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Short-Term Rentals in Huntington Beach

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.

All Short-Term Rentals must have a valid City Permit by December 31, 2021, or all online advertisements will be removed by platforms (AirBnB, VRBO, etc.).

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) who obtain a permit by March 1, 2022 
• A valid, non-transferrable annual City of Huntington Beach Short-Term Rental Permit is required to operate a STR
• 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) (10%) and Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID) assessments (4%) 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

Issued Short-Term Rental Permits

How to Report Violations to Code Enforcement:

• Download the free “MyHB” application on iPhone or Android devices
• Online Complaint Form
• Email – [email protected]
• Phone – (714) 375-5155

Below are links to the application, frequently asked questions, and additional information regarding short-term rentals: 

• Application - Hosted Short-Term Rentals
• Application - Hosted Short-Term Rentals Renewal
• Application - Unhosted Short-Term Rental Renewal
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Property Inspection Certification Form
• Code Enforcement Inspection Checklist
• Neighborhood Notice
• Exterior STR Sign Template
• STR Enforcement
• STR Host or Operator Requirements
• STR Hosting Platform Responsibilities
• STR Permit Conditions
• STR Permit Eligibility Requirements
• STR Regulations
• STR Required Permit
• STR Business License and TOT Information
• Business License Application
• TOT and TBID Reporting Due using the link below

STR operators must remit their TOT and TBID via https://huntingtonbeach.munirevs.com/ for rentals each quarter.  If there is no rental activity, STR operators must still remit $0 return by the DUE DATE identified below in order to avoid fees.  

Quarter 1 covers rentals between January 1st thru March 31st - TOT and TBID due last City business day in April.

Quarter 2 covers rentals between April 1st thru June 30th - TOT and TBID due last City business day in July.

Quarter 3 covers rentals between July 1st thru September 30th - TOT and TBID due last City business day in October.

Quarter 4 covers rentals between October 1st thru December 31st - TOT and TBID due last City business day in January. 

For more information, please contact the Planning and Zoning counter at (714) 536-5271 or email [email protected] 

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Contact Information

City of Huntington Beach
Planning Division
2000 Main Street
Huntington Beach, CA
Phone: (714) 536-5271
Fax: (714) 374-1648
Email: