Long Beach Short Term Rental Regulation: A Guide For Airbnb Hosts

What are short term rental (Airbnb, VRBO) regulations in Long Beach,California?

In Long Beach, California, short-term rentals (Airbnb, VRBO) are governed by strict rules to ensure they fit within community standards. The city allows short-term rentals in single-family homes, condominiums, and apartment units in a residential complex, as well as maids' quarters and guest houses13. However, short-term rentals cannot be hosted in pool houses, casitas, garages, or other outbuildings.

To operate a legal short-term rental in Long Beach, hosts must register their property with the city and pay an initial application fee of $2504. The registration is valid for one year, after which it needs to be renewed. Hosts are required to confirm the eligibility of their property by showing proof of residency, dwelling type, capacity, and other necessary documents2.

Long Beach mandates maximum numbers of short-term rental units in a given residential complex as follows:

• A 2-10 unit building may have 1 short-term rental
• A 11-50 unit building may have up to 10% short-term rentals
• A 51-100 unit building may have up to 12% short-term rentals
• A 101+ unit building may have up to 15% short-term rentals2

City Registration and Fees:
Most California cities require short-term rental businesses to register either or both their business and these applications often are accompanied by fees, which vary widely depending on the municipality2.

Occupancy Rules:
Many California city ordinances agree that short-term rentals need also to be primary residences. The definition of a primary residence varies between municipalities, but generally speaking, it means that you live full-time at your short-term rental address for at least a portion of the year (anywhere from 60 days to 275 days per year)2.

Promote Safety:
Guests in a short-term rental property expect safety and security in their accommodations, so many California ordinances stipulate best practices when it comes to promoting safety. These typically include clearly stated emergency information, designated contact person, and fire safety equipment2.

The Development Services Department in Long Beach offers services including personalized guidance, compliance assistance, and troubleshooting and support for short-term rental (STR) operators. This assistance is designed to help hosts navigate the registration process, ensure compliance with local regulations, and address any issues that may arise during the operation of their STRs, providing essential support for successful and legally compliant hosting3.

In summary, short-term rentals in Long Beach, California, are subject to strict rules and regulations to ensure they fit within community standards and comply with local ordinances. Hosts must register their property, confirm the eligibility of their property, and adhere to occupancy rules and safety guidelines. The Development Services Department in Long Beach provides support and guidance for hosts to ensure compliance with local regulations.

Starting a Short Term Rental Business in Long Beach

Starting a short term rental business in Long Beach, California, involves understanding the local regulations and requirements. Long Beach allows short-term rentals in single-family homes, condominiums, and apartment units in a residential complex, as well as maids' quarters and guest houses13. However, short-term rentals cannot be hosted in pool houses, casitas, garages, or other outbuildings.

Additionally, the city has specific capacity caps for short-term rentals in residential complexes, with a maximum of 15% for buildings with 101 or more units1.

Short Term Rental Licensing Requirement in Long Beach

To operate a short-term rental in Long Beach, you need to apply for a short-term rental registration, which is valid for one year and non-transferable. The registration fee is $250, and the total number of non-primary residence short-term rental registrations is capped at 800, with 350 in the coastal zone2. Long Beach Airbnb hosts need to pay a TOT of 13% on a monthly basis2.

Required Documents for Long Beach Short Term Rentals

The required documents for short-term rentals in Long Beach, California, include:

• Proof of Residency: Hosts need to provide official documents to confirm their residency. For primary residence short-term rentals, documents like a driver's license, loan documents, or voter registration card are required. If the property is not the host's primary residence but is held by a short-term rental LLC, a notarized document granting permission to make decisions on behalf of the business is necessary. Renters or tenants must provide a Property Owner Authorization from the landlord approving the use of the property3.
• Dwelling Type Confirmation: Hosts must confirm that their short-term rental property falls within the approved dwelling types in Long Beach. Currently, short-term rentals are allowed in single-family homes, condominiums, apartment units in residential complexes, maids' quarters, and guest houses. Properties like pool houses, casitas, garages, or other outbuildings are not eligible for short-term rentals3.
• Capacity Cap Compliance: Hosts must adhere to the maximum numbers of short-term rental units allowed in a given residential complex based on the building size.
• Short-Term Rental Registration: Hosts are required to register their short-term rental property annually with the city of Long Beach at a cost of $250 per year. The registration number provided by the city must be listed on all promotional or advertising listings for the property3.

