ADU Rental Restrictions: Long Beach vs Pasadena
How do adu rental restrictions rules compare between Long Beach, CA and Pasadena, CA?
Long Beach and Pasadena have similar restriction levels.
Long Beach, CA
Los Angeles County
Long Beach prohibits short-term rental of ADUs under LBMC Section 21.45.400 and California Government Code Section 65852.2(a)(6), which require ADU rentals to be 30 days or longer. Long Beach's overall STR ordinance LBMC 5.79 also restricts STRs to primary residences.
View full Long Beach rules →Pasadena, CA
Los Angeles County
Pasadena ADUs permitted after January 1, 2020 must be rented for terms of 30 days or more under California Government Code §65852.2(a)(7). Short-term rental of ADUs is generally not available because PMC §17.50.296 (Ordinance No. 7317) requires the host to occupy the property as a primary residence for at least nine months per year, and prohibits vacation rentals citywide. ADUs covered by Pasadena's Measure H rent stabilization (built before Feb 1, 1995, or otherwise within scope) may also have rent-cap obligations.
View full Pasadena rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Long Beach | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Rental Term | 31 days | - |
| STR Ordinance | LBMC Ch. 5.79 | - |
| ADUs Excluded | Yes from STR | - |
| Daily Fine | $1,000 | - |
| State Law | Cal. Gov Code 65852.2(a)(6) | Gov. Code §65852.2(a)(7) |
| Long-Term (30+ days) | - | Permitted, no separate license |
| STR Permit | - | PMC §17.50.296 (Ord. 7317) |
| Owner Occupancy | - | 9+ months/year required |
| Un-Hosted Cap | - | 90 days/year |
| Vacation Rentals | - | Prohibited citywide |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Long Beach FAQ
Can I list my Long Beach ADU on Airbnb?
No. LBMC Section 5.79 limits STRs to the host's primary residence, and Cal. Gov Code 65852.2(a)(6) requires ADU rentals to be 31 days or longer.
What is the minimum rental term for a Long Beach ADU?
31 days. Under Cal. Gov Code 65852.2(a)(6) and LBMC Section 21.45.400, ADU rentals shorter than 31 days are prohibited regardless of STR permit status.
Does Long Beach allow STRs in ADUs at all?
No. LBMC Section 5.79 expressly limits STRs to the host's primary residence. Since an ADU is by definition a separate unit and not the primary residence, ADUs cannot be short-term rented.
Pasadena FAQ
Can I rent my Pasadena ADU on Airbnb?
Generally no. PMC §17.50.296 requires the host to occupy the property as a primary residence for at least 9 months per year and prohibits vacation rentals citywide. ADUs permitted after January 1, 2020 must also be rented for 30 days or more under Cal. Gov. Code §65852.2(a)(7). Long-term tenancy is the standard path.
Does Pasadena rent control apply to ADUs?
Possibly. Pasadena's Measure H (City Charter Article XVIII, effective Dec 22, 2022) covers most residential properties built before February 1, 1995 with rent caps and just-cause eviction protections. Whether a specific ADU is covered depends on the parcel's building history — consult the Pasadena Rental Housing Board for a unit-specific determination.
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