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

070 of the Orange Municipal Code sets a graduated citation scheme for the owner and property manager of a short term rental. The first and second offenses within a rolling 12-month period draw a fine classified as either minor or major, with amounts set by City Council resolution; the third and subsequent offenses within 12 months draw a fine for a minor offense, but a major offense at that point triggers permit revocation outright. Subsection (B) enumerates specific minor offenses, including property manager response of 30-60 minutes, occupancy exceeded by up to two persons, and failure to resolve a quiet-time noise complaint within 30 minutes, plus a catch-all for violations the City Manager deems minor.

Major offenses include property manager response of 60 or more minutes, occupancy exceeded by more than two persons, bookings under two nights, failure to follow the good neighbor policy, repeat parking or noise complaints in one occupancy, failure to pay the transient occupancy tax, criminal activity on the property, two prior minor offenses within 12 months (which itself becomes a major offense), and failure to timely renew the permit or business license. Subsection (C) makes revocation mandatory upon three major offenses within any continuous 12-month period, or upon any single major offense the City Manager or designee deems egregious enough to warrant it.

Before revocation, the owner gets written notice of the grounds and may request a meeting with the City Manager within 30 days; the resulting written determination, whether to revoke, modify, or fine, is final and not appealable. A revoked owner may not apply for a new permit for 12 months, and the property itself is ineligible for a new short term rental permit for 12 months regardless of who owns it.