Overview: Are short‑term rentals allowed in Playa‑del‑Rey, CA?

Short‑term rentals are permitted in the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County, subject to a county registration certificate and Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) obligations. However, properties in coastal zones are excluded from county registration requirements and are currently unregulated at the county level. Playa‑del‑Rey is a neighborhood within the City of Los Angeles; therefore, LA County STR rules do not apply unless a specific property sits within unincorporated Los Angeles County (which would be unusual for Playa‑del‑Rey). Investors should be aware that California’s governing statutes at Civil Code §1946.2 and Government Code §1954 are relevant statewide and may affect shorter‑than‑31‑day tenancies and local authority to enforce STR rules. Treat this guide as directional and verify the property’s jurisdiction and zoning classification directly with local authorities.

• Short‑term rental defined: renting all or part of a home for stays of 30 consecutive days or fewer.
• County registration requirement applies in Unincorporated Los Angeles County but does not apply in coastal zones.
• Do not assume county rules govern Playa‑del‑Rey; confirm jurisdiction with the City of Los Angeles and the County.

Reference: LA County Treasurer and Tax Collector (TTC) STR page — registration, TOT, coastal zone note.

How to start a short‑term rental business in unincorporated Los Angeles County (county rules apply to unincorporated properties)

If your property is in unincorporated LA County and not in a coastal zone, follow these steps:

1. Obtain credentials:
   • Contact the Short‑Term Rental Unit at (213) 974‑2011 or STRental@ttc.lacounty.gov to receive your unique six‑digit Account Number and Activation Code.
2. Create your county account:
   • Visit the county portal and register using your credentials: lacountystr.munirevs.com.
3. Submit your application and pay:
   • Complete the Short‑Term Rental Registration Certificate application and pay the registration fee through the portal.
4. Enroll in Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT):
   • Register for TOT and plan to collect and remit TOT for each booking that is 30 days or fewer.

If your property is in a coastal zone, the county indicates STR registration requirements do not currently apply. Confirm coastal zone status and any separate city/county requirements before listing.

Reference: LA County TTC STR portal and account set‑up instructions.

Required documents, permits, licenses, and guidelines

For unincorporated LA County (not coastal zone):

• Short‑Term Rental Registration Certificate (county): submit application via the county portal and pay the registration fee.
• Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) enrollment: county TOT registration is required; TOT must be collected on bookings of 30 days or fewer and remitted within 30 days after the rental start date.
• Hosting platform compliance: platforms may require proof of registration/certificate before listing.
• Business License (county): depending on your business structure and activities, a county business license may be required; check county business license requirements.
• Compliance with the Short‑Term Rentals Ordinance and Terms & FAQs (see “Regulations”).

Coastal zone note:

• STR registration requirements do not apply to properties in coastal zones at this time.

References: LA County TTC STR page; STR Ordinance; STR Terms & FAQs; Business License section.

Specific regulations for short‑term rentals — county, city, and state

County (Los Angeles County — unincorporated areas):

• Registration: A Short‑Term Rental Registration Certificate is required before renting. Apply via lacountystr.munirevs.com after obtaining account credentials.
• Eligibility: Homeowners/hosts whose primary residence is in Unincorporated LA County; rentals of a home or room(s); short‑term stays of 30 consecutive days or fewer.
• Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT): Must collect and remit TOT for stays of 30 days or fewer; remit within 30 days after the rental start date; you can make TOT payments online.
• Coastal zone exclusion: STR registration requirements do not apply to properties in coastal zones; verify if your property is in a coastal zone.
• Enforcement: Operating without a valid certificate may lead to noncompliance fees, administrative fines, and removal of listings. The county can impose fines of up to $1,000 per day on hosting platforms for listings without a valid registration certificate.
• Complaints: Residents may file STR complaints online or via hotline (see “Contact Information”).

References: LA County TTC STR page; TOT information; STR Ordinance; Terms & FAQs.

