Permit Requirements: Costa Mesa vs Santa Ana
How do permit requirements rules compare between Costa Mesa, CA and Santa Ana, CA?
Costa Mesa and Santa Ana 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 →Santa Ana, CA
Orange County
Santa Ana completely prohibits short-term rentals (under 30 days) citywide as of April 2024. The City Council adopted an urgency ordinance banning all STR operations; no permits, licenses, or registrations are available for short-term rental use.
View full Santa Ana rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Costa Mesa | Santa Ana |
|---|---|---|
| STR Status | Prohibited citywide (Ord. 2021-17) | Prohibited citywide |
| Definition | Rental under 30 days | - |
| Exception | Owner-occupied home sharing only | - |
| ADUs | No rentals under 31 days | - |
| Fine | Up to $1,000 per day | - |
| Effective | - | April 2024 |
| Minimum Lease | - | 30 days |
| Ordinance | - | OA No. 2024-04 |
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.
Santa Ana FAQ
Do I need a permit to list my property on Airbnb in Santa Ana?
Santa Ana completely prohibits short-term rentals (under 30 days) citywide as of April 2024. The City Council adopted an urgency ordinance banning all STR operations; no permits, licenses, or registrations are available for short-term rental use.
What are the short-term rental registration requirements in Santa Ana?
STR Status: Prohibited citywide. Effective: April 2024. Minimum Lease: 30 days. Ordinance: OA No. 2024-04.
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