Permit Requirements: Costa Mesa vs Orange
How do permit requirements rules compare between Costa Mesa, CA and Orange, CA?
Costa Mesa and Orange 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 →Orange, CA
Orange County
Orange requires a Short-Term Rental Permit ($250) and Business License ($280) for rentals of 30 days or less. A strict cap of 125 permits is in place — currently at capacity with a waitlist. Permits are non-transferable and expire annually.
View full Orange rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Costa Mesa | Orange |
|---|---|---|
| STR Status | Prohibited citywide (Ord. 2021-17) | - |
| Definition | Rental under 30 days | - |
| Exception | Owner-occupied home sharing only | - |
| ADUs | No rentals under 31 days | - |
| Fine | Up to $1,000 per day | - |
| Permit Cap | - | 125 citywide (at capacity) |
| Permit Fee | - | $250 + $280 business license |
| Minimum Stay | - | 2 nights |
| Effective | - | June 10, 2021 |
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.
Orange FAQ
Do I need a permit to list my property on Airbnb in Orange?
Orange requires a Short-Term Rental Permit ($250) and Business License ($280) for rentals of 30 days or less. A strict cap of 125 permits is in place — currently at capacity with a waitlist. Permits are non-transferable and expire annually.
What are the short-term rental registration requirements in Orange?
Permit Cap: 125 citywide (at capacity). Permit Fee: $250 + $280 business license. Minimum Stay: 2 nights. Effective: June 10, 2021.
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