Arcadia, CA Short-Term Rentals: Host Platform Liability (2026)

Section 9104.02.300 (Advertisement of Short Term Rentals and Home Sharing) was added by Ord. No. 2348 on 8-1-17. Its legislative findings state that short term rentals and home sharing are not permitted in the city, and that the City has seen complaints about noise, excessive trash, increased parking and traffic, and commercial uses of residential property. The findings also state that properties are advertised through online hosting platforms as well as traditional methods, and that those platforms have increased illegal rentals. The City Council cites Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp. v. Public Service Commission (1980) 447 U.S. 557 for its authority to ban commercial speech about illegal activity.

The operative prohibition in Subsection B reaches an owner, tenant, property manager, agent or any other person with possession or control of residential property who causes an advertisement to be posted, published, circulated or broadcasted. It applies only when short-term rental or home sharing is not a lawful use of the residence. The terms are defined in Development Code §§ 9109.01.200 and 9109.01.090. Table 2-1 uses the wording post, publish, circulate, broadcast or maintain, so an existing listing left online is covered too.

The operative text does not name a hosting platform as a regulated party. Platforms appear only in the findings, and the duty falls on the people with an interest in the property. Subsection C sets the liability tiers: the record owner is strictly liable for the offense regardless of intent, while any other person who owns, rents, manages or otherwise has possession or control of the residential property is liable for advertising in violation of the Subsection.

An administrative citation under Chapter 4A follows the procedure in §§ 1420 to 1433. A citation is paid within 30 days, or contested by a hearing request filed within 30 days with an advance deposit or a hardship waiver request. The hearing is set not less than 15 and not more than 60 days after the request, and the Hearing Officer's written decision is final, subject to court review under Government Code § 53069.4.