Short-Term Rentals in Costa Mesa, CA (2026)
8 verified short-term rentals rules for Costa Mesa, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Permit Requirements
Costa Mesa prohibits all short-term rentals throughout the city under Ordinance 2021-17 (CMMC Chapter 13). Rentals under 30 days are banned with limited home-sharing exceptions. No STR permits or licenses are issued for residential properties.
Costa Mesa Short-Term Rental Ban
Heavy RestrictionsNoise Rules
Short-term rentals are prohibited citywide in Costa Mesa, so no STR-specific noise rules exist. The general noise control ordinance in CMMC Chapter XIII applies to all residential properties including those where illegal STR activity is suspected.
Costa Mesa STR Noise Rules (Banned Activity)
Heavy RestrictionsTaxes & Fees
Costa Mesa does not collect transient occupancy taxes from residential short-term rentals because the activity is prohibited citywide under Ordinance 2021-17. Only legally permitted lodging businesses collect TOT.
Costa Mesa STR Taxes (Not Applicable)
Heavy RestrictionsParking Rules
Costa Mesa has no STR-specific parking rules because short-term rentals are banned citywide under Ordinance 2021-17. Standard residential parking regulations apply to all properties.
Costa Mesa STR Parking (Not Applicable)
Heavy RestrictionsOccupancy Limits
Costa Mesa regulates short-term rental occupancy under its STR ordinance. Maximum occupancy is based on the number of bedrooms with a hard cap to prevent overcrowding, parties, and neighborhood disturbances in residential areas.
Costa Mesa Short-Term Rental Occupancy Limits
Heavy RestrictionsInsurance Requirements
Costa Mesa requires short-term rental hosts to maintain liability insurance coverage as a condition of their STR permit. Most platforms like Airbnb provide supplemental coverage, but hosts should verify their own homeowner's policy covers rental activity.
Costa Mesa STR Insurance Requirements
Some RestrictionsNight Caps
Costa Mesa may impose annual night caps or rental frequency limits on short-term rental properties as conditions of STR permits, particularly in residential neighborhoods where STR activity is closely monitored.
Costa Mesa Short-Term Rental Night Limits
Some RestrictionsRegistration Rules
Costa Mesa completely BANS short-term rentals under Ordinance 2021-17 adopted November 2, 2021. Renting any residential property for less than 31 days is prohibited citywide. Home sharing as defined by the city is the only exemption. ADUs cannot be used as STRs.
Costa Mesa Short-Term Rental Ban
Heavy RestrictionsLooking for Orange County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Costa Mesa city rules.
Short-Term Rentals in Orange County →