Home / Cities / Anaheim

Is Airbnb legal in Anaheim, California?

No new permits since 2016, closed pool. Anaheim stopped accepting new short-term rental permit applications on August 11, 2016, and only about 238 grandfathered properties can still operate. Buying a house that currently Airbnbs does not transfer its permit, so a new investor cannot legally run a whole-home short-term rental.

Showing the researched rules for Anaheim, CA below. Type your Anaheim address to jump to the verdict.

Not allowed

No new permits since 2016, closed pool

Anaheim stopped accepting new short-term rental permit applications on August 11, 2016, and only about 238 grandfathered properties can still operate. Buying a house that currently Airbnbs does not transfer its permit, so a new investor cannot legally run a whole-home short-term rental.

Permit and costs

Permit
Short-Term Rental Permit (closed pool)
Issued by
City of Anaheim
Cost
$250 application / year (renewals only)
Renewal
Annual, due by July 31

Key limits

New permits
Not issued since Aug 11, 2016
Permit transfer
Permits do not transfer on sale
Grandfathered pool
About 238 properties
Minimum stay
3 nights

Taxes

Transient occupancy tax
15%

Registration checklist

  1. 1
    Confirm no new path exists
    Call the Business License Division to confirm that no new STR permits are being issued before you buy.
  2. 2
    Underwrite without Airbnb income
    Treat the purchase as a long-term rental or personal use, since short-term rental income is not legally available.
  3. 3
    Consider 31+ day stays
    Stays of 31 nights or longer are exempt from registration and remain legal.

What could change this verdict

Your HOA
HOA bans are common in Anaheim, and the only narrow path to a permit is a relocation process for STRs displaced by an HOA ban.
Change of ownership
A $498 change-of-ownership filing is required within 14 days if a grandfathered property changes hands, with no guarantee of approval.

Sources

BNBCalc Anaheim 2026 guide · Airbnb Anaheim help article

Rules researched October 2026. They change, so verify with the city before you buy.

Want this verified for your exact address?

$75 per address
  • Verdict for your parcel, not just the city
  • Permit name, fee, and renewal schedule
  • Night caps, occupancy rules, and key limits
  • Tax rates and a step-by-step checklist

Free during early access. Run the free address check

Also check

Big Bear Lake, CA Fresno, CA Long Beach, CA Los Angeles, CA All 103 cities
Verify before you buy. Rules change often and vary by zoning, HOA, and building type. This is a research starting point, not legal advice. Always confirm with the city's planning or business-license office before signing anything.