Hawthorne, CA Short-Term Rentals: Primary-Residence-Only Rule (2026)
Key Facts
- Primary residence
- Live there 9+ months per year
- Proof required
- Homestead exemption plus 2 more documents
- Vacation rental cap
- 10 secondary-residence permits citywide
- Per owner
- 1 vacation rental permit per property owner
- Vacation rental days
- 90 days per year maximum
- Zone limit
- Barred in industrial/commercial zones
Summary
Hawthorne's short-term rental program is built around home-sharing from a host's primary residence: Hawthorne Municipal Code § 17.74.010 defines a primary residence as the one home where a person lives at least nine months a year, and § 17.74.020(A)(8) makes hosts prove that residency with a homestead exemption plus two other documents. Secondary-residence vacation rentals are allowed but capped at ten citywide.
"Primary residence" means a host's primary residence or usual place of return for housing, documented as required by this chapter. A person may have only one primary residence and must reside there for a minimum of nine months per year. "Secondary residence" means a dwelling not occupied by the owner as a "primary residence" but owned by person(s) whose primary residence is in the city of Hawthorne. No more than ten permits for a "secondary residence" will be issued by the city per year, on a first-come, first-served basis. No more than one permit shall be issued per property owner. ... If the short-term rental will be in a primary residence (i.e., not a vacation rental), proof of residency is required. Acceptable proof of primary residency shall include evidence of the homestead tax exemption for the property and two of the following: motor vehicle registration, voter registration, income tax documents showing the residential unit as the host's primary residence, bank account statement, or a utility or credit card bill.
Full Breakdown
Hawthorne's short-term rental ordinance is organized around the idea that most hosts should be renting out the home they actually live in. 010). 050). An applicant for a secondary-residence permit still has to prove their own primary residence is in Hawthorne, and both primary- and secondary-residence hosts must sign an affidavit confirming which category applies to their unit.
Violations & Fines
Misrepresenting primary or secondary residency status on the § 17.74.020(A)(8) affidavit is a false statement that supports permit revocation under § 17.74.100(A)(1)-(2) after notice and a hearing. Operating a vacation rental beyond the citywide cap of ten permits or the 90-day annual limit set in § 17.74.050 also exposes the host to the chapter's misdemeanor and administrative citation penalties under § 17.74.090.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I rent out a home in Hawthorne that isn't my primary residence?
How do I prove my Hawthorne home is my primary residence?
What counts as a primary residence under Hawthorne's ordinance?
Are there more vacation rental permits available if I apply?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hawthorne
California rules heatmap·Compare Hawthorne to another location·View the California short-term rentals overview
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