Executive overview: Are short-term rentals allowed in Del Rey, CA?

• Del Rey is a neighborhood within the City of Los Angeles (Los Angeles County). The City of Los Angeles has its own short‑term rental regime that has been in flux; operation inside the City requires conformance with City ordinances, registration, and tax obligations. Confirm the current City of Los Angeles status before listing.
• In Los Angeles County unincorporated areas, short‑term rentals are allowed and are regulated through a registration and tax program administered by the County Treasurer and Tax Collector (TTC).
• Coastal zones within the County are a notable exception: Short‑Term Rental registration requirements do not currently apply to properties located in coastal zones, where short‑term rentals are currently unregulated.
• A valid Short‑Term Rental Registration Certificate is mandatory before listing a property in unincorporated County areas; operating without a certificate can trigger enforcement, daily fines (up to $1,000 per day on hosting platforms), and listing removal.

Market entry: How to start a short‑term rental business in this market

1. Confirm jurisdiction and eligibility

• Del Rey (City of Los Angeles): Validate whether the City is currently permitting short‑term rentals and what registration and TOT requirements are in effect. Engage City planning/registries for current status.
• Los Angeles County (Unincorporated): Eligible if you are a homeowner/host renting your primary residence or a room(s) in your home for stays of 30 consecutive days or less. Hosted and un‑hosted models are both permissible, subject to ordinance terms.

2. Obtain required identifiers for County unincorporated registration

• Contact the Los Angeles County Short‑Term Rental Unit at (213) 974‑2011 or STRental@ttc.lacounty.gov to receive a unique six‑digit Account Number and Activation Code.

3. Register and pay

• Create your online account at lacountystr.munirevs.com using the Account Number and Activation Code.
• Submit the Short‑Term Rental Registration Certificate application and pay the registration fee.

4. Comply with Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT)

• County unincorporated: Collect and remit TOT within 30 days after each rental start date. You can remit TOT via the same online portal (lacountystr.munirevs.com).

5. Maintain ongoing compliance

• Keep your certificate current, remit TOT on time, respond to complaints, and follow the Short‑Term Rentals Ordinance requirements (noise, safety, good neighbor rules, etc.). Noncompliance can lead to fines and listing removal.

Required documents, permits, licenses, and guidelines

County unincorporated areas (applies if your Del Rey property is not within the City of Los Angeles limits):

• Short‑Term Rental Registration Certificate (County)
• County Transient Occupancy Tax registration and monthly remittance
• Proof of primary residence (for hosted or home‑share rentals)
• Proof of host authorization (ownership or written permission from owner if host is not the owner)
• Property information (address, unit details, number of bedrooms for any parking/noise caps that may apply locally)
• Host contact details for listing display and complaint response

Key ordinance documents and terms (County):

• Los Angeles County Short‑Term Rentals Ordinance (countywide unincorporated requirements)
• Short‑Term Rentals Terms & Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

City of Los Angeles (if your property is within City limits; confirm with the City):

• City STR registration and/or license
• City TOT/BLT registration and remittance
• Zoning/home‑sharing eligibility proof
• Any platform listing ID requirements the City may impose

Specific regulations: city, county, and state

• Los Angeles County (Unincorporated)

  • Eligibility: Primary residence or room(s) within a home rented for 30 consecutive days or fewer.
  • Registration: Required prior to hosting; registration handled via the County TTC portal.
  • TOT: Hosts must collect and pay TOT within 30 days of the rental start date; monthly returns typically due thereafter.
  • Coastal Zone Exception: Properties in coastal zones are currently unregulated for STR registration requirements.
  • Enforcement: Operating without a valid registration certificate can lead to fines up to $1,000 per day on hosting platforms and listing removal.
  • Complaint enforcement: 24/7 complaint hotline (213) 371‑1070; online complaint submission available.

• City of Los Angeles (Del Rey)

  • Short‑term rentals are subject to City of Los Angeles ordinances and registration. Given the City’s evolving STR framework, confirm the current permitting status, host eligibility, caps, and TOT requirements directly with the City before listing.

• State of California (applicability to short‑term rentals)

  • Transient Occupancy Tax: California’s “bed tax” regime applies to short‑term lodging (usually defined as 30 days or less). Local jurisdictions administer their own TOT rate and rules; you must register and collect TOT where applicable.
  • Consumer Protection: Platforms and hosts may have obligations under state consumer protection and advertising laws; ensure truth‑in‑advertising and accurate listing information.
  • Safety and Accessibility: Any short‑term rental must comply with applicable building, fire, and health standards; local requirements often include smoke/CO detectors, posted emergency information, and safe egress.
  • Local Discretion: Cities and counties may impose additional requirements (licensing caps, good‑neighbor rules, parking caps, noise thresholds, etc.). Investors should assume stricter local rules can be enacted.

Enforcement, penalties, and complaint channels (County unincorporated)

• Operating without a valid STR Registration Certificate can result in administrative fines and removal of listings.
• The Treasurer and Tax Collector can impose fines up to $1,000 per day on hosting platforms for listing properties without a valid registration.
• Community members can file complaints 24/7 via the GovOS platform at (213) 371‑1070 or online at the Short‑Term Rentals Online Complaint Website.

Contact information for the local authority in charge of STRs

Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector — Short‑Term Rentals Unit

• Phone: (213) 974‑2011
• Email: STRental@ttc.lacounty.gov
• Portal (registration and TOT): lacountystr.munirevs.com
• Complaint hotline: (213) 371‑1070
• Business hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PT

Links to source pages

• Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector — Short‑Term Rentals landing page: ttc.lacounty.gov/str/
• Online registration and TOT portal: lacountystr.munirevs.com/login
• Short‑Term Rentals Ordinance (PDF): ttc.lacounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Short-Term-Rental-Ordinance.pdf
• Short‑Term Rentals Terms & FAQs (PDF): ttc.lacounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/STR-Terms-and-FAQs-1.pdf
• Transient Occupancy Tax information (County): ttc.lacounty.gov/tot/
• Short‑Term Rentals Online Complaint Website: str.govos.com/complaint/?cityid=1706
• Unincorporated Los Angeles County map (to confirm jurisdiction): www.arcgis.com/apps/instant/lookup/index.html?appid=9d20879a1db945b5a6cd7deeacff25be

Note: Del Rey is within the City of Los Angeles; the County rules summarized here apply to unincorporated County areas. For Del Rey properties, verify City of Los Angeles registration and tax requirements directly with the City before listing.