Carson, CA Short-Term Rentals: Permit Requirements (2026)

Carson Municipal Code Chapter 4, Section 6400 ('Uniform Transient Occupancy Tax Ordinance of the City of Carson') defines 'hotel' broadly to include 'any structure, or any portion of any structure, which is occupied or intended or designed for occupancy by transients for dwelling, lodging or sleeping purposes' and expressly enumerates hotels, motels, tourist homes, lodging houses, rooming houses, apartment houses, dormitories, public or private clubs, and 'mobilehome or house trailer at a fixed location, or other similar structure or portion thereof.' A 'transient' is any person occupying for under 30 consecutive days. The Code requires each operator to register within 30 days of effective date or commencement of business and obtain a Transient Occupancy Registration Certificate posted conspicuously on the premises. Carson's TOT rate is 9% (effective 10/05/1993 per California State Controller). Carson adopted a Phase 1 Zoning Code Update on March 19, 2024 that updated residential use definitions, but did not enact a discrete short-term rental permit program; Phase 2 (commercial/industrial) is scheduled through Q3 2026. Operators must also obtain a City of Carson business license under the general business license provisions and remit TOT monthly. There is no annual safety inspection, no cap on number of permits, and no STR-specific land-use approval defined in the Carson code as of the current code through January 6, 2026.