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

**Yes**, Malibu requires a Short-Term Rental Permit to operate legally. You need to apply for this permit annually, and the current fee is $294. This permit ensures compliance with local regulations and allows the city to track and manage short-term rental activity.

What is the TOT tax rate in Malibu?

**15% TOT** is the Transient Occupancy Tax rate for short-term rentals in Malibu. You are responsible for collecting this tax from your guests and remitting it to the city. This tax revenue supports local services and infrastructure benefiting both residents and visitors.

Are short-term rentals allowed in Malibu?

**Yes**, short-term rentals are allowed in Malibu, but with significant restrictions. You must rent out your primary residence only, meaning you live there at least nine months of the year. Renting out accessory dwelling units (ADUs) or multi-family units as short-term rentals is strictly prohibited.

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

**Yes**, Malibu requires that you live in the property to rent it on Airbnb. The city mandates that the rental property be your primary residence. This means you must reside in the home for at least nine months out of the year to qualify for a short-term rental permit.

Can renters host on Airbnb in Malibu?

**No**, renters cannot host on Airbnb in Malibu. The city's regulations stipulate that only property owners who occupy the residence as their primary home can operate a short-term rental. Tenants are not permitted to sublease or rent out the property on platforms like Airbnb.

Malibu

Strict

CaliforniaUpdated Feb 10, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 5 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Jan 30, 2026Sources 5

Summary

Plain-english overview

Short-term rentals in the City of Malibu require an annual permit and are strictly limited to the owner's primary residence. The city charges a 15% Transient Occupancy Tax and prohibits STRs in ADUs and multi-family units.

Restriction level

Severity 91

Classification

Strict

Severity

Why this classification

Primary residence required
Owner-occupied required
Standard permit fee: $294
Limited to 1 property per owner
Tenants cannot host
Permit required
Reporting required
No night cap

In plain English

What this means for you

To host an Airbnb in Malibu, you must live in the home you are renting for at least nine months of the year. You need to apply for an annual permit that costs about $294 and register to pay a 15% lodging tax. Be aware that you cannot rent out guest houses (ADUs) or apartments as short-term rentals. You must also include your permit number in your listing description or the city may fine you up to $1,000 per day.

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceRequired

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$294

Processing time2-4 weeks

7 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Primary Residence Rule: You must live in the property 275+ days/year; 'investment properties' are effectively banned.
2ADU Prohibition: You cannot rent out a guest house or 'granny flat' for stays under 30 days.
3TOT Rate: Malibu has one of the highest tax rates in CA at 15%.
4Septic Limits: Occupancy may be further limited by the capacity of your onsite wastewater (septic) system.
5Coastal Commission Friction: Regulations are currently active but subject to ongoing legal disputes regarding access to the coast.
6Quarterly Filing: You must file TOT returns every quarter even if the platform collects the tax for you.
7No Events: STR permits do not allow for weddings, parties, or large commercial events.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility7 rules

Malibu allows STRs in the following property types: Single-family dwellings, Condominiums.
Malibu limits hosts to a maximum of 1 STR properties per owner.
Malibu: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
Malibu: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.

Requirements15 rules

Malibu STR warning: Primary residency requirements are approved by the city but currently awaiting Coastal Commission approval before they take effect.
Malibu STR warning: Stays must be for 30 consecutive days or less to be considered an STR.
Malibu STR warning: Fines for unpermitted hosting start at $1,000 per day.
Malibu: Stays must be for 30 consecutive days or less to be considered an STR.

