Lake Forest, CA Short-Term Rentals: Registration Rules (2026)

Because short-term rentals are prohibited in Lake Forest's residential areas, there is no registration program that legalizes a conventional vacation rental. The only registration pathway is for a Limited Home Rental, which the City states 'must be registered with the City and is subject to Transient Occupancy Taxes.' For tax purposes, the City contracts with HdL (Hinderliter, de Llamas and Associates) to administer Transient Occupancy Tax collection, and operators set up and pay through the City's TOT payments portal at lakeforest.hdlgov.com. Under the City's Uniform Transient Occupancy Tax provisions (Lake Forest Municipal Code Chapter 3.25), each operator of lodging renting to transients must register the lodging with the Tax Collector and obtain a Transient Occupancy Registration Certificate, which is to be posted in a conspicuous place on the premises. This City-administered system is separate from any statewide California requirement and from unincorporated Orange County's program. For hotel/TOT registration and payment questions, the City directs operators to 949-528-3797.