Short answer: no. In California, an ADU generally cannot be used as an Airbnb or any other short-term rental. State law requires ADUs to be rented for terms longer than 30 days — and even in cities that allow short-term rentals, ADUs are usually excluded from those programs. If you’re building an ADU for rental income, plan on a long-term tenant, not nightly guests.
What California Law Says
California Government Code §§ 66323(e) and 66315 require every local ADU ordinance to mandate rental terms longer than 30 days for accessory dwelling units. Section 66333(g) extends the same rule to junior ADUs. The ban applies statewide — it doesn’t matter whether your city welcomes Airbnb or not. Renting an ADU by the night is illegal everywhere in California.
But My City Allows Airbnb — Doesn’t That Cover My ADU?
Usually not. Most city short-term rental programs were written for primary residences, and many explicitly carve ADUs out. For example:
- Los Angeles: home-sharing is limited to your primary residence — ADUs and JADUs are explicitly excluded.
- Long Beach, Torrance, Riverside, Upland, Dana Point, Laguna Beach: all explicitly exclude ADUs from short-term rental use.
- Santa Ana, San Bernardino, Irvine: short-term rentals are banned outright, with narrow exceptions.
- Huntington Beach is the rare exception — and only for ADUs legally established as STRs before February 2021.
City-by-City: ADU Short-Term Rental Rules
The headline finding: across all 174 cities in our four-county service area, effectively zero allow an ADU to operate as a short-term rental. The lone exception is Huntington Beach — and only for ADUs legally established as STRs before February 2021. Everywhere else, either the city code explicitly excludes ADUs or the statewide 30-day ban does the work.
Rules change often and fines run into the thousands per violation in many cities — always confirm current rules with your city’s planning department before making plans.
Orange County (34 cities)
| City | Short-term rentals | ADU as an STR? | Key rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aliso Viejo | Banned — City Council banned short-term residential rentals of 30 days or fewer in March 2015 | No — city ADU code requires ADU rentals month-to-month or longer and expressly prohibits short-term rentals | All rentals under 30 days prohibited, hosted or unhosted; fines $100/$200/$500 tiers plus $1,000 for a fourth violation within 12 months |
| Anaheim | STRs allowed with grandfathered permits only — no new residential STR permits issued | No — ADU covenant requires rentals of 30+ consecutive days | STR regulatory permit + business tax certificate required, annual renewal, 3-night minimum stay |
| Brea | Yes — Ordinance 1270 (adopted Jan 2026) created a short-term rental licensing program | No explicit local ADU carve-out found — state 30-day rental ban applies to ADUs | Requires STR license ($1,000 fee), business license, home inspection, $1M liability insurance, and monthly TOT remittance |
| Buena Park | Yes — hosted STRs only under Ordinance 1675; whole-home/non-owner-occupied STRs prohibited | No — city code requires ADU rentals of at least 30 days, and a property with an ADU cannot be used as an STR at all | STR permit ($300, 3-year term) + business license required; owner must reside on site as primary residence; 300-ft separation from other STRs |
| Costa Mesa | STRs allowed only for grandfathered home-sharing operators (started by Dec 1, 2020) | No — ADUs/JADUs approved after mid-2019 prohibited from STR use | Owner must reside on site and be physically present; no new STR entrants |
| Cypress | No local STR program found | State 30-day rental ban applies to ADUs | No city STR permit path exists; state law bars ADU rentals under 30 days |
| Dana Point | Yes — STRs allowed under Coastal Commission-approved STR program | No — ADUs/JADUs explicitly excluded from STR use | Home Stay STR requires owner present 10pm–7am; Primary Residence STR capped at 60 days/year |
| Fountain Valley | Banned — Ordinance 1591 (adopted Oct 18, 2022) explicitly prohibits short-term rentals citywide | No — ADUs fall under the citywide ban on rentals of 30 days or less | Violations carry fines up to $1,500/$3,000/$5,000 for first/second/third offenses, with no exemptions |
| Fullerton | Yes — STR permits issued for whole-home (capped at 100 citywide) and partial-home rentals | No explicit local ADU carve-out found — state 30-day rental ban applies to ADUs | Whole-home rentals limited to 100 permits citywide with 300-ft separation; permits non-transferable on property sale |
| Garden Grove | Banned — short-term rentals of under 30 consecutive days prohibited in every residential zone | No — ADUs fall under the residential-zone ban on stays under 30 consecutive days | Unpermitted STRs treated as illegal hotel use — misdemeanor, fines up to $1,000 per day plus up to six months in jail |
| Huntington Beach | Yes — hosted STRs in Zone 1, grandfathered unhosted in Zone 2 (Sunset Beach) | Only if the ADU/JADU was legally established as an STR before 2/19/2021 | STR permit + business license required; 24/7 local contact reachable within one hour |
| Irvine | Effectively banned — 2026 ordinance bars platforms from completing bookings for Irvine properties | No — ADUs deed-restricted to 30+ day rentals | Each listing URL counts as a separate violation with compounding daily fines |
| La Habra | No local STR program found | No — La Habra code provides ADUs/JADUs may not be rented for periods of less than 31 days | No city STR permit path exists; ADU rentals under 31 days expressly prohibited by city code |
| La Palma | No local STR program found | State 30-day rental ban applies to ADUs | No city STR permit path exists; state law bars ADU rentals under 30 days |
