Orange, California Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Overview: STR Status in Orange, CA

Short-term rentals ARE ALLOWED in Orange, CA. The City has an active STR ordinance that became effective June 10, 2021. However, the maximum number of STR permits is capped at 125, and this limit has been reached. Any new STR operators must join a waiting list. The city defines STRs as rentals of 30 days or less, and properties must be in zones that allow residential uses (excluding mobile home parks).

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Orange?

Orange hosts earn a median $55,320/year with $270 ADR and 78% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $90,435+ per year.

See the full Orange market breakdown

Starting Your STR Business in Orange, CA

Current Market Status

Since the city has reached its permit limit of 125, new operators cannot immediately obtain permits. You must:

Email your name, address, and phone number to stradmin@cityoforange.org to join the wait list
Monitor the city website for any permit availability updates

Initial Steps for New Operators

Verify property eligibility: Ensure your property is in a residential zone (excluding mobile home parks)
Join the wait list: Submit your information to the city
Prepare documentation: Once permitted, you'll need to compile all required materials

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Required Permits and Licenses

Short-Term Rental Permit ($250)
- Annual permit with one-year expiration
- Non-transferable
- Must be renewed annually
Business License ($260)
- Separate from STR permit
- Renewal fee: $230 annually
Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) Registration
- 10% tax rate on all STR bookings
- Monthly remittance required

Required Documentation (as of application)

Certification of Trust for STRs
Proof of Ownership
Floorplan of the residence
Blank lease agreement copy
Letter outlining proposed STR use type and operation
Location diagram showing parking and property layout
Good Neighbor Policy notification proof
STR Hold Harmless Agreement

Good Neighbor Policy Requirements

Must provide policy to all forward-facing and adjacent neighbors
Proof of notification required at renewal (use Acknowledgment Receipt form)
Alternative proof: certified mailing

Permit Conditions

Initial inspection by the City required
Must provide local contact person who can respond to complaints within 30 minutes
No on-site exterior advertising signs allowed

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

City-Level Regulations (Orange Municipal Code)

Occupancy Limits:

Maximum overnight occupancy: 2 persons per bedroom plus 2 additional persons
One (1) vehicle per one (1) bedroom unit OR
Two (2) vehicles per two (2) or more bedrooms

Parking Requirements:

All guest vehicles must park only in approved driveway or garage
No street parking allowed for STR guests
Minimum of two (2) off-street parking spaces required at all times

Minimum Stay Requirements:

Two-night minimum stay required for all bookings

Quiet Hours:

10:00 PM to 9:00 AM daily
No outdoor activity that disturbs neighborhood peace
Violations can result in fines and permit revocation

Permit Limitations:

Maximum 2 properties per owner
Priority given to City residents and owner-occupied properties
Individual or personal trust ownership only

County-Level Regulations (Orange County)

Permitted Property Types:

Single-family dwelling units in single-family residential districts
Multifamily residential districts
Commercial districts within previously approved residential dwelling units

Prohibited Property Types:

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) shall not be used as STRs

County Noise Standards:

55 decibels from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM
50 decibels from 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM

State-Level Regulations (California)

Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT):

State allows local municipalities to charge up to 10% TOT
City of Orange charges the maximum 10% rate
TOT applies to all rental payments including nightly/weekly rates, cleaning fees, pet fees, internet charges, late check-out fees, and extra person fees
Excludes refundable deposits, platform fees, and package rates with recreational activities

TOT Payment Schedule and Requirements

Monthly TOT Remittance

Due Date: Last day of the following month Late Penalties:

First delinquency: 10% penalty + 0.5% interest
Second delinquency: Additional 10% penalty + 0.5% interest per month

Complete TOT Schedule

| Reporting Month | Due Date | 1st Delinquency (10% Penalty) | Interest Due (0.5%) | 2nd Delinquency (10% Penalty) | Interest Due (0.5%) | |-----------------|----------|--------------------------------|---------------------|--------------------------------|---------------------| | January | February 28 | March 1 | March 1 | April 1 | April 1 | | February | March 31 | April 1 | April 1 | May 1 | May 1 | | March | April 30 | May 1 | May 1 | June 1 | June 1 | | April | May 31 | June 1 | June 1 | July 1 | July 1 | | May | June 30 | July 1 | July 1 | August 1 | August 1 | | June | July 31 | August 1 | August 1 | September 1 | September 1 | | July | August 31 | September 1 | September 1 | October 1 | October 1 | | August | September 30 | October 1 | October 1 | November 1 | November 1 | | September | October 31 | November 1 | November 1 | December 1 | December 1 | | October | November 30 | December 1 | December 1 | January 1 | January 1 | | November | December 31 | January 1 | January 1 | February 1 | February 1 | | December | January 31 | February 1 | February 1 | March 1 | March 1 |

