Montebello, California Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Overview: Are STRs Allowed in Montebello?

Short-term rentals are allowed in Montebello subject to county-level rules because Montebello does not maintain its own municipal STR ordinance. Los Angeles County’s Short-Term Rentals Ordinance (Title 22 Zoning Code) allows STRs as an accessory use to existing dwelling units in zones that permit residential uses. STRs must be registered under LA County’s licensing framework (Title 7, Division 3) and are limited to registered primary residences, with annual registration, caps on days rented without the host present, and occupancy limits. Montebello falls within unincorporated LA County, so County regulations govern STRs unless Montebello enacts city-specific rules. Always verify property zoning and municipal incorporation status before investing or operating.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Montebello?

Montebello hosts earn a median $37,035/year with $187 ADR and 73% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $58,753+ per year.

See the full Montebello market breakdown

How to Start an STR Business in This Market

Confirm zoning and eligibility:
- Use County GIS/Maps to verify the property is in a residential zone that permits STRs.
- Confirm the unit will serve as your primary residence (required under County rules).
Register the STR:
- Apply annually for an STR business license under LA County Title 7, Division 3.
- Include required documentation (see “Required documents, permits, licenses, and guidelines”).
Comply with safety and occupancy standards:
- Follow County STR safety guidelines (e.g., posted rules, emergency information, smoking prohibitions; see sources).
Establish tax registration and remittance:
- Register for Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) with the LA County Finance Division and remit monthly.
Operational setup:
- Integrate TOT collection into your platform/booking process; host education on local rules.
- Prepare guest communication materials reflecting County and Montebello policies (noise, parking, trash).
Maintain compliance:
- Track days rented without host present (County cap applies).
- Renew registration annually; maintain records for audits.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

County STR registration (Title 7, Division 3, LA County Code):
- Proof of ownership or lawful occupancy.
- Host identification.
- Primary residence documentation.
- Property insurance and safety certifications as required by County registration.
- Contact and registration fee information are provided by the LA County Business License Division; consult their portal and fee schedule.
Zoning verification:
- Property zoning confirmation (e.g., through County GIS or zoning determinations).
Tax registration:
- TOT registration with LA County Finance Division; monthly remittance.
Posting and guest rules:
- Required postings: house rules, emergency contacts/procedures, parking restrictions, quiet hours, occupancy limits, and local/state health/safety notices consistent with County STR rules.
Operating records:
- Guest logs, rental days (with/without host present), and TOT remittance records.
Additional Montebello considerations:
- As a city within LA County, standard Montebello municipal business licensing may apply for general operations; consult Montebello Finance for local licensing and any city-level taxes/fees. The Business License portal and fee schedule are available on the City site.

Specific Regulations: Montebello (County-Level), County, and State

Montebello (Local, City-Level)

No city-specific STR ordinance is provided in the sources; Montebello follows LA County STR rules.
Potential local requirements:
- City business license and fee schedule for general business operations; confirm scope with Montebello Finance.
- Local municipal taxes/fees, if any; verify with Montebello Finance.
- Building, fire, and housing compliance are subject to City building and safety divisions and County enforcement channels (contact Planning & Community Development for municipal permits).

Los Angeles County STR Rules (Governing Montebello)

Zoning allowance:
- STRs permitted as an accessory use to existing dwelling units in residential zones (Title 22 amendment allows STRs in zones that permit residential uses).
Registration and eligibility:
- Must register annually under Title 7, Division 3 (Business Licenses).
- Limited to registered primary residences.
Operational limits:
- Limit on days rented without host present overnight in the primary residence (the County’s Title 7 limits STRs to 90 days per calendar year without the host present overnight; verify current wording in Division 3).
- Occupancy and guest limits apply; confirm current caps with County registration materials.
Safety and conduct:
- Posting requirements, guest rules, noise/quiet hours, parking, and health/safety standards are enforced under County registration and zoning enforcement.
Enforcement and reporting:
- Violations are enforced through zoning enforcement and business license channels; report violations via County mechanisms.

California State-Level Considerations (Context)

Short-term rentals generally not subject to statewide permitting; local jurisdictions regulate STRs.
Tax and platform obligations:
- California’s Transient Occupancy Tax is administered locally; platforms and hosts must collect and remit TOT where applicable.
- State platforms may have collection obligations under California’s tax laws; confirm registration, collection, and remittance procedures with local tax authorities (LA County Finance Division).
Health and safety:
- Property standards governed by local codes; comply with fire, building, and habitability requirements enforced by local authorities.
Misrepresentation and advertising:
- Municipal and state consumer protection laws apply; ensure accurate listings and compliance with local rules.

