Hawthorne, CA Short-Term Rentals: Insurance Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Minimum coverage
- $1,000,000 general liability
- Duration
- Must run for entire permit term
- Timing
- Required at initial application
- Renewal
- Lapse can trigger revocation
- Reviewer
- Planning and community development dept.
Summary
Every Hawthorne short-term rental applicant must show proof of at least $1,000,000 in general liability insurance covering the rental operation for the full permit term. Hawthorne Municipal Code § 17.74.020(A)(4) makes this coverage a mandatory part of the permit application package reviewed by the planning and community development department.
Evidence and maintenance of general liability insurance of at least one million dollars during the term of the short-term rental that covers the applicant's short-term rental operations.
Full Breakdown
' The insurance requirement sits alongside the other application items: 24-hour emergency contact information, a scaled plot plan of the unit, hosting-platform contact information, a notarized fire and building-safety affidavit, HOA approval where applicable, and proof of primary residency. Because the statute requires 'maintenance' of the coverage 'during the term' of the rental, and not just proof at the time of the initial application, a host who lets the policy lapse is out of compliance with the conditions of the permit. 020(C) requires the permittee to show 'substantial compliance with the provisions of this chapter,' which includes the insurance condition, along with current business license taxes and transient occupancy tax remittance.
The planning and community development department reviews the complete application, insurance evidence included, within 30 days before issuing the permit and instructing the holder to obtain a business license and TOT registration certificate.
Violations & Fines
Submitting false or lapsed insurance information in a short-term rental application can support permit revocation under § 17.74.100(A)(1)-(2) for fraud, misrepresentation, or false statements, in addition to the misdemeanor penalties (up to $1,000 fine, six months in jail) and administrative citations available under § 17.74.090 for any violation of Chapter 17.74.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much liability insurance does a Hawthorne short-term rental host need?
Can I let my insurance lapse after getting the permit?
What if I submit fake insurance documents?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hawthorne
California rules heatmap·Compare Hawthorne to another location·View the California short-term rentals overview
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