| Laguna Beach | Yes — but only in commercial/mixed-use zones, no new residential permits | No — ADU explicitly excluded: may not be operated at any time as a short-term lodging unit | Administrative or Conditional Use Permit required; citywide cap on permits |
| Laguna Hills | Banned — Ordinance 2023-2 prohibits STRs in all residential zones | No — ADUs fall under the residential-zone STR ban | Ban covers whole homes, individual rooms, and portions of property including accessory structures |
| Laguna Niguel | Yes — vacation rental permits issued with inspection, subject to TOT | No explicit local ADU carve-out found — state 30-day rental ban applies to ADUs | Permitting process with inspection required; 10% transient occupancy tax applies to stays under 30 days |
| Laguna Woods | No local STR program found | State 30-day rental ban applies to ADUs | No city STR permit path exists; city states rentals are functionally limited (55+ Leisure World HOA, 30-day minimum leases) |
| Lake Forest | Effectively banned — STRs prohibited except a 'Limited Home Rental' of the owner's primary residence up to 3 times per year | No — ADUs fall outside the primary-residence-only carve-out, so the state 30-day ban applies | Limited Home Rental allows the owner's primary home to be rented under 30 days up to 3 times per year, with 10% hotel tax owed |
| Los Alamitos | No local STR program found | No — Los Alamitos code prohibits renting an ADU for a term of 30 days or less | No city STR permit path exists; city code expressly bars ADU rentals of 30 days or less |
| Mission Viejo | Yes — no dedicated STR permit; hosts must register for Transient Occupancy Tax | No — city's recorded ADU deed restriction prohibits short-term rental of ADUs | Hosts must register under Muni Code Ch. 3.25 for 8% TOT registration and post the certificate on the property |
| Newport Beach | Yes — annual Short Term Lodging Permit required | No — ADUs cannot be rented for fewer than 30 days at a time | No new permits for R-1 single-family parcels since June 2004; business-license tax registration required |
| Orange | Yes — STR permits allowed but the 125-permit cap has been full for years with a waitlist only | No — city code requires ADU/JADU rentals longer than 30 days and bars them as short-term rentals | Non-owner-present STRs must be 300 ft from other permitted STRs; new applications not accepted while cap is full |
| Placentia | Yes — business license plus STR operating permit under Muni Code Ch. 6.45 (2026 ordinance added a permit cap) | No explicit local ADU carve-out found — state 30-day rental ban applies to ADUs | Operating permit number must appear on all ads; city upheld permit revocations for unpaid TOT and tightened rules in 2026 |
| Rancho Santa Margarita | No local STR program found | No — JADU deed restriction bars rentals of fewer than 30 consecutive days per city ordinance doc | No city STR permit path exists; many RSM HOAs independently ban STRs |
| San Clemente | Yes — short-term lodging permits in select mixed-use and multi-family zones; single-family homes generally excluded | No — San Clemente's recorded ADU deed restriction limits ADUs to long-term rental only | Short-term lodging zoning permit plus operating license and 10% TOT required |
| San Juan Capistrano | Yes — but only in multi-family (RM/VHD) zones under boarding provisions, not in single-family zones | No — single-family ADUs sit in zones where STRs are prohibited | Operators must hold a city business license and remit 10% TOT |
| Santa Ana | Banned — City Council prohibited short-term residential rentals | No — ADUs shall not be used as short-term vacation rentals | Code-enforcement fines up to $1,500/$3,000/$5,000 for repeat violations |
| Seal Beach | Yes — STR permits issued via lottery with annual renewal (Ordinance adopted Jan 23, 2023) | No explicit local ADU carve-out found — state 30-day rental ban applies to ADUs | Initial permit $600, annual renewal $400; unregistered listings face high fines and future permit ineligibility |
| Stanton | Banned — STRs prohibited in all residential zones per Stanton Municipal Code | No — ADU/JADU may not be rented for a term shorter than 30 days | Code Enforcement monitors listings; administrative fines start at $100 and progress to $500 per day |
| Tustin | Effectively banned — rentals under 30 days are classified as hotel/motel use, not permitted in residential zones | No — ADUs subject to the same 30-day floor under the citywide rule | No permit path exists for residential STRs; unincorporated North Tustin falls under a separate county program |
| Villa Park | Banned — Municipal Code 23-3.5 prohibits renting any residential dwelling for fewer than 30 consecutive days | No — city Housing Element expressly prohibits ADUs from short-term rental use | Advertising a prohibited STR is itself a violation; Code Enforcement accepts complaints at (714) 998-1500 |
| Westminster | Banned — 2020 ordinance (Muni Code Ch. 9.74, Transient Uses) prohibits transient uses including STRs | No — ADUs fall under the citywide STR prohibition | No permit, waitlist, or owner-occupied carve-out exists for STRs |
| Yorba Linda | No local STR program found | No — Yorba Linda requires ADU rentals to be 30 days or longer | No city STR permit path exists; state law bars ADU rentals under 30 days |
Los Angeles County (88 cities)
| City | Short-term rentals | ADU as an STR? | Key rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agoura Hills | Yes — STR licensing program under Ordinance 23-467 (Article VI, Chapter 10); annual STR business license required. | No — ADUs and deed-restricted units are ineligible; city code bars ADUs from STR use. | One STR license per person/entity; 3-night minimum stay; 12% TOT remitted quarterly. |
