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

**Yes**, Pasadena requires a Short-Term Rental Permit to operate legally. You need to apply for this permit through the city and comply with all regulations, including primary residency and TOT requirements. Operating without a valid permit can result in fines and penalties. You must have a permit.

What is the TOT tax rate in Pasadena, CA?

**0.1211%** is the Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) rate for short-term rentals in Pasadena. You need to collect this tax from your guests and remit it to the city on a regular basis. This tax applies to all rentals shorter than 30 days, so make sure you comply.

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

**Yes**, you need to live in your property to rent it on Airbnb in Pasadena. The city only allows 'Home-Sharing,' meaning the host must reside on-site during the rental period. This requirement ensures that short-term rentals do not negatively impact residential neighborhoods. Primary residency is required.

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

**90 nights per year** is the limit for unhosted short-term rentals in Pasadena. If you are hosting and present on-site, there is no annual night limit. Pasadena aims to strike a balance between allowing homeowners to earn income and preserving the residential character of neighborhoods.

Pasadena, CA Short-Term Rental Laws...

Q: Are short-term rentals allowed in Pasadena?

**Yes**, short-term rentals are allowed in Pasadena, but with restrictions. Pasadena exclusively allows 'Home-Sharing' in the host's primary residence. Unhosted rentals are capped at 90 days per year, while hosted rentals (where the host is on-site) have no annual night limit. Make sure you follow rules.

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Summary

Pasadena requires all short-term rental hosts to obtain a permit and exclusively allows 'Home-Sharing' in the host's primary residence. Unhosted rentals are capped at 90 days per year, while hosted rentals (where the host is on-site) have no annual night limit.

Restriction Level

🚫

Prohibited

Score: 100 (lenient)

Why this classification:

•Primary residence required
•Owner-occupied required
•Moderate night cap: 90 nights/year
•Limited to 1 property per owner
•Tenants cannot host
•Permit required
•Reporting required
•No STR-specific fee

In Plain English

To host an Airbnb in Pasadena, you must actually live in the home you are renting for at least nine months of the year. You can rent out your whole home for up to 90 days a year while you are away, or rent out a room indefinitely if you are staying in the house at the same time. Renting out second homes, investment properties, or apartments is strictly forbidden. You must apply for a permit (which is currently free) and include your permit number on your listing.

At a Glance

Permit Required

Yes

Night Limit

90/year

Primary Residence

Required

Total Tax Rate

0.1%

Permit Fee

Processing Time

2-4 weeks

7 Things Hosts Often Miss

1.Primary residency is strictly enforced; you must reside there 274 days a year.
2.Unhosted rentals (renting the whole house while away) are capped at 90 days annually.
3.ADUs (guest houses/backhouses) built after 2017 cannot be used for short-term rentals.
4.Apartments and multi-family buildings are generally prohibited from the STR program.
5.You must list your permit number on the very first line of your Airbnb/VRBO description.
6.Fines for operating without a permit start at $500 per day.
7.The TOT rate is an unusual 12.11%—ensure your platform is collecting the full amount.

Regulation Details

Eligibility(14)

•Pasadena, CA: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
•Pasadena, CA: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
•Pasadena, CA: Properties with affordable housing restrictions or subsidies cannot be used for short-term rentals.

Requirements(20)

•Pasadena, CA: You must live at the property for at least 9 months per year to qualify as primary residence.
•Pasadena, CA: You must display your permit/registration number on your listing. Platforms may remove non-compliant listings.
•Pasadena: You must live at the property for at least 9 months per year to qualify as primary residence.

Application Process(11)

•Pasadena, CA: To apply for an STR permit, you'll need: Proof of Primary Residency, Homeowner's Exemption documentation, Liability Insurance certificate, Signed Host Agreement.
•Pasadena STR permit - Step 4: Await Approval and Post Permit. Once approved, you must display your permit number in the first line of any listing on Airbnb/VRBO. Time: 14-28 days.

Taxes(2)

•Pasadena: The TOT rate is an unusual 12.11%—ensure your platform is collecting the full amount.
•Pasadena charges a Transient Occupancy Tax of 0.1211%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb and VRBO remit the base TOT, but hosts must still file quarterly reports to verify the TBID/Tourism fees if applicable.

Limits & Restrictions(9)

•Pasadena enforces quiet hours: 10:00 PM - 7:00 AM.
•Pasadena, CA occupancy calculation: 2 guests plus the host's family, or 2 guests per bedroom + 2 additional (total max 10). Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.

Safety Requirements(1)

•Pasadena requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, First aid kit, Emergency exit map.

Penalties(8)

•Pasadena, CA: Operating an STR in a rent-controlled unit can result in permit denial and fines. Multi-family buildings are generally prohibited from STR use unless specifically designated.
•Pasadena, CA: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.

Exemptions(5)

•Pasadena, CA: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
•Pasadena, CA: If you are present during the guest's stay (hosted rental), night caps may not apply to you.
•Pasadena exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays.

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

Pasadena

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Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

7 Things Hosts Often Miss

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Regulation Details

Eligibility(14)

Requirements(20)

Application Process(11)

Taxes(2)

Limits & Restrictions(9)

Safety Requirements(1)

Penalties(8)

Exemptions(5)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Related Content

Other California Markets

Los Angeles

Anaheim

Mammoth Lakes

Big Bear Lake

Pasadena

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 Pasadena?

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

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Pasadena?

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

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

Related Content

Other California Markets

Los Angeles

Anaheim

Mammoth Lakes

Big Bear Lake