Application process10 rules

Step-by-step guide to get an STR permit in Malibu: Step 1: Verify OWTS Compliance - Ensure your Onsite Wastewater Treatment System (septic) has a valid operating permit per MMC Chapter 15.44. Documents needed: OWTS Operating Permit. Estimated time: Varies. More info: https://www.malibucity.org/211/Onsite-Wastewater-Treatment-Systems-OWTS Step 2: Gather Ownership Documentation - Obtain a copy of your Grant Deed. If the owner is an LLC or Trust, provide the Operating Agreement or Trust documents. Documents needed: Grant Deed, Operating Agreement. Estimated time: 1 day. Step 3: Complete Online Application - Fill out the application via the City's STR consultant portal (Host Compliance). Documents needed: Ad links, Occupancy count. Estimated time: 30 minutes. Cost: 439. More info: https://malibustr.hosted-compliance.com/ Step 4: Mail Signed Attestation - Print, sign, and mail the original wet-signature attestation page to City Hall. Documents needed: Wet-signed attestation. Estimated time: 3-5 days. More info: https://www.malibucity.org/DocumentCenter/View/27533/STR-Permit-App-Revised-6102025 Step 5: Post Permit Number - Once issued, the permit number must be displayed in the first line of all listing descriptions. Estimated time: Immediate.

Fees & costs1 rule

Malibu charges a registration fee of $439 (annual).

Taxes2 rules

Malibu: The 15% TOT rate is one of the highest in the region; ensure your platform is collecting it correctly.
Malibu charges a Transient Occupancy Tax of 15%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb and VRBO generally collect/remit the 15% TOT, but hosts must verify individual platform agreements.

Limits & restrictions4 rules

Malibu occupancy calculation: Occupancy limits are typically based on the number of bedrooms as declared in the permit application.. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
Malibu: Each person can only register ONE property for short-term rental. You cannot legally operate multiple STRs.
Malibu enforces quiet hours: 10:00 PM to 8:00 AM per MMC 8.24.

Safety requirements1 rule

Malibu requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Compliance with MMC 8.24 Noise limitations, OWTS (septic) must be in compliance and permit provided.

Penalties3 rules

Malibu enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: $1,000 per day or twice the daily rental rate, whichever is higher. Second offense: Increased fines and permit revocation. Daily fine: $1,000. Maximum fine: Unlimited (per day calculation). Permit may be revoked for violations.
Malibu: Fines for unpermitted hosting start at $1,000 per day.

Exemptions2 rules

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

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for Malibu

0/4

steps completed

Step 1

Verify Primary Residence

Ensure the property is your primary residence where you live at least 275 days per year.

1 weekFree

Documents needed

Driver's License
Voter registration or Tax return

Step 2

Register for TOT

Obtain a Transient Occupancy Tax certificate from the Finance Department.

1 weekFree

Official resource

Step 3

Apply for STR Permit

Submit the application via the online portal including the site plan and emergency contact info.

2-4 weeks$294

Documents needed

Site plan
Fire safety self-certification

Official resource

Step 4

Post Permit on Listings

The permit number must be clearly displayed on all advertising and hosting platforms.

ImmediateFree

Frequently asked questions

5 answered

Disclaimer

Regulatory information is AI-researched from public city/county codes 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.

Researched & verified by Learn STR at GoStudioM

Malibu

Strict

CaliforniaUpdated Feb 10, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 5 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Jan 30, 2026Sources 5

Summary

Plain-english overview

Restriction level

Severity 91

Classification

Strict

Severity

Why this classification

Primary residence required
Owner-occupied required
Standard permit fee: $294
Limited to 1 property per owner
Tenants cannot host
Permit required
Reporting required
No night cap

In plain English

What this means for you

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceRequired

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$294

Processing time2-4 weeks

7 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Primary Residence Rule: You must live in the property 275+ days/year; 'investment properties' are effectively banned.
2ADU Prohibition: You cannot rent out a guest house or 'granny flat' for stays under 30 days.
3TOT Rate: Malibu has one of the highest tax rates in CA at 15%.
4Septic Limits: Occupancy may be further limited by the capacity of your onsite wastewater (septic) system.
5Coastal Commission Friction: Regulations are currently active but subject to ongoing legal disputes regarding access to the coast.
6Quarterly Filing: You must file TOT returns every quarter even if the platform collects the tax for you.
7No Events: STR permits do not allow for weddings, parties, or large commercial events.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility7 rules

Malibu allows STRs in the following property types: Single-family dwellings, Condominiums.
Malibu limits hosts to a maximum of 1 STR properties per owner.
Malibu: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
Malibu: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.

