Permit Requirements: Irvine vs Orange
How do permit requirements rules compare between Irvine, CA and Orange, CA?
Irvine and Orange have similar restriction levels.
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 →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 | Irvine | Orange |
|---|---|---|
| Code Section | Zoning Ch. 3-25 | - |
| Status | Completely Banned | - |
| Definition | Less than 31 days | - |
| Platform Ban | Since Feb 2021 | - |
| Enforcement | RentalScape monitoring | - |
| 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.
Irvine FAQ
Do I need a permit to list my property on Airbnb in Irvine?
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.
What are the short-term rental registration requirements in Irvine?
Code Section: Zoning Ch. 3-25. Status: Completely Banned. Definition: Less than 31 days. Platform Ban: Since Feb 2021.
Orange FAQ
Do I need a permit to list my property on Airbnb in Orange?
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.
What are the short-term rental registration requirements in Orange?
Permit Cap: 125 citywide (at capacity). Permit Fee: $250 + $280 business license. Minimum Stay: 2 nights. Effective: June 10, 2021.
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