Buena Park, CA Short-Term Rentals: Insurance Requirements (2026)

Section 19.348.080(E)(12) requires that a host maintain liability insurance of not less than $1,000,000 to cover each short-term rental, unless the rental is offered through a hosting platform that maintains equal or greater coverage. The city FAQ restates the figure: 'Obtain a liability insurance of not less than $1,000,000 to cover the STR.' The application materials summarized by the city require proof of insurance, or a quote, in the amount of $1,000,000 covering the short-term rental property. In addition to insurance, the application requires a written agreement to hold harmless, indemnify, and defend the City - including its elected officials, officers, employees, contractors, volunteers, and agents - against any and all claims and liabilities arising out of or related to the issuance of the STR permit, to the maximum extent permitted by law. The platform-coverage exception means hosts who rent exclusively through a service such as Airbnb that provides at least $1,000,000 of host liability coverage may rely on that coverage; otherwise the host must carry their own policy. The $1,000,000 limit is consistent with the level commonly required by California cities for short-term rentals. Insurance and indemnification together shift liability risk away from the city as a condition of operating.