Buena Park, CA Short-Term Rentals: Taxes & Fees (2026)

Buena Park requires STR hosts to comply with both the city's Transient Occupancy Tax (Chapter 3.16) and Business License requirements (Title 5.00). The city's STR FAQ states plainly that all short-term rental owners must remit 12% TOT - the same lodging tax applied to hotels and motels in the city. Section 19.348.080(E) provides that the TOT may be remitted by the hosting platform on behalf of the host, but the host retains the duty and liability to ensure timely remittance to the city. On fees, the FAQ sets an initial application fee of $300, a $100 inspection fee collected at the time of initial application, and a $300 renewal fee for the three-year permit. For the business license, short-term rentals are categorized as 'Hotels, Motels and Apartments' at $22.50 per year plus a $10.00 Zoning Compliance Fee. The ordinance itself ties the application and annual-inspection fees to amounts established by City Council resolution based on the city's estimated reasonable costs to process applications and mail notice to owners within 300 feet. Hosts must keep detailed guest and financial records for five years and may be audited to ensure tax compliance. TOT questions are handled by the Finance Department (714-562-3737).