Night Caps: Carson vs Pasadena
How do night caps rules compare between Carson, CA and Pasadena, CA?
Carson has fewer restrictions than Pasadena.
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 →Pasadena, CA
Los Angeles County
Pasadena imposes a 12.11% Transient Occupancy Tax on all STR bookings plus a Tourism Business Improvement District assessment of 4.89%. Quarterly reports are mandatory regardless of rental activity. Maximum rental period is 30 consecutive days. No explicit annual night cap, but primary residence requirement limits rental availability.
View full Pasadena rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Carson | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| 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.) | - |
| TOT Rate | - | 12.11% |
| TBID Assessment | - | 4.89% (2024-2033) |
| Max Stay | - | 30 consecutive days |
| Quarterly Reports | - | Required (even if no activity) |
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).
Pasadena FAQ
What taxes apply to short-term rentals in Pasadena?
A 12.11% Transient Occupancy Tax plus a 4.89% TBID assessment on all taxable receipts including nightly rents, cleaning fees, and other charges.
Is there a limit on how many nights I can rent in Pasadena?
No explicit annual night cap, but the primary residence requirement (9+ months per year occupancy) effectively limits unhosted rentals to approximately 90 days annually.
Compare other topics
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