Santa Ana Registration Rules Rules (2026): What You Need to Know

The registration process for short-term rentals in Santa Ana involves multiple City departments and must be completed in full before any rental activity begins. The operator must first obtain a business license from the Finance Department, then register as a TOT collector, and finally apply for the Home-Sharing Permit through the Planning and Building Agency. The permit application requires a self-certification that the unit complies with applicable building, fire, and housing codes, including working smoke detectors in each bedroom and hallway, a carbon monoxide detector on each level, a fire extinguisher accessible to guests, and posted emergency exit information.

Once the Home-Sharing Permit is issued, the City assigns a unique permit number that must be conspicuously displayed on every online listing, advertisement, or solicitation for the short-term rental. Platforms such as Airbnb and VRBO are required to remove listings that do not display a valid permit number when notified by the City. Operating without displaying the permit number is a separate citable offense even if the operator holds a valid permit. The registration must be renewed annually; failure to renew before expiration results in automatic suspension of the permit and all associated listings must be deactivated.

Santa Ana's registration framework also imposes ongoing operational requirements. Operators must maintain a guest registry with names and contact information for all guests, retain records for a minimum of three years, and make them available for City inspection upon request. The designated local contact person must be identified in the registration and updated within 48 hours if the contact changes. Noise complaints, parking violations, or occupancy exceedances attributed to an STR are tracked against the permit; three substantiated complaints within a 12-month period trigger automatic permit revocation proceedings.