Night Caps: Carson vs Lancaster
How do night caps rules compare between Carson, CA and Lancaster, CA?
Carson has fewer restrictions than Lancaster.
Carson, CA
Los Angeles County
Carson does not cap the number of nights per year that a dwelling may be used as a short-term rental. No STR-specific ordinance exists in the Carson Municipal Code (eCode360 CA4377, current through January 6, 2026), so neither a hosted-stays cap nor an unhosted-stays cap applies. California state law similarly imposes no statewide night cap.
View full Carson rules →Lancaster, CA
Los Angeles County
LA County's STR Ordinance (adopted April 2024, effective October 2024) caps un-hosted short-term rental stays at 90 nights per calendar year in unincorporated areas. Hosted stays have no annual night cap.
View full Lancaster rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Carson | Lancaster |
|---|---|---|
| Annual night cap | None in Carson | - |
| Hosted-stays cap | None | - |
| Unhosted-stays cap | None | - |
| Stay-length threshold | 30 days or fewer = transient (Cal. Rev. & Tax. Code §7280) | - |
| 31+ day stay | Becomes residential tenancy (Cal. Civ. Code §1940 et seq.) | - |
| Ordinance | - | STR Ordinance (April 2024) |
| Un-hosted Cap | - | 90 nights/year |
| Hosted Cap | - | No limit |
| Residency | - | 9 months/year minimum |
| First Offense | - | $1,000 fine |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Carson FAQ
Is there a 120-night cap in Carson like Los Angeles?
No. The 120-night LA Home-Sharing Ordinance applies only inside the City of Los Angeles. Carson, although in LA County, is an independent city and has no annual cap.
What happens if a guest stays 31+ days?
The stay converts to a residential tenancy under Cal. Civ. Code §1940 et seq., with full tenant protections (including just-cause if AB 1482 thresholds are met).
Lancaster FAQ
How many nights can I rent my home on Airbnb in unincorporated LA County?
If you are not present during the stay (un-hosted), you are limited to 90 nights per calendar year. If you are present (hosted), there is no annual cap on nights.
When did LA County's STR rules take effect?
The Board of Supervisors adopted the ordinance on April 9, 2024. All STR hosts were required to comply by October 7, 2024.
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