Taxes & Fees: Downey vs South Gate
How do taxes & fees rules compare between Downey, CA and South Gate, CA?
Downey and South Gate have similar restriction levels.
Downey, CA
Los Angeles County
Downey charges a Transient Occupancy Tax on stays under 30 days. Voters approved Measure D in November 2022 to increase the TOT rate to 13%. Hosts must collect and remit TOT quarterly to the Finance Department.
View full Downey rules →South Gate, CA
Los Angeles County
South Gate permits short-term rentals of single-family residences subject to operating standards adopted by City Council Ordinance No. 2021-01-CC. Operators must obtain (1) a South Gate business license under South Gate Municipal Code Chapter 2.08 (Business License Tax) and (2) a Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) certificate, with the city imposing a 10% TOT on the rental amount for any stay of less than 31 days, consistent with the city's TOT authority under Cal. Rev. & Tax. Code §7280.
View full South Gate rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Downey | South Gate |
|---|---|---|
| TOT Rate | 13% (Measure D, Nov. 2022) | - |
| Applies To | Stays under 30 days | - |
| Remittance | Quarterly to Finance Dept. | - |
| Finance Dept | (562) 904-7265 | - |
| Business License | Also required | - |
| Governing ordinance | - | South Gate Ordinance No. 2021-01-CC (STR operating standards) |
| TOT rate | - | 10% on stays of less than 31 days |
| Business license | - | Required under SGMC Chapter 2.08 (Business License Tax) |
| TOT certificate | - | Required before listing; issued by South Gate Finance Department |
| State authority | - | Cal. Rev. & Tax. Code §7280 (TOT enabling) |
| Long-stay exemption | - | 31+ consecutive days exempt (Cal. Civ. Code §1940(b)) |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Downey FAQ
What is Downey's TOT rate for short-term rentals?
Downey's TOT rate is 13%, increased from 9% after voters approved Measure D in November 2022. It applies to all stays under 30 consecutive days.
How do I remit TOT in Downey?
Hosts must collect TOT from guests and remit it quarterly to the Downey Finance Department. Contact (562) 904-7265 for registration and remittance details.
South Gate FAQ
What tax do South Gate STR hosts pay?
A 10% Transient Occupancy Tax on the rental amount for any stay of less than 31 days, in addition to a city business license under SGMC Chapter 2.08.
Do I need both a business license and a TOT certificate?
Yes. Under Ordinance No. 2021-01-CC, STR operators must hold a South Gate business license (SGMC Chapter 2.08) and a separate TOT certificate from the Finance Department before renting.
What about long-term stays?
Stays of 31 consecutive days or more are not 'transient' under Cal. Civ. Code §1940(b) and Cal. Rev. & Tax. Code §7280, so no TOT applies.
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