Lomita, California Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Lomita?

Short-term rentals are effectively prohibited in Lomita, California. The City Council has determined that "the short term rental of property is not currently an allowed use under the City's zoning code." While some cities interpret short-term rentals as allowed under existing residential rental provisions, Lomita has maintained that short-term rentals constitute a separate, prohibited use. The city has monitored the practice since 2016 but has not formalized regulations allowing it.

For properties developed under Senate Bill 9 (urban lot splits and two-unit developments), short-term rentals are explicitly prohibited for periods less than 30 days. Additionally, Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) cannot be operated as short-term rentals or rented for less than 30 days.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Lomita?

Lomita hosts earn a median $36,993/year with $146 ADR and 79% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $48,188+ per year.

See the full Lomita market breakdown

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

Given the current regulatory landscape, starting a traditional short-term rental business in Lomita is not viable. However, investors should consider these alternative approaches:

Option 1: Medium-Term Furnished Rentals (30+ Days)

Target the medium-term rental market (30+ days)
This category falls outside short-term rental restrictions
Focus on business travelers, medical professionals, or extended visitors

Option 2: Traditional Long-Term Rentals

Convert properties to traditional 12-month+ leases
Consider corporate housing for extended business assignments

Option 3: Legal Long-Term Rental + Additional Services

Operate as a traditional landlord
Offer additional services like housekeeping or meal delivery
Market to longer-stay corporate clients

Option 4: Monitor Regulatory Changes

Continue monitoring city council discussions on STR regulations
Attend public meetings when STR topics arise
Consider purchasing properties that could easily convert if regulations change

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Currently, no permits or licenses exist for short-term rentals in Lomita, as they are not an allowed use. For related housing options:

For ADUs:

Building permits required through LA County Building & Safety
Compliance with ADU development standards
Cannot be used for short-term rentals (30+ day minimum)

For SB 9 Developments:

Ministerial approval for two-unit developments or urban lot splits
Compliance with SB 9 objective standards
Cannot be used for short-term rentals (30+ day minimum)
Owner-occupancy requirements may apply
Affordability restrictions for rental units

For Traditional Rentals:

Standard landlord-tenant compliance under California law
Local business license if operating as a business entity
Property maintenance and safety code compliance

Specific Regulations: City, County, and State

City of Lomita Regulations

Prohibited Use: Short-term rentals are not an allowed use under Lomita's zoning code. The city has maintained this position despite monitoring the practice since 2016.

Enforcement Challenges: The city acknowledges that enforcement is "difficult and costly" because:

Hard to prove actual rental activity without sting operations
Property owners can challenge citations successfully
Difficult to obtain evidence of paid rentals
Limited code enforcement resources

Monitoring Activity: As of February 2019:

15 active Airbnb listings
5 active VRBO listings
18-27 total listings consistently since 2016
Only 2 unsubstantiated complaints in the preceding year

Los Angeles County Regulations

Building permits processed through LA County Building & Safety
County fire and safety inspections required for applicable properties
No separate county-level short-term rental regulations identified

California State Regulations

SB 9 (2021): For properties developed under SB 9 provisions:

Prohibition on short-term rentals: No unit may be rented for less than 30 days
Applies to both urban lot splits and two-unit residential developments
Deed restrictions required to enforce the prohibition

ADU Regulations:

Short-term rental prohibition: ADUs cannot be rented for less than 30 days
Must comply with Government Code Section 65852.2
Owner-occupancy requirements may apply

General Rental Laws:

California Civil Code provisions governing landlord-tenant relationships
Local just-cause eviction ordinances do not apply
Standard habitability and safety requirements

Contact Information for Local Authority

City of Lomita - Planning Division

Address: 24300 Narbonne Ave., Lomita, CA 90717
Phone: (310) 325-7110
Website: lomitacity.com
Email: Contact through website contact form
Hours: Monday-Thursday 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM; Every other Friday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

