Taxes & Fees: Los Angeles vs South Gate
How do taxes & fees rules compare between Los Angeles, CA and South Gate, CA?
South Gate has fewer restrictions than Los Angeles.
Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles County
Los Angeles imposes a 14% Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) on STR stays of 30 nights or less. Hosts must collect and remit unless the platform remits on their behalf.
View full Los Angeles rules →South Gate, CA
Los Angeles County
South Gate permits short-term rentals of single-family residences subject to operating standards adopted by City Council Ordinance No. 2021-01-CC. Operators must obtain (1) a South Gate business license under South Gate Municipal Code Chapter 2.08 (Business License Tax) and (2) a Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) certificate, with the city imposing a 10% TOT on the rental amount for any stay of less than 31 days, consistent with the city's TOT authority under Cal. Rev. & Tax. Code §7280.
View full South Gate rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Los Angeles | South Gate |
|---|---|---|
| TOT Rate | 14% | - |
| Applies To | Stays ≤30 nights | - |
| Remittance | Host responsible unless platform remits | - |
| Office | City of LA Office of Finance | - |
| Governing ordinance | - | South Gate Ordinance No. 2021-01-CC (STR operating standards) |
| TOT rate | - | 10% on stays of less than 31 days |
| Business license | - | Required under SGMC Chapter 2.08 (Business License Tax) |
| TOT certificate | - | Required before listing; issued by South Gate Finance Department |
| State authority | - | Cal. Rev. & Tax. Code §7280 (TOT enabling) |
| Long-stay exemption | - | 31+ consecutive days exempt (Cal. Civ. Code §1940(b)) |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Los Angeles FAQ
What taxes do I owe on short-term rental income in los Angeles?
Los Angeles imposes a 14% Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) on STR stays of 30 nights or less. Hosts must collect and remit unless the platform remits on their behalf.
How much is the short-term rental license fee in los Angeles?
TOT Rate: 14%. Applies To: Stays ≤30 nights. Remittance: Host responsible unless platform remits. Office: City of LA Office of Finance.
South Gate FAQ
What tax do South Gate STR hosts pay?
A 10% Transient Occupancy Tax on the rental amount for any stay of less than 31 days, in addition to a city business license under SGMC Chapter 2.08.
Do I need both a business license and a TOT certificate?
Yes. Under Ordinance No. 2021-01-CC, STR operators must hold a South Gate business license (SGMC Chapter 2.08) and a separate TOT certificate from the Finance Department before renting.
What about long-term stays?
Stays of 31 consecutive days or more are not 'transient' under Cal. Civ. Code §1940(b) and Cal. Rev. & Tax. Code §7280, so no TOT applies.
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