Short-Term Rentals in Lake Elsinore, CA (2026)
6 verified short-term rentals rules for Lake Elsinore, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Short-Term Rental Permits
Operating a short-term rental in the City of Lake Elsinore requires a City-issued short-term rental business license under LEMC § 5.86.030 before any advertising or renting occurs. Rentals are allowed in residential zones but never in an ADU or an exterior structure.
Lake Elsinore Short-Term Rental Business License
Significant RestrictionsLake Elsinore Municipal Code § 5.86.030
It shall be unlawful to own, establish, operate, or permit the establishment of a short-term rental within the City, other than as permitted by this chapter. Before owning, establishing, operating, or permitting the establishment of a short-term rental within the City, the owner shall obtain a short-term rental business license from the City under the terms and conditions stated in this chapter...
Noise Rules
Lake Elsinore short-term rental guests cannot be outdoors or run amplified sound audible from outside between 10:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. under LEMC § 5.86.090(P) and (Q), and the owner must act within 60 minutes to stop any disturbance guests cause.
Lake Elsinore Short-Term Rental Quiet Hours
Significant RestrictionsLake Elsinore Municipal Code § 5.86.090(P), (Q)
P. Guests shall not engage in outdoor activities on a short-term rental between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. All activities at a short-term rental between 10:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. shall be conducted inside of a short-term rental so that no outdoor activity will disturb the peace of the neighborhood adjacent to a short-term rental or cause discomfort or annoyance to any reasonable perso...
Taxes & Fees
A Lake Elsinore short-term rental is treated as a 'hotel' for tax purposes: owners must register for a transient occupancy tax certificate and collect and remit the tax set by City Council resolution on every stay under 30 days, per LEMC §§ 5.86.040 and 3.32.030.
Lake Elsinore Short-Term Rental Occupancy Tax
Some RestrictionsLake Elsinore Municipal Code §§ 5.86.040, 3.32.030, 3.32.080
"Short-term rental" means a privately owned residential dwelling ... rented for occupancy for dwelling, lodging or sleeping purposes for any period less than 30 consecutive days. A short-term rental is a "hotel" for purposes of Chapter 3.32 LEMC. ... B. Each person operating a short-term rental shall comply with the transient occupancy tax requirements stated in Chapter 3.32 LEMC and shall obta...
Short-Term Rental Parking Rules
Guests at a Lake Elsinore short-term rental must park only in the property's driveway or garage, never on landscaping, sidewalks or the street, and every licensed rental must provide at least two off-street parking spaces under LEMC § 5.86.090(M).
Lake Elsinore Short-Term Rental Parking Rules
Some RestrictionsLake Elsinore Municipal Code § 5.86.090(M)
M. All vehicles of guests of a short-term rental single-family house or condominium shall be parked only in an approved driveway or garage on the short-term rental single-family house or condominium. The maximum number of vehicles allowed for a short-term rental single-family house or condominium shall be limited to the number of available off-street parking spaces; however, any short-term rent...
Occupancy Limits
Lake Elsinore caps overnight guests at a short-term rental by bedroom count, from 2 guests for a studio up to 12 for a five-bedroom home, under LEMC § 5.86.090(L); no rental may exceed 12 guests regardless of size unless the Director approves more.
Lake Elsinore Short-Term Rental Occupancy Caps
Some RestrictionsLake Elsinore Municipal Code § 5.86.090(L)
L. Occupancy Limits. 1. The owner shall limit the occupancy of a short-term rental to a specific number of guests. The following table sets forth the maximum number of guests for all short-term rentals: Number of Bedrooms Total Guests 0-Studio 2 1 4 2 6 3 8 4 10 5 12 2. For any dwelling having more than five bedrooms, the maximum number of guests shall not exceed 12 persons. If the short-term r...
Repeat Violator Strikes
Lake Elsinore fines a short-term rental up to $1,500 for a first infraction violation, $3,000 for a second within one year, and $5,000 for each additional violation in that year under LEMC § 5.86.140, and the Director can suspend or revoke the license on top of the fines.
Lake Elsinore STR Repeat Violation Fines
Significant RestrictionsLake Elsinore Municipal Code § 5.86.140(A)
A. Any violation of any provisions of this chapter, at the discretion of the City Attorney or City Prosecutor, is punishable as a misdemeanor or an infraction in accordance with Chapter 1.16 LEMC, or is subject to administrative citation, at the discretion of the City, in accordance with Chapter 1.20 LEMC. Notwithstanding Chapter 1.16 LEMC, a violation of this chapter that is an infraction, and...
Looking for Riverside County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Lake Elsinore city rules.
Short-Term Rentals in Riverside County →