Monterey Park, CA Short-Term Rentals: Occupancy Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Base occupancy
- 2 persons per short-term rental
- Per-bedroom add-on
- +2 persons per bedroom
- Cap printed on permit
- § 21.09.100(D)
- Higher cap requests
- Allowed with supporting documentation
- Overage penalty
- Permit revocation, citation, or misdemeanor
Summary
Monterey Park caps overnight occupancy of a permitted short-term rental at two persons plus two more per bedroom, and every permit issued under Municipal Code Chapter 21.09 must state that maximum number directly on the permit itself.
(D) Every permit must specify the maximum number of overnight occupants allowed at the short-term rental and the maximum number of vehicles associated with the overnight occupancy of the short-term rental which can be parked at the property. Notice of the permit approval must be provided to everyone who files a written request for such notice. ... (D) The owner must limit overnight occupancy of the short-term rental to a specific number of occupants, with the maximum number of overnight occupants being two persons within each short-term rental plus a number that does not exceed two persons per bedroom within each short-term rental.
Full Breakdown
Section 21.09.120(D) sets the numeric formula city-wide: the maximum number of overnight occupants at a short-term rental is two persons per unit plus a further number that does not exceed two persons per bedroom, so a two-bedroom short-term rental tops out at six overnight occupants. Section 21.09.100(D) requires the Director to write that specific maximum onto the face of every permit, along with the maximum number of vehicles tied to the unit's off-street parking, so hosts and neighbors can check the ceiling without digging through the code.
Owners may request a higher occupancy ceiling in their nuisance response plan under Section 21.09.110(A)(5), but only with supporting documentation of unusual size, layout, parking or other physical characteristics, and the Director may modify the standard occupancy condition for a specific property to provide reasonable accommodation under applicable disability law per Section 21.09.120(G)(16). Every lease or rental agreement for the unit must disclose the permitted maximum number of overnight occupants and day-use visitors under Section 21.09.120(G)(1), and that disclosure must be posted conspicuously inside the unit.
Exceeding the permitted occupancy is expressly declared unlawful for tenants and guests under Section 21.09.120(G)(6), and the responsible person named in the nuisance response plan must be reachable by phone to address any occupancy complaint within 30 minutes.
Violations & Fines
Renting to more overnight occupants than the number stated on the permit, or more than two persons plus two per bedroom, violates Section 21.09.120(D) and is separately declared unlawful under Section 21.09.120(G)(6). The Director can revoke the permit under Section 21.09.160(B), the City may issue an administrative citation under Chapter 4.20 with fines starting at $100, and, because Chapter 4.10.010 makes code violations misdemeanors by default, a host can also face up to a $1,000 fine or six months in jail.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many overnight guests can a Monterey Park short-term rental host?
Where does a host find the exact occupancy limit for their permit?
Can a Monterey Park short-term rental get approval for more occupants than the standard cap?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Monterey Park
California rules heatmap·Compare Monterey Park to another location·View the California short-term rentals overview
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Occupancy Limits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Los Angeles County handle occupancy limits.