Registration Rules: Garden Grove vs Orange
How do registration rules rules compare between Garden Grove, CA and Orange, CA?
Garden Grove and Orange have similar restriction levels.
Garden Grove, CA
Orange County
Garden Grove effectively bans short-term rentals in all residential zones. STRs are classified the same as hotels and motels, which are only permitted in commercial zones with a Conditional Use Permit. There is no residential STR registration program. Operating an illegal STR in a residential zone is a misdemeanor.
View full Garden Grove 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 | Garden Grove | Orange |
|---|---|---|
| Residential STRs | Banned (all R zones) | - |
| Permit Type | CUP (commercial only) | - |
| Fine | Up to $1,000/day | - |
| Hotline | (657) 206-1194 | - |
| 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.
Garden Grove FAQ
Can I run an Airbnb in Garden Grove?
No. Short-term rentals are banned in all residential zones. STRs are classified the same as hotels, which require commercial zoning and a Conditional Use Permit.
What happens if I operate an illegal STR in Garden Grove?
You face misdemeanor charges with fines up to $1,000 per day per violation and up to six months in jail. Even advertising a residential property on Airbnb can trigger enforcement.
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.
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