| Alhambra | Yes — STR permits under Municipal Code Ch. 5.92 (adopted Sept 2024, applications opened Mar 2025). | No — ordinance states STRs are prohibited in ADUs and JADUs per Gov Code 66323(d). | 500 active permits cap citywide; one permit per natural person; 2 guests per bedroom; up to $5,000 per citation for unpermitted operation. |
| Arcadia | No STR program — short-term rentals and home-sharing prohibited citywide under Ordinance 2348. | No — rentals under 28 consecutive days of any dwelling are prohibited. | City contracts STR monitoring services and actively enforces against Airbnb/VRBO listings. |
| Artesia | No STR program — Ordinance 24-960 (Dec 2024) prohibits short-term rentals in every zone. | No — sub-30-day rentals of any dwelling unit are unlawful citywide. | Both operating and advertising an STR are violations; rentals under 30 days banned. |
| Avalon | Yes — Transient Rental License program for rentals under 30 days, but no new licenses issued under moratorium since Aug 2023. | State 30-day rental ban applies to ADUs; no ADU-specific eligibility rule found. | Planning Commission approval plus Coastal Development Permit required in the coastal zone; noise violations risk license suspension. |
| Azusa | No local STR program found | State 30-day rental ban applies to ADUs | No city STR permit path exists; state law bars ADU rentals under 30 days |
| Baldwin Park | No local STR program found | State 30-day rental ban applies to ADUs | No city STR permit path exists; state law bars ADU rentals under 30 days |
| Bell | No local STR program found | State 30-day rental ban applies to ADUs | No city STR permit path exists; state law bars ADU rentals under 30 days |
| Bell Gardens | No local STR program found | State 30-day rental ban applies to ADUs | No city STR permit path exists; state law bars ADU rentals under 30 days |
| Bellflower | No STR program — zoning code has no short-term rental category and bars transient lodging uses in residential zones. | State 30-day rental ban applies to ADUs; no STR path exists for them. | Residential zones allow only a primary home plus up to two nontransient (31+ day) boarders. |
| Beverly Hills | STRs effectively banned — Ordinance 25-O-2918 (Aug 2025) requires minimum 12-month leases in residential zones. | No — sub-12-month rentals are banned in residential zones, ADUs included. | Ban in effect; being challenged in federal court by the BH Vacation Rental Alliance (suit filed Aug 2026). |
| Bradbury | No local STR program found | State 30-day rental ban applies to ADUs | No city STR permit path exists; state law bars ADU rentals under 30 days |
| Burbank | No STR program — short-term rentals are not a permitted use in residential zones | No — city confirms ADUs are long-term rentals only | Transient occupancy tax applies to lodging but there is no legal registration path for residential STR hosts |
| Calabasas | No local STR program — short-term rentals under 30 consecutive days are prohibited (hotels and B&Bs excepted) | State 30-day rental ban applies to ADUs | No permit path for residential STRs; only licensed hotels and bed-and-breakfasts may host short stays |
| Carson | No local STR program found | State 30-day rental ban applies to ADUs | No city STR permit path exists; state law bars ADU rentals under 30 days |
| Cerritos | No STR program — short-term vacation rentals are not permitted in Cerritos | State 30-day rental ban applies to ADUs | No city permit path for short-term vacation rentals |
| City of Industry | No local STR program found | State 30-day rental ban applies to ADUs | No city STR permit path exists; state law bars ADU rentals under 30 days |
| Claremont | Yes — STR permit program under MC Chapter 16.110; host must reside 9+ months/year | No — state-mandated ADUs/JADUs prohibited from STR use even if hosted; only permitted habitable guest houses with owner on site | Notarized application, neighbor notification, monthly TOT; max 20 permits per council district zone |
| Commerce | No local STR program found | State 30-day rental ban applies to ADUs | No city STR permit path exists; state law bars ADU rentals under 30 days |
| Compton | No local STR program found — city never adopted an STR ordinance | State 30-day rental ban applies to ADUs | No STR permit exists; zoning bars commercial use of residential property and city has cited hosts |
| Covina | No local STR program found | State 30-day rental ban applies to ADUs | No city STR permit path exists; state law bars ADU rentals under 30 days |
| Cudahy | No local STR program found | State 30-day rental ban applies to ADUs | No city STR permit path exists; state law bars ADU rentals under 30 days |
| Culver City | No STR program — rentals under 30 days effectively prohibited citywide under the zoning code | State 30-day rental ban applies to ADUs | 14% TOT applies to stays of 30 nights or fewer; council discussed a permissive ordinance in 2026 but none adopted |
| Diamond Bar | No STR program — short-term rentals banned within city limits | State 30-day rental ban applies to ADUs | Fines up to $1,000 per day for violations; no permit path exists |
| Downey | No local STR program — no STR permit exists and zoning bars commercial use of residential property | No — city code bars ADUs from rentals shorter than 30 days | City has enforced against Airbnb hosts via zoning nuisance provisions; fines up to $1,000 |
| Duarte | STR registration and business license appear required, but no official program confirmed yet | State 30-day rental ban applies to ADUs | Third-party sources report 12% TOT and registration; official city rules unconfirmed |
| El Monte | No STR program — short-term rental is not a permitted use in any zone | No — zoning code specifically prohibits STR of ADUs and JADUs (30+ day minimum) | No permit or license exists; up to $1,000 fine and/or 6 months jail per violation; 10% lodging tax still applies |