Contact Information

Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning (STR zoning and County ordinance):
- Phone: (213) 974-6411
- Email: info@planning.lacounty.gov
- Website: planning.lacounty.gov/long-range-planning/short-term-rentals-ordinance/
LA County Business License Division (STR registration under Title 7, Division 3):
- Website: planning.lacounty.gov/planning-permits/
- Applications and Forms: planning.lacounty.gov/applications-and-forms/
- Fees: planning.lacounty.gov/fees/
LA County Zoning Enforcement:
- Website: planning.lacounty.gov/enforcement/
LA County Finance Division (Transient Occupancy Tax registration and remittance):
- Website: planning.lacounty.gov/how-do-i/pay-a-fee/
- Additional Finance contact and payment guidance may be found via the County’s Finance Department pages.
City of Montebello – Planning & Community Development (municipal permits, zoning, and building/safety):
- Website: www.montebelloca.gov/departments/planning_community_development
- Phone directory: www.montebelloca.gov/contact/phone_directory
City of Montebello – Finance (local business licensing and fee schedules):
- Apply/Renew Business License: www.montebelloca.gov/departments/finance/starting_a_business
- City Fee Schedule: www.montebelloca.gov/departments/finance/user_fees

Links to Source Pages

LA County Short-Term Rentals Ordinance (overview and access to documents): planning.lacounty.gov/long-range-planning/short-term-rentals-ordinance/
Certified Ordinance (PDF): file.lacounty.gov/SDSInter/bos/supdocs/196543.pdf
LA County Planning Permits: planning.lacounty.gov/planning-permits/
LA County Applications and Forms: planning.lacounty.gov/applications-and-forms/
LA County Fees: planning.lacounty.gov/fees/
County Code and Interpretations: planning.lacounty.gov/county-code-and-interpretations/
Zoning Enforcement: planning.lacounty.gov/enforcement/
City of Montebello Code Library (Municipal Code): library.municode.com/ca/montebello
City of Montebello – Planning & Community Development: www.montebelloca.gov/departments/planning_community_development
City of Montebello – Phone Directory: www.montebelloca.gov/contact/phone_directory
City of Montebello – Business License: www.montebelloca.gov/departments/finance/starting_a_business
City of Montebello – Fee Schedule: www.montebelloca.gov/departments/finance/user_fees

Notes for Investors:

Confirm whether Montebello imposes any additional city-level taxes or business license requirements specific to STRs through the Finance Department and Municipal Code.
Use County GIS/Maps to verify the property’s zoning and eligibility prior to purchase and setup.
Maintain robust records for County registration and TOT remittance; noncompliance can result in fines and registration revocation.

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Ask the AI Advisor about Montebello

Montebello is a city of about 62,000 residents in the western San Gabriel Valley, in Los Angeles County, California. The community has a working-class, family-oriented character shaped by a long-standing Latino heritage and a history tied to the oil fields of the Montebello Hills, which have produced petroleum since the early twentieth century. The city sits roughly eight to ten miles east of downtown Los Angeles, making it a practical home base for travelers who want easy freeway access to the wider region without staying in the urban core. It borders Commerce and the unincorporated communities of East Los Angeles, with the San Gabriel Mountains visible to the north and the Pacific coast within an hour's drive to the west.

One of the most popular family-friendly stops inside the city is the Montebello Barnyard Zoo, a small petting zoo tucked into Grant Rea Park. With ponies, goats, pigs, and other farm animals available for close encounters, it offers a low-key, inexpensive outing that appeals to visitors with young children. The zoo is centrally located and reachable in just a few minutes from anywhere in Montebello.

Just outside the city limits, Whittier Narrows Recreation Area is a sprawling regional park that spans parts of South El Monte, El Monte, and Montebello. It features a large lake popular for fishing, picnic areas, athletic fields, and a small interpretive area touching on the region's earliest history. Visitors staying in Montebello can typically reach the park in roughly ten to fifteen minutes by car.

For a different kind of outing, the Citadel Outlets sit just west of Montebello in the City of Commerce. This large open-air shopping center carries more than a hundred name-brand stores and ranks among the most-visited outlet destinations in the Los Angeles area. Because it lies within a few minutes' drive of the city, it functions almost as a local amenity for short-term rental guests looking for a casual afternoon away from the property.

Beyond the immediate surroundings, the broader attractions of greater Los Angeles, from the museums and concert halls of downtown to the beaches of Santa Monica and the studios of Burbank, are all accessible within roughly twenty to forty-five minutes by car, depending on traffic.

Montebello appeals to short-term rental investors and guests because it offers something relatively rare in the Los Angeles area: an affordable, well-connected location with its own local character. Its central position in the San Gabriel Valley places beaches, mountains, theme parks, and downtown within easy reach, while the city itself provides a quieter, more residential atmosphere for travelers who prefer to return to a neighborhood setting after a day of sightseeing.