Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Costa Mesa, CA

No — Airbnb-style short-term rentals are not allowed in Costa Mesa, CA. Short-term rentals are prohibited throughout the city per Ordinance 2021-17, though 'home sharing' is exempt. Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) cannot be used as STRs as they are subject to a 31-day minimum rental restriction. The ban applies to all short-term rental platforms (Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, etc.), not just Airbnb. See the official source linked on this page for full requirements. Last verified 2026-05-14.

Short-term rentals are prohibited throughout the city per Ordinance 2021-17, though 'home sharing' is exempt. Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) cannot be used as STRs as they are subject to a 31-day minimum rental restriction.

No permit is currently required to operate a short-term rental in Costa Mesa.

No. Because Costa Mesa, CA prohibits this type of short-term rental, the ban covers Vrbo just as it covers Airbnb and Booking.com — switching platforms does not change the legal status. Last verified 2026-05-14.

Short-term rental hosts in Costa Mesa are typically responsible for lodging, occupancy, and applicable sales taxes — these usually apply even where hosting is allowed without a permit. Rates and remittance rules vary by jurisdiction (state, county, and city can each levy a share); confirm the current rates with the official source linked on this page. Platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo collect some taxes automatically, but the host remains liable for any not collected on their behalf.

We are not currently tracking any recent short-term rental ordinance changes for Costa Mesa. STR rules change frequently — verify the current requirements with the city or county before listing, using the official source linked on this page.