| El Segundo | Yes — Short-term Home Sharing Rental Permit under Ordinance 1614; hosted home-sharing only | No — an accessory dwelling unit may not be used for short-term rental | Host must live on site as primary residence; permit number in every ad; max 2 adult guests per bedroom; fines up to $2,500/$5,000 |
| Gardena | Yes — Home-Sharing Permit program under Ordinance 1854 (MC Chapter 5.76); host-present home sharing only | No — home sharing prohibited on properties with accessory dwelling units | Host present during stays; primary residence 183+ nights/year; 100-permit cap per 5-year period; $1,337 fee; 11% TOT |
| Glendale | Vacation rentals prohibited; hosted home-sharing allowed with host on site | No — rentals under 30 days prohibited for the primary dwelling, ADU, and JADU | Home-sharing license required; host must be physically present during the guest's stay |
| Glendora | City defines short-term rentals in code (Sec. 21.03.140) — permit status pending second check | State 30-day rental ban applies to ADUs | Code defines ADU/JADU STRs; whether permitted or prohibited unconfirmed |
| Hawaiian Gardens | No local STR program found | State 30-day rental ban applies to ADUs | No city STR permit path exists; state law bars ADU rentals under 30 days |
| Hawthorne | Yes — STR permits under Chapter 17.24e for primary-residence home-sharing and limited secondary residences | State 30-day ban applies to ADUs; city ADU eligibility unconfirmed | Primary residence 9+ months/year; secondary-residence permits capped at 10/year; 90-night annual cap; 12% TOT |
| Hermosa Beach | Split regime — coastal-zone STRs register under Ordinance ORD-26-1502 (Sept 2026) after a court struck down the 2016 ban; non-coastal areas still banned | State 30-day ban applies to ADUs; coastal-zone ADU eligibility unconfirmed | Coastal STRs must register, hold a business license, and remit 14% TOT |
| Hidden Hills | No local STR program found | State 30-day rental ban applies to ADUs | No city STR permit path exists; state law bars ADU rentals under 30 days |
| Huntington Park | No local STR program found | State 30-day rental ban applies to ADUs | No city STR permit path exists; state law bars ADU rentals under 30 days |
| Inglewood | Yes — STR permits under Ordinance 22-15 (hosted, unhosted, and vacation-rental types) | No — ADUs permitted on or after Jan 1, 2017 can never be used as STRs | Owner-occupant primary residence only; unhosted capped at 90 nights/year; license number in every ad; 15.5% TOT due monthly |
| Irwindale | No local STR program found | State 30-day rental ban applies to ADUs | No city STR permit path exists; state law bars ADU rentals under 30 days |
| La Canada Flintridge | No local STR program — short-term rentals generally prohibited in single-family neighborhoods | State 30-day rental ban applies to ADUs | Strict residential zoning with no STR permit path |
| La Habra Heights | No local STR program found | State 30-day rental ban applies to ADUs | No city STR permit path exists; state law bars ADU rentals under 30 days |
| La Mirada | No STR program — rentals under 30 days in residential dwellings not permitted | State 30-day rental ban applies to ADUs | No STR permit path exists for residential dwellings |
| La Puente | No local STR program found | State 30-day rental ban applies to ADUs | No city STR permit path exists; state law bars ADU rentals under 30 days |
| La Verne | Yes — STR permit program under MC Chapter 18.94; primary residence only, residential zones | State 30-day ban applies to ADUs; city ADU eligibility unconfirmed | $100 application fee; license number on ads; max 2 guests/bedroom (10 max); 6 neighbors notified and 3 objections can deny |
| Lakewood | Yes — STR license program under Ordinance 2023-2 for primary residences | No — ADUs are excluded from the STR program | Primary residence only; license required before advertising; proof of insurance and inspection required |
| Lancaster | No dedicated STR ordinance — general business license + 7% TOT registration required | No — ADUs/JADUs carry a 30-day minimum rental period | No minimum stay for ordinary single-family/multi-family units; Rental Housing Business License Program may apply |
| Lawndale | STRs prohibited — municipal code declares short-term rental a prohibited use in residential zones | State 30-day rental ban applies to ADUs | Offering or operating any STR is unlawful; no permit program exists |
| Lomita | No local STR program found | State 30-day rental ban applies to ADUs | No city STR permit path exists; state law bars ADU rentals under 30 days |
| Long Beach | Yes — hosted STRs for primary residences (originally coastal zone, later expanded citywide) | No — ADUs/JADUs explicitly excluded, not qualifying dwelling units | $250 annual registration; host must remain on site; primary residence means 275+ days/year |
| Los Angeles | Yes — Home-Sharing Ordinance with registration | No — ADUs/JADUs explicitly excluded from home-sharing | Primary residence only, host must live on site, 120-day annual cap on unhosted stays |
| Lynwood | No local STR program — zoning code permits only listed uses, and STRs are not a listed use | State 30-day rental ban applies to ADUs | General business license required for any commercial activity, but no STR permit exists |
| Malibu | Yes — annual STR permit required under Ordinance 468 / MC Chapter 17.55 | State 30-day ban applies to ADUs; city ADU eligibility unconfirmed | $495 annual permit, 15% TOT, valid OWTS operating permit required, max 14 guests |
| Manhattan Beach | STRs of 29 days or less banned in residential areas outside the coastal zone | State 30-day rental ban applies to ADUs | Ban in the coastal zone struck down by courts without Coastal Commission approval |
| Maywood | No local STR program found | State 30-day rental ban applies to ADUs | No city STR permit path exists; state law bars ADU rentals under 30 days |
