Ontario, CA Rental Property Rules: Rental Registration (2026)

Unlike Los Angeles or Inglewood, the City of Ontario does not operate a rental housing registration program that requires annual inspections or a per-unit fee. However, any person deriving income from residential rentals in Ontario must obtain a City business license under Ontario Municipal Code Title 4, with the fee based on gross rental receipts and renewed annually. Landlords must also register with the California Franchise Tax Board and collect the Transient Occupancy Tax for short-term rentals under 30 days. All residential leases signed or renewed after July 1, 2020 must contain the AB 1482 rent cap and just cause disclosure required by Civil Code 1946.2(f), and for tenancies starting after January 1, 2022 the disclosure must be placed in 12-point type as an addendum. Rental properties remain subject to California Health and Safety Code 17920.3 habitability standards enforced by Ontario Code Enforcement, which conducts inspections on complaint. Failure to hold a current business license while collecting rent can result in administrative citations and a lien against the property.