Executive Overview

Short-term rentals (STRs) are explicitly prohibited in La Cañada Flintridge (LCF). The City adopted Chapter 11.85 to Title 11 of the LCF Municipal Code to ban STRs across all zones. No permits, licenses, or entitlements for STRs are issued or approved within the City. Investors should assume STRs are not a viable business model in LCF.

City Regulatory Position on STRs

• Status: Banned citywide.
• Definition: A “Short-Term Vacation Rental” (STR) is any rental of a dwelling unit or portion of a dwelling unit for less than 28 consecutive days in exchange for monetary or non-monetary consideration. “Homesharing” (owner-present room rentals for <28 days) is included in the ban. “Rooming and Boarding Houses” and “Bed and Breakfast” are excluded from the STR definition and not governed by Chapter 11.85.
• Enforcement: STRs are a violation of LCFMC and subject to the City’s existing enforcement provisions.

Sources:

• lacanadaflintridge-ca.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=4&clip_id=491&meta_id=27532

Starting an STR Business in This Market

• Practical pathway: None. STRs are prohibited in all zones. The City will not approve STR permits or business licenses for STR use.
• Alternative lodging uses permitted elsewhere in LCF: “Bed and Breakfast” and “Rooming/Boarding Houses” are expressly excluded from the STR definition and appear in LCF’s zoning as separate, regulated uses. Whether these are allowed in a given zone is subject to the underlying zoning district rules and permits/approval (e.g., parking, compliance with nonconforming use provisions, and other municipal code requirements).

Guidance for investors:

• Confirm zoning and use permits for any proposed lodging use that is not an STR (e.g., Bed and Breakfast) with Planning/Community Development before acquisition or operation.
• Treat STR platforms (Airbnb, VRBO, etc.) as non-compliant for LCF listings.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines (All Prohibited for STRs)

• Permits: No STR permits (e.g., “short-term vacation rental permit”) are issued.
• Business License: No business license is issued for STRs.
• Entitlements: No use permit or other entitlement for STR use is approved or issued.
• TOT (Transient Occupancy Tax): No TOT registration or collection is applicable to STRs because STRs are not permitted; most lodging uses that would require TOT (hotels/motels) are not principal uses under standard zoning categories unless specifically allowed and permitted.

Note: Non-STR lodging (e.g., Bed and Breakfast) may require zoning clearance, parking compliance, and other approvals consistent with the zone and general regulations.

Specific Regulations (City, County, and State)

La Cañada Flintridge (City)

• Ordinance: Chapter 11.85 (Short-Term Vacation Rentals).
• Scope of prohibition: All zones citywide; includes entire-home and home-sharing rentals for <28 days.
• Permits and licenses: Explicitly barred for STRs.
• Violation and enforcement: Violations are enforced under the City’s municipal code enforcement provisions.
• Relationship to other codes: Municipal code zoning definitions and general regulations continue to apply to non-STR uses.

Los Angeles County

• STRs are controlled at the city level in incorporated areas like LCF. County rules do not govern STRs within LCF; any county references provided here are informational only.

California (State)

• LCF’s ban is a local zoning choice. Statewide, there is no statewide prohibition of STRs; cities may adopt bans or regulations as permitted under local police powers. Investors must comply with local rules where they operate.

Contact Information

• City Hall (General): City of La Cañada Flintridge, 1327 Foothill Blvd, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011. Phone: (818) 790-4281. Website: www.lcf.ca.gov/
• Community Development (Planning/Zoning): Same main line. Website: www.lcf.ca.gov/government/departments/community-development/
• Code Enforcement: Phone (via City Hall): (818) 790-4281.

Investors should direct zoning and enforcement questions to the Community Development Department for permit and use interpretations, and rely on City Hall for initial routing.

Links to Source Pages

• STR ban ordinance materials (Planning Commission Staff Report, Draft Ordinance, Workshop Memo): lacanadaflintridge-ca.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=4&clip_id=491&meta_id=27532
• General Regulations (Part 5 of Municipal Code; includes parking and other general zoning provisions): lcf.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Part-5_General-Regulations_PRD_10-28-19RF.pdf

Practical Due Diligence for Investors

• Acquisition stage: If the asset strategy involves any lodging model, pre-clear with LCF Planning that the intended use is not an STR and that the use is allowed under the zone (e.g., Bed and Breakfast zoning eligibility and parking).
• Operational stage: Do not list or market properties for <28-day stays in LCF as STRs. If renting rooms or units for ≥28 days, confirm that the arrangement does not meet or functionally replicate the STR definition and that the use is consistent with zoning (e.g., does not convert to de facto short-term occupancy).
• Compliance: If pursuing non-STR lodging (e.g., Bed and Breakfast), verify all permit requirements and parking standards in Part 5 of the Municipal Code and any applicable zoning district standards.

Bottom line: La Cañada Flintridge prohibits STRs. Do not plan, acquire, or operate STRs in LCF; pursue only zoning-compliant lodging models (if any) and obtain prior City approval.