| Monrovia | STRs taxed under the TOT ordinance (Ord 2026-02, July 2026) covering STR operators and hosting platforms; no host permit program found | State 30-day rental ban applies to ADUs | TOT collection on STRs via platforms; no host permit program confirmed |
| Montebello | No local STR program found | State 30-day rental ban applies to ADUs | No city STR permit path exists; state law bars ADU rentals under 30 days |
| Monterey Park | Yes — STR permit program under MC Chapter 21.09 with city permit, business license, and $1,500 bond | State 30-day ban applies to ADUs; city ADU eligibility unconfirmed | Neighbor notification required; max overnight occupancy is 2 persons per STR plus 2 per bedroom |
| Norwalk | No STR program — city policy prohibits short-term rentals (zoning allows room rentals only for 30+ days) | State 30-day rental ban applies to ADUs | No STR permit, license, or registration process exists |
| Palmdale | No dedicated STR ordinance — ordinary business license and transient occupancy tax under MC Chapter 3.24 required | No — ADUs restricted to 30-day minimum rentals by state law | No permit cap or zoning ban on STRs; they are excluded from the B&B category only |
| Palos Verdes Estates | No local STR program found | State 30-day rental ban applies to ADUs | No city STR permit path exists; state law bars ADU rentals under 30 days |
| Paramount | STRs prohibited — zoning code bans rentals under 30 days since STRs are not a permitted use | No — ADU/JADU rentals limited to terms longer than 30 days | R-1 zone bars any rental shorter than 30 consecutive calendar days; no STR permit path |
| Pasadena | Yes — STRs allowed with city permit | State 30-day ban applies to ADUs; ADU-specific city eligibility unconfirmed | Permit issued only to primary residents living at the property 9+ months per calendar year |
| Pico Rivera | No STR program — city policy prohibits short-term rentals | State 30-day rental ban applies to ADUs | No STR permit path exists; neighboring-city survey confirms the prohibition policy |
| Pomona | Yes — hosted STRs only under Ordinance 4342 (2023; rewritten Feb 2024); owner must live on site | No — ADUs cannot be used as STRs under Ordinance 4342 | $66.50 permit fee, zoning clearance letter, 10% TOT; unhosted stays and property-manager operation prohibited |
| Rancho Palos Verdes | STRs prohibited — Ordinance 593 bans short-term rentals and their advertising in RS and RM zones | State 30-day rental ban applies to ADUs | No STR permit path exists; violation subject to municipal code penalties |
| Redondo Beach | No STR program — city states rentals under 30 days are not permitted in residential zones | State 30-day rental ban applies to ADUs | No permit, license, or registration path exists; enforcement via Rentalscape platform with compliance letters and prosecutor referrals |
| Rolling Hills | STRs prohibited — city adopted an ordinance prohibiting short-term rentals | State 30-day rental ban applies to ADUs | No STR permit path exists |
| Rolling Hills Estates | No local STR ordinance; STRs are considered commercial activity and prohibited in residential zones | State 30-day rental ban applies to ADUs | No STR permit path exists |
| Rosemead | Unconfirmed — third-party sources describe a registration and business-license STR program with 12% TOT, but no official program page found | State 30-day rental ban applies to ADUs | No official city STR program confirmed; third-party claims unverified |
| San Dimas | No local STR program found | State 30-day rental ban applies to ADUs | No city STR permit path exists; state law bars ADU rentals under 30 days |
| San Fernando | No local STR program found | State 30-day rental ban applies to ADUs | No city STR permit path exists; state law bars ADU rentals under 30 days |
| San Gabriel | No local STR program found | State 30-day rental ban applies to ADUs | No city STR permit path exists; state law bars ADU rentals under 30 days |
| San Marino | No local STR program found | State 30-day rental ban applies to ADUs | No city STR permit path exists; state law bars ADU rentals under 30 days |
| Santa Clarita | No dedicated STR ordinance — Transient Occupancy Registration Certificate required within 30 days of first booking | State 30-day rental ban applies to ADUs | 10% TOT under MC Chapter 3.34; no permit cap or nightly-stay cap |
| Santa Fe Springs | No local STR program found | State 30-day rental ban applies to ADUs | No city STR permit path exists; state law bars ADU rentals under 30 days |
| Santa Monica | Effectively prohibited — only hosted home-sharing (host present) allowed | No — ADUs permitted on/after 3/31/2017 banned from exclusive STR use | Full-unit rental legal only for 31+ days; business license required; $1,000 fine per violation |
| Sierra Madre | No local STR ban on primary units — city staff found all listed STRs operating compliant with City Code | No — staff recommends continued prohibition on STRs for second units/ADUs | ADUs/second units barred as STRs to protect their low/moderate income housing status |
| Signal Hill | No local STR program found | State 30-day rental ban applies to ADUs | No city STR permit path exists; state law bars ADU rentals under 30 days |
| South El Monte | No local STR program found | State 30-day rental ban applies to ADUs | No city STR permit path exists; state law bars ADU rentals under 30 days |
| South Gate | No dedicated STR ordinance — nightly rentals classified under general business-license rental categories | State 30-day rental ban applies to ADUs | 8% TOT under MC Chapter 2.74 with Transient Occupancy Registration Certificate; zoning permissibility varies by parcel |
| South Pasadena | No local STR program found | State 30-day rental ban applies to ADUs | No city STR permit path exists; state law bars ADU rentals under 30 days |
