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

Registration is a prerequisite to legal short-term rental operation in Murrieta. Applicants submit a short-term rental permit application through the Murrieta Finance Department along with a business license application, proof of residency or ownership, a site plan showing parking, a floor plan identifying bedrooms, evidence of required insurance, and a designation of a local contact within 25 miles who can respond to complaints within 60 minutes. The application is reviewed for zoning compatibility and HOA disclosures. Once approved, the operator receives a unique permit number that must be included in every online listing (Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, direct-booking sites) so that code enforcement and TOT auditors can match listings to permits. Good Neighbor notices must be posted visibly inside the unit and must include quiet hours, parking rules, trash rules, maximum occupancy, local contact phone, emergency numbers, and fire evacuation instructions. Permits must be renewed annually, and renewals may be denied for unresolved code violations, unpaid TOT, or platform-data discrepancies. Operating without a permit is an administrative violation that escalates quickly and can include per-night fines.