Hawthorne, CA Short-Term Rentals: Primary-Residence-Only Rule (2026)

One of the most distinctive features of Hawthorne's Chapter 17.74 is its residency linkage. The code defines a short-term rental as an accessory use of a primary residence while the host lives on-site, or of a secondary residence owned by a person whose primary residence is in Hawthorne. In practice this means a qualifying operator either lives in the home being rented or owns a second Hawthorne property while still maintaining their own primary residence within the city. This structure sharply limits out-of-town investor operations, because an owner who does not live in Hawthorne and is not on-site does not fit either pathway. The residency requirement reinforces the city's view of short-term rentals as an accessory residential use rather than a standalone commercial enterprise, and it pairs with the 90-day annual cap to keep rentals from displacing long-term housing. Eligible properties are still limited to residential buildings of four units or fewer, and never accessory dwelling units, Section 8 housing, or commercial and industrial zones. California state law does not mandate a primary-residence requirement statewide, so Hawthorne's residency link is a local policy choice that is stricter than the state baseline and stricter than many jurisdictions that allow non-resident-owned vacation rentals. Prospective operators should verify which pathway they fall under before applying, since misrepresenting residency status can void a permit.