| Temple City | No local STR program found | State 30-day rental ban applies to ADUs | No city STR permit path exists; state law bars ADU rentals under 30 days |
| Torrance | Yes — Short-term Home Sharing Rental Permit required | No — city code states an ADU may not be used for short-term rental | Permit number in every ad; max 2 adult guests per bedroom (6 total); TOT registration required |
| Vernon | No local STR program found | State 30-day rental ban applies to ADUs | No city STR permit path exists; state law bars ADU rentals under 30 days |
| Walnut | No local STR program found | State 30-day rental ban applies to ADUs | No city STR permit path exists; state law bars ADU rentals under 30 days |
| West Covina | No STR program — Development Code lists STRs as not permitted in every residential and commercial mixed-use zone | State 30-day rental ban applies to ADUs | No permit or license path; sub-30-day stays violate zoning, plus 10% TOT if rented anyway |
| West Hollywood | Hosted home-sharing only — unhosted vacation rentals prohibited in residential areas (Ord 24-33, voter-protected) | State 30-day ban applies to ADUs; city ADU eligibility unconfirmed | Home Sharing Business License required; host must remain on site; 12.5% TOT |
| Westlake Village | No local STR program found | State 30-day rental ban applies to ADUs | No city STR permit path exists; state law bars ADU rentals under 30 days |
| Whittier | Yes — STR permit program under Ordinance 3175 (ZCA24-0003, early 2026) | No — ADUs and JADUs cannot be occupied as STRs | STR permit + business license required; permit number in every ad; banned in high/very-high fire hazard zones; 300-ft buffer between STRs |
Riverside County (28 cities)
| City | Short-term rentals | ADU as an STR? | Key rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Banning | No local STR program found | State 30-day rental ban applies to ADUs | No city STR permit path exists; state law bars ADU rentals under 30 days |
| Beaumont | No local STR program found | State 30-day rental ban applies to ADUs | No city STR permit path exists; state law bars ADU rentals under 30 days (a licensing program has only been proposed, for January 2027) |
| Blythe | No local STR program found | State 30-day rental ban applies to ADUs | No city STR permit path exists; state law bars ADU rentals under 30 days |
| Calimesa | No local STR program found | State 30-day rental ban applies to ADUs | No city STR permit path exists; state law bars ADU rentals under 30 days |
| Canyon Lake | No city STR permit path; the Canyon Lake POA bars any lease under 30 days | State 30-day rental ban applies to ADUs | City Residential Rental Program requires a business license and inspection but offers no STR permit; POA rules (covering most of the gated city) bar leases under 30 days |
| Cathedral City | Effectively banned in residential neighborhoods; narrow exceptions for HOA-approved developments and homeshares | No — ADUs are excluded; Measure B/Ordinance 842 phased residential STVRs out by 2023 | STRs allowed only in Resort Residential zones within HOA/CID developments that permit them, or as owner-present homeshares |
| Coachella | Yes — STR registration/permit plus business license, with monthly TOT and TBID reporting | No — ADUs may not be used for stays under 30 days under state law | Capped at 20% of housing units per city-defined neighborhood, with seasonal March 1-June 1 permits exempt from the cap and owners limited to five permits |
| Corona | No — banned new STR permits under Urgency Ordinance 3380 (Oct 2023); all 13 pre-existing permits expired by Oct 2024 | No — STRs banned citywide, and state law bars ADU rentals under 30 days | Only stays of 30 consecutive days or longer are legal, which fall outside STR rules and TOT entirely |
| Desert Hot Springs | Yes — Vacation Rental Permit required for stays under 30 days | No — ADUs may not be used for stays under 30 days under state law | Vacation Rental Permit capped at 4% of housing parcels with a 500-foot separation between STR parcels; annual HOA letter of approval required in HOA communities |
| Eastvale | No — short-term rentals (under 30 days) are prohibited citywide under Zoning Code Sec. 120.04.160 | No — STRs banned citywide, and state law bars ADU rentals under 30 days | Enforced through fines for rentals under 30 days, with penalties aligned to state law up to $1,500/$3,000/$5,000 per violation |
| Hemet | Yes — Short-Term Lodging Permit program (Ord. 2075, Hemet Municipal Code Ch. 18, Art. XVIII) | No — the city's ADU ordinance (Ord. 2072) explicitly bars ADUs/JADUs from short-term rentals | Article XVIII Short-Term Lodging Permit requires annual permitting, registration, and compliance with local operating standards |
| Indian Wells | Yes — short-term rental license/permit allowed, but generally limited in practice to HOA common-interest developments that vote to allow them | No — ADUs may not be used for stays under 30 days under state law | New permits restricted to a 29-night minimum year-round (7-night minimum only during the annual tennis tournament); HOAs may opt out of the minimum via IWMC 5.20.210 |
| Indio | Yes — annual Short-Term Rental Permit plus business license required before any rental or listing (Ord. 1766, IMC Ch. 37) | No — Indio Municipal Code Ch. 37 explicitly bars ADUs/JADUs as STRs | Combined annual permit/business license ($1,633 permit fee) with TOT registration; permits are non-transferable and renew with the business license |
| Jurupa Valley | No — banned in every zone by Ordinance 2023-10 (Chapter 4.15), in force since 2023 | No — STRs banned citywide, and state law bars ADU rentals under 30 days | No permit of any type may be issued for stays under 30 days in any zone classification |
