Registration Rules: Huntington Beach vs Santa Ana
How do registration rules rules compare between Huntington Beach, CA and Santa Ana, CA?
Huntington Beach and Santa Ana 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 →Santa Ana, CA
Orange County
Santa Ana completely prohibits short-term rentals (under 30 days) citywide as of April 2024. The City Council adopted an urgency ordinance banning all STR operations; no permits, licenses, or registrations are available for short-term rental use.
View full Santa Ana rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Huntington Beach | Santa Ana |
|---|---|---|
| Permit | Required (annual renewal) | - |
| Zone 1 | Owner-occupied only | - |
| Zone 2 (Sunset Beach) | Unhosted allowed | - |
| Code | HBMC Ch. 5.120 | - |
| STR Status | - | Prohibited citywide |
| Effective | - | April 2024 |
| Minimum Lease | - | 30 days |
| Ordinance | - | OA No. 2024-04 |
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.
Santa Ana FAQ
Are short-term rentals legal in Santa Ana?
No. Santa Ana banned all short-term rentals under 30 days as of April 2024. No permits or licenses are available for STR operations.
What if I was operating an STR before the ban?
All existing STR operations must cease. Continued operation risks misdemeanor charges, fines, and civil action from the city.
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