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

**Yes**, Long Beach requires a Short-Term Rental Registration for all rentals. You need to apply and pay $250 annually to remain compliant with Chapter 5.64. Operating without this verified permit can result in fines and the inability to host.

What is the TOT tax rate in Long Beach, CA?

**12% TOT** is the current transient occupancy tax rate for short-term rentals in Long Beach. Hosts are responsible for collecting this tax from guests and remitting it to the city. Note that Airbnb and VRBO may automatically collect a portion of this tax in certain jurisdictions.

Do I need to live in my property to rent it on Airbnb in Long Beach?

**Yes**, Long Beach requires that short-term rental properties be the host's primary residence. This means you must live in the property for at least nine months out of the year to be eligible to rent it out on platforms like Airbnb, per city regulations.

How many nights per year can I rent my property in Long Beach?

**90 nights** per year is the limit for unhosted short-term rentals in Long Beach. If you are present during the rental period (hosted), there is no annual night limit. Be sure to obtain the required permit and collect the appropriate taxes.

Long Beach, CA Short-Term Rental Laws

Q: Are short-term rentals allowed in Long Beach?

**Yes**, short-term rentals are allowed in Long Beach, but are strictly regulated. Unhosted rentals are capped at 90 days per year, while hosted rentals, where the owner is present, have no annual night limit. All hosts must register for an annual permit to operate legally.

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Summary

The City of Long Beach strictly regulates short-term rentals under Chapter 5.64, requiring all hosts to register for an annual permit and prioritize primary residency. Unhosted rentals are capped at 90 days per year, while hosted rentals (where the owner is present) have no annual night limit.

Restriction Level

⛔

Strict

Score: 76 (lenient)

Why this classification:

•Primary residence required
•Moderate night cap: 90 nights/year
•Standard permit fee: $250
•Limited to 1 property per owner
•Permit required
•Reporting required
•Tenants can host

In Plain English

To host an Airbnb in Long Beach, you must first ensure the home is your primary residence where you live at least 9 months of the year. You are required to pay an annual registration fee ($250 for most hosts) and display your permit number on your listing. If you aren't staying at the house while guests are there, you can only rent it out for a total of 90 days per year. You must also collect 12% in tourist taxes and file a report with the city every month, even if you had no bookings.

At a Glance

Permit Required

Yes

Night Limit

90/year

Primary Residence

Required

Total Tax Rate

0.1%

Permit Fee

$250

Processing Time

2-4 weeks

7 Things Hosts Often Miss

1.Verify you are in the City of Long Beach incorporated limits; unincorporated LA County has different rules.
2.ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units/Granny Flats) built after 2017 cannot be used as STRs.
3.Unhosted rentals (entire home) are capped at exactly 90 days per year.
4.You must file a TOT tax return monthly, even if the platform collects the tax for you.
5.Tenants MUST have a notarized affidavit from their landlord to participate.
6.Only one STR registration is allowed per person citywide.
7.Operating without a permit triggers an automatic 12-month ban on applying for one.

Regulation Details

Eligibility(13)

•Long Beach prohibits STRs in the following property types: ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units) built after 2017, Affordable housing units, Boats/Vessels, RV/Trailers.
•Long Beach: Properties with affordable housing restrictions or subsidies cannot be used for short-term rentals.
•Long Beach limits hosts to a maximum of 1 STR properties per owner.

Requirements(20)

•Long Beach STR warning: Verify you are in the City of Long Beach incorporated limits; unincorporated LA County has different rules.
•Long Beach: Tenants CAN host STRs but must get written landlord approval first. Keep documentation.
•Long Beach STR warning: Tenants MUST have a notarized affidavit from their landlord to participate.

Application Process(12)

•Long Beach STR permit - Step 1: Verify Eligibility. Ensure the property is your primary residence (where you spend 275+ days/year) and is not an ADU built after 2017. Time: 1 day.
•Long Beach, CA extended permit requirement: Non-primary residence registration fee is significantly higher ($1,000) than primary residence ($250).

Fees & Costs(1)

•Long Beach charges a registration fee of $250 (annual). Extended/additional fee: $1000 (Non-primary residence registration fee is significantly higher ($1,000) than primary residence ($250).).

Taxes(2)

•Long Beach charges a Transient Occupancy Tax of 12%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb and VRBO have Voluntary Collection Agreements; however, hosts must still file monthly reports even if tax is zeroed out.
•Long Beach: You must file a TOT tax return monthly, even if the platform collects the tax for you.

Limits & Restrictions(10)

•Long Beach occupancy calculation: 2 guests per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, up to a maximum of 10.. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
•Long Beach limits STRs to 90 nights per year. This applies to unhosted rentals.
•Long Beach enforces quiet hours: 10:00 PM - 7:00 AM.
•Long Beach: Unhosted rentals (entire home) are capped at exactly 90 days per year.

Safety Requirements(1)

•Long Beach requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Self-certification of safety requirements during application, Visible notice of local quiet hours and parking rules.

Penalties(5)

•Long Beach: Operating an STR in a rent-controlled unit can result in permit denial and fines. STRs are prohibited in units subject to the City's Rent Control or Tenant Protection Act if they are non-primary residences.

Exemptions(5)

•Long Beach exempts the following from STR regulations: hosted rentals (where host is present), long-term rentals (30+ days).
•Long Beach, CA: If you are present during the guest's stay (hosted rental), night caps may not apply to you.
•Long Beach: 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

Long Beach

Gold Standard Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

7 Things Hosts Often Miss

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Regulation Details

Eligibility(13)

Requirements(20)

Application Process(12)

Fees & Costs(1)

Taxes(2)

Limits & Restrictions(10)

Safety Requirements(1)

Penalties(5)

Exemptions(5)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Related Content

Other California Markets

Los Angeles

Anaheim

Mammoth Lakes

Big Bear Lake

Long Beach

Gold Standard Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

7 Things Hosts Often Miss

Frequently Asked Questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in Long Beach, CA?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Long Beach?

4Do I need to live in my property to rent it on Airbnb in Long Beach?

5How many nights per year can I rent my property in Long Beach?

Related Content

Other California Markets

Los Angeles

Anaheim

Mammoth Lakes

Big Bear Lake