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Pasadena, CA Short-Term Rentals: Occupancy Limits (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Occupancy cap
2 guests per bedroom plus 2
Un-hosted stay limit
90 days per year
Hosted stay limit
No annual day limit
Vacation rentals
Prohibited citywide
Permit suspension trigger
3 violations at same property

Summary

Pasadena caps every short-term rental at two guests per bedroom plus two more, regardless of the unit's size. Municipal Code Section 17.50.296.F.5 sets the hard ceiling, and hosts who exceed it repeatedly risk permit suspension.

F.Short-term rental regulations. ... 5.Short-term rentals shall not be used by more than 2 guests per bedroom plus 2 additional guests at one time.

View official code

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

E). ' A studio or one-bedroom unit is therefore capped at four guests, a three-bedroom house at eight, and so on, with no separate exception for larger groups renting through a hosting platform. 4). 6). 3).

Violations & Fines

Hosting more guests than the two-per-bedroom-plus-two limit in Section 17.50.296.F.5 is a Municipal Code violation punishable under Chapter 1.24's general penalty and administrative fines under Sections 1.25.160-.170; three violations at the same address can trigger automatic suspension of the short-term rental permit, and a subsequent revocation after hearing bars reapplication for one year (Section 17.50.296.I.3).

Frequently Asked Questions

How many guests can stay at a Pasadena short-term rental?
No more than 2 guests per bedroom plus 2 additional guests at one time, under Section 17.50.296.F.5. A two-bedroom short-term rental, for example, is capped at six total guests regardless of how many people the listing platform allows you to book.
Can I rent my whole house on Airbnb if I don't live there in Pasadena?
No. Section 17.50.296.D prohibits vacation rentals outright, meaning only a host's actual primary residence, defined as the place where the host lives at least nine months a year, can be listed as a short-term rental under this ordinance.
What happens if a Pasadena short-term rental repeatedly exceeds the guest limit?
Three violations against the same property can result in automatic suspension of the short-term rental permit under Section 17.50.296.I.3. After notice and a hearing, the city can revoke the permit entirely, and the host must then wait at least one year before reapplying.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Pasadena

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