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Is Airbnb legal in Los Angeles, California?

Legal with a city permit — primary residence only. LA allows home-sharing only in your primary residence (where you live 6+ months a year), capped at 120 nights per year. A dedicated investment property you do not live in is not eligible.

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

Legal with permit

Legal with a city permit — primary residence only

LA allows home-sharing only in your primary residence (where you live 6+ months a year), capped at 120 nights per year. A dedicated investment property you do not live in is not eligible.

Permit and costs

Permit
Home-Sharing Registration
Issued by
LA Dept. of City Planning
Cost
$89 / year
Renewal
Annual — renew 30+ days before expiry

Key limits

Annual night cap
120 nights
Primary residence
Required (6+ months/yr)
Whole-home unhosted stays
Allowed within the cap
Rent-stabilized / newer ADUs
Ineligible

Taxes

Transient occupancy tax
14% — platforms collect and remit

Registration checklist

  1. 1
    Prove primary residency
    Government ID plus utility bills, deed, or lease showing you live there.
  2. 2
    Register online
    File through the Home-Sharing portal at planning.lacity.gov and pay $89.
  3. 3
    Post your registration number
    It must appear on every listing, even while approval is pending.
  4. 4
    Keep records 3 years
    The city can audit your hosted nights against the 120-night cap.

What could change this verdict

A different city nearby
Santa Monica, West Hollywood, and Beverly Hills each have their own — often stricter — rules. The address is the whole verdict.
Extended Home-Sharing
After 6 months registered (or 60 hosted nights) you can apply to exceed 120 nights: $850/yr administrative clearance.
Your HOA or lease
An HOA or lease can ban short-term rentals even where the city allows them.

Sources

LA Home-Sharing rules guide

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

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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.