Permit Requirements: Costa Mesa vs Irvine
How do permit requirements rules compare between Costa Mesa, CA and Irvine, CA?
Costa Mesa and Irvine have similar restriction levels.
Costa Mesa, CA
Orange County
Costa Mesa prohibits all short-term rentals throughout the city under Ordinance 2021-17 (CMMC Chapter 13). Rentals under 30 days are banned with limited home-sharing exceptions. No STR permits or licenses are issued for residential properties.
View full Costa Mesa rules →Irvine, CA
Orange County
Irvine completely bans short-term rentals in all residential zones under Zoning Ordinance Chapter 3-25. No registration or permit process exists because STRs are prohibited outright. The only exception is properties in hotel-motel zoning districts.
View full Irvine rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Costa Mesa | Irvine |
|---|---|---|
| STR Status | Prohibited citywide (Ord. 2021-17) | - |
| Definition | Rental under 30 days | Less than 31 days |
| Exception | Owner-occupied home sharing only | - |
| ADUs | No rentals under 31 days | - |
| Fine | Up to $1,000 per day | - |
| Code Section | - | Zoning Ch. 3-25 |
| Status | - | Completely Banned |
| Platform Ban | - | Since Feb 2021 |
| Enforcement | - | RentalScape monitoring |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Costa Mesa FAQ
Can I operate an Airbnb in Costa Mesa?
No. All short-term rentals under 30 days are prohibited citywide under Ordinance 2021-17. The only exception is owner-occupied home sharing where you reside in the dwelling during the stay.
Can I rent my ADU as a short-term rental?
No. ADUs in Costa Mesa are subject to a land use restriction explicitly prohibiting rentals under 31 days.
What are the penalties for an illegal STR?
Fines up to $1,000 per day, plus potential criminal charges and nuisance abatement action. The city actively monitors online platforms for violations.
Irvine FAQ
Do I need a permit to list my property on Airbnb in Irvine?
Irvine completely bans short-term rentals in all residential zones under Zoning Ordinance Chapter 3-25. No registration or permit process exists because STRs are prohibited outright. The only exception is properties in hotel-motel zoning districts.
What are the short-term rental registration requirements in Irvine?
Code Section: Zoning Ch. 3-25. Status: Completely Banned. Definition: Less than 31 days. Platform Ban: Since Feb 2021.
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