Project Name: Short-Term Rentals
Applicant: City of Huntington Beach
Location: Citywide
Project Summary
Short-term rentals have become very popular in the last few years. Short-term rentals are defined as a residential unit rented for a term of thirty (30) or fewer consecutive nights. On December 21, 2020, the Huntington Beach City Council voted to approve Ordinance No. 4224 amending the Huntington Beach Municipal Code (HBMC) by adding Chapter 5.120 Short-Term Rentals (STRs).
Final approval of Ordinance No. 4224 (Short-Term Rentals) was on January 19, 2021. The Ordinance was effective on February 19, 2021. The STR Permit fee resolution was adopted on March 1, 2021.
Short-Term Rental Regulations:
- City is divided into two zones: Zone 1 – properties within the City, excluding Sunset Beach; Zone 2 – properties within Sunset Beach
- Hosted/owner-occupied STRs are allowed in Huntington Beach (Zone 1) and Sunset Beach (Zone 2)
- Un-hosted/owner un-occupied STRs are allowed in Sunset Beach (Zone 2) only if a permit is applied for within 6 months of the effective date of the fee resolution
- A valid, non-transferrable annual City of Huntington Beach Short-Term Rental Permit is required to operate a STR
- All existing, unpermitted STRs must have a valid, non-transferrable annual STR Permit within 6 months of effective date of fee resolution
- One STR per property (SFR, duplex, triplex, rental properties of any size)
- Up to 3 STRs per property (on ownership properties with 4 or more units, i.e. condominiums and townhomes if allowed by CC&Rs)
- STR as a legally permitted dwelling unit (ADUs or junior ADUs if unit legally established prior to effective date of the Ordinance)
- A Local Contact Person must be available 24 hours/day, 7 days/week to respond within 1 hour to complaints and take action to resolve complaints
- STRs must comply with the Noise Ordinance
- No events (commercial parties, weddings, fundraisers, or conferences) are allowed
- All Transient Occupancy Taxes (TOT) for STRs shall be collected and paid to the City
- $624 application fee for initial two years
- $324 application renewal fee annually
Enforcement:
- Local Contact Person to respond to complaints within one hour after the complaint is received
- $1,000 fine each day for each violation of any provision
- 3 violations against a STR Host/Operator within a 12-month period shall result in revocation of STR Permit
- All marketing/advertisement must have City-issued STR permit number
- STR properties must be properly maintained with no code violations
How to Report Violations to Code Enforcement:
For more information, please follow the link below:
https://www.huntingtonbeachca.gov/government/departments/planning/short-term-rentals-in-hb.cfm
Project Status: Planning
Project Planner: Tess Nguyen
Last Updated: May 22, 2023
Attachments:
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