Taxes & Fees: Altadena vs South Gate
How do taxes & fees rules compare between Altadena, CA and South Gate, CA?
South Gate has fewer restrictions than Altadena.
Altadena, CA
Los Angeles County
STR hosts in Altadena must collect and remit a 12% Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) under LA County Code Chapter 4.72, plus pay the $914 annual registration fee under Section 7.96.040.
View full Altadena rules →South Gate, CA
Los Angeles County
South Gate permits short-term rentals of single-family residences subject to operating standards adopted by City Council Ordinance No. 2021-01-CC. Operators must obtain (1) a South Gate business license under South Gate Municipal Code Chapter 2.08 (Business License Tax) and (2) a Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) certificate, with the city imposing a 10% TOT on the rental amount for any stay of less than 31 days, consistent with the city's TOT authority under Cal. Rev. & Tax. Code §7280.
View full South Gate rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Altadena | South Gate |
|---|---|---|
| TOT Rate | 12% | - |
| TOT Code Section | LA County Code Ch. 4.72 | - |
| Registration Fee | $914/year | - |
| Filing Deadline | Within 30 days of stay | - |
| Governing ordinance | - | South Gate Ordinance No. 2021-01-CC (STR operating standards) |
| TOT rate | - | 10% on stays of less than 31 days |
| Business license | - | Required under SGMC Chapter 2.08 (Business License Tax) |
| TOT certificate | - | Required before listing; issued by South Gate Finance Department |
| State authority | - | Cal. Rev. & Tax. Code §7280 (TOT enabling) |
| Long-stay exemption | - | 31+ consecutive days exempt (Cal. Civ. Code §1940(b)) |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Altadena FAQ
What's the Altadena bed tax?
LA County charges a 12% Transient Occupancy Tax under Chapter 4.72 on STR stays of 30 days or less.
Who pays the TOT?
The Host is ultimately responsible per Section 7.96.070.E even if Airbnb or another platform does not collect it for you.
South Gate FAQ
What tax do South Gate STR hosts pay?
A 10% Transient Occupancy Tax on the rental amount for any stay of less than 31 days, in addition to a city business license under SGMC Chapter 2.08.
Do I need both a business license and a TOT certificate?
Yes. Under Ordinance No. 2021-01-CC, STR operators must hold a South Gate business license (SGMC Chapter 2.08) and a separate TOT certificate from the Finance Department before renting.
What about long-term stays?
Stays of 31 consecutive days or more are not 'transient' under Cal. Civ. Code §1940(b) and Cal. Rev. & Tax. Code §7280, so no TOT applies.
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