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Gardena, CA

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STR Regulations for Gardena, California

Overview: Are STRs allowed in Gardena?

  • Yes—but only as “home sharing.” Gardena prohibits whole-home short‑term rentals and allows “home sharing” only: renting one or more bedrooms in the host’s primary residence while the host lives on site, for stays of 30 consecutive days or less. This regime is governed by Gardena Municipal Code Chapter 5.76 and implementing guidelines.
  • Caps and timing: The City will issue at most 100 Home‑Sharing Permits per five‑year permit period. Applications are accepted January 1–February 15 every five years. If more than 100 qualified applications are received, permits are allocated by lottery. If fewer than 100 are received, remaining permits are issued first‑come, first‑served until the cap is reached.
  • Fee: The Home‑Sharing Permit fee is $1,337.
  • Permits and taxes: Hosts must obtain (i) a Home‑Sharing Permit, (ii) a Business License (renewed annually), and (iii) register for and remit Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) monthly unless a hosting platform remits on their behalf. Hosts remain ultimately responsible for TOT.

Sources: City of Gardena Home‑Sharing Permit page; Municipal Code Chapter 5.76 (ORD 1854); Planning Commission Staff Report (May 16, 2023).

How to start a short-term rental business in Gardena

  1. Confirm eligibility
  • Property type: Must be in R‑1 (single‑family) or R‑2 (low‑density multiple‑family, maximum two units) zones. Not allowed in any zone with a Specific Plan, nor on any property with an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) or junior ADU.
  • Host status: You must be either:
    • Owner who lives on site and has owned the residence for at least one year; or
    • Owner (≥ one year) who does not live on site but has a qualifying tenant and whose lease expressly allows home sharing in designated bedrooms; or
    • Qualifying tenant who has resided ≥ one year and whose lease permits home sharing in designated bedrooms.
  • Primary residence: The unit must be your primary residence (183+ nights/year). Only one primary residence per host.
  • Host presence: You must live on site during all guest stays.
  1. Key steps and timeline
  • During an application window (Jan 1–Feb 15 of the initial year in each five‑year period), submit a complete Home‑Sharing Permit application (HSP). If demand exceeds 100, a lottery is held.
  • After notification of selection, you have 45 days to secure:
    • A City Business License (renewed annually).
    • A Transient Occupancy Registration Certificate (TOT).
    • General liability insurance of $1 million combined single limit (or platform-provided equivalent proof).
  1. Ongoing obligations
  • Display a public-facing sign with your name, phone, email, and HSP number (min 1‑inch font).
  • Notify residents within 75 feet of the property that you are operating a home sharing rental.
  • Provide guests with a Good Neighbor Policy notice (noise, parking, trash, quiet hours 10 p.m.–7 a.m., event prohibition, police response fee responsibility).
  • Retain detailed records of each booking (length of stay and rate) for at least three years.
  • Keep liability insurance current; provide proof upon request.
  • Comply with all local, county, and state requirements (see below).

Required documents, permits, licenses, and guidelines

Core submission package typically includes:

  • Proof of ownership (≥ one year) or qualifying tenancy (≥ one year) and lease provision allowing home sharing.
  • Proof of primary residence (two documents, at least one dated to verify one‑year residency).
  • Identification of the number of bedrooms to be home‑shared (only bedrooms may be rented).
  • Acknowledgment of permit period, non‑transferability, and non‑vested right to renewal.
  • Notarized signatures of property owner and, if applicable, qualifying tenant.
  • Business License and TOT Registration filings (or proof of filing) within 45 days of permit selection.

Specific regulations: City, County, and State City of Gardena (Municipal Code Chapter 5.76)

  • Permits and timing
    • Permit period is five years (beginning April 15, 2024 for the initial period).
    • Applications accepted Jan 1–Feb 15 in the first year of the five‑year period; ≤100 permits per period; lottery if excess applications; remaining permits first‑come, first‑served until cap reached.
    • No permit if: prior HSP revoked; property has pending enforcement action (unless approval is needed to resolve it).
  • Operational rules
    • Only bedrooms may be rented. Max 4 people per bedroom. The property must be used solely for residential purposes. No weddings, parties, conferences, or similar events.
    • Minimum of two on‑site parking spaces per unit. One space per reservation must be reserved for guests. Tandem parking is allowed if each space is at least 9′×20′ and does not intrude into public right‑of‑way. Garage spaces, if used, must remain clear and functional.
    • Record guest license plate numbers; provide to the City upon request.
    • Property must remain clean and sanitary; trash stored in proper containers only.
    • Health and safety: maintain operable smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers.
    • Noise: comply with City quiet hours (10 p.m.–7 a.m.). Police response fees may be assessed for unruly gatherings (see Gardena Municipal Code Chapter 9.68).
    • Maintain a TOT registration certificate and ensure timely monthly TOT remittance unless a platform does so on your behalf (host remains ultimately responsible).
    • Change reporting: within 15 business days of any change that affects eligibility, remove listings and cease operations.
  • Advertising and listings
    • All advertising must include the City registration number, maximum occupancy per bedroom, and statement that the host will be present.
    • Upon permit revocation, remove all listings within 48 hours.
    • Platforms must collect and remit TOT, require the HSP number before publishing a listing, only list units on the City registry, and provide quarterly rental night reports. Platforms are considered hosts’ agents for TOT and may comply via approved administrative guidelines (safe harbor).
  • Enforcement and penalties
    • Violations subject to administrative citations and criminal enforcement.
    • Automatic permit termination upon change in circumstances that would have led to denial.
    • Permanent ban for fraud on an application or three sustained complaints (criminal, civil, or administrative) within 12 months.
    • Automatic revocation after three final violations at the property of: this chapter; noise; nuisance abatement; emergency personnel response fee; or building code violations—effective when the third citation becomes final.
    • Remedies are cumulative; City may use other penalties/procedures available by law.
  • Zoning
    • Home sharing allowed only in R‑1 and R‑2 (≤ two units) and not permitted on properties with ADUs or junior ADUs.
    • Short‑term rentals and home sharing are prohibited in all Specific Plan zones.
    • Short‑term rentals (whole‑home or other STR) prohibited in all residential zones; only home sharing under Chapter 5.76 is permitted in R‑1/R‑2.