| La Quinta | Yes but tightly restricted — new permits only in published exempt areas, owner-occupied homeshares, or 25,000+ sq ft lots certified by Council (LQMC Ch. 3.25) | No — ADUs/JADUs may not be used as STRs under state law | Permanent ban on new General and Primary STVR permits since 2021; existing permits are non-transferable and renew annually with the named holder |
| Lake Elsinore | No local STR program found | State 30-day rental ban applies to ADUs | No city STR permit path exists; state law bars ADU rentals under 30 days |
| Menifee | No — STRs are a prohibited use in every residential and rural residential zone under the Development Code | No — STRs prohibited in all residential and rural zones, and state law bars ADU rentals under 30 days | Only legal sub-30-day overnight option is an owner-occupied bed and breakfast with a conditional use permit |
| Moreno Valley | No local STR program found | State 30-day rental ban applies to ADUs (city rules require a 31-day minimum lease for ADUs) | No city STR permit path exists today; a proposed STR licensing program was heard Sept 2026 and continued, targeted for January 2027 |
| Murrieta | Yes — annual Short-Term Vacation Rental permit plus business license (MMC Ch. 5.27 and Sec. 16.44.260, adopted 2020) | No — Murrieta Municipal Code 16.44.260 explicitly excludes ADUs and JADUs from STVR use | 300-permit citywide cap, hosted rentals in RR/ER/SF/MF zones and non-hosted only in RR/ER-1/ER-2 with 300-foot separation; 10% TOT |
| Norco | No — Ordinance 1070 prohibits short-term rentals in all zoning districts | No — STRs banned citywide, and state law bars ADU rentals under 30 days | Rentals of 27 days or less are prohibited in all zoning districts under Municipal Code Sec. 18.69 |
| Palm Desert | Yes — annual STR permit for stays of 2-27 nights (PDMC Ch. 5.10) | No — ADUs may not be used for stays under 30 days under state law | Annual STR permit ($29) with HOA letter of approval in HOA communities; off-site STRs only in limited areas, while single-family neighborhoods allow owner-present on-site rentals |
| Palm Springs | Yes — Vacation Rental Registration Certificate for stays of 28 days or less (Municipal Code Ch. 5.25, single-family dwellings only) | No — ADUs may not be used for stays under 30 days under state law | Annual Vacation Rental Registration Certificate ($1,046) limited to one per owner and 26 contracts per year (existing permits grandfathered at 32), with a 20% neighborhood density cap |
| Perris | Yes — short-term rental license under Municipal Code Ch. 5.38 for stays of 1-27 days, permitted in residential zones (Ord. 1374/1378) | No — ADUs may not be used for stays under 30 days under state law | No permit cap, no primary-residence requirement, and no separation rule; the program treats an STR as a licensed business under Title 5 |
| Rancho Mirage | No — entirely banned in every zone (RMMC Sec. 17.30.270(B)); listings must be set to 28+ day minimums | No — all STR activity is prohibited, and a detached casita is treated as part of the dwelling unit | All short-term rentals banned since July 1, 2022, with fines starting at $5,000 and escalating to $10,000 per occurrence |
| Riverside | Yes — annual short-term residential rental permit (Municipal Code Chapter 5.55, adopted 2024) | No — ADUs/JADUs/detached ADUs excluded, may only be rented for more than 30 days | One permit per unit with annual renewal; business license required; brokers must verify permits before listing |
| San Jacinto | No local STR program found | No — San Jacinto Development Code 17.405 states ADUs shall not be used as short-term rentals (rentals under 30 days) | No city STR permit path exists; state law and city ADU rules bar ADU rentals under 30 days |
| Temecula | No — short-term rentals prohibited citywide (TMC 17.06.030), reaffirmed January 14, 2020 | No — STRs banned in all residential zones, and state law bars ADU rentals under 30 days | Operating an illegal STR risks a fine of up to $1,000 per day plus legal action |
| Wildomar | No local STR program found | State 30-day rental ban applies to ADUs | No city STR permit path exists; state law bars ADU rentals under 30 days |
San Bernardino County (24 cities)
| City | Short-term rentals | ADU as an STR? | Key rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adelanto | No local STR program found | State 30-day rental ban applies to ADUs | No city STR permit path exists; state law bars ADU rentals under 30 days |
| Apple Valley | Yes — the Town licenses short-term vacation rentals via a Special Use Permit under Development Code Table 9.28.030-A (Ordinance No. 561, 2023) | No — state law bars ADUs from rentals under 30 days | Special Use Permit ($1,946 cost-recovery deposit) plus annual Property Maintenance Certificate and self-remitted 7% TOT |
| Barstow | No local STR program found (city runs a general rental registration/inspection program only) | State 30-day rental ban applies to ADUs | No city STR permit path exists; state law bars ADU rentals under 30 days |
| Big Bear Lake | Yes — annual Vacation Rental License required under the Transient Private Home Rental program (Ordinance No. 2023-518) | No — a 2025 amendment lets properties with ADUs keep STR eligibility for the primary residence only; ADUs themselves are ineligible | Annual Vacation Rental License ($605) requires owner certification exam, 24/7 local contact, and monthly remittance of 10% TOT plus 3% TBID |
| Chino | Banned citywide via Ordinance No. 2022-014 (adopted October 2022) with no permit or exemption available | No — ADUs excluded under the citywide ban | STRs banned outright; fines apply per violation and third-party platform monitoring is used for enforcement |
| Chino Hills | Banned in residential areas — the city's FAQ states the municipal code does not allow short-term rentals | No — ADUs excluded under the residential STR ban | City FAQ states the municipal code does not allow short-term rentals; complaint-driven enforcement with state fine caps applies |
