Short-Term Rentals in Long Beach, CA: What Residents Actually Need to Know

If you live in Long Beach or are thinking about moving there, short-term rentals are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Long Beach has 13 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of short-term rentals, and some of them might surprise you.

Repeat Violator Strikes

Long Beach can suspend or revoke a short-term rental registration after repeated verified violations, applying a strike system tied to noise, occupancy, parking, and nuisance complaints documented under LBMC Chapter 5.65.

Key details: Window: 12-month rolling. Trigger: Verified violation strikes. Outcome: Suspension or revocation. Appeal: Administrative hearing.

Operating after revocation, or accruing repeated verified strikes, may trigger escalating administrative penalties, listing takedown demands sent to platforms, and permanent bans from re-registering at the property.

Compared to other cities, Long Beach takes a harder line on repeat violator strikes. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Primary-Residence-Only Rule

Long Beach STR Ordinance limits un-hosted whole-home short-term rentals to a host's bona fide primary residence under LBMC Title 5 Chapter 5.65, with non-primary STRs barred citywide outside narrow legacy exceptions.

Key details: Code: LBMC 5.65. Residency threshold: 9 months/year minimum. Cap per host: One primary STR. Proof: Utility, ID, voter records.

Operating an un-hosted STR at a non-primary address may trigger registration revocation, daily administrative fines, and loss of platform listings under LBMC 5.65 enforcement provisions.

This is one of the stricter rules in Long Beach's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Host Presence Rule

Long Beach distinguishes hosted STRs, where the host sleeps onsite during guest stays, from un-hosted whole-home rentals, applying different rules, caps, and neighborhood petition rights to each category under LBMC 5.65.

Key details: Hosted definition: Host sleeps onsite. Un-hosted: Whole home, no host. Cap difference: Un-hosted limited only. Petition exemption: Hosted not blockable.

Misrepresenting an un-hosted rental as hosted, or operating without onsite presence after declaring hosted status, may revoke registration and trigger fines plus back-tax assessment under LBMC 5.65.

Host Platform Liability

Booking platforms operating in Long Beach must require hosts to display a city registration number, may be asked to remove non-compliant listings, and share data supporting transient occupancy tax collection under LBMC Chapter 5.65.

Key details: Display rule: Registration number required. Takedown: On city notice. Tax collection: Platform remits TOT. Primary liability: Host remains responsible.

Platforms ignoring removal notices, or hosts publishing on platforms that bypass registration checks, may face listing takedowns, administrative fines, and loss of TOT pass-through privileges under LBMC 5.65.

Stays of 31 or more consecutive nights fall outside Long Beach STR rules and statewide TOT, operating instead as residential tenancies subject to landlord-tenant law including AB 1482 once the tenant accrues sufficient occupancy.

Key details: STR threshold: Under 31 nights. Long stay: 31+ nights = tenancy. AB 1482: After 12 months. TOT: Not collected.

Treating a long-term tenant as a transient guest, attempting summary lockouts, or skipping AB 1482 disclosures may trigger wrongful eviction claims, statutory damages, and Long Beach Tenant Helpline complaints.

Long Beach is more permissive than most cities when it comes to extended home share. That said, there are still limits.

Registration Rules

STR registration required under LBMC Chapter 5.77. Primary Residence ($400/yr) or Non-Primary Residence registration (limited to 800 citywide). Operator and property owner jointly responsible.

Key details: Code: LBMC §5.77. Annual Fee: $400. Primary Residence: Unhosted max 90 days/yr; hosted unlimited. Non-Primary Cap: 800 permits citywide. Contact Requirement: 24/7 local contact, 1-hr response.

Repeated violations treated as nuisance. 24/7 complaint hotline: (562) 568-8665.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Long Beach actively enforces its registration rules requirements.

Taxes & Fees

Long Beach imposes a 13% Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) on STR stays of 30 nights or less. Hosts must collect and remit monthly.

Key details: TOT Rate: 13%. Applies To: Stays ≤30 nights. Remittance: Monthly to city Finance Dept. Platforms: Airbnb remits on host's behalf.

Failure to collect or remit TOT may result in penalties and interest. Unpaid penalties can be added to the property owner's property tax bill. Operating an STR without registration can result in enforcement action including fines under both state and municipal guidelines.

Permit Requirements

Short-term rentals in Long Beach require a business license and compliance with local TOT requirements. The city imposes a Transient Occupancy Tax on stays under 30 days. Operators must register and remit taxes.

Key details: Business License: Required. TOT: Transient Occupancy Tax applies. Stay Threshold: Under 30 days. Registration: Required with city.

Repeated violations treated as nuisance. 24/7 complaint hotline: (562) 568-8665.

Insurance Requirements

Short-term rental operators in Long Beach should carry liability insurance as a best practice. Platform providers like Airbnb offer host protection insurance. The city's STR regulations address operator responsibilities.

Key details: Liability Insurance: Recommended. Platform Coverage: Airbnb/VRBO offer host insurance. Local Requirement: Check current STR regulations. State Law: No statewide STR insurance mandate.

Operating without required insurance may result in permit denial or revocation. Hosts may face personal liability for uninsured claims.

Noise Rules

STR guests in Long Beach must comply with the city's noise ordinance LBMC Ch. 8.80. Quiet hours and construction hour restrictions apply. STR operators are responsible for ensuring guest compliance with local noise standards.

Key details: Noise Code: LBMC Ch. 8.80 applies. Operator Responsibility: Must inform guests. Complaints: Report to Health Dept or LBPD. Penalties: Noise violations + possible STR consequences.

The operator and property owner are jointly liable. Three violations automatically prevent annual STR registration renewal. Nuisance complaints can be filed 24/7 at (562) 568-8665. General noise violations carry fines up to $500 per LBMC 8.80.

Night Caps

Long Beach caps un-hosted primary residence STRs at 90 nights per registration year under LBMC Chapter 5.77. Hosted primary residence and non-primary residence STRs have no annual night cap. The city limits non-primary residence registrations to 800 citywide, with 350 in the coastal zone.

Key details: Un-hosted Cap: 90 nights/year (primary). Hosted Cap: No annual limit. Max Occupancy: 2/bedroom + 2, max 8. Citywide STR Cap: 800 non-primary. Code: LBMC Ch. 5.77.

Operating without registration: fines up to $1,000 per violation. TOT late payment: 25% penalty after one month, 50% after two months. Registration may be revoked for repeated violations.

Parking Rules

STR guests in Long Beach must comply with local parking regulations. Street parking is subject to posted restrictions and the 72-hour rule. Operators should provide parking information to guests.

Key details: Street Parking: Subject to local restrictions. 72-Hour Rule: CVC §22651 applies. Operator Duty: Inform guests of parking rules. Beach Areas: Limited/metered parking.

Parking violations are enforced through standard City parking enforcement. Parking tickets for exceeding the 72-hour limit or violating posted restrictions are $69. Nuisance violations related to parking at STR properties count toward the three-strike system for registration renewal.

Occupancy Limits

Short-term rentals in Long Beach are subject to occupancy limits based on the number of bedrooms and dwelling size. Operators must comply with building and fire code occupancy standards. Overcrowding is a code violation.

Key details: Basis: Bedroom count and dwelling size. Fire Code: Must comply with occupancy limits. Enforcement: Code Enforcement. Overcrowding: Code violation.

First offense: warning. Repeated overcrowding: fines of $250 to $1,000. Permit suspension or revocation for chronic violations.

The Bottom Line

Long Beach is tougher than many cities when it comes to short-term rentals. Out of the 13 rules covered here, 3 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Long Beach, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

This guide is based on Long Beach's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.