Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in La Mirada?

No, short-term rentals are explicitly prohibited in La Mirada, California. The City Council unanimously voted to ban short-term rentals in residential dwellings for fewer than 30 consecutive days. This prohibition went into effect on December 26, 2019, making La Mirada one of the many California cities that have chosen to ban home-sharing platforms like Airbnb, Vrbo, and similar services within city limits.

The ban applies to all residential properties in La Mirada, including both single-family homes and multi-family dwellings. This comprehensive prohibition means that investors cannot legally operate short-term rental properties in the city, regardless of property type or zoning designation.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in La Mirada

It is not possible to start a legal short-term rental business in La Mirada due to the explicit citywide ban. Any attempts to operate STRs within city limits would result in legal violations, potential fines, and enforcement action by city authorities.

Alternative Investment Strategies for La Mirada Property Investors:

Given the ban on short-term rentals, investors should consider these legal alternatives:

1. Traditional Long-Term Rentals: Convert properties to traditional rental housing with leases of 30 days or longer
2. Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs): While ADUs are allowed and can be built in La Mirada, they are subject to the same short-term rental restrictions, limiting you to month-long or longer tenancies
3. Owner-Occupied Housing: Consider purchasing properties for personal residence with the possibility of future zoning changes
4. Alternative Markets: Explore neighboring cities without STR bans for investment opportunities

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

No permits, licenses, or registrations are available for short-term rental operations in La Mirada due to the explicit ban. The city does not maintain a registration system, permit process, or regulatory framework for STRs because they are prohibited.

For legal long-term rentals or ADU construction, investors would need to follow standard property rental and building permit processes, but these are separate from any STR regulatory framework that doesn't exist in La Mirada.

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

La Mirada City-Level Regulations

The 2019 ordinance establishing the STR ban includes several key provisions:

1. Prohibition of Short-Term Rentals: All residential rentals for fewer than 30 consecutive days are illegal
2. Platform Disclosure Requirements: The ordinance requires hosting platforms (Airbnb, Vrbo, etc.) to disclose each residential property listing in La Mirada, including:
   • Property owner's name
   • Property address
   • Length of stay offered
   • Rental price
3. Enforcement Mechanism: The city has established protocols for enforcement to address public nuisance concerns
4. Effective Date: The ban took effect 30 days after the November 26, 2019 City Council vote (December 26, 2019)

Los Angeles County-Level Regulations

While La Mirada is located within Los Angeles County, the STR ban is specifically a municipal ordinance. County-level regulations were not cited in the provided sources, suggesting that county government has not implemented additional STR restrictions beyond the city's ban.

California State-Level Regulations

At the state level, California has implemented various regulations affecting short-term rentals, though these are generally overridden by local bans like La Mirada's:

1. AB 1288 and Related Legislation: California has laws requiring platform registration and tax collection
2. ATTACHMENT 1 - ORDINANCE NO. 19-652: While not detailed in the provided sources, this appears to be La Mirada's specific ordinance number
3. General State Housing Codes: All rental properties must comply with basic health, safety, and habitability standards regardless of rental duration

Important Note: Since La Mirada has implemented a complete ban, state-level regulations that might allow or regulate STRs in other jurisdictions do not apply within city limits.

Contact Information for Local Authority

Primary Contact for STR-Related Matters:

La Mirada City Hall

• Address: 13700 La Mirada Blvd., La Mirada, CA 90638
• Website: www.cityoflamirada.org/about-us/contact-us
• Phone: Contact through website or main city line
• Email: Contact through official website forms

The City Council and City Manager's office would be the appropriate departments for any inquiries about the STR ban or potential future policy changes.

Links to Source Pages

1. Airbnb Help Center - La Mirada Regulations: https://www.airbnb.ca/help/article/2692
2. Airbnb Help Center - Short-Term Rental Regulations: https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/3305
3. Whittier Daily News - La Mirada STR Ban Article: https://www.whittierdailynews.com/2019/11/28/la-mirada-bans-short-term-home-rentals-airbnb-in-its-sights/
4. Dwellito - La Mirada ADU Regulations: https://www.dwellito.com/adu/regulations/la-mirada

Investment Recommendation: Due to the explicit and comprehensive ban on short-term rentals in La Mirada, investors seeking STR opportunities should look to neighboring jurisdictions without similar restrictions. The city's clear regulatory stance suggests that any change to this policy would require significant public process and is not imminent based on the sources provided.