictly prohibited in Irvine. The city's zoning code does not list short-term rentals as a permitted use in any residential zone. The city actively enforces this ban against hosts and platforms, so you should check local regulations before hosting. (53 words)

What is the TOT tax rate in Irvine, CA?

**8% TOT** is the transient occupancy tax rate in Irvine, CA. Even though short-term rentals are prohibited, this tax applies to other lodging. You need to collect this tax from guests and remit it to the city. Check with the city's finance department for specific guidelines. (53 words)

Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Irvine, CA?

**No**, there is currently no local STR-specific license required in Irvine, though state and county regulations may still apply. Because STRs are banned, no permit exists. Hosts must comply with California state laws. Always check with the Irvine zoning office before operating a short-term rental. (54 words)

Can renters host on Airbnb in Irvine, CA?

**No**, renters cannot legally host on Airbnb in Irvine. Since short-term rentals are prohibited city-wide, this restriction applies equally to property owners and tenants. Subleasing a property for short-term stays violates Irvine's zoning regulations. Check your lease agreement and local ordinances before listing any rental. (53 words)

Irvine, 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 are strictly PROHIBITED in the City of Irvine. The city's zoning code does not list STRs as a permitted use in any residential zone, and the city actively enforces this ban against hosts and platforms.

Restriction Level

🚫

Prohibited

Score: 100 (lenient)

Why this classification:

•Residential STRs prohibited
•Banned in all/most residential zones
•All residential property types prohibited
•Severe night cap: 0 nights/year
•Long minimum stay: 31 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 Irvine, your rental must be for 31 days or longer. Any stay of 30 days or less is considered an illegal short-term rental. The city does not issue permits for residential home-sharing, and code enforcement officers actively monitor listing sites to issue fines to violators.

At a Glance

Permit Required

Night Limit

None

Primary Residence

Not Required

Total Tax Rate

0.1%

6 Things Hosts Often Miss

1.Short-term rentals (30 days or less) are completely banned in all Irvine residential zones.
2.Minimum stay required for any legal rental is 31 consecutive days.
3.The city uses a 'Permissive Zoning' model—if it's not listed as allowed, it's prohibited.
4.Irvine code enforcement is highly active and issues citations based on online listings.
5.Many HOAs in Irvine have additional, even stricter bans on any form of sub-leasing.
6.Advertising a short-term rental in Irvine is itself a violation, even if no booking occurs.

Regulation Details

Eligibility(5)

•Irvine: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
•Irvine does NOT allow tenants to host STRs. Only property owners may operate short-term rentals.
•Irvine, CA: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.

Requirements(15)

•Irvine STR warning: Minimum stay required for any legal rental is 31 consecutive days.
•Irvine: You must display your permit/registration number on your listing. Platforms may remove non-compliant listings.
•Irvine STR warning: Advertising a short-term rental in Irvine is itself a violation, even if no booking occurs.
•Irvine does not require STR registration.

Application Process(4)

•STR regulations overview for Irvine: Short-term rentals are strictly PROHIBITED in the City of Irvine. The city's zoning code does not list STRs as a permitted use in any residential zone, and the city actively enforces this ban against hosts and platforms.

Taxes(1)

•Irvine charges a Transient Occupancy Tax of 8%. This applies to stays under 31 days. Hosts are responsible for collecting and remitting this tax. Note: Since STRs are prohibited, there is no legal framework for platform remittance for residential STRs.

Limits & Restrictions(2)

•Irvine enforces quiet hours: 10:00 PM - 7:00 AM.
•Irvine requires a minimum stay of 31 nights.

Penalties(1)

•Irvine enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: Civil citation and fines. Second offense: Increased fines. Third offense: Legal action/Injunction. Daily fine: Varies by enforcement action.

Exemptions(3)

•Irvine exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays, Hotels, Motels, Licensed Bed and Breakfasts in specific non-residential zones.
•Irvine: 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

Irvine

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(5)

Requirements(15)

Application Process(4)

Taxes(1)

Limits & Restrictions(2)

Penalties(1)

Exemptions(3)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Related Content

Other California Markets

Los Angeles

Anaheim

Mammoth Lakes

Big Bear Lake

Irvine

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 Irvine, CA?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Irvine, CA?

3Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Irvine, CA?

4Can renters host on Airbnb in Irvine, CA?

Related Content

Other California Markets

Los Angeles

Anaheim

Mammoth Lakes

Big Bear Lake