Taxable vs. Non-Taxable Items

Taxable Receipts Include:

Nightly and weekly rents
Standard cleaning fees
Pet fees
Internet charges
Late check-out fees
Extra person fees

Non-Taxable Items:

Refundable deposits
Platform fees
Package rates with resort tickets or recreational activities subject to CA sales tax

Violations and Enforcement

Minor Violations

First minor violation: Warning and correction period Subsequent violations: Fines and potential suspension

Major Violations

Immediate suspension possible
Two violations: Discontinue operations for up to one (1) year
Permit revocation: For serious or repeated violations

Reporting Complaints

Emergency: Call 911
Loud party/noise: Orange Police Department (714) 744-7444
Other complaints: 24/7 hotline (714) 867-1626
Online reporting: Visit city website STR submission form
Illegal STR operations: Email stradmin@cityoforange.org

Contact Information

Primary STR Administration

Phone: (714) 744-2264
Email: stradmin@cityoforange.org
Wait List Email: stradmin@cityoforange.org

General City Information

Address: 300 E. Chapman Ave., Orange, CA 92866
Main Phone: (714) 744-2225
Website: www.cityoforange.org

Online Services

STR Application/Renewal: secure.hostcompliance.com/orange-ca
TOT Payment: secure.hostcompliance.com/orange-ca/registrations-filings/permit_id

County of Orange

Website: myOCeServices.ocgov.com
Permit Application: Available through myOCeServices portal

Source Pages and Resources

This guide provides comprehensive information for STR investors considering the Orange, CA market. The key takeaway is that while STRs are legally permitted, the capped permit limit of 125 creates a competitive environment where investors must navigate the wait list system and prepare thoroughly for when permits become available.

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Ask the AI Advisor about Orange

Orange sits in the heart of Orange County, California, a suburban city of roughly 140,000 residents that feels a world away from the busy freeways surrounding it. Best known for its remarkably intact historic district, Old Towne Orange, the city has cultivated a small-town character that contrasts with the larger metropolitan region it belongs to. Located approximately 30 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles, Orange offers a quieter, walkable base for travelers exploring Southern California while remaining within easy reach of the region's marquee destinations, from the beaches of the Pacific coast to the theme parks of Anaheim just a few miles north.

At the center of the city lies Old Towne Orange, a nationally recognized historic district anchored by the circular Plaza Square, often called the Orange Circle. Surrounding the plaza is a dense collection of restored Craftsman bungalows, Victorian homes, and early twentieth-century commercial buildings, many of which now house antique stores, boutiques, coffee shops, and restaurants. The district draws weekend crowds who come to stroll, browse, and soak in what is often described as one of the best-preserved historic downtowns in California, with homes that have appeared in numerous films and television shows over the years.

Just steps from the Plaza Square, Chapman University adds an energy of its own. The private university, founded in the nineteenth century, has grown into one of the largest film and performing arts programs on the West Coast, and its campus blends historic buildings with modern facilities in the middle of the residential historic district. Visitors come for performances, art exhibitions, and special events, and the school's presence gives Old Towne a lively, walkable feel that varies with the academic calendar.

A short drive east of the city, Irvine Regional Park provides a green escape within the urban landscape. One of the oldest parks in Orange County, it spans more than 450 acres around a small lake and offers picnicking, paddleboat rentals, pony rides, a small zoo, and shaded walking paths beneath towering sycamores and oaks. It is a popular stop for families and a quiet contrast to the more manicured attractions closer to the coast.

For most visitors, however, the biggest draw nearby is the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, roughly five miles northwest of Orange. The original Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure, along with the Downtown Disney District, draw tens of millions of visitors each year and make the surrounding cities a year-round hub for tourism. Orange's central position between Anaheim and the Irvine and Tustin business corridor also places it close to other major draws, including Angel Stadium and the Honda Center, both just minutes north.

That combination of small-town character, a walkable historic core, and proximity to the biggest tourist draws in Southern California makes Orange a particularly flexible base for short-term rentals. Guests can spend the day immersed in the theme parks or shopping centers of Anaheim and return to a quieter neighborhood with tree-lined streets, locally owned restaurants, and easy freeway access to beaches, mountains, and Los Angeles beyond.