City of Los Angeles:

• Municipal rules may apply to Playa‑del‑Rey as a City of Los Angeles neighborhood (e.g., registration/permitting, safety standards, and reporting through LA’s hosting platform integrations). This guide does not include city‑specific pages; confirm current city requirements with the City of Los Angeles.

State of California (statewide baseline):

• Civil Code §1946.2: Generally prohibits local authorities from banning short‑term rentals of less than 31 days for permanent residents’ primary residences, subject to local permitting, taxes, and reasonable health and safety regulations.
• Government Code §1954: Establishes the framework for local governments to adopt and enforce short‑term rental ordinances.
• Local rules (city or county) must still be followed, including registration, taxes, safety, and operational standards.

Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) — key points

• Applies to short‑term rentals of 30 consecutive days or fewer.
• County registration/enrollment is required in unincorporated LA County; you must collect TOT from guests and remit to the county.
• Payment timing: remit TOT within 30 days after the rental start date; online remittance is available via the county portal.
• Exemptions: Over‑30‑day stays and certain designated exemptions exist (see county TOT forms for details).

References: LA County TTC STR page; TOT forms and instructions.

Enforcement and penalties

• Operating without a valid STR registration certificate in unincorporated LA County can lead to 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 that do not have a valid registration certificate.
• Keep proof of registration and TOT remittance records to avoid penalties.

Reference: LA County TTC STR page.

Contact information (local authority for STRs)

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

• Phone: (213) 974‑2011
• Email: STRental@ttc.lacounty.gov
• Business Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PT
• STR Portal: lacountystr.munirevs.com
• TOT and Registration Online Forms:
  • Transient Occupancy Tax Monthly Computation Form
  • TOT Over Thirty Day Stay Exemption Application Form
  • TOT Designated Exemption Application Form
  • TOT Registration Application
  • TOT Refund Claim Form
• Complaints:
  • Online complaint portal: Short‑Term Rentals Online Complaint Website
  • GovOS Platform 24/7 Complaint Hotline: (213) 371‑1070

References: LA County TTC STR page; complaint portals and forms.

Links to source pages (provided for reference)

• LA County Treasurer and Tax Collector — Short‑Term Rentals: ttc.lacounty.gov/str/
• Short‑Term Rental Registration Portal: lacountystr.munirevs.com/login
• Short‑Term Rentals Ordinance (PDF): ttc.lacounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Short-Term-Rental-Ordinance.pdf
• STR Terms & FAQs (PDF): ttc.lacounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/STR-Terms-and-FAQs-1.pdf
• Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) — General Info and Forms: ttc.lacounty.gov/tot/
• Business License Section (wildfire assistance; county business license): ttc.lacounty.gov/business-license-general-information/
• STR Online Complaint Website: str.govos.com/complaint/?cityid=1706
• TOT Monthly Computation Form: ttc.lacounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/TOT-Monthly-Computation-Form.pdf
• TOT Over Thirty Day Stay Exemption Application Form: ttc.lacounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/TOT-Over-Thirty-Day-Stay-Exemption-Application-Form.pdf
• TOT Designated Exemption Application Form: ttc.lacounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/TOT-Designated-Exemption-Application-Form.pdf
• TOT Registration Application: ttc.lacounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/TOT-Registration-Application.pdf
• TOT Refund Claim Form: ttc.lacounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/TOT-Tax-Refund-Claim-Form.pdf
• Unincorporated Los Angeles County Lookup Tool: www.arcgis.com/apps/instant/lookup/index.html?appid=9d20879a1db945b5a6cd7deeacff25be

Important caveats for Playa‑del‑Rey investors:

• Jurisdiction matters: Most of Playa‑del‑Rey is inside the City of Los Angeles. Confirm whether any parcel is unincorporated; county rules generally do not apply inside city limits.
• Coastal zone status: County registration requirements do not apply in coastal zones. Verify if the subject property is in the coastal zone; if so, county registration is not currently required (as per county guidance), but other rules may apply.
• Municipal rules: If operating within the City of Los Angeles, follow city registration, taxes, safety, and hosting platform rules. This guide does not include city‑specific pages; obtain them from the City of Los Angeles.