Huntington Beach, CA short-term rental permit

What Huntington Beach asks of you

• Zone 1 covers properties in the city outside Sunset Beach. Zone 2 is Sunset Beach.^[4]

• Hosted, owner-occupied rentals are allowed in both zones.^[4]

• Un-hosted rentals are allowed in Sunset Beach for operators who obtained a permit by March 1, 2022.^[4]

• A hosted stay happens at a primary residence, with the host on site throughout the guest's stay.^[5]

• The hosted application asks for proof of primary residency through at least two documents, such as a driver's license.^[6]

• The web page prices the application at $639, which covers the initial two years. Annual renewal is $332.^[4]

• The hosted application effective July 1, 2026 prints $658 on page 1 and $639 in its submittal list. It adds a 6.0% automation fee to all fees listed.^[6]

• The city's FAQ, dated June 24, 2024, gives an application fee of $624.^[5]

• The FAQ says the first permit is valid for two years from issuance, then renewed annually.^[5]

• The city's Required Permit sheet gives the permit a one-year life, counted from issuance.^[7]

• A renewal application is due at least thirty days before the permit expires. Missing that date renders the permit null and void.^[7]

• A host is granted a single permit within the city, Sunset Beach included.^[5]

• Guests are counted at two per bedroom plus two more, children included, with ten people as the ceiling.^[9]

• The minimum age for tenants is 25.^[8]

• A Local Contact Person has one hour to respond to a complaint, on any day at any time.^[4]

• The contact's name and telephone number are posted where the public can read them without entering the rental.^[8]

• All marketing, hosting platform listings included, must clearly list the city-issued STR Permit number.^[8]

• A third-party inspection certification is required. A Code Enforcement inspection follows before the permit is issued.^[5]

• Proof of general liability insurance is required before issuance and at each annual renewal. The city publishes no dollar minimum.^[5]

• No events are allowed, such as commercial parties, weddings and conferences.^[4]

• The fine is $1,000 for each violation, and each separate day may be considered a separate violation.^[10]

• A thirty-day warning period comes before any fine for advertising without a valid permit number.^[10]

• After three fines in twelve months the permit may be revoked. A revoked rental may not be re-registered for twelve months.^[10]

• Hosting platforms are responsible for collecting the tax and the assessment. The owner remains responsible when a platform fails to.^[11]

What California asks wherever you host

These rules apply at this address whatever the city decides.

• No state license exists for short-term rentals in California. The state's 2025 act on booking platforms says it does not preempt a local short-term rental ordinance.^[1]

• Since July 1, 2024, every mandatory fee has to sit inside the rate you advertise. Only government taxes and fees may be added later.^[2]

• State law caps city fines when a short-term rental violation threatens health or safety. The first ceiling is $1,500. A second violation within the year reaches $3,000, each later one $5,000.^[3]