Taxes & Fees: Pasadena vs South Gate
How do taxes & fees rules compare between Pasadena, CA and South Gate, CA?
South Gate has fewer restrictions than Pasadena.
Pasadena, CA
Los Angeles County
Pasadena imposes a 12% Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) on short-term rentals. Hosts must register with the Finance Department and remit taxes monthly. Online platforms may collect on behalf of hosts.
View full Pasadena 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 | Pasadena | South Gate |
|---|---|---|
| TOT Rate | 12% | - |
| Applies To | Stays under 30 days | - |
| Remittance | Monthly to Finance Department | - |
| Platforms | May collect on behalf of hosts | - |
| 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.
Pasadena FAQ
What is the hotel tax rate for STRs in Pasadena?
Pasadena charges a 12% Transient Occupancy Tax on all stays under 30 days.
Does Airbnb collect the tax automatically?
Airbnb and other platforms may collect and remit TOT on behalf of hosts through agreements with the city.
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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