Requirements15 rules

Malibu STR warning: Primary residency requirements are approved by the city but currently awaiting Coastal Commission approval before they take effect.
Malibu STR warning: Stays must be for 30 consecutive days or less to be considered an STR.
Malibu STR warning: Fines for unpermitted hosting start at $1,000 per day.
Malibu: Stays must be for 30 consecutive days or less to be considered an STR.

Application process10 rules

Step-by-step guide to get an STR permit in Malibu: Step 1: Verify OWTS Compliance - Ensure your Onsite Wastewater Treatment System (septic) has a valid operating permit per MMC Chapter 15.44. Documents needed: OWTS Operating Permit. Estimated time: Varies. More info: https://www.malibucity.org/211/Onsite-Wastewater-Treatment-Systems-OWTS Step 2: Gather Ownership Documentation - Obtain a copy of your Grant Deed. If the owner is an LLC or Trust, provide the Operating Agreement or Trust documents. Documents needed: Grant Deed, Operating Agreement. Estimated time: 1 day. Step 3: Complete Online Application - Fill out the application via the City's STR consultant portal (Host Compliance). Documents needed: Ad links, Occupancy count. Estimated time: 30 minutes. Cost: 439. More info: https://malibustr.hosted-compliance.com/ Step 4: Mail Signed Attestation - Print, sign, and mail the original wet-signature attestation page to City Hall. Documents needed: Wet-signed attestation. Estimated time: 3-5 days. More info: https://www.malibucity.org/DocumentCenter/View/27533/STR-Permit-App-Revised-6102025 Step 5: Post Permit Number - Once issued, the permit number must be displayed in the first line of all listing descriptions. Estimated time: Immediate.

Fees & costs1 rule

Malibu charges a registration fee of $439 (annual).

Taxes2 rules

Malibu: The 15% TOT rate is one of the highest in the region; ensure your platform is collecting it correctly.
Malibu charges a Transient Occupancy Tax of 15%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb and VRBO generally collect/remit the 15% TOT, but hosts must verify individual platform agreements.

Limits & restrictions4 rules

Malibu occupancy calculation: Occupancy limits are typically based on the number of bedrooms as declared in the permit application.. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
Malibu: Each person can only register ONE property for short-term rental. You cannot legally operate multiple STRs.
Malibu enforces quiet hours: 10:00 PM to 8:00 AM per MMC 8.24.

Safety requirements1 rule

Malibu requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Compliance with MMC 8.24 Noise limitations, OWTS (septic) must be in compliance and permit provided.

Penalties3 rules

Malibu enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: $1,000 per day or twice the daily rental rate, whichever is higher. Second offense: Increased fines and permit revocation. Daily fine: $1,000. Maximum fine: Unlimited (per day calculation). Permit may be revoked for violations.
Malibu: Fines for unpermitted hosting start at $1,000 per day.

Exemptions2 rules

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

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for Malibu

0/4

steps completed

Step 1

Verify Primary Residence

Ensure the property is your primary residence where you live at least 275 days per year.

1 weekFree

Documents needed

Driver's License
Voter registration or Tax return

Step 2

Register for TOT

Obtain a Transient Occupancy Tax certificate from the Finance Department.

1 weekFree

Official resource

Step 3

Apply for STR Permit

Submit the application via the online portal including the site plan and emergency contact info.

2-4 weeks$294

Documents needed

Site plan
Fire safety self-certification

Official resource

Step 4

Post Permit on Listings

The permit number must be clearly displayed on all advertising and hosting platforms.

ImmediateFree

Frequently asked questions

5 answered

Disclaimer

Researched & verified by Learn STR at GoStudioM

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

7 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

How to get permitted

Verify Primary Residence

Register for TOT

Apply for STR Permit

Post Permit on Listings

Frequently asked questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in Malibu?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Malibu?

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

5Can renters host on Airbnb in Malibu?

Disclaimer

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

7 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

How to get permitted

Verify Primary Residence

Register for TOT

Apply for STR Permit

Post Permit on Listings

Frequently asked questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in Malibu?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Malibu?

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

5Can renters host on Airbnb in Malibu?

Disclaimer