Burbank

The rule

Burbank's Code Enforcement FAQ says short term rentals (less than 30 days) are not permitted in the city.[1] Neighbors are told to report concerns to Building and Safety Code Enforcement at (818) 238-5225.[1]

How the code does it

The code says a use that isn't authorized in a zone can't be carried on there, except as a lawful nonconforming use.[5] Its use table for non-residential zones lists hotels and motels but not short-term rentals,[5] and uses not listed in the R-1 and R-1-H table may not be carried on there.[2]

Owners and tenants

We found no exception or permit route for an owner or a tenant, so a lease doesn't change the rule.[1, 2]

Accessory dwelling units

ADUs and junior ADUs that are rented must be rented for terms longer than 90 days, unless the code provides otherwise.[2]

Longer stays

The city's ban is written for stays of less than 30 days.[1] The hotel tax code treats a person who pays monthly in advance and occupies for a calendar month or 30 consecutive days as not transient.[6]

No operating standards

Because short-term rentals aren't permitted, we found no city operating rules for them in the code, such as occupancy limits, insurance or listing-number display.[2]

Past draft program

A 2021 city FAQ described a draft program with up to 600 business licenses, a primary-resident host requirement and 120 days of bookings a year.[7] The FAQ presents it as preliminary, and we found no such program in the code.[2, 7]

Hotel uses

The code lists hotels and motels as permitted or conditional uses in non-residential zones.[5] That is a hotel business, not a home rental.

Hotel tax rate

Burbank's transient occupancy tax is 10% of the rent charged to hotel guests, and operators file monthly.[4]

Short-term rentals

The code defines hotel accommodations as any room or structure used for dwelling, lodging or sleeping, including a tourist home or house.[6] The city's pages talk about hotel and motel operators, and a 2020 city Q&A said there was no occupancy tax on current short-term rental listings.[4, 8]

Measure C

Voters decide Measure C on Nov 3, 2026, which would raise the hotel tax from 10% to 12% starting Jan 1, 2027.[9] The city says the tax is paid by visitors at hotels and motels.[10]

State law

California's SB 346, approved Oct 13, 2025, lets a city that adopts an ordinance require platforms to report each rental's address and to show the local license number on listings.[11] We did not find that Burbank has adopted it.

Complaint-driven

A 2020 city Q&A said Code Enforcement's approach has been reactive, investigating suspected short-term rentals after complaints.[8] The city's FAQ points neighbors to Code Enforcement at (818) 238-5225.[1]

Fines

A news report says a Code Enforcement investigation can result in a $100 fee, and that the city estimated as many as 400 unpermitted rentals as of Sept 2024.[3] We found no official fine schedule for short-term rentals, so ask Code Enforcement for the current amount.

Council direction

The same news report says the council voted unanimously to have planners develop more rules, including bigger fines, and to ask platforms for a way to report noncompliant listings.[3] It said the council could later fund an added enforcement employee and that the item was expected on a future agenda.[3]

2025 to 2026 changes

We found no adopted short-term rental ordinance as of Oct 2, 2026, and the use table, last amended by Ordinance 25-4,036, effective Jan 16, 2026, still lists no short-term rental use.[2, 5]