Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Lomita?

Short-term rentals are effectively prohibited in Lomita, California. The City Council has determined that "the short term rental of property is not currently an allowed use under the City's zoning code." While some cities interpret short-term rentals as allowed under existing residential rental provisions, Lomita has maintained that short-term rentals constitute a separate, prohibited use. The city has monitored the practice since 2016 but has not formalized regulations allowing it.

For properties developed under Senate Bill 9 (urban lot splits and two-unit developments), short-term rentals are explicitly prohibited for periods less than 30 days. Additionally, Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) cannot be operated as short-term rentals or rented for less than 30 days.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in This Market

Given the current regulatory landscape, starting a traditional short-term rental business in Lomita is not viable. However, investors should consider these alternative approaches:

Option 1: Medium-Term Furnished Rentals (30+ Days)

• Target the medium-term rental market (30+ days)
• This category falls outside short-term rental restrictions
• Focus on business travelers, medical professionals, or extended visitors

Option 2: Traditional Long-Term Rentals

• Convert properties to traditional 12-month+ leases
• Consider corporate housing for extended business assignments

Option 3: Legal Long-Term Rental + Additional Services

• Operate as a traditional landlord
• Offer additional services like housekeeping or meal delivery
• Market to longer-stay corporate clients

Option 4: Monitor Regulatory Changes

• Continue monitoring city council discussions on STR regulations
• Attend public meetings when STR topics arise
• Consider purchasing properties that could easily convert if regulations change

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Currently, no permits or licenses exist for short-term rentals in Lomita, as they are not an allowed use. For related housing options:

For ADUs:

• Building permits required through LA County Building & Safety
• Compliance with ADU development standards
• Cannot be used for short-term rentals (30+ day minimum)

For SB 9 Developments:

• Ministerial approval for two-unit developments or urban lot splits
• Compliance with SB 9 objective standards
• Cannot be used for short-term rentals (30+ day minimum)
• Owner-occupancy requirements may apply
• Affordability restrictions for rental units

For Traditional Rentals:

• Standard landlord-tenant compliance under California law
• Local business license if operating as a business entity
• Property maintenance and safety code compliance

Specific Regulations: City, County, and State

City of Lomita Regulations

Prohibited Use: Short-term rentals are not an allowed use under Lomita's zoning code. The city has maintained this position despite monitoring the practice since 2016.

Enforcement Challenges: The city acknowledges that enforcement is "difficult and costly" because:

• Hard to prove actual rental activity without sting operations
• Property owners can challenge citations successfully
• Difficult to obtain evidence of paid rentals
• Limited code enforcement resources

Monitoring Activity: As of February 2019:

• 15 active Airbnb listings
• 5 active VRBO listings
• 18-27 total listings consistently since 2016
• Only 2 unsubstantiated complaints in the preceding year

Los Angeles County Regulations

• Building permits processed through LA County Building & Safety
• County fire and safety inspections required for applicable properties
• No separate county-level short-term rental regulations identified

California State Regulations

SB 9 (2021): For properties developed under SB 9 provisions:

• Prohibition on short-term rentals: No unit may be rented for less than 30 days
• Applies to both urban lot splits and two-unit residential developments
• Deed restrictions required to enforce the prohibition

ADU Regulations:

• Short-term rental prohibition: ADUs cannot be rented for less than 30 days
• Must comply with Government Code Section 65852.2
• Owner-occupancy requirements may apply

General Rental Laws:

• California Civil Code provisions governing landlord-tenant relationships
• Local just-cause eviction ordinances do not apply
• Standard habitability and safety requirements

Contact Information for Local Authority

City of Lomita - Planning Division

• Address: 24300 Narbonne Ave., Lomita, CA 90717
• Phone: (310) 325-7110
• Website: lomitacity.com
• Email: Contact through website contact form
• Hours: Monday-Thursday 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM; Every other Friday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

LA County Building & Safety

• Website: dpw.lacounty.gov/building-and-safety
• Location: Various county offices
• Phone: Contact through county website

Code Enforcement

• Website: lomitacity.com/code-enforcement
• Reporting: Online service request system available

Links to Source Pages

1. City Council Report on Short-Term Rentals (February 19, 2019)

   • https://lomita.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=2&clip_id=465&meta_id=29450

2. Accessory Dwelling Units Information

   • https://lomitacity.com/accessory-dwelling-units/

3. SB 9 Urgency Ordinance (February 28, 2022)

   • https://lomita.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=2&clip_id=684&meta_id=37835

Investment Recommendations

Given the current regulatory environment in Lomita:

1. Avoid STR Purchases: Do not invest specifically for short-term rental purposes
2. Consider Alternative Strategies: Focus on medium-term furnished rentals or traditional long-term investments
3. Monitor Regulatory Changes: Stay informed about potential future discussions on STR regulations
4. Diversify Portfolio: Consider adjacent cities with more favorable STR regulations
5. Legal Compliance: Ensure any rental activity strictly complies with 30+ day minimum requirements

The City Council has discussed various regulatory options including permits, standards, and outright bans, but no formal regulations have been adopted as of the latest available information. Investors should expect the current prohibition to remain in place unless significant regulatory changes occur.