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Glendale, CA Short-Term Rentals: Short-Term Rental Permits (2026)

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

Short-term rental permit rules in Glendale, CA, also called Airbnb permits, vacation rental licenses, or STR registration, list the application steps, fees, and operating requirements for hosting.

Key Facts

License required
Yes, before any home-sharing
Vacation rentals (no host)
Prohibited in all zones
Separate license per unit
Required on multi-unit lots
Local contact
Available 24 hours a day
Governing chapter
Municipal Code Ch. 5.56

Summary

Glendale requires anyone renting a residential dwelling for 30 days or less to first obtain a home-sharing license under Municipal Code Chapter 5.56. Vacation rentals with no on-site host are banned citywide, and every host must register, register for transient occupancy tax, and name a 24-hour local contact.

Any person wishing to engage in home-sharing, as defined in this chapter, shall first obtain a home-sharing license from the city, pursuant to the provisions of this section, regardless of the number of dwelling units on a lot. Each dwelling unit on a property that contains more than one dwelling unit must file a separate home-sharing license application.

B. Any person wishing to obtain a home-sharing license shall file an application according to requirements and procedures in Section 5.04.050.

C. An application for a home-sharing license shall include the following additional information:

1. Each host shall complete a transient occupancy registration certificate.

2. Each host shall provide proof of residency to the satisfaction of the community development director.

3. The host(s) shall designate a local responsible contact person or a property management company that will be available 24 hours per day to respond to any emergencies, complaints, or violations of this chapter.

4. The host(s) shall sign an affidavit that the host has been provided with and agrees to abide by all regulations applicable to home-sharing.

5.

Full Breakdown

040 requires any person wishing to engage in home-sharing to obtain a home-sharing license from the city before renting out a dwelling, regardless of how many units sit on the lot; a property with multiple dwelling units must file a separate application for each unit. 050, plus additional home-sharing-specific paperwork: each host completes a transient occupancy registration certificate, provides proof of residency to the community development director, and designates a local responsible contact person or property management company available 24 hours a day to respond to complaints, emergencies, or violations.

Hosts inside a homeowners' association must submit written HOA approval, and the license does not override any HOA covenants, conditions, or restrictions. Owners and hosts must also sign an indemnification agreement holding the city harmless. 030(O). An application can be denied, or a license suspended or revoked, if the host violates license conditions, code Titles 8 or 30, this chapter, or any other applicable law, or if the use becomes a public nuisance. 110.

Violations & Fines

Operating home-sharing without a license, or operating a vacation rental where no host lives on site, violates Chapter 5.56 and can lead to license denial, suspension, or revocation under Section 5.04.100. Repeated violations by a host count against renewal, and the city may pursue any lawful remedy under Section 5.56.040(D) for nuisance or code violations, with appeals routed through Section 5.04.110.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit to rent my Glendale home on Airbnb?
Yes. Section 5.56.040 requires a home-sharing license from the city before you rent any dwelling for 30 consecutive days or less, filed through the Section 5.04.050 application process plus home-sharing-specific documents like a transient occupancy registration certificate and a 24-hour local contact designation.
Can I rent my Glendale house short-term if I don't live there?
No. Section 5.56.020 prohibits vacation rentals, defined as short-term rentals with no host living on site, in every zone in the city. Only home-sharing, where a host lives on site throughout the guest's stay, can be licensed.
What happens if I operate without a home-sharing license?
The city can deny, suspend, or revoke a license under Section 5.04.100, and Section 5.56.040(D) lets the director act on nuisance conditions or code violations. You can appeal any denial or revocation through the Section 5.04.110 hearing process.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Glendale

All Glendale rules

How Glendale compares: Most Airbnb-Friendly Cities in America·California rules heatmap·Compare Glendale to another location·View the California short-term rentals overview

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