Night Caps: Carson vs Los Angeles
How do night caps rules compare between Carson, CA and Los Angeles, CA?
Carson has fewer restrictions than Los Angeles.
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 →Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles County
LA Home-Sharing Ordinance caps standard short-term rental permits at 120 nights per year. An Extended Home-Sharing Permit allows unlimited nights but requires prior operating history.
View full Los Angeles rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Carson | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| 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.) | - |
| Standard cap | - | 120 nights per year |
| Extended permit cap | - | Unlimited nights |
| Extended permit fee | - | 850 dollars |
| Extended eligibility | - | 6+ months prior HSR, zero violations |
| Code section | - | LAMC 12.22 A.32 |
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).
Los Angeles FAQ
Does the 120-night cap reset each calendar year?
Yes, the cap resets on January 1 each year for standard HSR permit holders. Extended permit holders have no annual cap but must maintain primary residence status.
Can I get an Extended permit right away?
No. You must first operate under a standard HSR permit for at least six months with zero violations before applying for Extended Home-Sharing.
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