Registration Rules: Orange vs Santa Ana
How do registration rules rules compare between Orange, CA and Santa Ana, CA?
Orange and Santa Ana have similar restriction levels.
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 →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 | Orange | Santa Ana |
|---|---|---|
| Permit Cap | 125 citywide (at capacity) | - |
| Permit Fee | $250 + $280 business license | - |
| Minimum Stay | 2 nights | - |
| Effective | June 10, 2021 | April 2024 |
| STR Status | - | Prohibited citywide |
| Minimum Lease | - | 30 days |
| Ordinance | - | OA No. 2024-04 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
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.
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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