Pasadena, CA Short-Term Rentals: Noise Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Occupancy cap
- 2 guests per bedroom plus 2
- Commercial events
- Weddings, parties, corporate events prohibited
- Noise standard
- Must comply with PMC Chapter 9.36
- Litter standard
- Must comply with PMC Chapter 8.64
- Nuisance liability
- Host responsible for guest nuisance violations
- Advertising rule
- Permit number must show on listing
Summary
Pasadena requires every short-term rental to avoid noise, vibration, glare, or odors that interfere with neighbors' enjoyment of their homes, and ties that duty directly to the citywide noise ordinance in Chapter 9.36 and the litter ordinance in Chapter 8.64, alongside a hard occupancy cap and a ban on commercial events.
F.1.Short-term rentals shall not adversely affect the residential character of the neighborhood nor shall the use generate noise, vibration, glare, odors, or other effects that unreasonably interfere with any person's reasonable enjoyment of his or her residence. To this effect, the short-term rental activity shall comply with all provisions of the Pasadena Municipal Code, including Chapter 9.36 (Noise Restrictions) and Chapter 8.64 (Litter Control). ... 5.Short-term rentals shall not be used by more than 2 guests per bedroom plus 2 additional guests at one time.6.Commercial events, commercial parties, or commercial group gatherings, including, but not limited to, weddings, banquets, and corporate events, are prohibited from occurring as part of the short-term rental use. The dwelling shall not be short-term rented for the sole purpose of accommodating such uses.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 79 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
64 (Litter Control). 296(F)(6) bars commercial events, parties, or group gatherings such as weddings, banquets, or corporate functions from being held as part of a short-term rental, whether or not that is the stated purpose of the booking. 296(F)(9). 296(G)(1) makes the host directly 'responsible for any nuisance violations arising at a property during short-term rental activities,' so a noise complaint against guests is treated as the host's own compliance failure, not an excuse.
Violations & Fines
A noise or nuisance complaint substantiated against a short-term rental is enforced under Chapters 1.24 and 1.25 of the Municipal Code; three violations at the same property automatically suspend the permit, and the city manager can revoke it after a hearing under Chapter 1.25, with a one-year wait before the host may reapply. Advertising without a visible permit number is a separate violation under Section 17.50.296(F)(3).
Frequently Asked Questions
How many guests can stay at a Pasadena short-term rental at once?
Can I get in trouble for noise complaints from my Pasadena short-term rental guests?
What happens after three noise or nuisance violations at a Pasadena short-term rental?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Pasadena
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