Can I Airbnb My House in Los Angeles?

AIRBNB PERMIT GUIDE

LAST UPDATED: SEPTEMBER 2026

Yes, potentially—but the City of Los Angeles has specific rules about who can host, which home can be used, and how many days it can be rented.

What people often call an “LA Airbnb permit” is officially a Home-Sharing Registration (HSR). This guide reflects the City’s updated Administrative Guidelines effective September 28, 2026.

Note: This guide applies to properties within the City of Los Angeles. Nearby places such as Altadena and Pasadena have different rules. It is a general overview, not legal, tax, or official government advice. The City makes all eligibility and approval decisions.

The short answer: usually, if it's your primary residence.

Los Angeles Home-Sharing is generally limited to your primary residence—where you live for more than six months of the calendar year. You may hold only one Home-Sharing Registration and operate one registration per person and primary residence.

A Regular Home-Sharing Registration allows up to 120 days of Home-Sharing per calendar year. To host beyond 120 days, you need the City’s Extended Home-Sharing approval.

Can your Los Angeles home qualify?

Your home must be within the City of Los Angeles, be your primary residence, and meet the City’s property and housing requirements.

Certain rent-stabilized, affordable, and income-restricted homes are ineligible. Open City citations can also affect eligibility.

Renters may qualify, but they must provide the City’s signed Property Owner Authorization to Conduct Home-Sharing form.

Owning a second home or investment property does not make it eligible for Home-Sharing. You need an active City registration before operating a short-term rental.

What documents do you need to apply?

Under the guidelines effective September 28, 2026, applicants must provide:

A valid California driver’s license or California identification card showing your true full name and the proposed Home-Sharing address.
Two accepted primary-residence documents showing your true full name and the proposed Home-Sharing address.

The City’s accepted documents include qualifying property tax bills with a homeowner’s exemption, LADWP electricity bills, California vehicle registrations, voter registration documents, IRS transcripts, government benefits notices, and jury summonses. Each type has specific date, address, and other requirements, so review the City’s full document instructions before submitting. A passport or out-of-state ID does not replace the required California photo ID.

How many days can I Airbnb my home in Los Angeles?

A Regular Home-Sharing Registration allows up to 120 days per calendar year. If you want to host beyond that limit, you must first obtain Extended Home-Sharing approval.

I recommend confirming whether you qualify for Extended Home-Sharing before building a financial plan around more than 120 short-term rental days.

What if I want to host more than 120 days?

Eligible hosts can apply for Extended Home-Sharing (EHS). You need an active Regular Home-Sharing Registration and must generally have either held it for at least six months or hosted at least 60 days during a valid registration period.

The City also reviews citation history and other eligibility requirements. For the standard approval process, the City sends notice to adjacent and abutting property owners and occupants at the applicant’s expense.

Extended Home-Sharing approval is determined by the City.

How do I get a Home-Sharing Registration?

01 — CONFIRM ELIGIBILITY

Check that your property is within the City of Los Angeles, is your primary residence, and meets the City’s Home-Sharing requirements.
02 — GATHER YOUR DOCUMENTS

Prepare your qualifying California photo ID and two accepted proofs of primary residence. Your true full name and the proposed Home-Sharing address must appear as the City requires. If you rent, prepare the signed and notarized property owner authorization form as well.
03 — APPLY WITH THE CITY

Use the City’s Home-Sharing Application and Registration Portal (HARP) to apply or renew. Existing hosts and applicants can use their existing accounts; the City provides account-connection instructions on its Home-Sharing webpage.
04 — ADDRESS BUSINESS TAX REQUIREMENTS

The City checks business tax compliance as part of the process. You can apply without an existing Business Tax Registration Certificate (BTRC), but if your registration is approved, the updated guidelines require a BTRC with the appropriate transient occupancy tax classification before you operate as a host. Confirm your particular tax obligations with the City’s Office of Finance.
05 — ADD YOUR REGISTRATION NUMBER TO YOUR LISTING

Once approved, display your valid City-issued Home-Sharing registration number on your advertisements as required. Keep the name, address, and registration information on your listing consistent with your City records.

VISIT THE OFFICIAL CITY OF LA HOME-SHARING WEBSITE

How do renewals work?

A Home-Sharing Registration is valid for 12 months. Once it expires, its registration number is no longer valid unless renewed.

Regular Home-Sharing: The City accepts renewal applications beginning 60 days before expiration and anytime afterward. There is no deadline to apply for a Regular renewal after expiration, but you cannot continue hosting under an expired registration while waiting for renewal.

Extended Home-Sharing: The City accepts renewal applications during the 60 days before expiration. You must submit the Extended renewal before it expires. If it expires before you submit, you must apply to renew a Regular Home-Sharing Registration instead.

Renewal applicants must also address prior compliance, required hosting records, per-night fees, and applicable tax registration requirements.

What if I rent for 31 days or longer?

The City defines a short-term rental as a rental of 30 consecutive days or less. A stay of 31 consecutive days or more falls outside the Home-Sharing Ordinance’s definition of a short-term rental.

Other rental housing, lease, rent stabilization, tax, and property-specific rules may still apply to longer stays.

Los Angeles Airbnb Permit FAQs

Yes, to operate a qualifying short-term rental within the City of Los Angeles, you need a valid Home-Sharing Registration before hosting.
Generally, no under the City’s Home-Sharing program. The registered home must be your primary residence.
An ADU with a building permit application submitted on or after January 1, 2017 may qualify only if it has a Certificate of Occupancy and is the applicant’s primary residence. Confirm the unit’s permit history and eligibility directly with City Planning before making plans to list it.
Potentially. Renters must meet the City’s eligibility rules and submit its signed and notarized property owner authorization form.
12 months. Regular and Extended registrations have different renewal rules, so check your certificate’s expiration date and submit on time.
Only after receiving Extended Home-Sharing approval from the City. A Regular registration alone permits up to 120 days per calendar year.
A rental of 31 consecutive days or more falls outside the ordinance’s definition of Short-Term Rental, which is defined as 30 days or less. Other rental laws may still apply.
Yes. Hosts have ongoing requirements involving guest information, safety equipment, records, taxes, and City per-night fees. A hosting platform with a City agreement may remit per-night fees on your behalf. If you use a platform without such an agreement, the guidelines require you to report and pay through the City portal monthly, including reporting zero nights when applicable.
The City charges application fees, and Extended Home-Sharing can involve additional notification costs. The Extended application fee is collected when you submit the application. Check the City’s Home-Sharing webpage for current amounts.
I can help you understand the process and prepare your property and listing, but the City of Los Angeles decides whether to approve your registration.

Once you know you can host, I can help with the rest.

I help Los Angeles homeowners with Airbnb strategy, design, setup, listing creation, launch, and ongoing hosting.

AIRBNB SETUP LOS ANGELES

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