Calabasas, California Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Overview

Short-term rentals are NOT allowed in the City of Calabasas, California. The Calabasas Municipal Code section 17.12.175 explicitly bans any short-term or vacation rentals of single-family homes or other properties with stays less than 30 days. This is a complete prohibition on short-term rentals within city boundaries.

However, short-term rentals are allowed in unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County, which may include certain areas near Calabasas. If your property is located in unincorporated LA County rather than within city limits, short-term rentals may be permitted subject to county regulations and requirements.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Calabasas?

Calabasas hosts earn a median $35,932/year with $191 ADR and 67% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $51,242+ per year.

See the full Calabasas market breakdown

Starting a Short-Term Rental Business in This Market

Step 1: Determine Your Property Location

First and foremost, verify whether your property is within the City of Calabasas city limits or in unincorporated Los Angeles County. This distinction is critical because:

Within Calabasas city limits: Short-term rentals are prohibited for stays under 30 days
Unincorporated LA County: Short-term rentals are allowed with proper registration

Step 2: If Operating in Unincorporated LA County - Registration Process

The registration process for short-term rentals in unincorporated Los Angeles County involves three main steps:

Step 1: Contact the Short-Term Rental Unit

Phone: (213) 974-2011
Email: STRental@ttc.lacounty.gov
Obtain a unique six-digit Account Number and Activation Code for initial account setup

Step 2: Create an Account

Visit lacountystr.munirevs.com to create your account
Use the Account Number and Activation Code received in Step 1

Step 3: Submit Application and Payment

Log into your account and submit your application for a Short-Term Rental Registration Certificate
Pay the required registration fee

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

For Unincorporated Los Angeles County Operations:

Primary Requirements:

Short-Term Rental Registration Certificate from LA County Treasurer and Tax Collector
Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) Registration - Must collect and remit TOT within 30 days after rental start date
Primary Residence Verification - Property must be your primary residence
Account Setup with unique six-digit Account Number and Activation Code

Documentation Needed:

Property ownership or residency documentation
Completed registration application
Payment method for registration fee and ongoing TOT payments

Important Notes:

Registration requirements do not apply to properties in coastal zones, where short-term rentals are currently unregulated
All short-term rental hosts must collect and pay Transient Occupancy Tax within 30 days after the rental start date

For City of Calabasas:

No permits or licenses are available for short-term rentals as they are prohibited for stays under 30 days within city limits.

Specific Regulations by Jurisdiction

City of Calabasas - Complete Ban

Regulation: Calabasas Municipal Code section 17.12.175 Status: Banned Details: Any short-term or vacation rentals of single-family homes or other properties with stays less than 30 days are prohibited

Los Angeles County (Unincorporated Areas) - Permitted with Requirements

Regulation: Los Angeles County Short-Term Rental Ordinance Status: Allowed with registration Key Requirements:

Property must be host's primary residence
Stays limited to 30 consecutive days or less
Short-term rental registration certificate required
Transient Occupancy Tax collection and payment required
Maximum fines of $1,000 per day for operating without valid registration

State of California - General Framework

Short-term rentals are defined as rentals for 30 consecutive days or less
Local jurisdictions have authority to set additional regulations
Transient Occupancy Tax requirements apply at county level
No state-level ban on short-term rentals, but cities/counties may prohibit or restrict

Contact Information for Local Authority

Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector - Short-Term Rentals Unit

Primary Contact Information:

Phone: (213) 974-2011
Email: STRental@ttc.lacounty.gov
Business Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PT
Website: https://ttc.lacounty.gov/str/

Online Services:

Registration and Account Management: lacountystr.munirevs.com
Transient Occupancy Tax Payment: lacountystr.munirevs.com

Complaint Reporting:

Online Complaint Website: Short-Term Rentals Online Complaint Website
24/7 Complaint Hotline: (213) 371-1070

City of Calabasas

Since short-term rentals are prohibited within city limits, no specific STR authority exists. For general city inquiries:

Website: City of Calabasas Municipal Code

Links to Source Pages

Primary Sources:

Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector - Short-Term Rentals: https://ttc.lacounty.gov/str/
LA County Short-Term Rental Registration Portal: lacountystr.munirevs.com
Short-Term Rental Ordinance (PDF): https://ttc.lacounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Short-Term-Rental-Ordinance.pdf
STR Terms and FAQs (PDF): https://ttc.lacounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/STR-Terms-and-FAQs-1.pdf
Transient Occupancy Tax Information: https://ttc.lacounty.gov/tot/
Los Angeles County Unincorporated Areas Map: https://www.arcgis.com/apps/instant/lookup/index.html?appid=9d20879a1db945b5a6cd7deeacff25be
City of Calabasas Municipal Code: https://library.municode.com/ca/city_of_calabasas/ordinances/code_of_ordinances

Compliance and Enforcement:

Online Complaint System: https://str.govos.com/complaint/?cityid=1706
Business License Information: https://ttc.lacounty.gov/business-license-general-information/

Investment Considerations and Risk Assessment

High-Risk Factors:

Strict Local Prohibition: Calabasas has an absolute ban on short-term rentals under 30 days
Enforcement Risk: Operating illegally could result in immediate cease and desist orders
Financial Penalties: Potential daily fines up to $1,000 for non-compliance

Mitigation Strategies:

Due Diligence: Always verify property location before investment
Alternative Markets: Consider nearby unincorporated areas where STRs are permitted
Long-Term Rental Conversion: If holding Calabasas property, consider 30+ day rentals or traditional long-term leasing

Market Reality:

The complete prohibition in Calabasas creates a unique regulatory environment where traditional short-term rental investment strategies do not apply within city limits. Investors must look to nearby unincorporated county areas or consider alternative property uses within Calabasas itself.

Next step

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Ask the AI Advisor about Calabasas

Calabasas is a small, affluent city in the western reaches of Los Angeles County, California, nestled at the edge of the Santa Monica Mountains where the suburban San Fernando Valley meets the canyons that descend toward the Pacific. With a population of roughly 23,000, it carries a reputation as a quiet, gated, celebrity-friendly enclave surrounded by rolling chaparral and oak-dotted hills. Long associated with Hollywood money and the television show that shared its name, the city also serves as a gateway to both Malibu's beaches and the protected wildlands of the Santa Monica Mountains. It sits about 30 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles, a drive that typically takes 35 to 50 minutes depending on traffic through the 101 corridor.

A short drive into the surrounding hills leads to King Gillette Ranch, a landmark Spanish Colonial Revival estate once owned by the razor magnate and now managed as a public open space and visitor center for the Santa Monica Mountains. Roughly ten minutes from the city center, the ranch offers guided history tours, hiking trails, and event spaces on its several hundred acres of preserved meadow and oak woodland, making it one of the more distinctive cultural and outdoor stops in the region.

Closer to town, the Leonis Adobe is one of the oldest surviving structures in Los Angeles County, a two-story ranch house dating to the 1840s that once belonged to a French-born Basque sheep rancher who became one of the wealthiest men in early California. The adobe and its surrounding barn, blacksmith shop, and grounds sit just minutes from the Calabasas Commons and operate as a small living-history museum, with docent-led tours that give visitors a tangible sense of rancho-era life in the region.

Outdoor visitors heading west from Calabasas will find Malibu Creek State Park within about a 15-minute drive, a roughly 8,000-acre park centered on the creek canyon and the crags of the Goat Buttes. It is a popular spot for hiking, rock climbing, and picnicking, and the park's Century Ranch area preserves the foundations of the old 20th Century Fox ranch, a former working set for western films that adds a layer of Hollywood history to an already scenic landscape.

Just beyond the state park, Topanga State Park lies within roughly 20 minutes of Calabasas and represents one of the largest remaining natural areas in the Santa Monica range, with more than 11,000 acres of ridge and canyon trails popular with hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders.

For short-term-rental owners and guests, Calabasas is compelling because it offers a rare combination of privacy, security, and natural setting while still being within easy reach of Malibu's coast, the cultural and commercial weight of Los Angeles, and several of Southern California's most scenic protected landscapes. Its quiet residential character, walkable commons, and proximity to both beach and mountain recreation make it an appealing base for travelers who want upscale accommodations without the density of the city itself.