What is the TOT tax rate in Temecula?

**8% TOT** is the transient occupancy tax rate in the City of Temecula. Hosts are responsible for collecting this tax from guests. Always check your property tax bill to see if you pay taxes to the 'City of Temecula' or the 'County of Riverside' before listing your property. (51 words)

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

**No**, the City of Temecula does not issue permits for short-term rentals as they are not a permitted use in residential zones. Short-term rentals, defined as rentals less than 30 days, are strictly PROHIBITED within the city limits. Check your property tax bill to confirm jurisdiction. (50 words)

Can renters host on Airbnb in Temecula?

**No**, because short-term rentals are prohibited in the City of Temecula, renters are not allowed to host on Airbnb or other platforms. The city does not issue permits for rentals less than 30 days. Always check with the city planning department before listing. (47 words)

What happens if I operate an illegal STR in Temecula?

**Enforcement** will occur, due to the prohibition of short-term rentals in Temecula. The City of Temecula does not issue permits for short-term rentals in residential zones. Operating an illegal STR can result in fines and legal action. Always verify local regulations before listing. (44 words)

Temecula, CA Short-Term Rental Laws | Learn STR by GoStudioM

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Summary

Short-term rentals are strictly PROHIBITED in all residential zones within the City of Temecula incorporated limits. The City does not issue permits for rentals of less than 30 days, as they are not a permitted use under the City's permissive zoning code.

Restriction Level

🚫

Prohibited

Score: 100 (lenient)

Why this classification:

•Residential STRs prohibited
•Banned in all/most residential zones
•All residential property types prohibited
•Severe night cap: 0 nights/year
•Tenants cannot host
•No STR-specific permit required
•No primary residence requirement
•No STR-specific fee

In Plain English

To host an Airbnb in the City of Temecula, you must rent your property for at least 30 consecutive days. Short-term rentals (less than 30 days) are currently illegal in all residential areas of the city. If you are located in the unincorporated 'Wine Country' area, you are under Riverside County jurisdiction, which has different rules and does allow permits. Always check your property tax bill to see if you pay taxes to the 'City of Temecula' or the 'County of Riverside' before listing.

At a Glance

Permit Required

Night Limit

None

Primary Residence

Not Required

Total Tax Rate

0.1%

6 Things Hosts Often Miss

1.Short-term rentals (under 30 days) are completely banned in City residential zones.
2.Do not confuse 'City of Temecula' with 'Unincorporated Riverside County' (Wine Country); rules are opposite.
3.The City actively enforces this ban and issues citations to property owners listing on platforms like Airbnb.
4.Zoning Title 17 does not list 'Transient Habitation' as a permitted use in R-1, R-2, or R-3 zones.
5.Only hotels, motels, and approved Bed & Breakfasts in specific commercial/tourist zones are legal for short stays.
6.The 30-day minimum stay is strictly enforced; even a 29-day rental is considered a violation.

Regulation Details

Eligibility(3)

•Temecula: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
•Temecula does NOT allow tenants to host STRs. Only property owners may operate short-term rentals.
•Temecula prohibits STRs in the following property types: All residential dwellings, Single-family homes, Apartments, Condos, ADUs.

Requirements(15)

•Temecula: Zoning Title 17 does not list 'Transient Habitation' as a permitted use in R-1, R-2, or R-3 zones.
•Temecula: The 30-day minimum stay is strictly enforced; even a 29-day rental is considered a violation.
•Temecula STR warning: Zoning Title 17 does not list 'Transient Habitation' as a permitted use in R-1, R-2, or R-3 zones.

Application Process(3)

•Temecula STR permit - Step 1: Prohibition Acknowledgment. Acknowledge that short-term rentals (stays less than 30 days) are currently prohibited in all residential zones within the City of Temecula.

Taxes(1)

•Temecula charges a Transient Occupancy Tax of 0.08%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Note: While STRs are prohibited, the City has a mechanism for TOT collection from hotels/motels.

Limits & Restrictions(2)

•Temecula limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.
•Temecula enforces quiet hours: 10:00 PM - 7:00 AM (General City Ordinance).

Penalties(1)

•Temecula enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: Citation and fines. Daily fine: Varies per administrative citation schedule.

Exemptions(2)

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

Step-by-Step Application Guide

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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

Temecula

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Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

6 Things Hosts Often Miss

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Regulation Details

Eligibility(3)

Requirements(15)

Application Process(3)

Taxes(1)

Limits & Restrictions(2)

Penalties(1)

Exemptions(2)

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Step-by-Step Application Guide

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Other California Markets

Los Angeles

Anaheim

Mammoth Lakes

Big Bear Lake

Temecula

Gold Standard Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

6 Things Hosts Often Miss

Step-by-Step Application Guide

Upgrade to Pro

Frequently Asked Questions

1Are short-term rentals allowed in Temecula?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Temecula?

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

4Can renters host on Airbnb in Temecula?

5What happens if I operate an illegal STR in Temecula?

Related Content

Other California Markets

Los Angeles

Anaheim

Mammoth Lakes

Big Bear Lake