Santa Monica, CA Short-Term Rentals: Night Caps (2026)
Key Facts
- Host presence
- Required throughout every visitor's stay: no exceptions
- Vacation rentals
- Entirely prohibited
- Maximum simultaneous groups
- No more than 2 per date
- Home-shares per host
- No host may be host for more than one home-share
- Maximum rental period per stay
- 30 consecutive days
Summary
Santa Monica prohibits all unhosted vacation rentals entirely: the host must live in the dwelling and be physically present throughout every guest's stay. There is no annual night limit, but each host may only operate one home-share and must be present on-site every single night guests are there.
§ 6.20.010(f) Home-sharing. Renting for a period of thirty consecutive days or less, one or more bedrooms in a dwelling unit that is the primary residence of the host, while the host lives on site, in the dwelling unit, throughout the visitors' stay.
§ 6.20.010(n) Vacation rental. Renting for a period of thirty consecutive days or less any dwelling unit, in whole or in part, for exclusive transient use. Exclusive transient use shall mean that no eligible resident of the dwelling unit lives on site, in the dwelling unit, throughout any visitor's stay.
§ 6.20.030(a) No person shall undertake, maintain, authorize, aid, facilitate or advertise any vacation rental or any home-sharing that does not comply with this Chapter.
§ 6.20.030(b) No host may be the host for more than one home-share.
Full Breakdown
The city makes a sharp distinction between lawful home-sharing (host present throughout) and prohibited vacation rentals (guests have exclusive use with no host on-site). Vacation rentals, even for a single night, are completely banned. The host must 'live on site' meaning they sleep, eat, and are present in the property for the entire duration of every booking. Each host may only operate one home-share total. Hosts cannot book more than two groups of visitors for any given date.
Violations & Fines
Operating a vacation rental (unhosted) is punishable as an infraction (up to $750 fine) or misdemeanor (up to $1,000 fine and/or up to 6 months in County Jail). All illegally obtained rental revenue must be remitted to the City. Back TOTs, investigative costs, and civil injunctions may also apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I rent out my entire house while I'm away on vacation?
Can I own two properties and run a home-share from each?
Is there an annual night limit on home-sharing?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Monica
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Night Caps in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Los Angeles County handle night caps.