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

In cities that permit short-term rentals, a host-presence or 'hosted-stay' rule may require the owner to remain on-site during guest stays, or distinguish hosted from unhosted rentals. Westminster has no such rule because Chapter 9.74 of the Municipal Code prohibits residential transient use of 30 days or less. With no STR permit program, there is no requirement that an owner or local contact be present, no on-site manager condition, and no distinction between hosted and unhosted operations - because no residential STR may lawfully operate at all. Section 9.74.020 makes it unlawful to offer, occupy, or advertise a residential dwelling for transient use, regardless of whether the host lives there during the stay. A common compliance feature elsewhere - a requirement to designate a 24-hour responsible local contact - does not apply, since the City issues no STR approvals that could carry such a condition. The City's Planning Division FAQ confirms short-term rentals are not allowed. Owners cannot satisfy the ordinance by being present, by hiring a property manager, or by providing a local emergency contact; the transient use itself is prohibited. Lawful hotels and motels operate under their own management and licensing requirements rather than under any STR host-presence rule.