Unincorporated Orange County does not currently impose annual night caps on short-term rental properties. There is no county-level limit on the number of nights per year a property may be rented as an STR. Operators must comply with all other county requirements.
Unlike many incorporated cities in Orange County that limit the number of nights per year a property may be rented to short-term guests, unincorporated Orange County does not impose annual night caps. Properties in unincorporated areas can be rented year-round as short-term rentals subject to other applicable requirements including transient occupancy tax collection, noise compliance, and parking rules. However, HOA communities like Coto de Caza, Ladera Ranch, and Rancho Mission Viejo may have CC&R provisions that limit or prohibit short-term rentals regardless of county rules. The county collects a 10% Transient Occupancy Tax on all STR stays under 30 days. Neighboring incorporated cities have varying policies: Huntington Beach bans STRs in most residential zones while Dana Point allows them with permits and night caps.
No night cap to violate at the county level. Failure to collect TOT remains a violation. HOA CC&R violations are enforced through the association. Contact OC Tax Collector for TOT questions.
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See how Orange County's night caps rules stack up against other locations.
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