The Los Angeles Home-Sharing Ordinance strictly restricts short-term rentals to the host's primary residence (defined as the home where the host lives for more than six months out of the year). Consequently, the standard arbitrage model—leasing a separate, empty apartment solely to operate it as an Airbnb—is effectively banned. Furthermore, any units covered by the city's Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO), income-restricted housing, or recently "Ellised" units are explicitly barred from being used as short-term rentals.

Key Requirements

• Primary Residence Only: You are only allowed to operate one short-term rental unit within the city, and you must live there. Dedicated investment properties and second homes are completely ineligible.

• Landlord Approval (For Renters): If you are renting your primary residence, you must obtain a signed and notarized affidavit from your property owner or landlord explicitly authorizing your participation in home-sharing.

• Home-Sharing Registration: You must complete an online application through the City Planning portal, submit proof of primary residency, pay the $89 fee, and obtain a valid registration number before you can legally host.

• The 120-Day Cap: Standard home-sharing registrations cap un-hosted short-term rentals at a maximum of 120 days per calendar year. To rent the unit for more than 120 days, you must apply for an "Extended Home-Sharing" registration, which comes with much higher fees and stricter scrutiny.

Operational and Safety Standards

• Listing Compliance: Your city-issued registration number must be visibly posted on all advertisements and listings across hosting platforms.

• Occupancy and Noise Limits: Overnight occupancy is strictly capped at two persons per habitable room (excluding children). Amplified sound is not permitted after 10:00 p.m., and large evening outdoor gatherings are restricted.

• Safety Equipment: You must ensure the property is equipped with working smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers.

• Code of Conduct: Hosts are required to provide a "Code of Conduct" to all guests, detailing safety, security, and good-neighbor rules.

Tax Obligations

• Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT): Stays of 30 nights or fewer are subject to a 14% City Transient Occupancy Tax.

• Tax Registration: You must register to pay the TOT, though platforms like Airbnb will often collect and remit this tax on your behalf under an agreement with the city.

Enforcement

• Citations and Fines: Operating without an approved registration number or continuing to host after hitting the 120-day cap will trigger initial notices of violation, followed by escalating citations and fines.
• Platform Blocking: The ordinance prohibits hosting platforms from processing bookings for properties that lack a valid registration number or that have exceeded their annual day limit.