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

The City of Whittier imposes a Transient Occupancy Tax under Chapter 3.20 of the Whittier Municipal Code at a rate of 10% of the rent charged to a transient (an occupant staying 30 consecutive days or less). California's State Controller's Office records Whittier's TOT rate as 10.00%, effective October 1, 1995. When Whittier adopted its STR ordinance (Chapter 5.68) on July 8, 2025, it confirmed that short-term rental operators must collect the established 10% TOT from each booking; the City's August 8, 2023 staff report listed 'Collection of 10% Transient Occupancy Tax' as a core requirement and noted that the permit and license process is the mechanism through which the City collects TOT. Operators must register for TOT under Section 3.20.060 and remit the tax to the City of Whittier Finance Department on the City's reporting schedule. Beyond TOT, operators pay City business-license fees and any STR permit fee set by the City. Note that the 2023 staff report recorded that one Airbnb host requested no cost for registering an STR; the final adopted fee amounts should be confirmed with the City, as the staff report did not fix a specific permit-fee dollar amount. The TOT is a Whittier city tax and is distinct from any Los Angeles County TOT, which applies only in unincorporated areas; STR bookings in incorporated Whittier are subject to the City's 10% rate, not a County rate.