Anaheim vs Huntington Beach
How do primary-residence-only rule rules compare between Anaheim, CA and Huntington Beach, CA?
Huntington Beach 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 →Huntington Beach, CA
Orange County
Unincorporated Orange County does not restrict short-term rentals to a host's primary residence. Investors may operate non-owner-occupied STRs in permitted zones, subject to operator permit caps, transient occupancy tax, and applicable HOA limitations.
View full Huntington Beach rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Anaheim | Huntington Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Code | AMC Chapter 4.05 | - |
| Adopted | 2016 STR ban | - |
| Allowed | Owner-occupied only | - |
| New permits | Not issued | - |
| Enforcement | Code Enforcement + APD | - |
| Primary residence required | - | No countywide |
| Investor STRs | - | Allowed with permit |
| HOA may restrict | - | Yes |
| Cities differ | - | Check city rules |
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.
Huntington Beach FAQ
Can I buy a house in unincorporated OC just to operate as an STR?
Yes, the county does not require primary-residency. You must obtain an STR operator permit, register for TOT, and comply with HOA rules where applicable.
Do incorporated OC cities follow this rule?
No. Each incorporated city sets its own STR rules. Newport Beach, Dana Point, and others have separate primary-residence and density caps.
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