Airbnb & Short-Term Rental Rules in Santa Monica, CA (2026)
Short-term rental rules, registration requirements, and penalties for Santa Monica, CA. Source-cited from official municipal code.
Short-term rental rules in Santa Monica, CA are not confirmed — see the official source before hosting.
Whether Santa Monica, CA permits short-term rentals (Airbnb/VRBO) has not been confirmed from an official source. Contact the local planning department through their official website to verify current STR rules — including whether hosting is permitted at all, registration requirements, and any local restrictions — before listing your property on Airbnb, VRBO, or a similar platform.
Statewide Preemption
Short-Term Rental Preemption
We could not confirm a statewide STR preemption statute for California.
View California preemption detailsRegistration Requirements
Whether short-term rental registration is required in Santa Monica has not been confirmed from official sources. Contact the local planning department or local building department to verify current registration requirements before hosting on Airbnb, VRBO, or similar platforms.
Operational Rules
No specific operational rules listed for short-term rentals in Santa Monica beyond standard property codes.
Penalties for Violations
Specific penalty amounts for STR violations in Santa Monica are not listed. Contact the local planning department for enforcement information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I do Airbnb in Santa Monica?
Yes, short-term rentals are allowed in Santa Monica, CA with registration required.
Do I need to register to host on Airbnb in Santa Monica?
Yes, Santa Monica requires Home-Sharing Registration (hosted only — unhosted whole-home banned) for short-term rental hosts. The registration fee is $200.
What are the main short-term rental rules in Santa Monica?
Key rules include: CRITICAL: Santa Monica banned unhosted whole-home short-term rentals in 2015 — one of the first US cities to do so. Only 'home-sharing' is permitted: host must be physically present during the rental. Host must be a permanent resident of the property (not a tenant sub-letting without landlord permission).
Can I rent my whole home on Airbnb in Santa Monica?
Check Santa Monica's specific STR regulations regarding whole-home vs hosted rentals.
Source: Santa Monica Municipal Code Chapter 6.20 — Home-Sharing Regulations. Last verified April 6, 2026. View source