These documents and compliance with the regulations are essential for hosts to legally operate short-term rentals in Long Beach, ensuring they meet the city's standards and requirements.

Long Beach Short Term Rental Taxes

Long Beach assesses a 13% transient occupancy tax (TOT) on hotels, motels, and other short-term rentals, including Airbnb and VRBO listings. Guests who book Airbnb listings that are located in Long Beach will pay this tax as part of their reservation3.

Long Beach Wide Short Term Rental Rules

Long Beach has specific rules for short-term rentals, including a ban on ADUs, JADUs, deed-restricted affordable units, SROs, or units in prohibited buildings. Hosts are limited to one primary residence and one non-primary residence short-term rental, and there are limits on non-primary residence rentals in multifamily buildings with 11 or more units3.

Does Long Beach Strictly Enforce STR Rules?

Long Beach has faced issues with nuisance short-term rental operators, leading to calls for stricter enforcement and even a community action group aimed at eliminating short-term rentals in residential neighborhoods completely5. While the city's current ordinance doesn't offer a way to outright ban short-term rentals, it does include an option for residents to start a petition to prohibit STRs within their census tract block group5.

How to Start a Short Term Rental Business in Long Beach

• Understand the local regulations and requirements.
• Confirm the eligibility of your property.
• Apply for a short-term rental registration and pay the fee.
• Provide all required documents and proof of residency.
• Obtain necessary insurance and permits.
• Adhere to the city's TOT and other tax requirements.
• Maintain fire and safety equipment and comply with all local rules and regulations.

Who to Contact in Long Beach about Short Term Rental Regulations and Zoning

For assistance with completing an application or questions about short-term rental regulations and zoning in Long Beach, contact the Development Services Department at 562.570.6820 or email shorttermrentals@longbeach.gov4.

What Do Airbnb Hosts in Long Beach on Reddit and Bigger Pockets Think about Local Regulations?

Airbnb hosts in Long Beach have expressed mixed opinions about local regulations, with some expressing concerns about the complexity and strictness of the rules, while others appreciate the clarity and structure they provide.Some hosts on Reddit and Bigger Pockets have expressed frustration with the registration process and the annual fee of $250. They argue that the cost and administrative burden of obtaining and renewing the registration are too high, especially for those who only occasionally rent out their properties13.

However, others have pointed out that the regulations provide a clear framework for operating a short-term rental business in Long Beach, which can help ensure that hosts are operating legally and responsibly. They also appreciate the requirement for hosts to provide proof of residency, dwelling type, and capacity, which can help prevent issues with noise, nuisance, and safety13.

Some hosts have expressed concerns about the cap on the number of non-primary residence short-term rental registrations, which is limited to 800 citywide and 350 in the coastal zone. They argue that this cap can make it difficult for hosts to enter the market and can limit the availability of short-term rentals for travelers13.

However, others have pointed out that the cap is necessary to prevent the proliferation of short-term rentals in residential neighborhoods, which can lead to issues with noise, nuisance, and housing affordability. They also note that the cap is relatively high compared to other California cities, which have more restrictive regulations13.

Overall, while some Airbnb hosts in Long Beach have expressed concerns about the complexity and strictness of the regulations, others appreciate the clarity and structure they provide. The regulations provide a clear framework for operating a short-term rental business in Long Beach, which can help ensure that hosts are operating legally and responsibly. However, the registration fee and cap on non-primary residence short-term rental registrations can be a challenge for some hosts, particularly those who only occasionally rent out their properties.