STR rules by city / Santa Monica, CA
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Santa Monica, CA short-term-rental rules
Santa Monica allows only home-sharing, not whole-home vacation rentals: a host must get a Home-Share permit and a business license, and may rent one or more bedrooms in their primary residence only while living on site throughout the guest's stay.
What does Santa Monica, CA require?
Santa Monica allows only home-sharing, not whole-home vacation rentals: a host must get a Home-Share permit and a business license, and may rent one or more bedrooms in their primary residence only while living on site throughout the guest's stay.
How much is the Santa Monica permit fee?
$582.25 total to apply: a $75.00 minimum license tax, a $44.85 processing fee, a $458.40 home-share review fee, and a $4.00 CASp fee.
How often do I renew?
Annual. Business licenses and Home-Share permits are valid through June 30 and must be renewed on July 1 each year.
Does it have to be my primary residence?
Yes, and the host must be present. Home-sharing is limited to bedrooms in the host's primary residence while the host lives on site throughout the stay; whole-home short-term rentals are not allowed.
What else should I know?
- Whole-unit short-term vacation rentals (host not present) are prohibited in Santa Monica.
- The host must live on site in the dwelling unit throughout the visitor's stay.
Source: City of Santa Monica — How to Apply for a Home-Share Business License. Verified as of July 4, 2026. Rules change, so confirm the current requirement with your city before you submit.
Santa Monica, CA short-term-rental permit questions
- Do I need a permit to run a short-term rental in Santa Monica, CA?
- Santa Monica allows only home-sharing, not whole-home vacation rentals: a host must get a Home-Share permit and a business license, and may rent one or more bedrooms in their primary residence only while living on site throughout the guest's stay.
- How much does a Santa Monica short-term-rental permit cost?
- $582.25 total to apply: a $75.00 minimum license tax, a $44.85 processing fee, a $458.40 home-share review fee, and a $4.00 CASp fee.
- How often do I renew my Santa Monica short-term-rental registration?
- Annual. Business licenses and Home-Share permits are valid through June 30 and must be renewed on July 1 each year.
- Does my Santa Monica short-term rental have to be my primary residence?
- Yes, and the host must be present. Home-sharing is limited to bedrooms in the host's primary residence while the host lives on site throughout the stay; whole-home short-term rentals are not allowed.
Ready to register in Santa Monica?
The $49 Permit Packet turns these rules into a pre-filled, submission-ready registration packet plus a renewal calendar, with every requirement cited to Santa Monica's primary source. You review it, then submit it to the city.
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