Primary-Residence-Only Rule: Anaheim vs Costa Mesa
How do primary-residence-only rule rules compare between Anaheim, CA and Costa Mesa, CA?
Costa Mesa has fewer restrictions than Anaheim.
Anaheim, CA
Orange County
Anaheim Municipal Code Chapter 4.05 effectively bans non-owner-occupied short-term rentals citywide. Commercial STRs were prohibited in 2016, leaving only limited home-sharing options where the host occupies the property.
View full Anaheim rules →Costa Mesa, CA
Orange County
Orange County's short-term rental ordinance (Zoning Code Section 7-9-93) for unincorporated areas does NOT require the home to be the owner's primary residence. Non-owner-occupied whole-home rentals are allowed with a permit. The only residency-style restriction is that Accessory Dwelling Units cannot be used as short-term rentals.
View full Costa Mesa rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Anaheim | Costa Mesa |
|---|---|---|
| Code | AMC Chapter 4.05 | - |
| Adopted | 2016 STR ban | - |
| Allowed | Owner-occupied only | - |
| New permits | Not issued | - |
| Enforcement | Code Enforcement + APD | - |
| Primary-residence rule | - | None in Sec. 7-9-93 (not required) |
| Whole-home, non-owner-occupied | - | Allowed with a permit |
| ADUs | - | Cannot be used as short-term rentals |
| Owner change | - | Terminates the permit |
| City rules differ | - | Some OC cities require owner-occupancy; County does not |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Anaheim FAQ
Can I list my Anaheim home on Airbnb if I move out?
No. Anaheim's STR ban prohibits non-owner-occupied vacation rentals citywide. The property must be your primary residence to qualify for any home-sharing exception.
Are existing STR permits grandfathered?
The 2016 ordinance phased out commercial STRs through amortization. New non-owner-occupied permits are no longer issued and most legacy operations have been wound down.
Costa Mesa FAQ
Does my home have to be my primary residence to short-term rent it in unincorporated Orange County?
No. Section 7-9-93 contains no primary-residence or owner-occupancy requirement. A non-owner-occupied whole-home rental is allowed as long as you hold a valid Short-Term Rental Permit.
Can I short-term rent my ADU instead of the main house?
No. The ordinance expressly states that Accessory Dwelling Units shall not be used as short-term rentals, even though the primary dwelling on the same lot may qualify for a permit.
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