Short-Term Rentals in Santa Monica, CA (2026)
8 verified short-term rentals rules for Santa Monica, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Permit Requirements
Santa Monica strictly regulates short-term rentals. A business license and compliance with the city's home-sharing ordinance is required. The city imposes a Transient Occupancy Tax on stays under 30 days. Only home-sharing (host present) is permitted for most units.
Santa Monica Short-Term Rental Permit Requirements
Heavy RestrictionsNoise Rules
STR guests in Santa Monica must comply with the noise ordinance SMMC Ch. 4.12. Amplified music and outdoor activities near residential zones are restricted between 11 PM and 6 AM. Operators are responsible for guest behavior.
Santa Monica Short-Term Rental Noise Rules
Heavy RestrictionsTaxes & Fees
Santa Monica imposes a 17% Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) on home-sharing rentals, effective March 2023. Hosts must also obtain a business license (Tax Rate Group III: $75 base on first $60,000, plus 0.3% above). Airbnb pays the City $2 per night booked under a settlement agreement.
Santa Monica Home-Sharing Taxes & Fees
Heavy RestrictionsParking Rules
STR guests in Santa Monica must comply with local parking regulations including permit parking districts and overnight restrictions. Beach-area parking is limited and metered. Operators should inform guests of parking options.
Santa Monica Short-Term Rental Parking Rules
Some RestrictionsCalifornia Vehicle Code Section 22651 (Authority to Remove Parked Vehicles)
22651. A peace officer, as defined in Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 830) of Title 3 of Part 2 of the Penal Code, or a regularly employed and salaried employee who is engaged in directing traffic or enforcing parking laws and regulations of a city, county, or jurisdiction of a state agency in which a vehicle is located may remove a vehicle located within the territorial limits in which th...
Occupancy Limits
Santa Monica STRs are subject to occupancy limits based on the number of bedrooms and building/fire code standards. Overcrowding is a code violation. Operators must ensure guest count complies with local regulations.
Santa Monica Short-Term Rental Occupancy Limits
Some RestrictionsCalifornia Health and Safety Code Section 17920.3 (Substandard Building Conditions - Room and Occupancy Standards)
17920.3. Any building or portion thereof, regardless of zoning designation or approved uses of the building, including any dwelling unit, guestroom or suite of rooms, or the premises on which the same is located, in which there exists any of the following listed conditions to an extent that endangers the life, limb, health, property, safety, or welfare of the occupants of the building, nearby r...
Insurance Requirements
STR operators in Santa Monica should carry liability insurance. Platform providers offer host protection insurance. Santa Monica's strict STR regulations may include insurance as part of the operating requirements.
Santa Monica Short-Term Rental Insurance Rules
Some RestrictionsNight Caps
Santa Monica does not impose an annual night cap on hosted home-sharing, but requires the host to be on-site for every night of every stay. Hosts may not book more than two groups of visitors for any given date. Vacation rentals (unhosted) are completely prohibited regardless of duration.
Santa Monica Home-Sharing Night & Occupancy Limits
Heavy RestrictionsRegistration Rules
Santa Monica has one of the strictest short-term rental laws in the nation. Chapter 6.20 (adopted May 2015) prohibits vacation rentals and allows only hosted home-sharing with mandatory registration, a business license, and TOT collection. Only primary residents may home-share while living on-site.
Santa Monica Home-Sharing Ordinance & Registration
Heavy RestrictionsLooking for Los Angeles County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Santa Monica city rules.
Short-Term Rentals in Los Angeles County →