Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Huntington Beach, CA

Airbnb listings are allowed in Huntington Beach, CA, but with restrictions. Short-term rentals (30 nights or fewer) are restricted to owner-occupied (hosted) units citywide (Zone 1 and 2). Unhosted rentals are only permitted in Sunset Beach (Zone 2) for existing units that obtained permits by March 1, 2022; no new unhosted permits are issued. Requirements include a 24/7 local contact with a 1-hour response time, minimum renter age of 25, and mandatory collection of 10% TOT and 4% TBID. A permit is required before you can host. These rules apply to all short-term rental platforms (Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, etc.) — not just Airbnb specifically. See the official source linked on this page for full requirements. Last verified 2026-05-14.

Short-term rentals (30 nights or fewer) are restricted to owner-occupied (hosted) units citywide (Zone 1 and 2). Unhosted rentals are only permitted in Sunset Beach (Zone 2) for existing units that obtained permits by March 1, 2022; no new unhosted permits are issued. Requirements include a 24/7 local contact with a 1-hour response time, minimum renter age of 25, and mandatory collection of 10% TOT and 4% TBID.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Huntington Beach. 1) Submit an online application via the Huntington Beach ACA portal and pay the $639 initial fee. 2) Provide a third-party life-safety inspection certification and proof of liability insurance. 3) Complete a City Code Enforcement inspection; once approved, obtain a business license and remit TOT/TBID quarterly via the Deckard portal.

1) Submit an online application via the Huntington Beach ACA portal and pay the $639 initial fee. 2) Provide a third-party life-safety inspection certification and proof of liability insurance. 3) Complete a City Code Enforcement inspection; once approved, obtain a business license and remit TOT/TBID quarterly via the Deckard portal.

Vrbo is permitted in Huntington Beach, CA under the same restrictions that apply to Airbnb — local rules govern the rental itself, not the specific platform. You must hold a valid permit before hosting on Vrbo. Last verified 2026-05-14.

Short-term rental hosts in Huntington Beach 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 Huntington Beach. STR rules change frequently — verify the current requirements with the city or county before listing, using the official source linked on this page.