Huntington Beach, California Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Huntington Beach, CA?

Short-term rentals are explicitly allowed in Huntington Beach, CA, but only under specific conditions and with proper permitting. The city has established a comprehensive regulatory framework through Ordinance No. 4224, which became effective on February 19, 2021. The city is divided into two regulatory zones:

Zone 1: All areas of Huntington Beach excluding Sunset Beach
Zone 2: Sunset Beach area

Key allowances:

Hosted/owner-occupied STRs: Permitted in both Zone 1 and Zone 2
Unhosted/owner un-occupied STRs: Only permitted in Zone 2 (Sunset Beach), and only for existing properties that obtained permits within the initial 6-month window (deadline was March 1, 2022)

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Huntington Beach?

Huntington Beach hosts earn a median $52,773/year with $316 ADR and 77% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $84,795+ per year.

See the full Huntington Beach market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in This Market

Step-by-Step Process

Determine Property Eligibility
- Verify your property is in an allowed zone and meets STR criteria
- Check if your homeowners association or CC&Rs allow short-term rentals
- Confirm your property type (SFR, condo, townhome) and applicable permit limits
Apply for STR Permit
- Submit application through the HB ACA portal: www.huntingtonbeachca.gov/aca
- Complete appropriate application (Hosted vs. Unhosted)
- Pay application fee ($624-$639 for initial permit)
Obtain Required Inspections
- Submit Third Party inspection certification
- Complete Code Enforcement Division inspection
- Ensure life/safety requirements are met
Secure Business License
- Apply for business license after STR permit approval
- Fee: $75 (business license) + $45 (application fee)
Set Up Tax Collection System
- Register with Deckard Portal for TOT and TBID remittance
- Implement tax collection procedures (10% TOT + 4-6% TBID)
Designate Local Contact Person
- Establish 24/7 contact availability
- Ensure response within 1 hour to complaints
Display Required Signage
- Post exterior STR sign with permit number and contact information

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Primary Permits and Licenses

Short-Term Rental Permit
- Initial Fee: $624-$639 (valid for 2 years)
- Renewal Fee: $324-$332 annually
- Non-transferable and non-renewable after expiration
- Application through HB ACA portal
Business License
- License Fee: $75
- Application Fee: $45
- Required after STR permit approval
General Liability Insurance
- Required prior to permit issuance
- Required for annual renewal

Required Documentation

Certificate of Occupancy
Signed indemnification and hold harmless agreement (City Attorney approved form)
Property Inspection Certification Form
Local Contact Person information
Signed statement affirming compliance with all applicable laws
Neighborhood Notice (timed per city staff instructions)
Evidence of CC&R compliance (for condos/townhomes)

Application Resources

Hosted STR Application: STR Application - Hosted.pdf
Hosted STR Renewal: STR Application - Hosted Renewal.pdf
Unhosted STR Renewal: STR Application - UnHosted Renewal.pdf
Property Inspection Certification: Property-Inspection-Certification.pdf
Code Enforcement Checklist: Code-Enforcement-Inspection-Checklist.pdf
Exterior Sign Template: Exterior-STR-Sign-Template.pdf

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

Zoning and Property Limitations

Zone 1 (Main Huntington Beach):

Hosted/owner-occupied STRs only
One STR per property (SFR, duplex, triplex)
Up to 3 STRs per property for 4+ unit properties (condos/townhomes) if allowed by CC&Rs

Zone 2 (Sunset Beach):

Hosted/owner-occupied STRs allowed
Unhosted/owner un-occupied STRs only if permit obtained within 6 months of fee resolution (deadline: March 1, 2022)
Same property limitations as Zone 1

Operational Requirements

Local Contact Person Requirements:

Available 24 hours/day, 7 days/week
Must respond within 1 hour to complaints
Host serves as Local Contact Person for hosted STRs
Must take remedial action to resolve complaints

Property Use Restrictions:

Must be legally established dwelling unit (ADUs/JADUs allowed only if established before ordinance)
No events allowed (commercial parties, weddings, fundraisers, conferences)
Must comply with Noise Ordinance
No affordable housing units
Property must be properly maintained with no code violations

Permit Limitations:

One STR permit per person
One STR permit per property (except 4+ unit properties)
Only properties in compliance with CC&Rs

Tax and Financial Obligations

Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT): 10% Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID) Assessment: 4-6%

Collected from guests and remitted quarterly
Remitted via Deckard Portal: portal.deckard.com/ca-orange-city_of_huntington_beach-str-portal

Quarterly Remittance Schedule:

Q1 (Jan-Mar): Due last business day in April
Q2 (Apr-Jun): Due last business day in July
Q3 (Jul-Sep): Due last business day in October
Q4 (Oct-Dec): Due last business day in January
Zero-activity returns required even with no rentals

