Buena Park, CA Accessory Structures: ADU Rental Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Minimum rental term
- 30 days
- Short-term rentals
- prohibited in ADUs
- Section
- § 19.348.010(C)(18)
- Applies to
- ADUs and junior ADUs
Summary
Buena Park bars short-term rental of accessory dwelling units outright: BPMC § 19.348.010(C)(18) sets a 30-day minimum rental term for every ADU and junior ADU in the city.
Short-Term Rental Prohibited. The minimum rental term of the accessory dwelling unit shall be no less than 30 days.
19. Demolished or Destroyed. If the accessory dwelling unit is demolished or destroyed, or if the accessory dwelling unit is modified such that it no longer complies with this section, the property owner shall return the lot and all improvements into a condition that complies fully with applicable land use and building standards set forth in this Code. The property owner shall apply for any and all permits necessary to complete the scope of work, as required under the City's building and fire codes.
20. Specific Junior Accessory Dwelling Units Requirements. Notwithstanding anything contrary in this section, the requirements and standards of this subsection shall apply specifically to junior accessory dwelling units.
a. The owner of the single-family lot shall occupy the single-family dwelling, any accessory dwelling unit that may exist on the lot in compliance with this section, or the junior accessory dwelling unit as their principal place of residence.
b. As a condition to obtaining a building permit for a junior accessory dwelling unit, the property owner shall file with the County Recorder a declaration or agreement to restrictions, containing a reference to the deed under which the property was acquired by the owner and stating that:
(i) The junior accessory dwelling unit cannot be sold separately from the primary residence; and
(ii)
Full Breakdown
Under BPMC § 19.348.010(C)(18), any accessory dwelling unit (ADU) or junior ADU built in Buena Park cannot be rented for a term under 30 days: vacation or short-term rental use of an ADU is prohibited outright. The rule sits inside the city's ADU ordinance, which the code itself says implements state ADU law (Cal. Gov. Code §§ 66314-66339). Junior ADUs carry an added layer: the property owner must record a deed restriction confirming the 30-day floor and an owner-occupancy requirement (§ 19.348.010(C)(20)). Because ADUs can never operate as short-term rentals, a separate provision also voids any city short-term rental permit once an ADU is approved on that property (§ 19.348.080(F)(10)).
Violations & Fines
Renting an ADU short-term violates § 19.348.010; code enforcement can order compliance, and BPMC violations are misdemeanors punishable by up to $1,000 and/or 6 months in jail under § 1.04.010, with each day a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I list my Buena Park ADU on Airbnb?
Does building an ADU affect an existing STR permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Buena Park
California rules heatmap·Compare Buena Park to another location·View the California accessory structures overview
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