Registration Rules: Irvine vs Orange
How do registration rules 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
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.
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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