Huntington Beach, California

Short-Term Rental Regulations — Orange County

Conditional

STR Status

Permit: RequiredOwner Occupancy Required
✓ Verified against the official ordinance.View source· Last verified 6/19/2026

Permit & Licensing

Permit RequiredYes
License Cost$639 initial (two years); $332 annual renewal
Renewalannual
Business License RequiredNot specified
WaitlistNot specified

Owner Requirements

Owner Occupancy RequiredYes
Primary Residence RequiredNot specified
Insurance RequiredNot specified

Limits & Restrictions

Density / Distance Cap1 STR per property (SFR, duplex, triplex); up to 3 STRs per property with 4+ units
Parking RequiredNot specified

Taxes & Fees

Transient Occupancy Tax / TOT10% TOT + 6% TBID

Zoning Restrictions

  • Zone 1 (Huntington Beach proper): hosted/owner-occupied only; Zone 2 (Sunset Beach): hosted and un-hosted allowed

Official Sources

huntingtonbeachca.gov/departments/community_development/building_inspection/permit_center/short-term_rentals.php
Data confidence: 88%Last updated: June 7, 2026

Short-term rental rules in Huntington Beach, California

Short-term rentals (Airbnb, Vrbo) in Huntington Beach, California are allowed under certain conditions. Operators must obtain a permit (fee: $639 initial (two years); $332). The property must be owner-occupied. A lodging/occupancy tax of 10% TOT + 6% TBID applies.

Frequently asked questions

Are short-term rentals allowed in Huntington Beach, California?

Short-term rentals (including Airbnb and Vrbo) are allowed under certain conditions in Huntington Beach, California. The property must be owner-occupied.

Do I need a permit to run an Airbnb in Huntington Beach?

A short-term rental permit is required, the fee is $639 initial (two years); $332.

What taxes apply to short-term rentals in Huntington Beach?

Short-term rentals in Huntington Beach are subject to a lodging/occupancy tax of 10% TOT + 6% TBID.

Where do these Huntington Beach short-term rental rules come from?

These details are verified against Huntington Beach's official short-term rental ordinance and updated when the rules change.

Always verify before you buy. Short-term-rental rules change often and may not be fully current here. Confirm directly with Huntington Beach, Orange County, or California authorities — and consult a qualified attorney — before purchasing property or operating an STR. This is not legal advice.