Are short-term rentals allowed in Santa Monica?

**No**, vacation rentals of entire homes are strictly prohibited in Santa Monica. Only home-sharing, where the host stays on-site in the same unit as the guest during the rental period, is permitted for stays less than 31 days. Be sure to comply with all rules. (53 words)

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

**Yes**, Santa Monica requires a Home-Sharing Permit for rentals less than 31 days where the host remains on-site. You need to apply for this permit through the city, which requires that the property be your primary residence. Operating without a valid permit will result in penalties. (52 words)

How much does an STR permit cost in Santa Monica?

**$100** is the fee for the Home-Sharing Permit in Santa Monica. This permit is required for any short-term rental where the host is present on-site. Ensure you factor this cost into your rental pricing and budget accordingly when planning to host in the city. (51 words)

What is the TOT tax rate in Santa Monica?

**14% TOT** is the current transient occupancy tax rate applicable to home-sharing rentals in Santa Monica. You are responsible for collecting this tax from your guests and remitting it to the city. Check with the Santa Monica finance department for specific instructions on how to remain compliant. (52 words)

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

**Yes**, Santa Monica requires that the rental property be your primary residence to operate a legal home-sharing business. This means you must live in the property for more than six months of the year. Vacation rentals of entire homes are prohibited. Make sure to comply. (51 words)

Santa Monica

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 of an entire home (Vacation Rentals) are strictly PROHIBITED in Santa Monica. Only 'Home-Sharing'—where the host stays on-site in the same unit as the guest—is permitted for stays under 31 days.

Restriction Level

🚫

Prohibited

Score: 100 (lenient)

Why this classification:

•Primary residence required
•Host presence required (hosted-only)
•Limited to 1 property per owner
•Permit required
•Reporting required
•No night cap
•Tenants can host

In Plain English

In Santa Monica, you can only rent out a room (or rooms) in your home if it's your primary residence, and you are living there during the guest's stay. These rentals can't be longer than 30 days. You can't rent out your entire home if you're not living there; that's against the rules.

At a Glance

Permit Required

Yes

Night Limit

None

Primary Residence

Required

Total Tax Rate

0.1%

Permit Fee

$100

Processing Time

2-4 weeks

Regulation Details

Eligibility(15)

•Santa Monica prohibits STRs in the following property types: ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units) built after 2017, Rent-controlled units (highly restricted), Affordable housing units.
•Santa Monica, CA: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.

Requirements(21)

•Common mistakes and gotchas for STR hosts in Santa Monica: 1. UNHOSTED RENTALS ARE BANNED: You cannot rent an entire home while you are away. 2. 275-DAY RULE: The property must be your primary residence for 275+ days/year. 3. GUEST LIMIT: You are legally restricted to a maximum of 2 guests at a time. 4. ADU RESTRICTIONS: Most Accessory Dwelling Units cannot be used for short-term rentals. 5. RSO UNITS: Rent-controlled units have extreme restrictions and usually prohibit STRs. 6. NEIGHBOR NOTICE: You must notify your neighbors that you are operating a home-share. 7. TAX REMITTANCE: You must file monthly TOT reports even if the platform collects the tax.

Application Process(8)

•STR regulations overview for Santa Monica: Short-term rentals of an entire home (Vacation Rentals) are strictly PROHIBITED in Santa Monica. Only 'Home-Sharing'—where the host stays on-site in the same unit as the guest—is permitted for stays under 31 days.

Fees & Costs(1)

•Santa Monica charges a registration fee of $100 (annual).

Taxes(2)

•Santa Monica: TAX REMITTANCE: You must file monthly TOT reports even if the platform collects the tax.
•Santa Monica charges a Transient Occupancy Tax of 14%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb and VRBO remit the base 14% TOT directly to the city.

Limits & Restrictions(8)

•Santa Monica enforces quiet hours: 10:00 PM - 7:00 AM.
•Santa Monica limits STRs to a maximum of 2 guests. Formula: Limited to two (2) guests total per stay.
•Santa Monica: Each person can only register ONE property for short-term rental. You cannot legally operate multiple STRs.

Safety Requirements(1)

•Santa Monica requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Notice to neighbors required, Proof of liability insurance.

Penalties(7)

•Santa Monica: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.
•Santa Monica, CA: Operating an STR in a rent-controlled unit can result in permit denial and fines. STRs in rent-controlled units are generally prohibited if they violate the rent control lease terms or exceed allowable rent.

Exemptions(3)

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

Santa Monica

Gold Standard Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

Regulation Details

Eligibility(15)

Requirements(21)

Application Process(8)

Fees & Costs(1)

Taxes(2)

Limits & Restrictions(8)

Safety Requirements(1)

Penalties(7)

Exemptions(3)

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Santa Monica

Gold Standard Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

Frequently Asked Questions

1Are short-term rentals allowed in Santa Monica?

2Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Santa Monica?

3How much does an STR permit cost in Santa Monica?

4What is the TOT tax rate in Santa Monica?

5Do I need to live in my property to rent it on Airbnb in Santa Monica?

Related Content

Other California Markets

Los Angeles

Anaheim

Mammoth Lakes

Big Bear Lake