Los Angeles, CA Short-Term Rentals: Primary-Residence-Only Rule (2026)
Key Facts
- Primary residence requirement
- Host must reside at the property more than 6 months per year
- RSO and restricted units
- Ineligible for home-sharing registration
- Maximum registrations per host
- One registration; one active rental unit at a time
Summary
Home-sharing in Los Angeles is limited to a host's single primary residence where the host lives more than 6 months per year; renters need landlord written approval, RSO and income-restricted units are ineligible, and only one registration per host is allowed citywide.
(9) Primary Residence. The sole residence from which the Host conducts Home-Sharing and in which the Host resides for more than 6 months of the calendar year.
(c)(2) Eligibility Requirements. The following requirements must be met at the time of submitting an application for Home-Sharing registration:
(ii) The proposed Home-Sharing is consistent with the provisions of this subdivision and is limited to the Host's Primary Residence.
a. A renter or lessee shall not engage in Home-Sharing without prior written approval of the landlord. A renter or lessee shall provide copies of the landlord's written approval to the City at the time of filing the application for registration.
b. A Primary Residence that is subject to affordable housing covenants, and/or Chapter 15 of the Los Angeles Municipal Code ("Rent Stabilization Ordinance"), and/or are income-restricted under City, state or federal law, is not eligible for Home-Sharing.
c. No Primary Residence which is the subject of any pending Citation may be registered for Home-Sharing.
d. No Person may apply for or obtain more than one Home-Sharing registration or otherwise operate more than one Home-Sharing Rental Unit at a time in the City of Los Angeles.
Full Breakdown
LAMC § 12.22 A.32 defines 'Primary Residence' as the sole residence from which the host conducts home-sharing and in which the host resides for more than 6 months of the calendar year. All home-sharing activity must occur at the host's primary residence. Renters and lessees must obtain prior written landlord approval and provide copies to the City with their registration application; landlords may proactively prohibit home-sharing by all tenants across their properties by notifying the Department of City Planning. Units subject to Chapter 15 (Rent Stabilization Ordinance), affordable housing covenants, or income restrictions under City, state, or federal law are not eligible for home-sharing. Properties with any pending citation may not be registered. No person may hold more than one home-sharing registration or operate more than one rental unit at a time in Los Angeles.
Violations & Fines
Hosting short-term guests at any property that is not the host's primary residence; renting without landlord written approval; operating in an RSO, affordable, or income-restricted unit; operating with a pending citation; holding more than one registration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a renter list their apartment on Airbnb without asking their landlord?
Is a rent-stabilized unit eligible for home-sharing?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Los Angeles
California rules heatmap·Compare Los Angeles to another location·View the California short-term rentals overview
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Primary-Residence-Only Rule in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Los Angeles County handle primary-residence-only rule.