LA County Building & Safety

Website: dpw.lacounty.gov/building-and-safety
Location: Various county offices
Phone: Contact through county website

Code Enforcement

Website: lomitacity.com/code-enforcement
Reporting: Online service request system available

Links to Source Pages

City Council Report on Short-Term Rentals (February 19, 2019)
- https://lomita.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=2&clip_id=465&meta_id=29450
Accessory Dwelling Units Information
- https://lomitacity.com/accessory-dwelling-units/
SB 9 Urgency Ordinance (February 28, 2022)
- https://lomita.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=2&clip_id=684&meta_id=37835

Investment Recommendations

Given the current regulatory environment in Lomita:

Avoid STR Purchases: Do not invest specifically for short-term rental purposes
Consider Alternative Strategies: Focus on medium-term furnished rentals or traditional long-term investments
Monitor Regulatory Changes: Stay informed about potential future discussions on STR regulations
Diversify Portfolio: Consider adjacent cities with more favorable STR regulations
Legal Compliance: Ensure any rental activity strictly complies with 30+ day minimum requirements

The City Council has discussed various regulatory options including permits, standards, and outright bans, but no formal regulations have been adopted as of the latest available information. Investors should expect the current prohibition to remain in place unless significant regulatory changes occur.

Next step

Found a property in Lomita?

Paste any address and get estimated revenue, cash-on-cash return, and comparable STR performance in under 5 minutes. 3 free analyses per day.

Ask the AI Advisor about Lomita

Lomita is a small community in the South Bay region of Los Angeles County, California, with a population of approximately 20,000 residents. The name "Lomita" comes from Spanish, meaning "little hill," a fitting description of the low mesa on which the city sits amid the broader Los Angeles landscape. It has a quiet, residential character with a tucked-away, small-town feel, even though it is firmly part of the greater LA metropolitan area. Lomita is located roughly 20 miles south of downtown Los Angeles, making it a convenient inland base for visitors who want a calmer stay with easy access to the coast, the scenic Palos Verdes Peninsula, and the major attractions of the LA basin.

The Lomita Railroad Museum is one of the community's most distinctive local landmarks, housed in a historic Santa Fe Railway depot originally built in the 1890s and later relocated to its current site. The museum features model trains, railroad memorabilia, and a small outdoor park, offering a charming look at the rail heritage that helped shape Southern California. It is located right in the heart of Lomita, only minutes from anywhere in the community.

A short drive west of Lomita brings visitors to the Palos Verdes Peninsula, a scenic stretch of coastline known for its dramatic cliffs, rolling bluffs, and sweeping Pacific views. Within about 10 to 15 minutes, travelers can reach Point Vicente Park and the Point Vicente Interpretive Center, a popular spot for whale watching, tide-pool exploration, and coastal hiking along trails that overlook the ocean. The peninsula also includes open-space preserves, golf courses, and scenic drives that draw both locals and out-of-town visitors.

To the south and east, Lomita sits within easy reach of the South Bay's well-known beach communities, including Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach, and Manhattan Beach, all roughly a 15 to 20 minute drive away. The adjacent harbor district of San Pedro, home to the Port of Los Angeles, Angels Gate Park, and the Korean Bell of Friendship, is just minutes to the south. Further inland, Torrance offers shopping, dining, and the Wilson Park athletic complex, while major destinations like downtown Los Angeles, Long Beach, and the entertainment hubs of Hollywood and Universal Studios are reachable within roughly 30 to 60 minutes by car, depending on traffic.

Lomita's appeal for short-term rental investors lies in this blend of small-town quiet and regional accessibility. Guests can enjoy a more relaxed, residential setting than a typical LA hotel district while remaining within a short drive of the coast, the bluffs of Palos Verdes, and the broader cultural and entertainment offerings of Southern California. Its central South Bay position makes it a flexible home base for travelers exploring the beaches, the harbor, and the wider Los Angeles region.