Registration Rules: Huntington Beach vs Irvine
How do registration rules rules compare between Huntington Beach, CA and Irvine, CA?
Huntington Beach and Irvine have similar restriction levels.
Huntington Beach, CA
Orange County
Huntington Beach requires an STR permit under HBMC Chapter 5.120, adopted in 2021. The city uses a two-zone system: owner-occupied STRs are allowed citywide (Zone 1), while unhosted STRs are restricted to Sunset Beach only (Zone 2).
View full Huntington Beach rules →Irvine, CA
Orange County
Irvine completely bans short-term rentals in all residential zones under Zoning Ordinance Chapter 3-25. No registration or permit process exists because STRs are prohibited outright. The only exception is properties in hotel-motel zoning districts.
View full Irvine rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Huntington Beach | Irvine |
|---|---|---|
| Permit | Required (annual renewal) | - |
| Zone 1 | Owner-occupied only | - |
| Zone 2 (Sunset Beach) | Unhosted allowed | - |
| Code | HBMC Ch. 5.120 | - |
| Code Section | - | Zoning Ch. 3-25 |
| Status | - | Completely Banned |
| Definition | - | Less than 31 days |
| Platform Ban | - | Since Feb 2021 |
| Enforcement | - | RentalScape monitoring |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Huntington Beach FAQ
Can I rent my Huntington Beach home on Airbnb?
Yes, with a valid STR permit under Chapter 5.120. In most of the city (Zone 1), only owner-occupied rentals are allowed. Unhosted STRs are limited to Sunset Beach (Zone 2).
How many STR permits can I have?
Only one STR permit is allowed per host or operator citywide, including Sunset Beach.
Irvine FAQ
Can I get a short-term rental permit in Irvine?
No. Irvine completely prohibits short-term rentals in all residential zones under Zoning Ch. 3-25. No permit or registration process exists.
Are Airbnb listings allowed in Irvine?
No. Since February 2021, Irvine prohibits STR platforms from processing transactions for residential properties within the city. Advertising an STR is also a violation.
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