Los Angeles County

  • Fire/Life Safety: Properties must meet County Fire Department standards for habitability and safety equipment. Hosts should confirm fire and life safety requirements with LACoFD as applicable to the specific dwelling. (County Fire contact references are provided by the City; hosts should verify requirements with the department.)

State of California

  • Transient Occupancy Tax: State law authorizes cities to levy TOT. Hosts must collect and remit TOT unless a hosting platform does so on their behalf; the host remains ultimately responsible. Ensure monthly remittance or platform arrangements are in place.
  • California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA): The City determined Ordinance 1854 is not a project under CEQA; if it were, it would be exempt under the common sense and regulatory protection exemptions (staff analysis, May 16, 2023).
  • Insurance and liability: Hosts must carry $1 million general liability coverage (or provide platform‑provided equivalent evidence) and maintain safe, code‑compliant conditions. Local building and fire codes apply.

Contact information (local authority for STRs)

  • Home‑Sharing Program (City of Gardena Community Development Department)
    • Email: homesharing@cityofgardena.org
    • Mailing/Physical: City of Gardena, Community Development Department, 1700 West 162nd Street, Gardena, CA 90247‑3778
    • Phone: (310) 217‑9500
    • Hours: Monday–Thursday 7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.; Friday 7:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
  • Business Licensing (City of Gardena Revenue & Collections)
  • Code Enforcement
  • Gardena Police Department (for noise and public peace issues; also relevant to police response fees)
  • Los Angeles County Fire Department (for life/safety verification)

Links to source pages (primary)

If you are seeking to invest in a STR in Gardena, your viable path is a strictly defined home‑sharing operation: only bedrooms, only in R‑1 or R‑2 (≤ two units), with no ADU/JADU on site, only in your primary residence, with you present throughout stays, and subject to the City’s hard cap and lottery/first‑come allocation system. Given the competitive permit cap and annual Business License renewals, diligence on eligibility and scheduling is essential.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Gardena?

Gardena hosts earn a median $32,848/year with $137 ADR and 78% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $44,122+ per year.

See the full Gardena market breakdown

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Gardena

Market Saturation Score

036912
Moderate Saturation
6/ 12
months with declining YoY revenue
5–7 declining months: moderate saturation risk - market may be nearing capacity.
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Photos of Gardena

Overview of Gardena

Gardena is a densely populated, culturally diverse city in the South Bay region of Los Angeles County, California, home to roughly 58,000 residents. Often described as a quiet, working-class enclave with deep community roots, it is best known for its longstanding Japanese-American heritage, a cluster of historic card rooms, and a central location that places it within easy reach of both downtown Los Angeles and the Pacific coastline. The city sits about eight miles south of downtown Los Angeles and roughly fifteen minutes from Los Angeles International Airport, making it a convenient crossroads for travelers moving between major urban attractions and South Bay beach towns.

One of the city's most prominent draws is the Hustler Casino, a well-known card room that has long made Gardena a magnet for visitors interested in poker and table games. Tucked along a major commercial corridor near the 91 freeway, the casino offers an upscale gaming experience that has helped define the city's identity in the region. Just a few blocks away, the Gardena Willows Wetland Preserve offers a quieter counterpoint: a small, protected stretch of native willow forest and seasonal wetlands that provides locals and visitors with an unexpected pocket of nature and bird-watching within an otherwise urban setting.

A short drive west of Gardena, the South Bay coastline unfolds with a string of well-loved beach towns. Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach, and Manhattan Beach are all within about ten to fifteen minutes by car, each offering a wide sandy strand, a walkable waterfront, and a distinctive small-town feel. Hermosa Beach is particularly popular for its lively pier and volleyball courts, while Manhattan Beach draws visitors with its broad, manicured beachfront and the stylish downtown strip a few blocks inland. Together, the trio forms one of the most accessible coastal getaways in the greater Los Angeles area.

To the north of Gardena, the redeveloped Inglewood entertainment district has become one of the most dynamic destinations in the region. SoFi Stadium, home to the Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers, hosts NFL games, concerts, and major events, and sits alongside the recently reimagined Hollywood Park district with its retail, dining, and entertainment options. Just down the street, the historic The Forum continues to host concerts and live performances. Both venues are roughly ten to fifteen minutes from Gardena, adding world-class entertainment to the city's already convenient list of nearby attractions.

Gardena's appeal as a short-term rental base lies in this rare combination of accessibility, affordability, and variety. Visitors can spend the morning exploring the wetlands or a local Japanese-American bakery, the afternoon on the sand in Hermosa or Manhattan Beach, and the evening at a Rams game or a major concert, all without ever traveling more than a few miles. With proximity to LAX, downtown Los Angeles, and the South Bay's coastal gems, Gardena offers a practical and well-connected home base for guests who want to experience a wide swath of Southern California from a single, unassuming address.

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