Monterey Park, California Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Overview

Short-term rentals are allowed in Monterey Park, CA subject to specific regulations and permitting requirements. The City of Monterey Park operates a comprehensive short-term rental program under Monterey Park Municipal Code Chapter 21.09, which allows for both entire dwelling and single-room rentals, but explicitly prohibits rentals in Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units (JADUs).

Monterey Park defines short-term rentals as dwelling units (excluding hotels and motels) rented to occupants for periods shorter than 30 consecutive days. The city has implemented a structured permitting process designed to protect public health, safety, and welfare while preserving neighborhood characteristics and mitigating potential public nuisances.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Monterey Park?

Monterey Park hosts earn a median $41,810/year with $197 ADR and 70% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $58,787+ per year.

See the full Monterey Park market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Monterey Park

Step 1: Pre-Application Preparation

Timing Requirement: At least 30 days before filing your application, you must provide written notification to all occupants of residences and businesses within 200 feet of your property
Notification Content: Include the proposed use, your contact information, and city contact details using city-approved forms
Documentation: Create a radius map and ownership list of all properties within the notification zone

Step 2: Complete Application Packet

Download Application: Obtain forms from montereypark.ca.gov/1466/Starting-a-Business-in-Monterey-Park
Property Owner Application: Only the property owner or their authorized agent may apply
Notarization Required: Application forms and the Nuisance Response Plan must be notarized with a General All-Purpose Acknowledgement

Step 3: Obtain Required Insurance and Bonding

Insurance: Secure homeowner's or renter's insurance specific to short-term rental operations
Surety Bond: Obtain a $1,500 surety bond from a surety licensed in California with an A.M. Best Financial Strength Rating of at least "A-"
Bond Conditions: Must name the City of Monterey Park as bond obligee and guarantee payment of administrative fines

Step 4: Register for Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT)

Registration: Complete TOT registration through HdL Companies at montereypark.hdlgov.com/Home/Index/TOT
Documentation: Provide email confirmation of registration with your application

Step 5: Submit Application

Submission Method: Email completed application to PlanningPermitCounter@MontereyPark.CA.Gov
Review Timeline: City review typically takes 10 working days
City Decision: Permit issuance, denial, or request for additional information

Step 6: Compliance Monitoring

Ongoing Requirements: Maintain compliance with all permit conditions
Code Enforcement: City inspectors address complaints and ensure compliance
Contact for Issues: Call (626) 307-1415 or email codecompliance@montereypark.ca.gov

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Primary Application Documents

Administrative Application - Signed by property owner and notarized
Nuisance Response Plan - Detailed plan for addressing complaints
Transient Occupancy Registration Confirmation - Email confirmation from HdL
Proof of Insurance - Homeowner's or renter's insurance for STR
Surety Bond - $1,500 bond meeting city requirements
Indemnity Statement - Hold harmless agreement, notarized and signed
Radius Map and Ownership List - Properties within 200 feet
Affidavit of Mailing Notices - Confirmation of neighbor notifications
Application Fees - Per current fee schedule

Key Operational Guidelines

Maximum Occupancy: Two persons per bedroom plus two additional persons maximum (greater numbers require justification)
Parking Requirements: Must provide adequate on-site parking
Noise and Nuisance Control: Must adhere to municipal noise ordinances
Emergency Contact: Maintain 24/7 contact information for rapid response

Specific Regulations

City of Monterey Park Regulations

Monterey Park Municipal Code Chapter 21.09

Defines short-term rentals as dwellings rented for less than 30 consecutive days
Prohibits STRs in ADUs and JADUs
Requires permits for all STR operations
Establishes maximum occupancy limits: 2 persons per bedroom plus 2 additional persons
Mandates neighbor notification within 200-foot radius at least 30 days before application
Requires $1,500 surety bond
Allows city planner to impose special permit conditions for public safety

Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT)

Current rate: 12% of gross rent
Collected on all stays under 30 days
Must be remitted monthly by the last day of the following month
Penalty structure: 10% initial penalty plus 10% monthly additional penalty
Interest rate: 0.5% per month
Registration required through HdL Companies
Online filing available at montereypark.hdlgov.com/

Enforcement and Compliance

City inspectors investigate complaints
Code compliance contact: (626) 307-1415
Email: codecompliance@montereypark.ca.gov
Unpermitted STRs receive clear steps and timelines for compliance

Monterey County Regulations (For Reference Only)

