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Huntington Beach, CA Short-Term Rentals: Repeat Violator Strikes (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Strike threshold
3 fines within 12 months
Consequence
Revocation, suspension, or conditions
Notice period
14 calendar days to respond
Re-registration bar
12 months after revocation
Fine per violation
$1,000

Summary

Three fines against a Huntington Beach STR host within any 12-month period trigger mandatory permit revocation, suspension, or new conditions, and a revoked permit cannot be renewed for a full year under Chapter 5.120.

If three fines have been issued against a STR host or operator within a 12-month period, the STR permit shall be revoked, or suspended, or additional conditions may be imposed by the Director by providing written notice to the STR host or operator setting forth the basis of the intended action and giving the STR host or operator an opportunity, within 14 calendar days, to present responding information to the Director. After the 14 day period, the Director may determine whether to revoke the STR permit, suspend the STR permit, or impose additional conditions upon the STR permit and thereafter give written notice of the decision to the STR host or operator. If a STR permit is revoked, the STR may not be re-registered with the City for a period of 12 months from the date of revocation.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4954605; v17 updated 2026-06-16).

Full Breakdown

070(C) provides that "if three fines have been issued against a STR host or operator within a 12-month period, the STR permit shall be revoked, or suspended, or additional conditions may be imposed by the Director," but only after the Director gives written notice of the basis for the intended action and 14 calendar days for the host to respond with information. After that 14-day window closes, the Director decides whether to revoke, suspend, or add conditions to the permit and issues written notice of the decision.

070(C) bars the host from re-registering that STR with the City for 12 months from the date of revocation. 070(A), such as maximum-occupancy violations, unauthorized advertising, missing local-contact response, or unhosted operation outside Sunset Beach. 070(D) separately declares repeated chapter violations a public nuisance that the City can enjoin under Code of Civil Procedure § 731, independent of the administrative revocation track.

Violations & Fines

Each qualifying violation carries its own $1,000 fine per § 5.120.070(B); once a host accumulates three such fines in 12 months, § 5.120.070(C) makes revocation, suspension, or new conditions the consequence, following 14 days' written notice and an opportunity to respond. A revoked permit is barred from reissuance for 12 months, and repeated violations can also be pursued in court as a public nuisance under § 5.120.070(D).

Frequently Asked Questions

How many strikes before a Huntington Beach STR permit is revoked?
Three. Municipal Code § 5.120.070(C) requires revocation, suspension, or added conditions once a host or operator has been issued three fines within any 12-month period, after 14 days' written notice and a chance to respond.
Can a host get their revoked STR permit back right away?
No. Section 5.120.070(C) states that once an STR permit is revoked under the three-strike rule, the STR may not be re-registered with the City for 12 months from the date of revocation.
Does the City have to give notice before revoking a permit?
Yes. The Director must provide written notice of the basis for the intended action and give the host 14 calendar days to present responding information before deciding whether to revoke, suspend, or condition the permit.

Sources & Official References

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