Are short-term rentals allowed in Manhattan Beach?

**No**, short-term rentals are strictly prohibited in all residential zones within Manhattan Beach, CA. This includes both hosted and unhosted rentals. The city's ban on short-term rentals has been upheld by the California Supreme Court, so you cannot operate an STR. Check local zoning laws.

What is the TOT tax rate in Manhattan Beach?

**12% TOT** is the transient occupancy tax rate for rentals in Manhattan Beach, CA. Even though short-term rentals are prohibited, this tax applies to any rentals that are 30 consecutive days or longer. You must collect and remit this tax to the city's finance department.

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

**No**, there is currently no local STR-specific license required in Manhattan Beach, because they are prohibited. However, you must comply with all other applicable city and state regulations if you have a rental that is longer than 30 days. Operating an illegal STR can result in fines.

Can renters host on Airbnb in Manhattan Beach?

**No**, renters are not permitted to host on Airbnb or other short-term rental platforms in Manhattan Beach. The city's ban on short-term rentals applies to all residential properties, regardless of whether the host is the property owner or a tenant. Check your lease agreement first.

What happens if I operate an illegal STR in Manhattan Beach?

**Enforcement varies**, but operating an illegal short-term rental in Manhattan Beach can result in significant fines and legal action. Because STRs are prohibited, the city actively monitors and enforces these regulations. Contact the city's code enforcement department for clarification regarding the specific penalties.

Manhattan Beach

Prohibited

STRs Allowed

CaliforniaLast updated: February 13, 2026

Gold Standard Verification

100%

Forensically verified with 3+ official sources

Verified: Jan 30, 2026

3 Official Sources

Summary

Short-term rentals (stays of less than 30 consecutive days) are strictly prohibited in all residential zones within the City of Manhattan Beach. This ban was upheld by the California Supreme Court and applies to both hosted and unhosted rentals.

Restriction Level

🚫

Prohibited

Score: 100 (lenient)

Why this classification:

•Residential STRs prohibited
•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 Manhattan Beach, you must ensure all guest stays are at least 30 consecutive days or longer. The city has a total ban on short-term rentals in residential areas, and there is no permit you can apply for to bypass this. Renting out your home for less than 30 days can result in significant fines starting at $1,000 per violation. While you may see listings online, the city actively enforces this ban and uses monitoring services to identify and penalize hosts.

At a Glance

Permit Required

Night Limit

None

Primary Residence

Not Required

Total Tax Rate

0.1%

7 Things Hosts Often Miss

1.STRs are 100% prohibited in residential zones (stays under 30 days).
2.Fines start at $1,000 per violation and can escalate to $5,000 plus criminal penalties.
3.The 30-day minimum stay rule applies regardless of whether the owner is present (no home-sharing exemption).
4.Neighbor reporting is the primary enforcement trigger for the Code Enforcement department.
5.Even if you pay Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT), it does not make the illegal rental legal.
6.Property owners near city boundaries (El Segundo or Hermosa Beach) should verify they are not in Manhattan Beach jurisdiction.
7.The city uses software to monitor platforms like Airbnb and VRBO for listings with 1-29 day availability.

Regulation Details

Eligibility(5)

•Manhattan Beach does NOT allow tenants to host STRs. Only property owners may operate short-term rentals.
•Manhattan Beach prohibits STRs in the following property types: All residential zones, Apartments, Condos, Single-family homes.
•Manhattan Beach: STRs are 100% prohibited in residential zones (stays under 30 days).

Requirements(14)

•Manhattan Beach STR warning: Neighbor reporting is the primary enforcement trigger for the Code Enforcement department.
•Manhattan Beach STR warning: STRs are 100% prohibited in residential zones (stays under 30 days).
•Manhattan Beach STR warning: The 30-day minimum stay rule applies regardless of whether the owner is present (no home-sharing exemption).

Application Process(4)

•STR regulations overview for Manhattan Beach: Short-term rentals (stays of less than 30 consecutive days) are strictly prohibited in all residential zones within the City of Manhattan Beach. This ban was upheld by the California Supreme Court and applies to both hosted and unhosted rentals.

Taxes(2)

•Manhattan Beach charges a Transient Occupancy Tax of 12%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Note: Since STRs are illegal, there is no official VDA for Airbnb/VRBO to collect tax for illegal residential rentals.
•Manhattan Beach: Even if you pay Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT), it does not make the illegal rental legal.

Limits & Restrictions(2)

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

Penalties(4)

•Manhattan Beach, CA: Serious or repeated STR violations can result in criminal charges, not just fines.

Exemptions(4)

•Manhattan Beach exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays.
•Manhattan 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

Manhattan 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(5)

Requirements(14)

Application Process(4)

Taxes(2)

Limits & Restrictions(2)

Penalties(4)

Exemptions(4)

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Anaheim

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Manhattan Beach

Gold Standard Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

7 Things Hosts Often Miss

Frequently Asked Questions

1Are short-term rentals allowed in Manhattan Beach?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Manhattan Beach?

3Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Manhattan Beach?

4Can renters host on Airbnb in Manhattan Beach?

5What happens if I operate an illegal STR in Manhattan Beach?

Related Content

Other California Markets

Los Angeles

Anaheim

Mammoth Lakes

Big Bear Lake