Costa Mesa vs Santa Ana
How do taxes & fees 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 does not collect transient occupancy taxes from residential short-term rentals because the activity is prohibited citywide under Ordinance 2021-17. Only legally permitted lodging businesses collect TOT.
View full Costa Mesa rules →Santa Ana, CA
Orange County
Short-term rentals are banned in Santa Ana, so there are no TOT (Transient Occupancy Tax) collection requirements for residential STR hosts. The city's TOT applies only to hotels and other licensed lodging establishments.
View full Santa Ana rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Costa Mesa | Santa Ana |
|---|---|---|
| Residential STR Tax | Not applicable — STRs banned | - |
| Hotel/Motel TOT | Commercial zones only | - |
| STR Permits | None issued | - |
| Illegal STR Fine | Up to $1,000 per day | - |
| STR Status | - | Completely banned |
| TOT for STRs | - | N/A — no legal STR operations |
| Hotel TOT | - | Applies to licensed lodging only |
| Permit Fees | - | None — no permits available |
| Enforcement | - | Active ban enforcement |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Costa Mesa FAQ
Do I need to pay TOT for a short-term rental in Costa Mesa?
No, because short-term rentals are prohibited citywide. Only legally permitted hotels and motels in commercial zones collect and remit TOT.
What if I'm operating an illegal rental?
You face fines up to $1,000 per day for the illegal rental. You may also face state and federal tax consequences for unreported rental income.
Santa Ana FAQ
Do I need to pay TOT for a short-term rental in Santa Ana?
Short-term rentals are banned in Santa Ana. There is no legal mechanism to operate an STR or collect TOT for residential short-term rental activity.
What is the hotel tax rate in Santa Ana?
The Transient Occupancy Tax rate applies to licensed hotels and motels. Contact the City Clerk's office for the current rate.
Compare other topics
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