Short-term rental permit rules in Santa Monica, CA — also called Airbnb permits, vacation rental licenses, or STR registration — list the application steps, fees, and operating requirements for hosting.
Santa Monica strictly regulates short-term rentals. A business license and compliance with the city's home-sharing ordinance is required. The city imposes a Transient Occupancy Tax on stays under 30 days. Only home-sharing (host present) is permitted for most units.
Under SMMC Chapter 6.20, adopted May 12, 2015 and subsequently amended, hosts must obtain both a Home-Sharing Permit and Home-Sharing Business License. Only hosted short-term rentals are allowed — at least one primary resident must live on-site throughout the visitor's stay. Unhosted entire-home rentals are prohibited. The initial application fee is $100 (covers first two years), with $50 annual renewal. Applicants must prove ownership (grant deed) or long-term tenancy (12-month minimum lease). Month-to-month tenants are ineligible. Hosts must maintain $500,000 minimum liability insurance. Maximum two groups of visitors per night.
Operating without proper permits is illegal. Fines can exceed $1,000 per day. Two final citations during a permit term result in a 30-day suspension. The City actively monitors online listing platforms.
Santa Monica, CA
Backyard chickens are allowed in Santa Monica with restrictions. Roosters are prohibited in residential areas due to noise. Livestock keeping is restricted b...
Santa Monica, CA
Dogs must be on a leash in all public areas in Santa Monica. Off-leash dogs are only permitted in designated dog parks. The city enforces leash laws through ...
Santa Monica, CA
Santa Monica does not impose breed-specific legislation. All dogs must be licensed per CA Food & Ag Code §30500+. Dangerous dog determinations are based on i...
Santa Monica, CA
Feeding wildlife in Santa Monica public parks and beaches is discouraged. The city's property maintenance code addresses nuisance conditions from wildlife at...
Santa Monica, CA
Portable fire pits on private property in Santa Monica must comply with South Coast AQMD regulations. Burns are prohibited on spare-the-air days. Beach fires...
Santa Monica, CA
Properties in fire hazard zones near Santa Monica must maintain defensible space per CA PRC §4291. Santa Monica itself is largely urban/coastal with limited ...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Los Angeles County.
See how other cities in Los Angeles County handle permit requirements.
See how Santa Monica's permit requirements rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.