Short-term rentals in Santa Monica: the local rules

Each rule below links to the section of the Santa Monica Municipal Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What Santa Monica's code says

Santa Monica code What Santa Monica's code adds
Allowed	Yes, but only home-sharing. Applies: The host needs a city home-sharing permit and business license. The home-share must be the host's primary residence. § 6.20.020 · code text home-sharing shall be authorized in the City, provided that the host complies with each of the following requirements:
Cap on rentals	No more than 2 groups of visitors on any given date. Applies: For each home-share, whether or not the visitors are related. § 6.20.020 · code text Does not book or rent to more than two groups of visitors for any given date, whether the visitors within the groups are related to one another or not.
Permit or registration	A city home-sharing permit and a business license are required at all times. § 6.20.020 · code text Obtains and maintains at all times a City home-sharing permit issued pursuant to this Chapter and a business license issued pursuant to Chapter 6.04.
Primary residence	Yes. The home-share must be the host's primary residence. § 6.20.021 · code text Proof that the proposed home-share is the primary residence of the applicant;

Who this affects

TenantsLandlordsProperty managers

Frequently asked questions

Can I rent out my home short-term in Santa Monica?

Only home-sharing is allowed, in the host's primary residence, with a city permit and business license; at most 2 visitor groups per date.

Short-term rentals in Santa Monica

Key points

What Santa Monica's code says

Who this affects

Frequently asked questions

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