Garden Grove Registration Rules Rules (2026): What You Need to Know
Heavy RestrictionsThe Short Version
Garden Grove requires short-term rental operators to register their property with the city and display a valid permit number on all online listings and advertisements. Each listing must include the city-issued STR permit number prominently in the listing description. Platforms that do not display a valid Garden Grove permit number may be subject to city enforcement actions. The registration process verifies ownership, safety compliance, insurance coverage, and TOT enrollment. Operators must maintain current registration and notify the city of any changes to ownership, contact information, or the number of bedrooms offered for rental.
Full Breakdown
Garden Grove's short-term rental registration requirements ensure that all STR properties are properly documented and traceable. Upon approval of a short-term rental permit, the city issues a unique permit number that must be prominently displayed on every online listing, advertisement, and marketing material for the rental property. This includes listings on Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, and any other platform or website where the property is advertised.
The registration process collects detailed information about the property, including the property address, assessor's parcel number, property owner name and contact information, the designated local contact person's name, phone number, and address, the number of bedrooms to be offered for rental, the maximum occupancy, available off-street parking spaces, and proof of liability insurance. The city verifies that the property has passed a safety inspection confirming working smoke detectors, carbon monoxide alarms, fire extinguishers, and adequate egress from sleeping areas.
Operators must maintain their registration in current status by notifying the city within 30 days of any material changes, including a change in property ownership, a change of the local contact person, modifications to the number of bedrooms or maximum occupancy, or a lapse in required insurance coverage. Each dwelling unit must be registered separately — owners of multi-unit properties such as duplexes or apartment buildings must submit individual permit applications for each unit to be used as an STR. The city actively monitors hosting platforms for non-compliant listings and may request platform operators to remove listings that do not display a valid Garden Grove STR permit number.
What Happens If You Violate This?
Advertising a short-term rental without a valid permit number is a violation subject to fines of $500 per listing per day. Failure to update registration information within the required timeframe carries fines of $100 to $250. Operating with a lapsed registration is treated the same as operating without a permit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to show my permit number on my Airbnb listing in Garden Grove?
What happens if I list my property without a permit number?
Do I need to re-register if I add a bedroom to my rental?
Sources & Official References
How does Garden Grove compare?
See how Garden Grove's registration rules rules stack up against other locations.