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Huntington Beach, CA Short-Term Rentals: Host Presence Rule (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Unhosted STRs
Banned citywide except Sunset Beach
Sunset Beach cutoff
New unhosted permits ended 3/1/2022
Hosted stay definition
Host on-site whole guest stay
Fine per violation
$1,000, each day separate
Enforcing agency
Community Development Director

Summary

Huntington Beach bans unhosted short-term rentals citywide except in Sunset Beach (Zone 2). Everywhere else, the owner must occupy the property as host for the guest's entire stay to legally operate an STR under Chapter 5.120.

Unhosted STRs are prohibited in the City of Huntington Beach except in Zone 2. Existing unhosted STRs in Sunset Beach have until March 1, 2022 to obtain a STR Permit.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4954605; v17 updated 2026-06-16).

Full Breakdown

020 definition. Sunset Beach property owners who were already running unhosted rentals got a narrow grace period: they had until March 1, 2022 to obtain an STR Permit, and after that date the City stopped issuing any new unhosted permits, capping the unhosted category permanently. 030 and can deny, condition, suspend, or revoke them for noncompliance. 030(E)(4) also requires a local contact person available 24/7 to respond to complaints within one hour; if the STR is hosted, the host must serve as that contact. 070.

Violations & Fines

Advertising or operating an unhosted STR outside Sunset Beach, or an unpermitted unhosted rental in Sunset Beach after March 1, 2022, draws a $1,000 fine per violation under § 5.120.070(B), with each day counted separately. Three fines within 12 months triggers permit revocation or suspension, and a revoked permit cannot be reinstated for 12 months.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I rent out my Huntington Beach house on Airbnb while I'm away?
Not legally outside Sunset Beach. Municipal Code § 5.120.040(C) prohibits unhosted STRs everywhere in the city except Zone 2 (Sunset Beach), so in Zone 1 you must remain on-site as host for the entire guest stay to hold a valid STR Permit.
Is Sunset Beach exempt from the host presence rule?
Partially, and only for existing operators. Owners who already ran unhosted rentals in Sunset Beach could get a permit by March 1, 2022; after that date § 5.120.040(C) bars the City from issuing any new unhosted permits there.
What counts as 'hosted' under the ordinance?
Section 5.120.020 defines a hosted stay as one where the host occupies the property and remains on-site in a habitable dwelling unit throughout the guest's stay, except during the host's own daytime or work hours.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Huntington Beach

Fence Regulations: Height LimitsSome RestrictionsShort-Term Rental PermitsSignificant RestrictionsParking Rules: RV & Boat ParkingSome RestrictionsTaxes & FeesSignificant RestrictionsOccupancy LimitsSome RestrictionsInsurance RequirementsSome RestrictionsHost Platform LiabilitySignificant RestrictionsRepeat Violator StrikesSignificant RestrictionsPrimary-Residence-Only RuleSignificant RestrictionsShort-Term Rental Parking RulesSome RestrictionsNoise RulesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Driveway RulesSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Retaining WallsSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Fence Permit RequirementsSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Veterinary Clinic ZoningSome Restrictions

All Huntington Beach rules

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