Registration Rules: Costa Mesa vs Orange
How do registration rules rules compare between Costa Mesa, CA and Orange, CA?
Costa Mesa and Orange have similar restriction levels.
Costa Mesa, CA
Orange County
Costa Mesa completely BANS short-term rentals under Ordinance 2021-17 adopted November 2, 2021. Renting any residential property for less than 31 days is prohibited citywide. Home sharing as defined by the city is the only exemption. ADUs cannot be used as STRs.
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 | BANNED citywide | - |
| Min Rental | 31 days | - |
| Ordinance | Ord. 2021-17 | - |
| ADUs | No STR use | - |
| 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 rent my home on Airbnb in Costa Mesa?
No. Short-term rentals of less than 31 days are completely banned citywide under Ordinance 2021-17 adopted in November 2021.
Is home sharing allowed in Costa Mesa?
Home sharing as specifically defined by the city is exempt from the ban, but standard STR operations are prohibited.
Orange FAQ
Can I get an STR permit in Orange?
The 125-permit cap is reached. You can join the waitlist by emailing STRadmin@cityoforange.org with your address and phone number.
Who gets priority for permits?
City of Orange residents and owner-occupied property owners receive priority.
Compare other topics
See how Costa Mesa and Orange compare on other ordinance categories.
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