West Covina Registration Rules Rules (2026): What You Need to Know

Many California cities that regulate short-term rentals require hosts to register with the city, obtain a business license, and maintain a Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) account. West Covina has not adopted any such program because short-term rentals are not a permitted use in any residential zone under the city's zoning code (Title 26). Without an underlying authorization for the activity, there is no registration framework to participate in.

This means that West Covina residents cannot register, license, or otherwise legitimize a short-term rental operation. There is no application form, no annual fee, no inspection process, and no compliance checklist for prospective STR hosts. The city's Finance Department does not issue TOT accounts for residential short-term rental operators because the activity itself is prohibited.

West Covina's Code Enforcement Division actively monitors major booking platforms including Airbnb, VRBO, Booking.com, and Furnished Finder for listings within city limits. When a residential STR listing is identified, enforcement staff issue a notice of violation and require immediate removal of the listing. The enforcement approach treats each listing as a zoning violation rather than an opportunity to bring the operator into a registration program — because no such program exists.

Only hotels and motels operating in commercially zoned areas with proper business licenses are required to collect and remit Transient Occupancy Tax to the city. The current West Covina TOT rate is 10%, applicable to stays of fewer than 30 consecutive days in licensed lodging establishments.