Registration Rules: Huntington Beach vs Orange
How do registration rules rules compare between Huntington Beach, CA and Orange, CA?
Huntington Beach and Orange 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 →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 | Huntington Beach | Orange |
|---|---|---|
| Permit | Required (annual renewal) | - |
| Zone 1 | Owner-occupied only | - |
| Zone 2 (Sunset Beach) | Unhosted allowed | - |
| Code | HBMC Ch. 5.120 | - |
| 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.
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.
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.
Compare other topics
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