Note: The following applies to unincorporated Monterey County areas, not the City of Monterey Park

County Ordinance (Effective October 24, 2025)

Commercial STRs capped at 4% of housing stock in unincorporated areas
Requires permits for commercial rentals (previously unpermitted)
Permit cost: $965, valid for 7 years
Bans commercial event venues without permits
Allows homestays where owner is present
Permits renting properties 3 times per year for up to 30 days

Contact Information

City of Monterey Park - Planning Division

Phone: (626) 301-1315
Email: planningpermitcounter@montereypark.ca.gov
Address: 320 West Newmark Ave, Monterey Park, CA
Website: www.montereypark.ca.gov

Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) - HdL Companies

Phone: (626) 599-6233
Email: MontereyParkTOT@hdlgov.com
Online Filing: montereypark.hdlgov.com/
Mail: City of Monterey Park TOT Processing Center, 8839 N. Cedar Ave #212, Fresno, CA 93720

Code Compliance Division

Phone: (626) 307-1415
Email: codecompliance@montereypark.ca.gov

Municipal Code Access

Website: library.qcode.us/lib/monterey_park_ca/pub/municipal_code/item/title_21-chapter_21_09
Forms: www.montereypark.ca.gov/246/Forms

Source Pages

Monterey Park STR Permit Application: www.montereypark.ca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/15636
Monterey Park STR Workshop Presentation: www.montereypark.ca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/16812
Monterey County STR Information: www.countyofmonterey.gov/government/departments-a-h/housing-community-development/permit-center/short-term-rentals
SFGate County STR Article: www.sfgate.com/centralcoast/article/monterey-county-short-term-rentals-20827910.php
HdL TOT Registration Portal: montereypark.hdlgov.com/Home/Index/TOT

This guide provides comprehensive information for operating a compliant short-term rental business in Monterey Park, California. Always verify current requirements with city authorities before proceeding with any STR investment or operation.

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Ask the AI Advisor about Monterey Park

Monterey Park is a city in the western San Gabriel Valley, in Los Angeles County, California, with a population of roughly 60,000 residents. Often described as one of the first suburban Chinatowns in the United States, the city has a strong Asian American character, particularly Chinese and Taiwanese, and is widely recognized for its dense concentration of Asian restaurants, bakeries, tea houses, supermarkets, and specialty shops. Its compact, walkable downtown corridor along Garvey Avenue and Atlantic Boulevard is a regional draw for dim sum, Taiwanese hot pot, and boba. The city sits roughly eight to ten miles east of downtown Los Angeles, making it a practical inland base for visitors who want cultural and culinary variety alongside easy access to the broader metropolitan area.

Just a few miles north in neighboring San Marino, the Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens offers more than 200 acres of themed gardens, a renowned art collection that includes European and American masterpieces, and a celebrated research library. About a ten-minute drive from Monterey Park, it is one of Southern California's most visited cultural institutions and pairs naturally with a short stay in the area.

A short drive to the northwest brings guests to Griffith Observatory and the surrounding Griffith Park, the largest municipal park in the United States. The observatory, perched on the southern slope of Mount Hollywood, offers public telescopes, planetarium shows, and panoramic views of the Los Angeles basin, the Pacific Ocean, and the Hollywood Sign. From Monterey Park, the drive is typically 20 to 30 minutes depending on traffic.

A bit further afield, the San Gabriel Mountains rise directly north of the city, providing a striking backdrop and easy access to hiking, picnicking, and scenic drives in the Angeles National Forest. The mountain observatory at Mount Wilson and the winding Angeles Crest Highway are within roughly an hour's drive, offering cooler temperatures and panoramic views. Closer in, Old Town Pasadena, about eight miles to the north, is a popular destination for shopping, dining, and the historic [Rose Bowl Stadium](en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rose_Bowl_(stadium), known for college football's annual Rose Bowl Game and an ongoing calendar of concerts and the flea market.

Monterey Park is a compelling base for short-term rentals because it sits at a cultural crossroads: its own dining and shopping scene draws visitors on its own, while its central San Gabriel Valley location places downtown Los Angeles, Pasadena, Hollywood, the Pacific coast, and the San Gabriel Mountains all within a short drive. Travelers who value authentic cultural neighborhoods, varied cuisine, and convenient access across the region tend to find the city especially appealing as a quieter, more affordable alternative to staying in central Los Angeles itself.