| Colton | No local STR program found | No — Colton's code states no ADU or JADU may be rented for a term shorter than 30 days | No city STR permit path exists; state law bars ADU rentals under 30 days |
| Fontana | No STR ban and no dedicated STR program — ordinary houses can be rented short-term | No — city code states no ADU or JADU may be rented for less than 30 days | City business license + Planning Division sign-off for residential rentals; 8% TOT self-remitted by hosts |
| Grand Terrace | No local STR program found | State 30-day rental ban applies to ADUs | No city STR permit path exists; state law bars ADU rentals under 30 days |
| Hesperia | No dedicated STR program — hosts operate under a general business license with self-remitted 10% TOT | State 30-day rental ban applies to ADUs | No city STR permit path exists; state law bars ADU rentals under 30 days |
| Highland | No local STR program found | State 30-day rental ban applies to ADUs | No city STR permit path exists; state law bars ADU rentals under 30 days |
| Loma Linda | No local STR program found | State 30-day rental ban applies to ADUs | No city STR permit path exists; state law bars ADU rentals under 30 days |
| Montclair | No local STR program found | State 30-day rental ban applies to ADUs | No city STR permit path exists; state law bars ADU rentals under 30 days |
| Needles | Yes — comprehensive short-term rental permit program established by Ordinance No. 649-AC (2022), updated by Ordinance No. 679-AC implementing SB 346 | No — no ADU STR eligibility identified in the program; state law bars ADU rentals under 30 days | $400 application/licensing fee with property inspection, 24/7 owner contact with 30-minute physical response, and no commercial events on site |
| Ontario | Yes — short-term rentals allowed only as home shares in the host's primary residence; absentee vacation rentals are explicitly prohibited | No — program is home-share only, so ADUs cannot be STR'd | STR Permit under Development Code Section 5.03.363; hosted stays or un-hosted stays capped at 90 days per year |
| Rancho Cucamonga | Yes — hosted and un-hosted STRs allowed at the host's primary residence under Municipal Code Chapter 8.34 (Ordinance 969, 2020); absentee vacation rentals are banned | No — permitted STRs must be the host's primary residence; state law bars ADUs from rentals under 30 days | Business license, TOT certificate, and Short-Term Rental Permit ($201) with a city safety inspection; location must be the host's permanent residence |
| Redlands | No local STR program found | State 30-day rental ban applies to ADUs | No city STR permit path exists; state law bars ADU rentals under 30 days |
| Rialto | No dedicated STR program — code does not mention STRs, but the 9% TOT and business license requirements still apply | State 30-day rental ban applies to ADUs | No city STR permit path exists; state law bars ADU rentals under 30 days |
| San Bernardino | Banned in residential zones (ordinance adopted April 2026, effective May 2026) | No — ADUs excluded | $1,000 fine per violation; city considering outside enforcement vendor |
| Twentynine Palms | Yes — Vacation Home Rentals licensed under Development Code Chapter 19.41 | No — as of the 2026 ADU ordinance update, ADUs may no longer be used as STRs (existing ADU STRs grandfathered) | Vacation Home Rental license required (stays of 2–30 nights) with inspections and permit number shown in ads; STR cap discussed at 12% of housing stock |
| Upland | Yes — STRs allowed with an Administrative Use Permit (Chapter 17.23.1) | No — ADUs explicitly excluded: shall not be used as short-term rentals | Permit number, street-view photo, and max occupancy in every ad; unhosted stays capped at 120 days/year |
| Victorville | No dedicated STR permit — STRs run on the standard Rental Business License ($354.41) with self-remitted 7% TOT | State 30-day rental ban applies to ADUs | No city STR permit path exists; state law bars ADU rentals under 30 days |
| Yucaipa | No local STR program found | State 30-day rental ban applies to ADUs | No city STR permit path exists; state law bars ADU rentals under 30 days |
| Yucca Valley | Yes — short-term vacation rentals regulated under Ordinance 312 (rewritten 2026 as Ordinance 335) with a 4-year permit cycle | No — ADUs permitted under state streamlined rules since 2020 cannot be rented short-term | Ordinance 335 (2026) caps STRs at 10% of detached single-family housing stock with noise monitoring and escalating fines to $5,000 |
What You CAN Do With Your ADU
- Long-term tenants — the standard play: 12-month leases and steady, predictable income.
- Medium-term furnished rentals (30+ days) — traveling nurses, relocating executives, and insurance-displacement housing. These often command a premium over long-term rates and are fully legal.
- Family housing — aging parents, adult children, or caregivers close by.
Build Your Rental Math on the Right Numbers
An ADU that cash-flows as a long-term rental is a sound investment. An ADU whose numbers only work as an illegal nightly rental is a liability — one code-enforcement complaint can wipe out years of projected income. When ADU Cities helps clients underwrite a project, we model honest long-term rental income, never nightly rates you can’t legally collect.
Build Your ADU on Real Numbers
We underwrite every ADU on honest long-term rental income — never on nightly rates you can’t legally collect. Call 310.880.9718 for a free consultation and we’ll run the real math for your property.
Short-term rental rules change frequently, and coastal zones, HOAs, and specific plans can add further restrictions. This page is general information, not legal advice.