Marketing and Advertising Requirements

All advertisements must include City-issued STR permit number
Permit number must be displayed on exterior signage
Online platform compliance required

Enforcement and Penalties

Violations and Penalties

Daily Fine: $1,000 per day for each violation
Permit Revocation: 3 violations within 12-month period
Mandatory Compliance: City actively monitors STR activity

Common Violations

Missing permit number in advertisements
Unresponsive Local Contact Person
Noise ordinance violations
Operating without valid permit
Property maintenance issues
Hosting unauthorized events

Reporting Violations

MyHB App: Download on iPhone/Android
Online Form: www.huntingtonbeachca.gov/services/report-issue/report.cfm?ID=4300_2894
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (714) 375-5155

Contact Information for Local Authority

Planning and Zoning Counter (Primary STR Authority)

Phone: (714) 536-5271
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.huntingtonbeachca.gov/departments/community_development/building_inspection/permit_center/short-term_rentals.php

General City Information

Phone: (714) 536-5511
Address: 2000 Main Street, Huntington Beach, CA 92648

Code Enforcement Division

Phone: (714) 375-5155
Email: [email protected]

Permit Center Portal

HB ACA Portal: engage.huntingtonbeachca.gov/CitizenAccess/Default.aspx

Important Links to Source Pages

Required Forms and Applications

Hosted STR Application: STR Application - Hosted.pdf
Hosted STR Renewal: STR Application - Hosted Renewal.pdf
Unhosted STR Renewal: STR Application - UnHosted Renewal.pdf
Frequently Asked Questions: Frequently-Asked-Questions-Short-Term-Rentals.pdf
Property Inspection Certification: Property-Inspection-Certification.pdf
Neighborhood Notice: Neighborhood Notice templates
Exterior STR Sign Template: Exterior-STR-Sign-Template.pdf
STR Permit Conditions: STR-Permit-Conditions.pdf
STR Permit Eligibility: STR-Permit-Eligibility-Reqs.pdf
STR Regulations: STR-Regulations.pdf

Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only. Always verify current requirements with the City of Huntington Beach before making investment decisions. Regulations may change, and this analysis is based on information available as of the content provided. Consult with legal and tax professionals for personalized advice.

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Ask the AI Advisor about Huntington Beach

Huntington Beach sits along the Southern California coastline in Orange County, California, and carries the laid-back identity that comes with nearly nine miles of uninterrupted sand and one of the most celebrated surf cultures in the United States. The city's population sits at roughly 195,000, and residents and visitors alike embrace a beach-town rhythm shaped by boardwalk joggers, early-morning swells, and evening bonfire pits. Branded as "Surf City USA," Huntington Beach is best known for its long-standing role in West Coast surf culture and as the host of major international surf competitions. It lies about 35 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles and just a few miles south of Long Beach, making it an easy coastal stop between the two metros.

The Huntington Beach Pier is the city's most recognizable landmark, stretching roughly 1,850 feet into the Pacific and ranking among the longest public piers on the West Coast. Visitors come for surf-watching, pier fishing, and the diner at the end of the walkway, and the surrounding plaza hosts free summer concerts and the annual U.S. Open of Surfing. The pier sits at the heart of the beachfront district, within walking distance of nearly every downtown hotel and short-term rental.

Just inland from the sand, Pacific City is an open-air shopping and dining center that opened in the late 2010s, bringing ocean-view restaurants, a boutique hotel, and a small footbridge directly over Pacific Coast Highway to the boardwalk. It has helped reshape the downtown core into a more walkable, mixed-use hub for both visitors and locals.

A short drive north of the city, the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve offers a striking change of pace. Spanning about 1,300 acres of coastal wetlands, the reserve draws birdwatchers, joggers, and school groups along its roughly five miles of easy trails. More than 200 bird species have been recorded here, and the wooden footbridge over the tidal channel is a favorite stop for casual visitors. It is reached from central Huntington Beach in about ten minutes by car.

For travelers interested in the region's broader theme-park offerings, Disneyland Resort in Anaheim lies only about 20 minutes inland, and the coastal Orange County cities of Newport Beach and Laguna Beach are a short drive south along Pacific Coast Highway, giving short-term-rental guests a wide radius of day-trip options.

Huntington Beach blends the warm, year-round draw of Southern California beaches with the personality of an established surf town and easy access to both Los Angeles and Orange County's other major destinations. That combination of reliable weather, a walkable downtown core, and varied nearby attractions makes it a particularly steady market for short-term rentals, drawing couples, families, and surf-minded travelers throughout the year.